Helpful Hints from Other Carriers

Do you have any useful tips on working the mail?

Any handy hints for handling mailboxes?

Good suggestions for loading the car?

I've put a few here from the 'Texas Carrier' and personal experience.

Please be aware that some suggestions may not be in compliance with postal policy.

Helpful Hints

Put duct tape on the bottom of strobe light to keep it from scratching the car.

Helpful Hints

Case flats with address side out, band each address separately when pulling down. Strap together using a frame or box.

When selling single stamps, tear the 'book' in half to prevent selling it incomplete.

Hold mail- put a folded piece of cardboard in the mailbox, and in the case. Also works for vacant addresses.

Helpful Hints

Mail count tip for mark up and change of address: Many customers when they move forget to put in change of address for their home business. Fill out change of address forms for all business names during mail count to get credit.  Be sure to get mark up credit for pieces that you had to place customer name on until COA is processed.  

Helpful Hints

Circle "no color" delivery comps with highlighter. Makes them easier to spot out on the route.

Helpful Hints

Save paper towel rolls to stuff in your case on vacant homes or holds. Can't fall out or get shoved to back accidentally. Also shut boxes with rubber bands for vacancies or holds on route for sub's benefit.

Helpful Hints

When ice is on your mailboxes, use a small rubber hammer to tap on box to open. Sears carries one by Craftsman Tools. Very light and easy to handle.

Helpful Hints

If anybody has been having trouble with their shoulders (rotator cup, tears etc), what you need is a platform to stand on. They come in 4 to 6in high. They really help me when I'm casing the top row. I had a problem with both my shoulders from stretching. Works great!!!

Helpful Hints

In NDCBUs, to eliminate the case-over vs. case-under problem, buy a small pack of clear vinyl business card holders at a local office supply. These are very similar to tray tag holders on the ends of USPS letter trays. In fact, the back side of spent letter tray tags are what I use inside of them to mark name; number; and forward info or even 'vacant'. Be sure to clean the back inner edge of cluster box cell before applying. An old gym sock and a bottle of Windex or a 50 cent bottle of isopropyl works great. Your info will now be INSIDE the right box and these will last a long time. The tags, of course, are easily replaced.

Helpful Hints

carry a four-way lug wrench in your vehicle. it will provide better leverage than the manufacturer's lug wrench for breaking those stubborn lug nuts loose, if you get a flat tire. any auto parts store should carry them.

Helpful Hints

even better than ripping the "books" in half when selling loose stamps...I carry a roll of stamps and any thing under 20 comes from there.

Helpful Hints

keep pennies in special place for giving that change back. Ever thought how much that penny cost the usps and us in time !

Helpful Hints

As an additional help with selling single stamps, I got one of the plastic stamp dispensers like the post office sells and put a piece of Velcro on it and stuck it to the dash of my Jeep. I just pull the necessary number of stamps out of the stamp dispenser.

Helpful Hints

To help new RCA's in sorting parcels-mark the parcel with the row and side (L,M,R) on the box. Makes it easier when on the route trying to figure out where that parcel goes-at least until the route is better known. I also use a yellow highlighter on my case labels to note my seasonal customers.

Helpful Hints

To keep a new sub from delivering to a vacant box, mark these boxes with an X using a black marker. If box is black, mark inside, on flag or on the pull. New hires will rarely deliver to a marked box if they know why the X is there.

Helpful Hints

We deliver KMart ads that come with a postage card. Our office sticks the card inside the ad. We do this because several customers would put the card back in the box and put up the flag for us to pick back up.

Helpful Hints

To help prevent sleepers at the back of the case remove shelves and install weather stripping (the soft kind that comes in a roll) at the level of the dividers. When the shelves are put back in the dividers push into the weather stripping and create a nice seal. Also to help relief carriers when they deliver your route, put colored dots inside boxes, Orange ones for extra caution with this mail (double check for mistakes, or individual COA's) Red ones to tell them that this is the turn around, don't go any farther. Green ones, for vacant boxes that they should GO right by, this dot could be put on the lid of the box.

Helpful Hints

when casing letters, case the tallest one to the back and you will know when that box stops and the next one starts, also if you have 2 persons per slot and all letters are the same size put one out and one in, this will help when you have a flat for one or the other. These really work, I use this method and a 22 year veteran showed me this.

Helpful Hints

AS a 14 year Rural carrier from a high volume office. Some of the hints I have seen here are against postal regs. (i.e. putting cards inside KMart flyers, marking a customers box, Carriers aren't allowed to initiate a COA unless it's a MLNA, (I always put a COA card in boxes when I see an "under contract" sign), putting something inside a box to mark a hold--if burglar finds it, could carrier be responsible?) USPS could supply plastic bars to put in case to mark hold mail, vacancies, and caution. Ask your postmaster to order them. Some of our carriers use DPS tray labels in NDCBU's. they have a black stripe on them.

