Waiting on snail mail can be a real drag now-a-days. We’re so used to getting instant responses and mail through texts, email and IM. However, the post office isn’t completely out of date. You can skip the long lines at the post office, because chances are you can do what you need to online in the comfort of your home.
Purchasing Stamps
Standing in line at the post office waiting to buy a little book of stamps is a waste of time. Save your gas and order your stamps off of the USPS website. You can also purchase pre-paid envelopes, coils of stamps, stamps for collectors and more.
Print Postage
For those who need to mail an item that won’t fit in a pre-paid envelope or need more than a standard stamp, online postage printing is possible on the USPS website. You can print postage for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Express and Priority Mail International. Just use your credit card. You can also print a label without postage as well.
For Small Businesses
If you own a small business that ships items regularly, you can purchase shipping boxes in bulk and a scale that can weigh items up to 330lbs. This way you can weigh, package and ship your own items without having to step foot in the post office. Also, you can get free items like boxes, envelopes, insurance receipts, stickers and more for free if you request them in a certain quantity. You can also track items all the way up to delivery.
Request Free Pickup
If you can’t make it to the post office to mail your package, you can go to the USPS website and request pick-up service. You can select a pickup day no more than 3 months in advance. You’re packages, no matter how many, will be picked up free when your regular mail is delivered. On Demand Service pickup can also be scheduled for a fee. There are rules to pickup service, so you should review them on the Pickup Options page of the USPS website.
Holds and Changes
If you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can electronically put a hold on your mail to keep it from piling up in your mailbox. Mail can be held from 3 to 30 days. Just specify the period of time you would like your mail to be held and the post office will resume regular delivery after the end date of your hold. You can also fill out a change of address form online when you move to a new house or apartment.
International
Passports are something that you have to get at the post office. Waiting in line for this item can be a hassle as well. Simply fill out the passport application online to shorten the amount of time you’ll have to spend in the post office. Also, you can learn how to send mail and packages to support the troops overseas.
Post Cards and Greeting Cards
Something that will come in handy during the holidays and birthdays is the Create Greeting Cards and Postcards feature. You can design and mail postcards or greeting cards and add a gift card from popular retail stores. This feature also comes in handy if you’d like to make custom post cards for save the date cards for your wedding or housewarming.
These are only a few of the useful features on the USPS website. To learn more about what you can do online, visit the USPS site and start exploring. Whether you’re moving to a new home and need to change your address or just trying to send a package or greeting to a friend, you can practically do everything that you can do at the post office online.
{ 0 comments… add one now }