Hello Joe and the list.
If I can explain a little about how bulk mailing works, it might help explain some issues that people have with getting the journal. I work for a printer that does bulk mailings also and this is how they do things. AMSAT's printer may do it a totally different way than how my employer does it.
First, It all depends on when the mailer gets the printed copies. There may be issues with paper used, when the files arrive, scheduled deadlines met on time, things like that.
Second, the sender supplies a file with names and addresses that need to be printed onto either labels or onto the printed material in a certain space. This takes about anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole day (equipment issues) to set up aligning the print heads. Each process has its own procedures and differs between mailers.
Third, depending on what the volume (quantity) is, it could take a day to a week to print names and addresses onto the printed material.
Fourth, keeping the addresses sorted so that they are going to the right destination can get complex sometimes.
Fifth, after everything is sorted by zip codes and destinations, then comes shipping via semi to the separate sort facilities across the country and outside country destinations. Yes, depending on quantity, bulk mailing gets shipped to sort facilities across the country by contracted carriers.
Sixth, it could take as much as a week to get from the mailers dock to a sort facility on the other side of the country depending on where the mailer is located.
If you look at the mailing label area on your journal next time, you'll see that little square that has this saying in it:
Periodicals POSTAGE PAID At Silver Springs, MD and at additional mailing offices
that means that it has gone from the mailer to at least one sort facility in the path before it gets to your local post office and your home mailbox.
There is also meeting the criteria of how the USPS wants things sorted and weighed and..... The list is endless currently. My place of employment has had the USPS reject a load because it either weighed one pound more or less than what is stated on the documents. The USPS also has guidelines that have to be met about thickness and weight of paper. That can hold up a mailing also.
This is not to say that this is how AMSAT does the mailing of the journal. I am just stating how its done at my place of employment to give everyone an idea of what it takes to mail the Journal each time. Things do change each time the Journal is mailed so that has to be taken into account each time. Proposed deadlines have to be met to keep things flowing. If one deadline is not met, that can hold things up by a week or more.
The times I gave are based on a mailing of several hundreds of thousands having to have addresses printed onto them.
You also have to remember that the printer that AMSAT uses has to make deadlines also. The printer could be the same business that does the mailing which does help.
AMSAT only has to do roughly almost ten thousand printings of the Journal each time. This takes time on the presses to set up. Based on where I work, the Journal would go onto the sheetfed press not the 4 color offset press because of the quantity amount. Which means a little bit more cost in paper, press time, and setup.
Then it moves out to the bindery department to be folded, cut, and stapled to its final size for the mailing department.
I hope this explains some about why one person may get a journal before another person does. I know it doesn't explain everything but it gives everyone an idea of what it takes to get the journal mailed.
James W8ISS
All- I have received complaints concerning delivery of the Journal that is mailed non-profit 2nd class . According to the Supervisor of 2nd class non-profit at the Post Office, the problem is on the receiver's end. If the magazine does not "bounce back" to us, it is in the system ready to be delivered.
Although the magazine is mailed in MD, some members located in the state get their Journal later than members in the in other parts of the country. So - there is really nothing we can do at our end. The printer generally takes a week from the time he receives the files from the Editor. It then takes about 3-4 days for the mailer to get it to the Post Office. If you do not receive an issue, please let me know and I will send a replacement copy.
Martha - At the beach
On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 5:56 AM, James French [email protected]wrote:
Hello Joe and the list.
If I can explain a little about how bulk mailing works, it might help explain some issues that people have with getting the journal. I work for a printer that does bulk mailings also and this is how they do things. AMSAT's printer may do it a totally different way than how my employer does it.
First, It all depends on when the mailer gets the printed copies. There may be issues with paper used, when the files arrive, scheduled deadlines met on time, things like that.
Second, the sender supplies a file with names and addresses that need to be printed onto either labels or onto the printed material in a certain space. This takes about anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole day (equipment issues) to set up aligning the print heads. Each process has its own procedures and differs between mailers.
Third, depending on what the volume (quantity) is, it could take a day to a week to print names and addresses onto the printed material.
Fourth, keeping the addresses sorted so that they are going to the right destination can get complex sometimes.
Fifth, after everything is sorted by zip codes and destinations, then comes shipping via semi to the separate sort facilities across the country and outside country destinations. Yes, depending on quantity, bulk mailing gets shipped to sort facilities across the country by contracted carriers.
Sixth, it could take as much as a week to get from the mailers dock to a sort facility on the other side of the country depending on where the mailer is located.
If you look at the mailing label area on your journal next time, you'll see that little square that has this saying in it:
Periodicals POSTAGE PAID At Silver Springs, MD and at additional mailing offices
that means that it has gone from the mailer to at least one sort facility in the path before it gets to your local post office and your home mailbox.
There is also meeting the criteria of how the USPS wants things sorted and weighed and..... The list is endless currently. My place of employment has had the USPS reject a load because it either weighed one pound more or less than what is stated on the documents. The USPS also has guidelines that have to be met about thickness and weight of paper. That can hold up a mailing also.
