|
FIELD INFORMATION KIT
A new electronic option for obtaining return receipt service is now available to customers at retail counters. It is "Quick, Easy, Convenient"TM!
Return receipt (electronic) is the equivalent of the traditional "green card" - the hardcopy return receipt, PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt - that provides proof of delivery for Certified MailTM, Registered MailTM, collect on delivery (COD), and numbered Insured Mail items. But instead of arriving by mail, the return receipt proof of delivery letter is sent electronically to the customer's e-mail address, arriving as a portable document format (PDF) file that opens using Adobe Acrobat software. The Postal ServiceTM saves handling and delivery costs. The customer saves 45 cents per item ($1.30 vs. $1.75) and gets the important information in a new, convenient format. There are no extra forms to complete or labels to affix or scan. The recipient's signature and address are taken from PS Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt. No "green card" is required. Letter carriers and retail associates follow the existing standard operating procedures for scanning and obtaining signatures at delivery. The refund policy remains the same for both types of return receipt service.
This information kit contains the following elements that are designed to inform employees about this new service:
· General Stand-Up Talk
· Sample Return Receipt (Electronic) Proof of Delivery Letter
· Return Receipt (Electronic) Fact Sheet
· Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
· Return Receipt (Electronic) Poster
[Please read this stand-up talk to all employees and post on official bulletin boards.]
Customers who need proof of delivery now have a new service option that's quick, easy, and convenient. It's called "return receipt (electronic)" and it works a lot like the traditional "green cards" - the hardcopy return receipts - by providing proof of delivery for Certified MailTM, Registered MailTM, COD, and Insured Mail items bearing coverage of more than $50.
Notification of delivery is sent to the purchaser electronically - as an e-mail attachment - instead of as a postcard in the mail. It's a PDF file that opens using Adobe Acrobat software. The recipient's signature and address are taken from PS Form 3849. No green card is used.
Here is an illustration of what the return receipt (electronic) looks like. [Show illustration, page 29.] As you can see, it looks like a letter on official Postal ServiceTM stationery. Here is the date and time of delivery. [Point out the information.] And here is the image of the recipient's signature and address. [Point out the information.] This same letter is used for customers who purchase the return receipt after mailing.
The return receipt (electronic) offers several advantages. First, there's the price. Since it travels electronically, the fee is lower: $1.30 versus $1.75 for traditional return receipts.
Second, there's convenience. As an e-mail attachment, customers can print a copy for themselves, forward the e-mail to someone else, or archive the information digitally for future use.
Return receipts (electronic) also come with a Bulk Proof of Delivery Program option for businesses that send a lot of special services mail.
There is one more thing that's different. After the customer purchases the return receipts (electronic), the customer must go to www.usps.com; click on Track & Confirm; enter the label number printed on the receipt; click on Request Return Receipt (Electronic). Then the customer enters the e-mail address to which he/she would like the return receipt (electronic) sent.
Customers fill out the same documents - the standard forms for Certified Mail, Registered Mail, COD, or numbered Insured Mail items - to get either the traditional return receipt or return receipt (electronic). There are no extra forms to be completed or labels to affix or scan. Letter carriers and retail associates continue to follow existing standard operating procedures for scanning and obtaining signatures at delivery. The refund policy remains the same for both types of return receipt service. Just make sure you remind customers to hold on to their receipt to request the service and in case they need a refund.
Return receipt (electronic) service is operational now. Soon, we will make a public announcement. If you have questions or want more information, a fact sheet, answers to frequently asked questions, and this stand-up talk will be posted on the bulletin board and is included in Postal Bulletin 22137 (9-16-04, pages 1-31).
###