Here’s a tool we often use when customers ask us how long it will take for a mailing to get from Point A to Point B. Just click on the following link:
https://ribbs.usps.gov/modernservicestandards/ssmaps/find_map.cfm
In the upper left corner you can select the Mail Class – First Class or Standard. Then select the mail origination SCF (Sectional Center Facility) from the drop down menu and click “Display Map”.
You’ll see a color-coded map of the U.S. and the estimated time for mail to be delivered. You can also go to the link that says “Click here for the data entry files.” That will give you access to Excel spreadsheets displaying the underlying data. Be forewarned that the download time is quite long.
Big caveat – these delivery times are estimates and typically best case scenarios. We would never treat these as a promise to a client. But they are helpful for getting an estimate.
Finally, we have written before about drop shipping to reduce costs and speed up delivery for standard class mail. You can read our blog post on that subject here:
http://gofranklingo.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/reduce-postage-costs-with-drop-shipping/
We hope this is helpful in your mailing efforts. As always, if you need advice just give us a call at (800) 375-0504 or email us at info@gofranklingo.com