This is not to say that this is how AMSAT does the mailing of the journal. I am just stating how its done at my place of employment to give everyone an idea of what it takes to mail the Journal each time. Things do change each time the Journal is mailed so that has to be taken into account each time. Proposed deadlines have to be met to keep things flowing. If one deadline is not met, that can hold things up by a week or more.
The times I gave are based on a mailing of several hundreds of thousands having to have addresses printed onto them.
You also have to remember that the printer that AMSAT uses has to make deadlines also. The printer could be the same business that does the mailing which does help.
AMSAT only has to do roughly almost ten thousand printings of the Journal each time. This takes time on the presses to set up. Based on where I work, the Journal would go onto the sheetfed press not the 4 color offset press because of the quantity amount. Which means a little bit more cost in paper, press time, and setup.
Then it moves out to the bindery department to be folded, cut, and stapled to its final size for the mailing department.
I hope this explains some about why one person may get a journal before another person does. I know it doesn't explain everything but it gives everyone an idea of what it takes to get the journal mailed.
James W8ISS _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I suspect Martha is being gracious, and not naming me :-)
I am probably the biggest whiner when it comes to not getting the Journal.
Martha's postal supervisor is wrong.
There is something that can be done, and that information is available here:
The guys at my local post office clued me into "Pubwatch", but it has to be done by the publisher/distributor.
I want to be VERY CLEAR, I do NOT believe anyone at AMSAT is at fault! I believe the problem is after shipment and before it would arrive at my local post office. A link in the middle of the chain is where I believe the problem is. AGAIN this is not an attack on AMSAT. I do not believe that is where the problem lies.
73, Joe kk0sd
P.S. Martha, why are you checking email from the beach???? Relax a little!
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Martha Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 9:31 AM To: James French Cc: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Latest AMSAT Journal
All- I have received complaints concerning delivery of the Journal that is mailed non-profit 2nd class . According to the Supervisor of 2nd class non-profit at the Post Office, the problem is on the receiver's end. If the magazine does not "bounce back" to us, it is in the system ready to be delivered.
Although the magazine is mailed in MD, some members located in the state get their Journal later than members in the in other parts of the country. So - there is really nothing we can do at our end. The printer generally takes a week from the time he receives the files from the Editor. It then takes about 3-4 days for the mailer to get it to the Post Office. If you do not receive an issue, please let me know and I will send a replacement copy.
Martha - At the beach
On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 5:56 AM, James French [email protected]wrote:
Hello Joe and the list.
If I can explain a little about how bulk mailing works, it might help explain some issues that people have with getting the journal. I work for a
printer
that does bulk mailings also and this is how they do things. AMSAT's printer may do it a totally different way than how my employer does it.
First, It all depends on when the mailer gets the printed copies. There
may
be issues with paper used, when the files arrive, scheduled deadlines met on time, things like that.
Second, the sender supplies a file with names and addresses that need to
be
printed onto either labels or onto the printed material in a certain
space.
This takes about anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole day (equipment
issues)
to set up aligning the print heads. Each process has its own procedures and differs between mailers.
Third, depending on what the volume (quantity) is, it could take a day to
a
week to print names and addresses onto the printed material.
Fourth, keeping the addresses sorted so that they are going to the right destination can get complex sometimes.
Fifth, after everything is sorted by zip codes and destinations, then
comes
shipping via semi to the separate sort facilities across the country and outside country destinations. Yes, depending on quantity, bulk mailing
gets
shipped to sort facilities across the country by contracted carriers.
Sixth, it could take as much as a week to get from the mailers dock to a sort facility on the other side of the country depending on where the mailer is located.
If you look at the mailing label area on your journal next time, you'll
see
that little square that has this saying in it:
Periodicals POSTAGE PAID At Silver Springs, MD and at additional mailing offices
that means that it has gone from the mailer to at least one sort facility in the path before it gets to your local post office and your home mailbox.
There is also meeting the criteria of how the USPS wants things sorted and weighed and..... The list is endless currently. My place of employment has had the USPS reject a load because it either weighed one pound more or less than what is stated on the documents. The USPS also has guidelines that have to be met about thickness and weight of paper. That can hold up a mailing also.
This is not to say that this is how AMSAT does the mailing of the journal. I am just stating how its done at my place of employment to give everyone an idea of what it takes to mail the Journal each time. Things do change each time the Journal is mailed so that has to be taken into account each time. Proposed deadlines have to be met to keep things flowing. If one deadline is not met, that can hold things up by a week or more.
The times I gave are based on a mailing of several hundreds of thousands having to have addresses printed onto them.
You also have to remember that the printer that AMSAT uses has to make deadlines also. The printer could be the same business that does the mailing which does help.
AMSAT only has to do roughly almost ten thousand printings of the Journal each time. This takes time on the presses to set up. Based on where I work, the Journal would go onto the sheetfed press not the 4 color offset press because of the quantity amount. Which means a little bit more cost in paper, press time, and setup.
