I want an internet service that is optimized to print and mail
individual letters to individual addresses in low volumes.
The Problem I?m Trying to Solve
I do most of my personal and professional business online. Sometimes,
however, I have to send an actual paper letter. (For example, to
request that a credit card provider remove an unauthorized charge.)
This is annoying, because I have to print the letter and then figure
out how to load an envelope into the printer, figure out how to start
and use the envelope printing service in Word, print the envelope,
reprint it if I loaded the printer incorrectly, fold the letter and
stuff the envelope, find and affix a stamp, and take the letter to a
mailbox.
Yeah, I know, it?s not that big a deal, but it?s an unfamiliar
activity that disrupts my normal work style. And it?s a peeve. I?d
like to find a solution.
I realize that single item printing and mailing is relatively
expensive on a per-piece basis, but an extra dollar or so is
acceptable if it makes this annoying activity easier.
What I Want
A good solution would be a web site that allows me to upload a letter,
type a destination address, and be done. The site will print and mail
the document. (There could be some setup in which I enter my return
address, credit card, default paper and envelope preferences, etc.)
To be worth anything to me, a solution must:
- send mail to addresses in the United States of America.
- be usable from a Windows XP computer.
- work with PDF documents.
The solution I?m looking for should have all or nearly all of these features:
- send the mail within one business day.
- work with Word documents.
- work with TIFF documents.
- allow direct entry of an address (I don?t want to have to create and
download a one-address mailing list)
I don?t want:
- a bulk mailing service. I typically want to send one custom-written
letter to a single address.
- a fulfillment service. These will send documents to a single
address, but the documents are chosen from a stockpile kept at the
fulfillment center. I need to send one-off letters that I create just
before mailing them.
An ideal solution would include:
- direct integration into Word or Outlook. Type the letter, pop-up a
dialog, type the address (or select it from the Address Book), click
OK and the letter is sent over the internet automatically.
- an Application Programmer Interface (API) using web services,
COM/ActiveX, or .NET so I can write my own programs that access the
service.
- The ability to send a check.
Alternatives
An alternative solution that would also be good is something like the
energyflow.com site which used to exist several years ago. Instead of
downloading a PDF or Word document, you typed the text of the letter
into the site. The site would add the address heading and an image of
your signature. The site kept its own address book and allowed you to
send a check or money order with the letter. The letter would go out
at the end of the day, and you?d receive email confirmation. The site
provided a simple API for business users. If this service still
existed, I wouldn?t have to ask in Answers.
The application does not have to be web-based. A Windows application
that contacted the printing service over the internet behind the
scenes would be acceptable and maybe even preferable. As long as it
does the printing and mailing.
A service that provides an API would be acceptable even if it lacks
some of the other features if the API allows me to implement them
myself.
Note
I am already aware of the Mailing Online service provided for the
United States Postal Service by RGC Communications. This service is
oriented towards mass-mailings and requires a downloaded mailing list.
It also has a slow turn-around time, in some cases requiring over a
week for a single letter. |
Clarification of Question by
markdraughn-ga
on
03 Feb 2005 15:45 PST
How strange that the mailing services you find for delivery in the
United States are both located in the UK. No wonder I couldn't find
anything.
I had hoped you would find solutions that have more of the items from
my list of "ideal" attributes. In addition, I had hoped for more
mature and featureful services, including choice of envelopes and
paper. I would have thought these services would have grown by now.
Then again, I just checked the USPS site and they claim faster
service, so some things are changing.
I checked out both sites and sent myself sample letters from each.
I'll comment with my results later.
Anyway, although you didn't find the really amazing solution I was
hoping for, there's nothing wrong with either of the services you
found. Both have the features I asked for in my question. I imagine
one of them will do.
Thank you.
How, by the way, did you find them?
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