USPS improves Priority Mail service

Mailing a package might be more reliable now.

The United States Postal Service rolled out towards the end of July some improvements to its Priority Mail service.

Three major changes include free insurance up to $100, improved USPS tracking and day-specific delivery.

“It’s a terrific idea,” said Bob Nielsen of Kinston as he was heading into the Plaza post office on Thursday. “If they can make money, it’s a good thing.”

The Postal Service anticipates the more competitive changes generating $500 million in new revenue over the next year.

“We believe this Priority Mail lineup positions the Postal Service very competitively in the shipping marketplace,” said Patrick R. Donahoe, postmaster general and CEO, “and gives small businesses and other frequent shippers a continued and compelling reason to do business with the Postal Service.”

Betty Blaine Worthington of Kinston had made a trip to the post office for her employer. She said the new services would be beneficial, depending on the cost.

“We like to support our post office, of course,” she said.

Priority Mail will now provide scheduled delivery of one-day, two-day or three-day delivery, based on the origin and destination of the package. The commitment to the expected delivery date is based on the location and time when the package is mailed, but is not guaranteed.

Carl Walton, a spokesman for Corporate Communications in Greensboro, said Priority Mail has always been a two- or three-day service.

“It’s never been a guaranteed service,” he said, “and that hasn’t changed. The only guaranteed service is the one-day service.”

But in some instances — based on location — customers’ packages may arrive overnight, Walton said.

Tracking and scheduled delivery information will be prominently located on each customer’s retail receipts and will also be available online using Track and Confirm. To track a package, visit usps.com/makingprioritymailbetter.

Free insurance, applicable to domestic service only, is designed to close competitive gaps in the shipping market place and meet the growing needs of small businesses and other frequent shippers.

Day-specific Priority Mail will include $50 or $100 of insurance coverage depending on the payment method, such as whether a customer brought it to a retail counter or paid online.

Newly redesigned Priority Mail boxes and envelopes are available in post offices and online at usps.com with multiple Priority Mail flat rate sizes and pricing.

Free boxes and envelopes will continue, as well as free package pickup — regardless of the number of packages — and no hidden surcharges.

Express Mail services will continue as Priority Mail Express, providing next-day service with a money-back guarantee and up to $100 of free insurance.

The Postal Service has seen strong growth in its package business, which grew more than 14 percent over the last two years. This e-commerce-fueled growth trend is projected to continue for the next decade. Online consumers are expected to increase their spending by 62 percent by 2016 and U.S. E-commerce retail sales are expected to grow by 41 percent to $370 billion annually by 2017.

“With e-commerce driving major changes in shipping habits and consumers becoming more reliant on delivery services,” said Nagisa Manabe, chief marketing and sales officer, “the Postal Service can play an increasingly vital role as a driver of growth opportunities for America’s businesses.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

The Postal Service plans to educate business and residential customers about its new Priority Mail products through an integrated marketing campaign that will extend through the holiday season.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.