Mailing Options During the Holiday Rush

Access is Easy When Time is Short

MERRIFIELD, VA —It is said that time waits for no man, and no one knows that more than those battling the crowds to do holiday shopping this season.

“We know harried shoppers don’t always have time to drop off their cards and packages or buy stamps at the Post Office,” Northern Virginia (NOVA) District Manager Michael S. Furey says. “That’s why it helps to know other places and ways everyone can access our mailing services when they run short on time.”

Automated Postal Centers (APCs)

APCs are self-service kiosks that can provide 80 percent of the transactions available at the window counter. APCs do transactions in English or Spanish and accept major credit and debit cards.  APCs dispense First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, and Express Mail postage in any denomination; provide mailing information, including ZIP Code lookup; weigh and price envelopes and parcels up to 70 pounds; prepare Express Mail forms and Certified Mail return receipts; and offer Delivery Confirmation service.

There are currently 21 locations with a total of 37 APCs throughout the NOVA District (select locations have multiple APCs), most of which afford customer access 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• Alexandria – Franconia Branch, Trade Center Branch, Main Post Office and Kingstowne E Branch
  
• Annandale Post Office
  
• Arlington – Main Post Office, North Station, South Station and Eads Station
  
• Ashburn Post Office
  
• Burke Post Office
  
• Centreville – Main Post Office and Sully Station
  
• Chantilly Post Office
  
• Fairfax – Main Post Office and Turnpike Station
  
• Falls Church Post Office
  
• Herndon – Main Post Office and Oak Hill Branch
  
• Leesburg Post Office
  
• Manassas Post Office
  
• McLean – Main Post Office and West Branch
  
• Merrifield Post Office
  
• Oakton Post Office
  
• Reston Post Office
  
• Springfield – Main Post Office and West Branch
  
• Sterling – Main Post Office and Potomac Falls (two APCs at this location)
  
• Vienna Post Office
  
• Winchester Post Office
  
• Woodbridge – Main Post Office and Prince William Branch (three APCs at this location)

*  Installation of a second APC at the Merrifield Post Office is scheduled for December 3, 2008.

Click-N-Ship

“You can do all of your holiday mailing online at usps.com without ever leaving your home,” says Furey. “We save you money as well as gas. You can print postage and mailing labels from your computer using Click-N-Ship. Price reductions are available on Priority Mail and Express Mail when you ship online. The more you ship, the more you save, and free Delivery Confirmation is included. Plus, we offer free carrier pickup, so you can save time and money.”

Stamps by Mail

Order forms to receive stamps by mail are available in Post Office lobbies or through your letter carrier. Orders are fulfilled within three to five business days.

Stamps by Phone

Order stamps with a credit card by calling 1-800 STAMP-24. Orders are fulfilled within three to five business days.

The Postal Store

The Postal Store at usps.com is open 24 hours a day. At The Postal Store, you can buy stamps and stationery, philatelic collectibles and other gift items, order free shipping supplies, print mailing labels with or without postage, and design and mail cards and letters without ever leaving your home.

“However you get it to us, we’ll get it there,” says Furey “We’ll make every gift you send a priority.”