IMB Loop Mail Update
This was sent to me by one of my readers regarding Loop Mail. It seems that the USPS has conflicting instructions out there to the USPS workforce on how to handle the IMb when it is mis-routed -
on pages 7 & 8 of Management Instruction PO-420-1999-1, there is some information and instruction to clerks to obliterate the barcodes as follows, in direct contradiction to the Do Not Obliterate instructions:
“Obliteration of Barcodes
To prevent loop mail from reentering the automated mailstream the barcode on the mailpiece must be obliterated. Barcodes should be obliterated by using a black felt tip marker to fill all the withe space between the bars so that the barcode reader will not read the barcode causing the mail to be returned to the origin address.”
and
“The distribution/throwback clerk must cross out or slash through incorrect ZIP Codes on nonbarcoded as well as barcoded mailpieces”
Clerks can obliterate or not, but it is impossible to do both. Some clarification to the workforce as to how to handle these situations is needed. I have gotten a lot of comments directly from USPS workers venting their frustration at these contradictory instructions.
from http://www.intelisent.com/postalaffairsblog
