Student Housing Mail | US Postal Solutions

Here we grow again! US Postal Solutions welcomes our newest client University House Fullerton

May 21

Posted by uspostal in News Releases

US Postal Solutions, Inc. – Student Housing Mail Delivery & Package Management Software – welcomes our newest client, University House Fullerton, beginning July 1, 2013. We are proud to announce additional student housing mail delivery management and package management software services at another valued University House community. University House Fullerton is a 1,189 bed off-campus student housing apartment community located near the California State University – Fullerton, in Fullerton, CA.

- – -

US Postal Solutions is the nation’s leader in the student housing mail management industry, for both on/off-campus mail management services. The US Postal Solutions, Inc. companies offer mail delivery management, delivery services and package logging / package management software. For more information regarding US Postal Solutions, please call us today at (866) 378-8157 or visit us online at www.uspostalsolutions.com.

Tags: apartment packages, apartments, bulk mail delivery, bulk mail drop, college mail, college mail delivery, collegiate mail, collegiate mail delivery, collegiate mail services, hand delivery of packages, imbound package logging, inbound package, mail center, mail delivery, mail management, Off Campus Mail, outsource mail, package logging software, package software, package tracking software, packagelog, student housing, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, student mail delivery, university mail, US Postal Solutions

Comments (0)

TOP

Congress Stops USPS Plans to Change Saturday Delivery

Apr 11

Posted by Postal Solutions in Blog

USPS has no authority

In February 2013, the Post Office announced its plans to adjust its delivery schedule to five days, cutting Saturday delivery for regular mail due to mail volume being down 25%. The announcement included an exception for package deliveries since packages deliveries were up 14% and expected to continue growing. After a ridged stand-off between Congress and the Post Office, the Government Accountability Office concluded on March 21 that the USPS has no authority to change its delivery schedule. This means the Post Office will not be able to move forward with their existing plans to cut cost, but rather look at delivery rate increases and layoffs as alternatives.

Keep your ears to the ground

Another area that could affected are properties that meet the qualification for Single Point Delivery Designation. Translation… On- and off-campus housing properties keep your ear to the ground and pay attention to what your local Post Office is considering. If they designate your property for Single Point Delivery, mail will come in a single bin for you to sort and deliver to your residents.

Other options

Like most services, mail delivery management can be outsourced to a company like US Postal Solutions to avoid the hassle and liability of handling mail yourselves. Some of the challenges with handling mail internally include privacy issues, loss, theft, and even terrorism, so liability and insurance come to the forefront to ensure the property is protected.

The Post Office is looking at all options to decrease spending, some even speculating that mail delivery will stop all together and Post Office Boxes will eventually be used for all mail delivery. That would not be a reasonable option for most Americans.

If you have an idea that would help the USPS save money, please leave a comment.

- – -

Tags: budget cuts, bulk mail delivery, bulk mail drop, business officer, college mail, college mail delivery, collegiate mail, mail management, Off Campus Mail, outsource mail, single-point delivery, student housing mail

Comments Off

TOP

US Postal Solutions proudly welcomes our newest client The Village on Telluride (San Marcos, TX)

Mar 08

Posted by uspostal in News Releases

US Postal Solutions, Inc. – Student Housing Mail Delivery & Package Management Software – welcomes our newest client, The Village on Telluride, beginning March 11, 2013. We are proud to announce additional student housing mail delivery management and package management software (PackageLog) service for the Asset Campus companies. The Village on Telluride (formerly Aspen Heights) is a 1,116-bed off-campus student housing apartment community located near the Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.