Helpful Hints

Teach subs that a package or large flat should always be held with the face to you (to study) immediately prior to delivering, for several seconds. They should look, look, look, as to make sure nothing (of our delivery point special services) is missed, or that it's not a duplicate name or number, etc. It's what gets delivered that counts, so this applies no matter what your individual preferences are for casing & pulling, etc. As a regular I would surely miss something once in a while had I not developed this great habit.  Some other great advice to subs from me would be, ....(as it is so difficult some days to take extra care and still please time standards): the extra care you take may add a solid five or ten minutes to your day and keep away so much aggravation! 

Finally, the only way to remember which endorsement on letters is no longer honored: it's the only endorsement with the word "correction" in it. (It's not correct!)

Helpful Hints

this is a request for help, not a tip. I'm trying to find a shop that converts vehicles to right hand steering in the Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Arkansas states, preferably in southeast Texas (Houston). thanks, if you can help.

Helpful Hints

I have a lot of forwards on my route and I have made it easier for my new subs to know which one is a good forward and which ones are FOE. I use a green sticker with the peoples name that are to be forwarded, meaning a good forward and a red sticker for the FOE's. I also use a blue sticker for any boxes that are PO Boxes. sure helps with CFS sending back letters that are no longer on file.

Helpful Hints

when you get chased by a dog you can carry snacks it helps !!!  

This not a good idea, the dog would then run up to the delivery vehicle every time someone stops at the box. This would be very startling for anyone filling in for the carrier! 

Helpful Hints

In response to carrying snacks for dogs; this is against regulations. When substitute carriers deliver routes and don't have snacks they can get bitten. More likely what happens is the dogs, in their excitement, get pepper-sprayed unnecessarily.

Helpful Hints

I know this "hint" has been in the carrier publications before, but it is still helpful.

When you have two (or more) boxes of checks (or similar shaped items) turn one right side up and the bottom one upside down and band them together so you can see the address no matter which way you may pick it up.

Helpful Hints

You can use plastic canvas that you buy at your local craft or department store to mark your packages. I cut each sheet into 4 strips. Then when I sort packages I place the markers in with the customers mail and remove the markers when I get to the mailbox. I also have the markers in 3 colors, one color I only use for anything that I need to scan (Certs, Express, Delivery Confirmations, etc.) Another color is only used for small parcels that I keep in a tub while on the route, and the third color I only use for large parcels that I have to place in the back of my vehicle. This way it helps me to remember my scans and where I need to look for each parcel. If you can find bright colored plastic canvas it stands out in the mail.

Helpful Hints

I love the colored electrical tape! I use red to mark the new fwds right on my case. I write the customers name and the date the fwd becomes effective on the tape and place it at the front of the shelf. (I turn it sideways for a single cell). This helps my relief know who is a good fwd and who is "foe" (oops! not a valid endorsement! Sorry). Especially nice for ind. fwds. I use a light colored tape to hang special instructions down in front of the address slot on the case for those "special" customers we all have. Ya can't miss it when you are casing or pulling down. When I run out of those plastic markers for vacant boxes, I put a piece of tape across the case dividers. Works great.

Helpful Hints

Keep a few different colored markers at your case, when doing case labels if you have a small Ln or DR or Rd etc.. that is a few numbers but colored the same on your labels, use the markers to make them a different color. Really helps New subs out.

Helpful Hints

Put the Rural Delivery Instructions Card inside of a mailbox that is Vacant. Stand it on end so it covers the opening. When your sub opens the box they will know that the box is vacant and when new people move in, hopefully they will fill out the card letting you know who they are. Works Really well in NDCBU's

Helpful Hints

Does your car have bucket seats? OUCH! Before replacing the seats with a bench seat, try a folding boat seat in-between . They are nicely padded and you can maintain the comfort of bucket seats when you are not on the route. Or maybe you always wanted to have a certain auto but couldn't because you also carried mail. This is the solution that worked for me. Plus they are less expensive than replacing with a bench seat .

Helpful Hints

If your route has NBU's (front loaders), store parcel locker keys inside of the lockers when not being occupied. Once you make it a habit, it saves time by quickly swapping out the key for the parcel. It will also keep kids from busting off the key in the keyhole. Try it!!!

Helpful Hints

When I case my flats to determine right from left I always leave the right one hang out a little till I can push it in when I have the left address flat available (saves a lot of time rather than continuously pulling out a flat to check it). I've seen this done with bindings as well (binding to the left for left address, etc.).

Helpful Hints

Always look inside a parcel locker before you pull the key. Customers put "return to sender" parcels inside, and they can stay a long time before you use that locker again.

Helpful Hints

when putting packages in the mailbox that barely fit, so tight that the customer cannot get a hold to pull package out, put a rubber band around package so customer can pull on band to remove package

Helpful Hints

Frozen mail boxes can be easily opened with just a handle from hammer. Tap lightly at 2:00 and 10:00 position on lid.

Helpful Hints

I'm just a RCA & on my route, I put a yellow card in the mailbox marked 'VACANT' on both sides, works great.

