Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Recently I have been helping a family dispose of a late, fellow collectors horde. I came across a stash of "service-inscribed" postage. I mentioned that this was valid for postage as long as you had a Form 3615 and followed the rules. One of the newer members who is a former Postal Clerk, stated that the 3615 and postage was no longer being accepted. I have looked thorough the DMM and find no specific prohibition of this usage.
Anyone have any recent experience with using these stamps? I will probably visit the PO after the holiday and inquire at the window.
(company from Californina in town)
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Interesting! I'd like to see the final ruling, and what's allowed.
Over the years we all have received mail from dealers and collectors using these stamps. When I buy big postage lots, sometimes some of these are mixed in. I have put them, on outgoing mail without incident.
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I bought a lot a few years ago and it had a big batch of these types of stamps and used them mostly to send to collectors that purchased stamps, back when I was still selling. One buyer sent me a message and told me he sold one of those covers at his local club for a 3 digit amount. Of course, he did mention there was a period between the 1st and 2nd digit.
Mike
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Hopefully, you will get a correct answer to your query at the PO.
Through experience I know that MANY postal clerks - Postmasters included - are unaware of their own current rules and regs.
A good example - handback service;
I collect cancels from MICH post offices - many don't even know what that means, some try to refuse, etc...
I now carry documentation from the Postal Code handbook to SHOW them.
And yes - I have even been turned away after that.
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Me too Randy! I collect New Jersey and have run into the same issues. Postal clerks oblivious that people may collect postmarks and those believing you want today’s date stamp to somehow defraud someone, like mailing in a bill late.
I carry the regulation (and have been accused of providing a false document) and I have the link to that page on the Internet. I’ve learned that when a clerk gets testy, just to back off.
If not the first stop of the day, I’ll show them the cancels I got from other local offices that day.
I found less resistance to postal cards and when all else fails I address the envelope and ask them to postmark it low and mail it to me. Sometimes you wind up with the regional spray cancel and sometimes not.
As a last resort, I bring along one of my albums. I leave it in the car and only bring it in if needed. I’ll show them I’m collecting the state and do they want to be the only office missing? That often motivates them.
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Back in the day - maybe in the 2010's I experimented with sending out several philatelic items using "service-inscribed" postage. The rule was that you had to have a valid Form 3615, use the proper amount of inscribed postage to total the current first class rate. And you had to write "FIRST CLASS POSTAGE" near the stamps. The envelopes had to be handed to a Postal cerk and cancelled at the window.
Recently I have been helping a family dispose of a late, fellow collectors horde. I came across a stash of "service-inscribed" postage. I mentioned that this was valid for postage as long as you had a Form 3615 and followed the rules. One of the newer members who is a former Postal Clerk, stated that the 3615 and postage was no longer being accepted. I have looked thorough the DMM and find no specific prohibition of this usage.
Anyone have any recent experience with using these stamps? I will probably visit the PO after the holiday and inquire at the window.
(company from Californina in town)
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: USPS Form 3615 and Service Inscribed Postage
Interesting! I'd like to see the final ruling, and what's allowed.
Over the years we all have received mail from dealers and collectors using these stamps. When I buy big postage lots, sometimes some of these are mixed in. I have put them, on outgoing mail without incident.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: USPS Form 3615 and Service Inscribed Postage
I bought a lot a few years ago and it had a big batch of these types of stamps and used them mostly to send to collectors that purchased stamps, back when I was still selling. One buyer sent me a message and told me he sold one of those covers at his local club for a 3 digit amount. Of course, he did mention there was a period between the 1st and 2nd digit.
Mike
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: USPS Form 3615 and Service Inscribed Postage
Hopefully, you will get a correct answer to your query at the PO.
Through experience I know that MANY postal clerks - Postmasters included - are unaware of their own current rules and regs.
A good example - handback service;
I collect cancels from MICH post offices - many don't even know what that means, some try to refuse, etc...
I now carry documentation from the Postal Code handbook to SHOW them.
And yes - I have even been turned away after that.
Login to Like
this post
re: USPS Form 3615 and Service Inscribed Postage
Me too Randy! I collect New Jersey and have run into the same issues. Postal clerks oblivious that people may collect postmarks and those believing you want today’s date stamp to somehow defraud someone, like mailing in a bill late.
I carry the regulation (and have been accused of providing a false document) and I have the link to that page on the Internet. I’ve learned that when a clerk gets testy, just to back off.
If not the first stop of the day, I’ll show them the cancels I got from other local offices that day.
I found less resistance to postal cards and when all else fails I address the envelope and ask them to postmark it low and mail it to me. Sometimes you wind up with the regional spray cancel and sometimes not.
As a last resort, I bring along one of my albums. I leave it in the car and only bring it in if needed. I’ll show them I’m collecting the state and do they want to be the only office missing? That often motivates them.
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