Post office to stamp out vending machines
Stamp vending machines at the post office are going the way of the pay phone.
The U.S. Postal Service is phasing out the vending machines, focusing instead on automated or online purchase options. Machines already have been removed from some post offices; the nationwide effort should be completed by 2010.
Postal officials said the machines had become obsolete and too expensive to maintain.
"They were pretty antiquated," said Sam Bolen, a postal spokesman. "The vending machines only accepted cash, while many customers preferred payment by credit card or debit card. The retrofitting of the machines to accept credit cards was not feasible."
The Postal Service has seen a drop in mail volume, and stamp sales have declined over the years.
"We're seeing pretty significant losses this year," Bolen said. "Prior to the recent fall in the economy, we were already seeing a decline because of the electronic commerce, like e-mail, and online applications, like online bill pay."
But Bolen said there are many more ways to buy stamps.
"A month doesn't pass that someone's not surprised where they can buy stamps," he said, adding that grocery stores, drugstores and even some bank ATMs offer customers the option to buy stamps.
He also touted the new automated postal centers used at the bigger, busier offices.
"These APC machines take debit or credit cards and allow customers to mail letters, purchase stamps and mail packages. You can pay your post office box rental. You can do a lot more than a stamp vending machine can do" at the self-service kiosks, he said.
How to get stamps
By mail: Order forms for stamps can be obtained through a customer's carrier or post office for delivery at a home or business. On rural routes, carriers may sell stamps and other postal services from their vehicles.
Online or by phone: Go to usps.com/shop, or call 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724). Shipping and handling fees may apply.
From retailers: Stamp booklets are available at many grocery, drug and retail stores. For a list of locations: Go to usps.com and select "Locate a Post Office," then the option "Alternate Locations to Buy Stamps." Or call 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777) or the TTY number 877-TTY-2HLP (877-889-2457).
At the counter: All types of stamps will continue to be available at post office retail counters, where payment can be made by check, money order, cash, and credit or debit card
SOURCE: United States Postal Service
By Elizabeth Zavala |McClatchy/Tribune News
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Starbucks direct mail delivers
Starbucks recently launched a new direct mail campaign that gets people going. The campaign is comprised of a mini-envelope reminiscent of a wallet. The copy on the exterior simply states, "Give your wallet the day off."
When the "wallet" is opened, the inside graphics and copy are simplistic to match the exterior. In the traditional Starbucks brown, there is an image of a set of keys with a simple key ring and to the right, coordinating copy that states, "Grab your Mini Card and GO."
Tucked into the bottom brown flap with reverse type treatment is "Introducing your purse-free, wallet-free Mini Starbucks Card. Preloaded with $5 and ready for a test run."Inside this flap is the mini-Starbucks card indeed, preloaded, and ready for the recipients to add to their keychain for a free drink and ease in returning frequently to re-fuel.
There are definitely benefits to registering your Starbucks card/s. This is not the first time I have received such a nice little treat in the mail from Starbucks. My husband doesn't register his cards and he is always a little envious when I get my little gifts in the mail.
Now, $5 isn't much but since I gave up the syrupy drinks and now just get decaf Americano, I can get two cups of java with my little gift instead of one big, juicy, fattening, and scrumptious frappuccino! Hey, it beats a bill, right?
What they did right: Aside from enjoying Starbucks coffee in general, Starbucks got it right on this campaign. Now, not knowing the demographics they were going after...I've been paying cash lately for my coffees so it could be that the marketing department sent this campaign to people like me that haven't used their registered card in a while. Or, this campaign may have been sent to everyone with a registered card. So, I won't speak to whether or not they effectively reached their intended audience. What I can and will address is the beauty and effectiveness of a simple mailing. the card is a 2-color print job in the colors you'd expect from Starbucks in keeping with their branding (using the Starbucks brown and more recognizable Starbucks green) on a familiar beige card stock. The simple copy on the front is inviting because it is alerts the recipients that there is a gift inside without blatantly saying "Hey, open this for your FREE gift" (Aren't we all tired of that line?).
Whether or not the mini-card will take off is another topic all together. I like a pure and simple keychain so I don't think this little mini-card is going to make it onto my keychain but that's just me. I see a lot of keychains out and about that have a collection of mini-cards from grocery stores, fashion stores, and liquor stores to name a few so it may be just what the key-chain collector is desiring to make the mini-card collection complete.
Bring it home: What can you do to learn from this effective sample? Keep it simple. Keep the color scheme and design in alignment with your brand. Target the segment of your market that you want to see more sales. If giving away an item to the recipient, make it something he or she will value and appreciate. As always, if you can't do it effectively yourself, contact a professional that can do it for you.
© 2009 Jennifer L. Taylor dba The Word Tailor
When the "wallet" is opened, the inside graphics and copy are simplistic to match the exterior. In the traditional Starbucks brown, there is an image of a set of keys with a simple key ring and to the right, coordinating copy that states, "Grab your Mini Card and GO."
Tucked into the bottom brown flap with reverse type treatment is "Introducing your purse-free, wallet-free Mini Starbucks Card. Preloaded with $5 and ready for a test run."Inside this flap is the mini-Starbucks card indeed, preloaded, and ready for the recipients to add to their keychain for a free drink and ease in returning frequently to re-fuel.
There are definitely benefits to registering your Starbucks card/s. This is not the first time I have received such a nice little treat in the mail from Starbucks. My husband doesn't register his cards and he is always a little envious when I get my little gifts in the mail.
Now, $5 isn't much but since I gave up the syrupy drinks and now just get decaf Americano, I can get two cups of java with my little gift instead of one big, juicy, fattening, and scrumptious frappuccino! Hey, it beats a bill, right?
What they did right: Aside from enjoying Starbucks coffee in general, Starbucks got it right on this campaign. Now, not knowing the demographics they were going after...I've been paying cash lately for my coffees so it could be that the marketing department sent this campaign to people like me that haven't used their registered card in a while. Or, this campaign may have been sent to everyone with a registered card. So, I won't speak to whether or not they effectively reached their intended audience. What I can and will address is the beauty and effectiveness of a simple mailing. the card is a 2-color print job in the colors you'd expect from Starbucks in keeping with their branding (using the Starbucks brown and more recognizable Starbucks green) on a familiar beige card stock. The simple copy on the front is inviting because it is alerts the recipients that there is a gift inside without blatantly saying "Hey, open this for your FREE gift" (Aren't we all tired of that line?).
Whether or not the mini-card will take off is another topic all together. I like a pure and simple keychain so I don't think this little mini-card is going to make it onto my keychain but that's just me. I see a lot of keychains out and about that have a collection of mini-cards from grocery stores, fashion stores, and liquor stores to name a few so it may be just what the key-chain collector is desiring to make the mini-card collection complete.
Bring it home: What can you do to learn from this effective sample? Keep it simple. Keep the color scheme and design in alignment with your brand. Target the segment of your market that you want to see more sales. If giving away an item to the recipient, make it something he or she will value and appreciate. As always, if you can't do it effectively yourself, contact a professional that can do it for you.
© 2009 Jennifer L. Taylor dba The Word Tailor
We're back! Sort of.
Hello friends, Mike here. Since Nate and I are still living a couple of states apart, we've decided to undertake this project, a Junk Mail Galaxy blog. Sure, you'll miss seeing us guzzle galons of booze, but rest assured, there's a bottle close to our keyboards somewhere.
Stay tuned as we post news, links, and general commentary about Direct Marketing.
Return to the Junk Mail Galaxy!
Stay tuned as we post news, links, and general commentary about Direct Marketing.
Return to the Junk Mail Galaxy!
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