Helpful Hints

when I get to the last box on a street, I mark my boxes with black marker. L for left-R for right- O to turn around. it helps the subs when they are training or someone unfamiliar helping you out. for example, I have one box I marked LR that is to go left on the next street then right at the next corner

Helpful Hints

"Any suggestions on how to attach strobe light and signs to top of wrangler jeep with fiberglass top?" You need to attach a metal plate to the top for the magnet to stick to. You can use duct or aluminum tape to stick the plate either inside the top (may not work if the fiberglass is too thick) or screw or tape the plate to the outside of the top. An octagon electrical outlet box cover makes a good metal plate.

Helpful Hints

You can also use double faced auto-body side molding foam tape to stick that plate.

Helpful Hints

I am an RCA so I don't work the route every day and have to keep up with all info concerning customers. My carrier leaves notes on her desk about new fwds. and hot notices. Most times leaving a smiley face that makes me feel really good about being her sub.

Helpful Hints

Do you do this? I criss cross each address when pulling down...the separation is made and quickly ready to deliver. Of course large bundles i.e.; newspapers and catalogs get a rubber band.

Helpful Hints

On very hot days when you need a lot of water (make sure you drink some gatorade too, it helps to prevent headaches), I take a huge one gallon thermos, make sure its more wide than tall. Fill it with ice & water-- lots of ice. Insert aquarium tubing (don't pull it out of your aquarium, get yourself brand new, they cost about $2 at Walmart). Keep your thermos on the floor away from the pedals, and the drinking part of the tube someplace accessible. I've used clothespins and clipped it to my visor.

Helpful Hints

 as noted, this is not "in compliance": with DC's on small parcels that go in a tray I scan them in office as I arrange them. large parcels get scanned as I arrange them in the vehicle while loading. obviously, you don't try this w/supervisor looking over your shoulder but it beats the heck out of missing scan while delivering & no one's ever questioned times on scanner.

This is not a good idea, because the time of day is recorded when it is scanned. This will be a problem if there is a customer complaint. Also, what happens if the situation changes out on the route, and one you scanned as 'delivered' cannot be delivered? 

Helpful Hints

As an RCA that has learned nine routes, I had to find a way to help me remember specifics on a certain routes. When I have to run a route that I haven't been on in a while, I just grab my notebook for that route. I have a 1-inch three ring binder for each route. I put a piece of Velcro on the back of each binder and Velcro it to the top of the dashboard in my vehicle. (Tip: Gorilla Glue is the only glue that I can find that will hold the Velcro to the dash through the hot summer heat) When learning a new route, I just take really good notes, writing longways across the paper, leaving room for writing updates in later. I write down directions on where to turn, each box # and any special reminders for that box. (Such as bad dogs or picky customers, even forwards for those carriers who don't have stickers on their cases, etc.) Then I just slide each page into a sheet protector and put them in the 3-ring binder. You must insert your notes so you will be able to read them, landscape not portrait, because as your notebook is attached long ways to the dash, you read and flip each page as needed. I use a small package that is to be delivered towards the END of the route to keep the pages held back, so you don't lose your page or maybe use a clothes pin. You may find a better way to do this, depending on what kind of vehicle you are driving. When I haven't ran a route in a while, I take a few minutes to update my notebook at the case, such as new directions or boxes on the route. It really helps if you can have the regular carrier to look through the notebook with you, if possible. It's a lot quicker for them to tell you the changes rather than you following the case and notebook and comparing the two. I use a highlighter to get my attention to unusual things, such as left turns or dog warnings, even those boxes that the house is too far to deliver packages. If you can type and have Excel, this method is much neater, plus you can save your work, and that way, no matter what, you always have a back-up copy of your notebook. You can also update it and print it out again if needed. I leave a copy of my notebook at that specific case, that way it's there when I need it and if someone else needs it, they can use it. Everyone knows that the phrase, "just follow the mail," is a lot easier said than done. Now, if I am called in on an unfamiliar route, I'm not panicking, as long as I have a notebook for that route, I’m fine. If anyone has any questions at all, just e-mail me; I'd be glad to help anyone.

Helpful Hints

I have been an RCA for 6 years and have found the best working relationship is one with open communication. Always let your carrier know when you will be out of town, even on your off days, just in case he or she would need you last minute. For all you new RCA's, don't be nervous and don't try to go any faster than you can, slow down and enjoy the ride. It really can and will be enjoyable.

Helpful Hints

for those of you who carry dps to the street, I case my hold mail cards and pull down with the mail, when I get to that mailbox, my card lets me know to hold that dps mail out and return it to the office. Brenda

Helpful Hints

I have been an RCA for 12 years now. The carrier I sub for have found out the best way to keep up with forwards. On a pad I write the names on it along with the address and if it is a family forward I put and (F) and if it’s an individual I put (Ind. only). Then I have the carrier that works before me case them in the afternoon . When I pull the mail down that morning it goes to the route with me. When I get to the box I know that their is a forward out of that box. It works great and you don’t have to study the pink cards before you go out on the route. We do this until both of us learn it.