How the USPS Handles Netflix Mailers

A postal worker wanted to clear up the debate on how Netflix mailers were handled:

I am the American Postal Worker's Union shop steward in the automation unit at the Boston General Mail Facility. I can confirm that we do, in fact, pull Netflix out of the automation mail stream (there are actually two operations that do this) and throw them manually. But this isn't necessarily nefarious: it's done that way because the Netflix are a unique sized, easily distinguishable piece which can't readily be run on the automation equipment. So we pull it out and handle it separately, which we do for other non-machinable readily identifiable, large volume customers. One example are film rolls, they are pulled out for the same reason and handler manually.

Comments

[Spimby]

Interesting. I've all the sudden had 2 of my last 4 DVDs cracked from the center hole to the outer edge. I've never had any problems in the two years that I've had Netflix. Maybe it's a fluke. I hope it's not a trend.

[wolfgang613]

It would be nice if all the USPS facility were as vigilant as Boston General. Unfortunately I know that a few USPS facilities still run the Netflix envelopes through the automatic system instead of receiving them manually. don't get me wrong, most USPS facilities are doing a bang up job with the Netflix envelopes, but it only takes a few rotten apples to spoil the hole barrel.

[gir]

I'm no USPS expert, but I would think it'd make a big difference where your returns are first sorted.

If a return is sorted at the mail facility where NetFlix picks up returns, most likely your returns will go to the closest NetFlix center.

If your return lands at a very small post office, where they send all their mail to a larger central facility where it get sorted (or re-sorted), again most likely your returns will go to the closest NetFlix center.

However, if your return is sorted at a mail facility that NetFlix *doesn't* pick up form, most likely your return will end up bundled in a box or bag destined for the city the DVD was mailed from bypassing the closest NetFlix facility.

I could be wrong, but that's what makes sense to me.

[peter]

Over the last few years I consistently average 8-12 cracked DVDs per year (8 p/mo plan).

Maybe my Post Office doesn't like my selections ??

[Old Timer Too]

I know this is off topic, but re: cracked discs - a lot depends upon the disc. I received three of the same title broken (all different) and finally figured that it was a bad run from the vendor - one that was easily damaged. Typically, I get a cracked disc every two-three months. It isn't often.