Log on to UPS:COM and ’Skip the Trip’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The convenience of the Internet is one reason the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging customers to “skip the trip” to the Post Office this week.

The Postal Service will host “USPS.com Week” this week at Post Offices across the country to let consumers know of the quick, easy, convenient way to do business online at USPS.com. The Postal Service’s website offers nearly three dozen services and products to the 1 million customers who visit the site each day.

“Almost anything you can do at a Post Office, you can do online at USPS.com,” said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer and executive vice president. “While we welcome customers and business to the Post Office, we also understand that our customers are busy. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can buy postage, order supplies, ship and track packages and manage your mail.”

Two of the most popular services at USPS.com are Click-N-Ship and free package pickup. Click-N-Ship brings the Post Office to a desktop at home or office for no additional fee. Print professional shipping labels and pay for postage using any major credit card. Calculate and compare postage. Purchase insurance up to $500 and request a free package pickup through Carrier Pickup.

With Carrier Pickup, customers can take advantage of the personal convenience and service of having packages picked up at their home, saving a trip to the Post Office. Unlike other shipping companies, there is no fee for the service. Free package pickup is available for packages being sent by Express Mail or Priority Mail — domestic or international. Packages must include postage and be ready for shipment before the letter carrier arrives. There is no limit to the number of packages that can be picked up.

The Postal Service also has a dedicated portal on its website for small business owners — USPS.com/smallbiz. The site offers pricing comparisons for shipping options, shipping tools that include supplies, printing desktop postage, finding the proper ZIP Code and requesting a free package pickup.

“Let the Postal Service be your resource for small business matters. Find solutions to every day challenges and get helpful tips on improving business services online at USPS.com,” Bizzotto said.

Other popular services and products available online let customers:

-Buy stamps, philatelic products and shipping supplies at the Postal Store (USPS.com/shop)
-Add insurance and Delivery Confirmation to packages (USPS.com/shipping)
-Create and send greeting cards, postcards and letters (USPS.com/cardstore)
-Find Post Office locations and hours (USPS.com/locator)
-Manage mail delivery while traveling or away on business (USPS.com/holdmail)