Neatness counts for holiday shipping

Monday was the busiest mailing day of the year, but paying attention to a few simple details can save time and money, according to the city's top postal official.

Yuma Postmaster Sergio Velasco said 830 million pieces of mail entered the U.S. Postal Service system Monday.

"That represents 40 percent more than the average daily volume of mail."

Some tips for mailers are to make sure they have their address labels filled out before they arrive at the post office. He also advised peeling off old labels or clearly cross them out with a bold black marker when reusing shipping boxes.

"Frequent mistakes are wrong ZIP codes or addresses, insufficient information on labels and not marking off old labels (hazardous materials) on used boxes."

Velasco also said people cannot send packages with gift wrapping on the outside.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the postal service will ship 16 billion pieces of mail, which is 3 billion less than last year because of the economy, he added.

Velasco also reminds everyone that postal rates go up starting in January, and people can find new rates by checking online at the Web page, www.usps.com. But it is still the best deal in the U.S., he said. However, users can get discounts by using online postal services with credit or debit cards.

There is also an automated postal center in the post office lobby, which people can use to avoid lines. The center offers insurance and delivery confirmation.

The post office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The main office is at 2222 S. 4th Ave., while the Foothills branch is at 11692 S. Fortuna Ave. Additional branches are located at 18536 S. Highway 95 in Gadsden, 450 E. Main St. in Somerton and 874 N. Main St. in San Luis.

Those in rural areas can avoid a trip to the post office altogether by shipping with their rural carrier. But customers must leave the flag up on their mailboxes with a note inside to let the carrier know they have a package to ship.

There are also contract postal stations at Nichols Lock & Key, 1107 S. 5th Ave., open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Hallmark Marlene's, 1401 S. Yuma Palms Parkway, open from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday is also the busiest day for UPS Stores, which ship parcels only, according to Tony Peterson, owner of the Foothills location, 11274 S. Fortuna Ave. They are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be open Dec. 24 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Peterson recommended people only use sturdy new boxes to ship their gifts. He also advised avoiding brown wrapping paper on outside of boxes because if the paper tears off, they lose the address label. It is also a good idea to include a label inside the box in case the outside one tears off.  

When sealing boxes, avoid using cellophane or masking tape and use two- or three-inch packaging tape, making sure to seal tops, bottoms and all sides.

Another important point is to fill boxes with bubble wrap or hard foam peanuts to keep the merchandise from shifting. The foam peanuts act as a cushion for goods yet are sturdy enough to retain shape so objects do not bounce. Also, be sure to fill all void areas in the box so it does not get crushed from other boxes placed on top of it.

UPS Stores have a  "pack and ship" promise that offers a full reimbursement for any article plus shipping costs in case of damage, Peterson said. Two additional UPS Store locations are at 340 W. 32nd St. and 2554 S. Avenue B.