- – -

Tags: bulk mail delivery, campus mail, college mail, college mail delivery, college mail services, collegiate mail delivery, collegiate mail services, hand delivery of packages, mail delivery, mail management, Off Campus Mail, outsource mail, postal solutions, residence hall mail delivery, residence hall mailroom, single-point delivery, student housing, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, student mail, student mail delivery, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

TOP

Postal Service Stops Mail Delivery on Saturdays

Feb 07

Posted by Postal Solutions in News Releases

No mail on Saturday

In an attempt to cut over $2 billion from their budget, the United States Postal Service has announced that they will no longer be delivering regular mail on Saturdays, beginning August 5, 2013. However, they will continue to stay open on Saturdays to handle the ever increasing number of packages now dominating their delivery routes. This is primarily due to the 14% increase in package volume since 2010 and projections for strong package growth in the coming decade, according to the PCC Insider. This moves comes as the Postal Service continues to face challenges trying to stay solvent and competitive in the mail and package delivery market.

70% of people approve

The Postal Service has unsuccessfully proposed a five-day delivery schedule in previous years, so this seems to be a pre-emptive announcement in an effort to push Congress to pass the measure. The Postal Service, while an independent agency that receives no tax dollars to operate, still requires congressional approval to make such a move. According to market research from both the Postal Service and major media outlets, 70% of people approve this service shift, which is what the Postal Service will likely leverage to affirm their position.

Legislative approval from the 113th Congress is what the Postal Service is waiting to hear. Having already slashed about $15 billion from their operating budget since 2006 (source PCC Insider), while continuing to provide uninterrupted service should be a compelling argument to allow this mail delivery shift.

Volume will be overwhelming

Single-point delivery designated properties like military and university housing are expected to be impacted with higher volumes of mail on Mondays and with the continued increase of package deliveries throughout the week. Both FedEx and UPS have seen a 14% increase in package volume since 2010, partially attributed by the 16% increase in online shopping since 2011 with projections expecting to increase by about 7% every year through 2016. If it was busy before, then this shift combined with high overall package volume, properties can expect some additional challenges with this unprecedented move by the Postal Service.

If you have anything you would like to add or an experience you would like to share, please comment below.

- – -

Tags: association of college and university housing officers, bulk mail delivery, bulk mail drop, business officer, campus mail center, campus post office, College and University Business Officer, college mail, college mail delivery, college mail services, mail delivery, Military Housing Mail, national apartment association, no mail on saturdays, postal service, single-point delivery, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, university mail, usps

Comments (1)

TOP

US Postal Solutions & PackageLog to attend/sponsor in Austin, Las Vegas and Atlanta during February 2013

Jan 30

Posted by uspostal in News Releases

US Postal Solutions & PackageLog are pleased to announce our commitment as attendee and sponsor of the 2013 National Apartment Association Student Housing Conference. Look for US Postal Solutions and PackageLog in booths 506 & 504, Aria Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada (February 2013).

US Postal Solutions CEO Craig Meddin 2013 NAA Student Housing Conference Committee Member

–

US Postal Solutions & PackageLog are pleased to announce our commitment as a 2013 Platinum Level Corporate Sponsor of the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO). Look for US Postal Solutions at the SEAHO 360 Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia (February 2013); booth 402.

–

US Postal Solutions & PackageLog are pleased to announce our “PhD” Corporate Sponsorship and participation at the Campus Advantage National Leadership Conference 2013 in Austin, Texas (February 2013).

- – -

Tags: association of college and university housing officers, atlanta, budget cuts, campus advantage, campus advtange, campus mail, campus post office, College and University Business Officer, collegiate mail services, hand delivery of packages, las vegas, leadership conference, mail delivery, naa, postal solutions, residence hall mail delivery, save university money, seaho, student housing conference, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, university mail, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

TOP

Nothing Can Replace Great Customer Service

Jan 17

Posted by Postal Solutions in News Releases

Nothing can replace great customer service. So yesterday I called our cell phone service provider (whom I will NOT mention) to discuss some minor technical issues with our current service. After telling a machine that I needed an agent and waiting 10 minutes to the worst possible music in the world, I was transferred to a customer service representative. I explain my issue and he proceeds to tell me that this is a technical support issues and transfers me to the technical support helpdesk. While I’m a little annoyed, I’m realize that I’m being impatient and get over it and now I’m looking forward to getting my issue resolved. When the technician comes on the line, I advise her of my issue and she then tells me this is a billing issue. I’m a bit agitated as the last customer service rep advised me there is a technical issue. “I don’t know why they told you that, sir. This is a billing issue,” says the technician. “Are you sure? It seems like a technical problem,” I tell her. Without a response to what I just asked, she says “I’ll transfer you now.”

