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HANDBOOK PO-102 REVISION

Monthly Reporting

Effective September 1, 2005, Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program, is revised to clarify the monthly requirement for all servicing employees to complete a PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service Daily Activity Log.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed edition of Handbook PO-102 and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site.

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies", click on PolicyNet.

• Then click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web Site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program

1 The Self Service Vending Program

* * * * *

16 Organizational Function and Responsibility

* * * * *

164 Post Offices

* * * * *

164.3 Servicing Employees

Servicing employees (operators) are responsible for the following:

* * * * *

[Add new item c to read as follows:]

c. Complete a PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service Daily Activity Log, for each month in a timely fashion.

* * * * *

7 Reporting

71 Web Vending Activity Reporting System (Web VARS)

* * * * *

712 Procedures

[Revise text to read as follows:]

Each employee servicing self-service vending equipment must complete a PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service Daily Activity Log, detailing the equipment serviced and maintained during each month. Timely and accurate reporting is critical. Employee compliance with these requirements will be monitored.

Data entry users for the Web Vending Activity Reporting System (Web VARS) are required to input data monthly. Timely and accurate updating of Web VARS is critical to the integrity of Web VARS. Employee compliance with these requirements will be monitored.

* * * * *

— Retail Service Equipment,
Delivery and Retail, 9-1-05


HANDBOOK PO-102 REVISION

Vending Equipment Model Type

Effective September 1, 2005, Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program, is revised to standardize the name and corresponding acronym for each model type of vending equipment.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed edition of Handbook PO-102 and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies", click on PolicyNet.

• Then click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web Site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program

1 The Self Service Vending Program

* * * * *

13 Equipment

[Revise title and text of 131 to read as follows:]

131 Model Types

All vending equipment utilized in the Self Service Vending Program is categorized into one of the five different model types:

a. Postal Stamp Machine (PSM), Exhibit 131a.

b. Postal Booklet Machine (PBM), Exhibit 131b.

c. Postal Booklet/Stamp Machine (PBSM), Exhibit 131c.

d. Postal Commodity Machine (PCM), Exhibit 131d.

e. Small Currency Changer (SCC).

The Postal Service has purchased various models of equipment type for the Self Service Vending Program. Although each model type consists of several different models, all of the models within a model type possess the same general operating principles and characteristics.

[Revise title of Exhibit 131a to read as follows:]

Exhibit 131a
Postal Stamp Machine (PSM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of Exhibit 131b to read as follows:]

Exhibit 131b
Postal Booklet Machine (PBM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of Exhibit 131c to read as follows:]

Exhibit 131c
Postal Booklet/Stamp Machine (PBSM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of Exhibit 131d to read as follows:]

Exhibit 131d
Postal Commodity Machine (PCM)

* * * * *

132 Configurations

A wide range of configurations, from a single machine to a full self service postal center (SSPC), exists for deployment. The following lists various configurations:

[Revise the item list to read as follows:]

a. PSM (Exhibit 131a). A coil stamp vending machine (with or without an internal bill acceptor) installed at a postal or nonpostal site.

b. PBM (Exhibit 131b). A booklet vending machine installed at a postal or nonpostal site.

c. PBSM (Exhibit 131c). A booklet/stamp machine installed at a postal or nonpostal site.

d. PCM (Exhibit 131d). A commodity machine installed at a postal or nonpostal site.

e. Full SSPC. The minimum configuration consists of a postal commodity machine, postal booklet machine, or a postal booklet/stamp machine installed at a postal or nonpostal site.

* * * * *

14 Services and Products

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143 Semipostal Stamps

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143.3 Equipment

[Revise text of 143.3 to read as follows:]

The semipostal stamp packets will be sold through every postal commodity machine in service. Models PCM-1625A and PCM-1625B must fully stock each semipostal stamp. The specific semipostal item is to be continuously sold until the product is withdrawn from sale. Product identifiers for PCM-1625A and PCM-1625B machines have been created and are available for download from the Retail Service Web site at: http://eagnmnsg10d/ssam/self_service/html/programs/selfservice.htm.

