Basic Postage Overview . . .
		First Class Mail - Advantages Speedy Delivery: In state First Class mail is generally delivered in 1 to 2 days, and rarely takes longer than a week to anywhere in the continental U.S. Returned Mail: Bad addresses and moves that are 12 to 18 months old are returned to the sender at no charge. Moves within 12 months automatically can be forwarded, or could be returned to the sender. In either case there is no additional charge. Extra Effort:Postal employees are instructed to make every effort to delivery First Class mail. If there are missing components of the address or bad handwriting there is still a good chance it will get delivered.
	NOTE - Presorted First Class mailings garner all of the advantages of a First Class mailings but because your mailing is delivered to the Post Office presorted postage costs can be 18% lower. Qualification for a presorted First Class mailing is 500 pieces.
	First Class Mail - Disadvantages Cost:The postage on First Class mail is higher than some other classes of mail to compensate for the additional services provided. Weight:The cost of First Class mail increase in 1 oz. increments, whereas Standard mail does not increase the rate based on weight until the mail piece exceeds 3.3 oz. A First Class piece of mail cannot exceed 13 oz. Standard Class Mail - Advantages Low Cost:Standard mail has significantly lower rates than other classes of mail. Weight:For Standard mail there is no rate increase based on weight until the mail piece exceeds 3.3 oz. Standard Class Mail - Disadvantages Slower Delivery:For delivery within state, Standard mail typically takes 4 - 7 business days. For out-of-state deliveries the typical deliver time increases to 10 - 21 days. (Refer to typical delivery times illustration below) Return of undeliverable mail:The Post Office is not required to return undeliverable mail. Most of the time, the Post Office throws away Standard mail that is not deliverable. However, additional fees can be paid to be notified of moves or bad addresses. Qualification:TTo qualify for Standard rate mail, there must be a minimum of 200 pieces (or 50 lbs.), all pieces must be the same weight, you must have a bulk mailing permit, or mail using a Professional Mailer's services and bulk mailing permit.
	RED ZONE - average 7 days           ORANGE ZONE - average 10 days           BLUE ZONE - average 12 days           GREEN ZONE - average 12 days                     YELLOW ZONE - average 12 days           PURPLE ZONE - average 12 days
	Delivery estimates are based upon averages Siemons Mailing Services has experienced in its last 64 years of providing Professional Mailing Services. Services are available that can expedite bulk mailings and possibly lower postage costs. Please note these are estimates only. Bulk mailings can have large variations in delivery times due to the time of year and volume of mail flow. For instance, Bulk rate mailings can take considerably longer at peak mailing periods such as the holidays, political campaigning, or regional climate disturbances.
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