In the end, it ended being a technical issue and I was transferred back to technical support, after asking to speak with a manager. I called thinking this was going to be relatively simple and it ended up taking me almost 2 hours to get my issue resolved, for something that probably should have only taken 20 minutes. Due to this ridiculous ordeal along with other earlier challenges, we have decided to drop their service at the end of our contract and move forward with another provider.

Customer service is not just about answering the phone, its about finding solutions to a customers issues with as much attention to detail as possible. Developing a short, but valued relationship in order to best address the problem is how satisfaction is created. Not only does US Postal Solutions and PackageLog have operators available 24/7/365, the company prides itself on providing solutions to problems. There have even been cases where senior management are brought into the conversation to fix a mail management issue, because the goal is satisfaction and that attitude comes from the top down. Why go through so much trouble? Because… Nothing can replace great customer service!

If you have anything you would like to add or an experience you would like to share, please comment below.

- – -

Tags: campus mail, campus post office, College and University Business Officer, college mail, college mail delivery, college mail services, collegiate mail delivery, customer service, mail management, packagelog, residence hall mail delivery, student housing mail, student mail delivery, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

TOP

US Postal Solutions proudly welcomes our newest client Sterling Central (Orlando, FL)

Jan 09

Posted by uspostal in News Releases

US Postal Solutions, Inc. – Student Housing Mail Delivery & Package Management Software – welcomes our newest client, Sterling Central beginning February 1, 2013. We are proud to announce the addition of The Dinerstein Companies to our long-list of happy customers. Sterling Central is a 1,527-bed off-campus student housing apartment community located near the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.

- – -

Tags: bulk mail delivery, campus mail, College and University Business Officer, college mail delivery, collegiate mail services, mail delivery, mail management, package log, package logging, package logging software, package management software, package tracking software, packagelog, postal solutions, residence hall mailroom, single-point delivery, student housing, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, university of central florida student housing, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

TOP

US Postal Solutions CEO Craig Meddin Featured on StudentHousingPlanet.com

Jan 07

Posted by uspostal in News Releases

In January 2013, US Postal Solutions CEO Craig Meddin was featured on StudentHousingPlanet.com under “Planet Insights With The Experts” as a student housing expert. Meddin wrote about the hidden expenses of accepting on-site packages in student housing rental communities and offered statistics about the increasing time and responsibilities. US Postal Solutions offers cloud-hosted, scalable, enterprise, package logging / package tracking software developed specifically for on / off-campus student housing, multifamily apartment communities, and businesses of every kind at PackageLog.com.

Excerpt:

“Emarketer is reporting that online shopping is up 17% in late-2012 v late-2011 and the time that your staffs are spending on this non-revenue generating function is predicted to increase again in 2016 by 45% (versus that spent in 2012).

So what are your choices? You could hire a mail delivery service company to manage your mailroom or a full time on-site package concierge. Maybe look for student housing package management software, or you could choose to refuse all resident-packages. Usually to the surprise of residents, some apartment communities do not accept any packages on-site. In May 2012, the University of Texas San Antonio when a step further when it announced that it was ending daily mail & package delivery to residence halls, citing that the change would free up student assistants to better serve residents.” - Craig Meddin

- – -

Tags: association of college and university housing officers, bulk mail drop, campus mail, campus mail center, college mail delivery, collegiate mail delivery, com, dorm mail, hand delivery of packages, inbound packages, mail delivery, onsite packages, package log, package logging, package managment, package tracking, packagelog, postal solutions, resident packages, student housing, student housing mail, student mail delivery, studenthousingplanet, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

TOP

Where Does Mail Delivery Fit In The University Budget Discussion

Jan 04

Posted by Postal Solutions in News Releases

Sign of the Times

Is it a sign of the times when a major university decides that they will no longer accept snail-mail? The University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA) announced last year that they will no longer be handling physical mail on-campus. The only option available for receiving snail-mail will be to rent a private mailbox at the University Center for $100 per year. Though they have opted to continue receiving packages and parcels on behalf of students. Universities across the nation are looking for creative ways to save money and UTSA has decided that mail is the line item cut from the university’s budget. Will this be a trend?

