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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: OT: USPS "informed delivery"
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:57:47 -0700
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On 11/19/2024 9:18 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Nov 2024 18:07:51 -0700, Don Y
> <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
> 
>> I'm trying to figure out the business sense of this.
>> It obviously costs something to implement.  What is
>> the expected (long-term?) payback?  Do they expect to
>> eventually allow people to READ their mail BEFORE it
>> is delivered?  Simply knowing that <something> is
>> on its way doesn't really seem to be much in terms
>> of added value...
> 
> Informed Delivery
> <https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm>
> 
> Informed Delivery can act as proof of delivery in case the mail or
> package is stolen.

Can it similarly be used as evidence of process service?

>  I've been told (and have not confirmed) that the
> USPS photographs and archives everything that is "interesting" which
> is delivered to a mailbox.  Because they already do most of the work,
> the added cost of giving customers access to the information is very
> small.

I think most mail is photographed as part of the address scanning
and routing process.  Humans don't do the sorting.

> I've been using Informed Delivery for the rural mailbox for mail
> addressed to my physical home address since the service was announced.
> For everything else, including packages, I use my PO Box address.
> 
> Guide to Post Office Box Street Addresses (PBSA)
> <https://postalpro.usps.com/PBSA>
> <https://postalpro.usps.com/storages/2017-02/PBSAGuide.pdf>
> 
> Street Addressing Service for Your P.O. Box
> <https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2728>
> <https://postalpro.usps.com/storages/2016-12/2728_PBSACustomerAgreement.pdf>
> 
> Mail theft was a big problem for me until I began renting a PO Box.

Yes, we don't have anything sent to the house.  And, many transactions
are done via ecommerce so there is no real "paper" involved.

> Unfortunately, the service costs me $216/year.  My rural mailbox is
> located at an inconvenient distance from my house because the letter
> carrier will not deliver on my marginal owner maintained dirt road
> (even though UPS, FedEx and others do deliver).

But, is the POBox really any closer?

> I thought I could survive without the rural mailbox and use my PO Box
> for everything, but that didn't work.  There are some companies
> (Amazon) and government agencies who refuse to deliver to a PO Box.
> When something important is delivered to my rural mailbox, I am
> notified via Informed Delivery.

OK, that makes sense.  But, I would see that as a special case.
How does USPS expect The Masses the *want* this?  "Oh, my VISA
bill is on its way!  I can hardly wait!"

> I then rush to the rural mailbox
> before the thieves arrive.  Otherwise, I wouldn't know anything had
> arrived until I eventually clean out the accumulated junk mail.

There are "boxes" that can be rented from non-USPS providers.  You
get an address like:
      John Doe
      <address of facility>
      Suite <box number>
      <city> <state> <ZIP>

These have some advantages:
- pricing
- no rule that the owner of the box be disclosed (as with USPS)
- packages accepted (because the sender doesn't know it's a "box")
- *possibly* better hours (though the boxes at our PO are open 24/7)
- if you develop a rapport with the operator, they can accept
   and store perishable items for you

They also can give the illusion that you have a "real business" and
not just a "POBox" somewhere.

[A friend gave me his business card.  I noticed the address was just
a mile or so from my home and decided to drop in to see him one day.
Surprising to see that it was just one of these retail outlets
renting a (shoebox sized) "suite" to him!