[SpamCop-List] Re: FTC Public Forum: Spam Email

[Gil]

On Fri, 4 Apr 2003 16:40:21 -0500, "McWebber" <mcwebber at my-deja.com>
wrote:
>
>You are talking about bulk/junk mail? Third class?
>Do you have a GAO or USPS document to back up that economic claim?
>

That actual information is well buried, however, you can find cost
figures at
http://www.treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/usps/docs/subcom/rr-donnelley/prc-distribution.pdf
(if this wraps, cut and paste)
Also at http://www.usps.com/financials

You will also find supporting information at http://www.prc.gov and I
quote one paragraph from the FAQ page there:
 "First-Class postage covers the Postal Service's cost of providing
mail service for individuals anywhere in the United States. Such
"door-to-door" service includes the pick-up and collection of mail,
sortation, transportation, and delivery of the mail. Moreover,
First-Class Mail receives expedited treatment in terms of handling and
dispatch as compared to advertising mail, and is forwarded at no
additional charge. By contrast, rates for most advertising mail
reflect the fact that such mail is sorted by the mailer and therefore
involves less processing and handling by the Postal Service.
Advertising mailers often transport their mail directly to a Postal
Service facility near the location where the mail is to be delivered,
thereby utilizing only a portion of the Postal Service's
transportation network. These differences account in part for the
higher price for a First-Class stamp than the rates for comparable
advertising mail."

>>
>> Presorted business mail (first class, standard or non-profit) is the
>> economic engine that makes personal first class mail in this country
>> so affordable and so efficiently delivered.
>>
>
>That's not the same as most direct/junk mail.
>
Uuuuh... it's not?

Again from the PRC with my comments in ():
"There are four principal classes of mail: First-Class, Periodicals,
Standard, and Package Services.  

First-Class is the class of mail for letters, postcards, greeting
cards, personal notes and business correspondence where preferential
delivery and attributes such as privacy and forwarding are desired.
Bills, statements of account and personal correspondence must be sent
First-Class. First-Class Mail weighing more than 13 ounces is Priority
Mail. 
(there are discounts for presorting here, your bank does it when they
send out statements. So do many advertisers who want a higher
"perceived value" or more control over delivery dates than standard
mail gets them)

Periodicals is composed of periodical publications, principally
magazines, newspapers, newsletters and bulletins. 

Standard mail is composed largely of advertising circulars, catalogs
and product samples mailed in bulk quantities of at least 200 pieces. 
(and a lot else, but yes, standard mail is what most prople call bulk
and some of it is what you call "junk")

Package Services is the class of mail for mail matter weighing up to
70 pounds. Services within this mail class are Parcel Post, Bound
Printed Matter (e.g., books, catalogs and directories), and Media
Mail. Media Mail includes books, sound recordings, films, medical
information, educational materials, and museum articles, many of which
may only be mailed between eligible institutions." 

In the same FAQ, you will find Ratemaking Criteria of Title 39 which
set the ground rules for postal ratemaking.

Then, try to figure out what subsidizes what- it'll give you a
headache but you will find that the only areas where the system is
covering costs and then some are standard and presorted.