Arguments For and Against

There are outcries from parents and students alike, but the truth is US Mail is on the decline by about 25% since 2006. With email and social media dominating communications, an old-fashioned letter seems almost archaic. So are these universities in the right to consider ridding themselves of mail service all together? The flip-side of the argument is that while snail-mail is generally down, package deliveries are up. 85% of internet users shop online, which translates to about 2 billion people. That means lots of packages being delivered, with parents buying their college-bound children supplies and technology, and students buying things like furniture, shoes, and clothing. According to a US Postal Solutions Study, the average student receives about 21 packages per year. Multiply that times the number of students living on-campus and see how many packages you can expect to manage. Each with substantially higher values than letters with the university liable for damages, loss, and theft.

Are There Alternatives?

If universities are going to relinquish responsibility for mail service, it may be in their best interest to consider outsourcing the service and finding a way to generate revenue in the process. This would resolve any budgeting issue that may exist, while providing a revenue stream for the university. Universities everywhere are looking for areas in their budgets to cut and it looks like mail could be the next culprit. A recognized expert like US Postal Solutions can assist with assessing this scenario and finding a solution that would best serve the university.

If you have anything you would like to add or an experience you would like to share, please comment below.

- – -

Tags: association of college and university housing officers, budget cuts, campus mail, campus mail center, campus post office, College and University Business Officer, college mail, college mail delivery, college mail services, collegiate mail, collegiate mail delivery, collegiate mail services, dorm mail, mail center, mail delivery, on campus mail, outsource mail, postal solutions, residence hall mail delivery, residence hall mailrooms, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, university mail

Comments Off

TOP

How Does A Property Receiving A Single-Point Delivery Affect Resident Mail?

Dec 17

Posted by Postal Solutions in News Releases

This can all be very confusing, so we would like to clarify what this all means to your property. The post office has designated your property as a Single-Point Delivery location, which means that they will deliver all mail for your location to a single point on your property (typically this can be designated by the property manager). This translates to you or any third-party designee (namely a mail management firm) that you will be responsible for the final delivery process and all that this entails. If you are unfamiliar with the deliver process, its important to note that there are a few things that will effect the operations of your mail management system moving forward.

First - Responsibility for mail delivery management including sorting and delivery for all recipients on property, as the post office will only complete a mail drop at a single location (single-point).

Second – Mail Forwarding/Change of Address, a critical part of the management process, will be the responsibility of the property management as agent for the residents. (i.e. If this is not updated regularly, the property will continue to receive mail from past residents indefinitely.)

Third – It will be the responsibility of the property management to see that all packages and parcels (registered, insured, certified and Express) are properly delivered to residents and staff as property management are liable for all damages and loss.

Built from our experience and knowledge, US Postal Solutions offers state-of-the-art package management software; PackageLog, to alleviate any and all of these concerns. Call or send us an email and we would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about inbound package logging software.

If you have anything you would like to add or an experience you would like to share, please comment below.

- – -

Tags: budget cuts, bulk mail delivery, campus mail, campus mail center, campus post office, college mail, college mail delivery, college mail services, collegiate mail delivery, collegiate mail services, hand delivery of packages, inbound package management software, inbound packages, mail delivery, mail management, Off Campus Mail, package logging, package logging software, packagelog, postal solutions, single-point delivery, student housing mail, student housing mail delivery, student mail delivery, track mail room packages, university mail, US Postal Solutions

Comments Off

US Postal Solutions

Here we grow again! US Postal Solutions welcomes our newest client University House Fullerton