EDDM sounded like a great way to save money....until I figured out the details.

Before I researched EDDM (or Every Door Direct Mail) I thought that it meant you can deliver a mail piece to every home in a certain area, without having to worry about addressing. This meant that didn't don't have to buy a mailing list or pay to have the pieces addressed. Double savings, right?

Almost...there are other requirements to consider about EDDM before deciding if it's right for you.

Here are the requirements for EDDM:

• You are limited to 5,000 pieces per day per zip code
• You have to deliver the pieces to the post office within the zip code you are mailing to which means you'll be driving around to different locations if you are doing a large mailing. 
• Your mailing must include EDDM PS form 3587 completely filled out. 
• Each time you do a drop at the post office they have to review the paperwork and review the mailing piece to make sure that it meets requirements. (We all know how long lines are at the Post Office.)
• You have to provide a separate bundle of pieces for each carrier route and the count has to be exact
• For example, if a route has 1,357 homes on it, you have to count and bundle 1,357 pieces. (Uggg).
• If there is a miscount, there is a chance that the USPS will not deliver the pieces until the postage is paid up or credited.
• With each bundle you have to attach a slip of paper that includes the following details:
• Date
• Specified route number
• Number of pieces in the bundle
• Bundle number (if there are 10 bundles you have to put bundle number 3 of 10.)
• Saturation mail description (Uh?)
• Your mailing piece has to meet the minimum size requirements (a standard half sheet postcard won't be accepted. Some of the general guidelines include:
• One dimension must exceed 6.125" x 11.5"
• View a PDF that shows the size requirements for EDDM

Woah! So it's a little more complicated than I first expected.

But going this method will save money, right? It's a lot more work, but it's worth it because you don't have to buy a mailing list and you don't have to pay for addressing...right?

Well, we don't charge for addressing, so you don't save any money there.

But the mailing list is probably really expensive, right?

No, not really. You can buy a list for just $0.01 to $0.02 cents per name.  Or in other words, it will only cost you $200 for a list with 10,000 addresses.

Is it worth it? That's up to you. But don't forget about all the work, and time and gas money and paperwork that it will require to get the mailing ready.

One other thing to factor in is the size requirements for the mailing piece. A standard half sheet postcard won't qualify for EDDM, so you are going to have to pay extra for an oversized mailer. (Remember that $200 savings for not having to buy a list? It will definitely cost you more than that to buy for an EDDM compatible oversized mailer.)

But what about postage?

One other factor - the postage cost. EDDM rates are between $0.147 and $0.197 each. (The minimum rate is going up to $0.16 each in January).

But if you mail your piece with us, you can get automation rates, which are currently as low as $0.159 each.

So you don't even save money on postage!

And, when mailing automation rates with a barcode you can track the pieces so you know when they get delivered.

Bottom line, more work for you, and it looks like it's not even going to save you money.

But, if you are doing a small, local mailer of less than 5,000 pieces it may actually be a good option for you, (if you don't mind all of the extra paperwork and hands-on work required on your end).


My recommendation....keep doing what you do best and leave the mailing to us.



Questions? Give me a call at 801-636-5375 or send me an e-mail: [email protected]


P.S. The Post Office will not allow you to do EDDM with a magnet. So let us handle the mailing and we can still get you automation rates, track delivery and take care of everything at a lower cost than you could do it yourself.

Request free samples on our website: http://postcardmagnet.com