* * * * *

15 Program Management Objectives

151 Marketing the Self Service Vending Program

* * * * *

151.2 Strategies

151.21 Improve Customer Service

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151.213 Provide a Variety of Products

[Revise text to read as follows:]

The PCM offers several options in selection pricing and product variety.***

* * * * *

2 Establishing Self Service Vending Locations

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23 Determining Equipment

231 New Locations

* * * * *

Exhibit 231.1
Criteria for Equipment Placement

[Revise Machine Type column in table to read as follows:]

Average Month Window Stamp Sales Previous Fiscal Year ($)1 Machine Type2 Average per Machine ($)
8,065-16,935 PSM (with bill acceptor) 500 - 1,050
8,871-16,935 PBM (with bill acceptor) 550 - 1,050
16,936-34,355 PBM and PSM (all with bill acceptors) 1,051 - 2,130
34,356-80,645 PBSM 2,131 - 5,000
80,646-88,710 PCM 5,001 - 5,500
88,711-115,000 PCM and PSM (with bill acceptor) 5,501 - 7,130
115,001+ PCM and PBSM 7,131+

* * * * *

232 Existing Locations

* * * * *

232.2 Determining Revenue for Equipment

* * * * *

[Revise title and introductory text of 232.22 to read as follows:]

232.22 PSM

The total number of month transactions per PSM is determined by doing the following:

* * * * *

[Revise title and introductory text of 232.23 to read as follows:]

232.23 PBM

The total number of month transactions per PBM is determined by doing the following:

[Revise title of 232.24 to read as follows:]

232.24 PBSM

[Revise title and introductory text of 232.25 to read as follows:]

232.25 PCM

The number of month transactions by spiral for each PCM is determined by doing the following:

* * * * *

[Revise item j to read as follows:]

j. At the end of the month, total the transactions listed on the tally sheet for that PCM.

* * * * *

4 Servicing Self Service Vending Equipment

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45 Workload

451 Determining Frequencies

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451.2 For Existing Location Equipment

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Exhibit 451.2
Standard Servicing Frequencies

[Revise table headings and footnotes 1 and 2 to read as follows:]

Number of Servicing Frequencies
per Month1
Machine Type
PCM (BA)1,2 PBSM1 PBM1 PBM (BA)1 PSM1 PSM (BA)1
Self Service Equipment Sales per Month
1            
2       $550   $500
3   $2,130 $550 $1,200 $500 $1,050
4   $4,000 $800 $1,600 $700 $1,400
5 $5,000 $5,000 $1,000 $2,000 $875 $1,750
6 $6,000 $6,000 $1,200 $2,400 $1,050 $2,100
7 $7,000 $7,000 $1,400 $2,800 $1,225 $2,450
8 $8,000 $8,000 $1,600 $3,200 $1,400 $2,800
9 $9,000 $9,000 $1,800 $3,800 $1,575 $3,150
10 $10,000 $10,000 $2,000 $4,000 $1,750 $3,500
11 $11,000 $11,000 $2,200 $4,400 $1,925 $3,850
12 $12,000 $12,000 $2,400 $4,800 $2,100 $4,200
13 $13,000 $13,000 $2,600 $5,200 $2,275 $4,550
14 $14,000 $14,000 $2,800 $5,600 $2,450 $4,900
15 $15,000 $15,000 $3,000 $6,000 $2,625 $5,250
16 $16,000 $16,000 $3,200 $6,400 $2,800 $5,600
17 $17,000 $17,000 $3,400 $6,800 $2,975 $5,950
18 $18,000 $18,000 $3,600 $7,200 $3,150 $6,300
19 $19,000 $19,000 $3,800 $7,600 $3,325 $6,650
20 $20,000 $20,000 $4,000 $8,000 $3,500 $7,000

* * * * *

1 Each machine is required to generate a projected minimum amount of sales before it can be installed. The number of servicing frequencies per month is
based on these projected sales. The minimum requirements for each machine are reflected in the above table. The term "BA" stands for "Bill Acceptor."