Then it moves out to the bindery department to be folded, cut, and stapled to its final size for the mailing department.
I hope this explains some about why one person may get a journal before another person does. I know it doesn't explain everything but it gives everyone an idea of what it takes to get the journal mailed.
James W8ISS _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I wouldn't trust that website, it still recommends using Internet Explorer 5.5!
On 30-Aug-10 23:58, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
There is something that can be done, and that information is available here:
The guys at my local post office clued me into "Pubwatch", but it has to be done by the publisher/distributor.
I agree Joe. I swear all my gun magazines are "PRE-READ" at the PO before I ever get them, due to torn edges/pages.
John W6ZKH
________________________________ From: "Gary "Joe" Mayfield" [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 4:58:45 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Latest AMSAT Journal
I suspect Martha is being gracious, and not naming me :-)
I am probably the biggest whiner when it comes to not getting the Journal.
Martha's postal supervisor is wrong.
There is something that can be done, and that information is available here:
The guys at my local post office clued me into "Pubwatch", but it has to be done by the publisher/distributor.
I want to be VERY CLEAR, I do NOT believe anyone at AMSAT is at fault! I believe the problem is after shipment and before it would arrive at my local post office. A link in the middle of the chain is where I believe the problem is. AGAIN this is not an attack on AMSAT. I do not believe that is where the problem lies.
73, Joe kk0sd
P.S. Martha, why are you checking email from the beach???? Relax a little!
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Martha Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 9:31 AM To: James French Cc: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Latest AMSAT Journal
All- I have received complaints concerning delivery of the Journal that is mailed non-profit 2nd class . According to the Supervisor of 2nd class non-profit at the Post Office, the problem is on the receiver's end. If the magazine does not "bounce back" to us, it is in the system ready to be delivered.
Although the magazine is mailed in MD, some members located in the state get their Journal later than members in the in other parts of the country. So - there is really nothing we can do at our end. The printer generally takes a week from the time he receives the files from the Editor. It then takes about 3-4 days for the mailer to get it to the Post Office. If you do not receive an issue, please let me know and I will send a replacement copy.
Martha - At the beach
On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 5:56 AM, James French [email protected]wrote:
Hello Joe and the list.
If I can explain a little about how bulk mailing works, it might help explain some issues that people have with getting the journal. I work for a
printer
that does bulk mailings also and this is how they do things. AMSAT's printer may do it a totally different way than how my employer does it.
First, It all depends on when the mailer gets the printed copies. There
may
be issues with paper used, when the files arrive, scheduled deadlines met on time, things like that.
Second, the sender supplies a file with names and addresses that need to
be
printed onto either labels or onto the printed material in a certain
space.
This takes about anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole day (equipment
issues)
to set up aligning the print heads. Each process has its own procedures and differs between mailers.
Third, depending on what the volume (quantity) is, it could take a day to
a
week to print names and addresses onto the printed material.
Fourth, keeping the addresses sorted so that they are going to the right destination can get complex sometimes.
Fifth, after everything is sorted by zip codes and destinations, then
comes
shipping via semi to the separate sort facilities across the country and outside country destinations. Yes, depending on quantity, bulk mailing
gets
shipped to sort facilities across the country by contracted carriers.
Sixth, it could take as much as a week to get from the mailers dock to a sort facility on the other side of the country depending on where the mailer is located.
If you look at the mailing label area on your journal next time, you'll
see
that little square that has this saying in it:
Periodicals POSTAGE PAID At Silver Springs, MD and at additional mailing offices
that means that it has gone from the mailer to at least one sort facility in the path before it gets to your local post office and your home mailbox.
There is also meeting the criteria of how the USPS wants things sorted and weighed and..... The list is endless currently. My place of employment has had the USPS reject a load because it either weighed one pound more or less than what is stated on the documents. The USPS also has guidelines that have to be met about thickness and weight of paper. That can hold up a mailing also.
This is not to say that this is how AMSAT does the mailing of the journal. I am just stating how its done at my place of employment to give everyone an idea of what it takes to mail the Journal each time. Things do change each time the Journal is mailed so that has to be taken into account each time. Proposed deadlines have to be met to keep things flowing. If one deadline is not met, that can hold things up by a week or more.
The times I gave are based on a mailing of several hundreds of thousands having to have addresses printed onto them.
You also have to remember that the printer that AMSAT uses has to make deadlines also. The printer could be the same business that does the mailing which does help.
AMSAT only has to do roughly almost ten thousand printings of the Journal each time. This takes time on the presses to set up. Based on where I work, the Journal would go onto the sheetfed press not the 4 color offset press because of the quantity amount. Which means a little bit more cost in paper, press time, and setup.
Then it moves out to the bindery department to be folded, cut, and stapled to its final size for the mailing department.
I hope this explains some about why one person may get a journal before another person does. I know it doesn't explain everything but it gives everyone an idea of what it takes to get the journal mailed.
James W8ISS _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (5)
-
Gary "Joe" Mayfield -
James French -
John Neeley -
Martha -
Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF