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01-25-2016 06:09 PM
If memory serves me it was in the '60's. Anyway, I remember the hype about how it will help the mail move faster, etc. Today we received a piece of mail kindly forwarded to us by the erroneous recipient. It had the wrong name, the wrong state, and the wrong zip code. Same PO Box number and same town "name". This isn't the first time we have received mail from someone with the same town name, but nothing else matches. So ~~ herein lies my question. Is mail really sorted by zip code?
01-25-2016 06:16 PM
I worked for the Post Office for many years.
Yes, mail is sorted by zip codes. (The fact that human beings are involved makes it an imperfect operation.)
01-25-2016 06:21 PM
There are millions and millions of pieces of mail being moved each day. No process can be expected to eliminate a small number of mistakes.
01-25-2016 06:21 PM
Yes, I do sort of remember when zip codes came to be. The '60's do sound about right. And yes, mail is sorted by zip code. Years ago, we toured a USPS distribution center in our area when they had an open house. Postal employees sit at these long machines with the mail shooting by. Each envelop slows down enough so the employee keys in the zip code. You can write the incorrect city/town and state, but the correct zip code, and the mail will get there. Write the incorrect zip code, and you gum up the whole works.
01-25-2016 06:24 PM
@pattypeep Yes, it was in the '60s - I remember when we used to use a City, Zone and then State for the address. For instance; Chicago, 21, Illinois or whatever. I think the zone ended up being part of the zip code later.
I also remember when telephone numbers were not all digits. Our telephone number started with the word Yellowstone and we would dial YE in stead of what is now the first two numbers of the telephone number. OY I'm old!
01-25-2016 06:33 PM
TV programs always used Klondike 5 xxxx.
Now they use 555-xxxx
01-25-2016 06:38 PM
JustJazzmom wrote:TV programs always used Klondike 5 xxxx.
Now they use 555-xxxx
Only in Alaska.... LOL!
01-25-2016 06:43 PM
Pearley, this caught my eye. Our telephone number started with Yellowstone. Are you in NYS?
01-25-2016 06:55 PM
Yes, I'm old so I was around when phones had a 2 party system.
When you think of the amount of mail the post office delivers every day they do an amazing job.
I sent my daughters friend a JoeZ leather jacket. She instead received a green blouse that was huge and addressed to someone in California! She lives in Arlington, Va.
No big deal, I called QVC and they said, 'tell her to just keep it and we'll send out to her the leather jacket'.
Sometimes things happen.
01-25-2016 07:04 PM
I don't remember a time before zip codes, born in 61.
I do remember being a small child and having a party line phone. We lived kind of rural for awhile, and there were five houses on our line.
And later when we were in town, I remember my folks making a big deal when we finally were down to two houses on the line, then a private one. I don't remember using the phone back then, as when we were children, we weren't allowed to use or answer the phone until we were maybe 12 or so.
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