2 PCMs (BA) are serviced at least five (5) times a month.

* * * * *

452 Time Requirements

452.1 Guidelines

* * * * *

Exhibit 452.1e
Basic Time Requirements in Minutes

[Revise Machine Type column in table to read as follows:]

Machine Type Servicing Time Accounting and Report Forms Time Bill Counting Time Coin Counting Time Packaging Time
With
Bill Counter1
Without Bill Counter With Old-Style Coin Counter2 With New-Style Coin Counter3
PCM (BA) 40 10 15 30 10 5 Not Allowed
PBSM 40 10 15 30 10 5 0
PBM 10 5 N/A N/A 10 5 0
PBM (BA) 15 5 10 20 10 5 0
PSM 5 5 N/A N/A 10 5 0
PSM (BA) 5 5 5 10 10 5 0

* * * * *

6 Examining Self Service Vending Credit

* * * * *

63 Examining the Self Service Vending Machine

* * * * *

633 Examination

[Revise title of 633.1 to read as follows:]

633.1 Postal Stamp Machines (PSM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of 633.2 to read as follows:]

633.2 Postal Booklet Machine (PBM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of 633.3 to read as follows:]

633.3 Postal Booklet/Stamp Machine (PBSM)

* * * * *

[Revise title of 633.4 to read as follows:]

633.4 Postal Commodity Machine (PCM)

* * * * *

— Retail Service Equipment,
Delivery and Retail, 9-1-05


NOTICE

Do Not Send Copies of Online Shipping Labels to PTM Office

Copies of online shipping labels should no longer be faxed or mailed to Postage Technology Management (PTM). In Postal Bulletin 22126 (4-15-04, page 125), PTM requested copies of suspected short-paid online shipping labels be sent to its office. This was a temporary request by PTM and is no longer in effect.

For information on online labels, see FAQ - Online eLabels and eLabel Standup Talk on the Delivery and Retail Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/delivery/cs_retail_opns_sops.htm. Under "Reference Materials," click on FAQ - Online eLabels, or e-Label Standup Talk.

For information on verifying the postage amount paid when the postage amount is not explicitly shown, refer to FAQ - Online eLabels.

— Postage Technology Management,
Product Development, 9-1-05


What's in Store

Happy phone card!

Time to celebrate a new phone card. Coming this month, it's the domestic 150-minute Happy Birthday FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDŽ. The cards sell for $15, feature new 100 percent recyclable high-quality paper - and are revenue-boosters for your office. Put the phone cards in your acrylic displays and on your slatwalls. Reorder these special cards as needed. Let your customers know about them - they're the perfect birthday gift.

Quick, easy returns solution

Parcel Return Services (PRS) is expanding to the Return Delivery Unit (RDU) to help the Postal ServiceTM be even more competitive in the reverse logistics market. The RDU option enables the PRS agent to pick up returns at the local Post OfficeTM, saving time and money for the Postal Service and the customer. Postal Service Headquarters has conducted RDU training in 30 districts nationwide to date, which has added more than 700 offices to the program. This product allows the Postal Service to provide a quick, easy, convenient and cost-effective returns solution to merchants - and that's essential as the retail market's online sales continue to grow. The RDU model will continue to expand to all eligible RDUs. PRS positions the Postal Service to gain a larger share of returns. When a Post Office is selected as an RDU, it will be notified and provided training. Proper handling of PRS items is key to this program's success.

Passport status checks online

Customers who have recently applied for a passport can now check the status of their applications online at the U.S. Department of State Web site. Customers can follow the links on travel.state.gov or go directly to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html. Individuals can securely enter online their last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number to receive information on the status of their application. The Department of State requests passport acceptance facilities direct customers who want to check the status of their applications to go online first. However, customers may still request a status check via e-mail or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY 888-874-7793).

Feedback

Send comments and questions to:

WHATS IN STORE
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 1141
WASHINGTON DC 20260-1019

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September retail employee bulletin. Summer/Fall '05 Retail Drive Period 7/1/05-10/31/05. Calendar.