Postal Bulletin 22086 - October 3, 2002 - USPS.com® - About

POSTAL BULLETIN 22086 (10-3-02)
Retail
Buy stamps here The Postal Service is introducing its new “Buy Stamps Here” decal. It will
help customers easily identify non–Postal Service locations coast-to-coast
where stamps are sold. Look for the decal at participating supermarkets,
drug stores, and ATMs, on vending machines, and at contract postal
stations.
It’s about providing affordable, universal service — when and where
people need them.
“Tape Stamps” market test A new 100-stamp coil is being market tested in POS Post Offices this fall.
The Holiday Snowmen stamps, Item 781200, will be issued as a special
linerless, pressure-sensitive adhesive stamp coil. Employee and customer
focus group testing revealed that potential customers like this new coil
format because it can be placed into a 1-inch tape dispenser and used
like tape. They’re called Tape Stamps. They’re cost-effective,
environmentally friendly, and easy to use. There’s no stamp backer lining
to throw away.
The first day of issue for this new stamp coil is October 28, 2002, with
nationwide sales beginning on October 29, 2002. The results of this
market test will determine if the Postal Service will pursue further
development and production of this new coil format. Educating consumers
about this new coil and how to use it properly is a critical element in
accurately gauging the success of this new product.
Only POS Post Offices will receive the test coils to track sales data. Three
million coils of 100 stamps (300 million stamps) will be produced for this
test; therefore, stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will not be receiving an
additional quantity for reorders for traditional stores. Postal Stores will
receive the Tape Stamps in two packaging formats; both formats will be
packaged in “clamshell” packs for slat walls. One format includes a single
coil of 100 stamps, Item 781201, selling for $37; the other format is a
single coil of 100 stamps with a reusable stamp dispenser, Item 781202,
selling for $38. Both packages will contain a customer opinion survey card
to obtain customer feedback on this new product. Instructions on how to
use this new coil will also be printed on the backer card. All packaging will
carry security tags so additional security tagging is not needed.
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