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Q1: |
I haven’t really done
a lot of large mailings in the past, where do I start? |
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A: |
The experts at A+
Mailing Solutions will be happy to come to your business to
discuss your ideas. We specialize in carrying our customers
through the entire mailing process. We will discuss your ideas and
then develop them from the concept to the mail stream. We
customize our services for you and do as little or as much as you
would like. |
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Q2: |
How many pieces do I
need in my mailing to qualify for presort discounts? Must they all
be from the same zip code or area? |
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A: |
To qualify for Standard
Mailings you must have a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds. To qualify for First
Class discounts you must have a minimum of 500 pieces. You could
have 4-10 pieces going to each state and still qualify for
discounts. Higher concentration within zip codes or geographic areas
will qualify you for additional savings. |
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Q3: |
If am providing my
electronic files to A+ Mailing Solutions, what file formats are
accepted? |
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A: |
We accept files on
diskette, CD or via email. Acceptable formats vary for list,
document and graphic files. Please see
Client Information for more
detailed information. |
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Q4: |
How much longer does
the mail delivery take if I send my mail Standard (Previously Third
Class) instead of First Class? |
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A: |
This varies by the
distance the mail piece has to travel and can take several days to
travel coast to coast. It is our experience that automation
compatible mail pieces are delivered within the Central PA area just
as quickly as First Class mail pieces, usually in 1-2 days. |
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Q5: |
I’ve wanted to send a
mailing for some time, but I would like to send to more addresses
than I have in my own mail list. What types of lists can A+ Mailing
Solutions provide? |
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A: |
Consumer Lists are
available by geographic criteria, household income and many more
options.
Business Lists are available by the same geographic
criteria plus SIC Codes, size of business and many more options.
Please see
List Criteria for more detailed information. |
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Q6: |
If I purchase/rent a
mailing list, how many times may I use it? |
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A: |
Most mailing lists can
be purchased/rented with a single use or multiple use license. Multiple use
licenses are typically good for one year. |
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Q7: |
I’ve heard that
purchased lists have many undeliverable addresses in them. How can I
be sure I am acquiring a list with good information? |
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A: |
A+ Mailing Solutions
works with some of the top list consolidators in the industry. The
undeliverable addresses referred to have to do with addresses for
parties who are no longer at the address on the list. Our list
consolidators run their lists through the
NCOA process on a monthly
basis. |
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Q8: |
How do list compilers
obtain their information for the lists? |
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A: |
Information is obtained
primarily from sources including national telephone directories,
annual reports, government and industry directories, subscription
services, surveys, newspapers, magazines, business journals, press
releases and stock exchange reports. |
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Q9: |
I have always done my
own mailing to maintain control over delivery time. What delivery
times can I expect if I entrust A+ Mailing Solutions with my
mailing? |
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A: |
Once we receive all
mailing lists and materials in-house, A+ Mailing Solutions typically
provides a 2-3 day turn around. Accepting and returning the
estimate will get your job on the production schedule ahead of later
responses. |
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Q10: |
What kind of response
rate can I expect with my mailing? |
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A: |
Response rates are
affected by products, offers, customer incentives, quality of
mailing list, mail piece/package design, and delivery time of the
mailing. Many industry experts suggest 1% is successful. However,
some mailers may require more or less to realize a profit from the
efforts. For these reasons, careful planning is very important. |
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Q11: |
Will telemarketing
increase my response rate? |
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A: |
Absolutely. It’s all but
impossible to call every single customer within the week or two
following the mailing. If mailing from your own list, we recommend
choosing at least 50 key contacts to follow up with so you can get a
little more bang for your buck. If we are brokering a mail list for
you, we can provide you with telemarketing index cards for each
recipient. |
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Q12: |
How can I be sure my
mailing list doesn’t end up in the hands of another company or
mailing service? |
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A: |
A+ Mailing Solutions
adheres to a very strict
Confidentiality Policy. |
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Q13: |
If I qualify as a
Non-Profit organization with the Government, am I automatically
authorized with the Post Office for Non-Profit discount rates? |
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A: |
No. You must obtain a
separate Non-Profit status with the United States Postal Service.
You can visit the USPS web site for more information. Secondly,
there are specific rules that your mailings must adhere to for
Non-Profit rates. Even though you might be approved as Non-Profit
with the USPS, not every mailing will necessarily qualify for the
Non-Profit rates. |
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Q14: |
Is it true that
non-deliverable pieces mailed at Standard rates are thrown away
rather than being returned to sender? |
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A: |
This is true.
However, by applying the appropriate
Ancillary endorsement to your
mail piece, you can instruct the post office to treat your mail
differently. There may be fees associated with the services
you choose. |
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Q15: |
Is the Post Office
allowed to open my mail? |
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A: |
Yes, if it is mailed at
Standard rates. Actually, they routinely open a few pieces from
every mailing to verify that the mailing qualifies for the Standard
rate. If a mail piece is personal correspondence, an invoice or
contains certain information that is specific to the recipient, then
it must be mailed at First Class rates. Contact your local
Post
Office Mail Piece Design Analyst for further clarification. |
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Q16: |
I would like to plan
a mailing that includes a response card from each recipient. I
understand that this is the best way to determine the response rate
for my mailing, but I don’t have the software or the personnel to
dedicate to such a task. Are services available to track the
responses and analyze the interest for me? |
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A: |
Yes. A+ Mailing
Solutions offers the ability to return the pieces to a designated PO
Box and we can have the information entered into a database and then
provide you with detailed analysis of all responses. |
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A+ Mailing Solutions