USA Zip Codes

[catsmeat]

   

I'm currently project-managing a course for a colleague on holiday and have discovered an error in a zip code.  Unfortunately, some rather vital documents have gone under the wrong code.

Correct: MI48084
Wrong:  MI48804

Can anyone give me an indication of how much this would be likely to delay things, and if there is any way to get the letter forwarded to the correct address?  The house no, street name and town are all correct.

Many thanks,

Cathi

[chris68]

catsmeat,

All I can tell ya is that when I was mailinig tax returns for a local CPA office, I had the wrong street name and the correct zip code, and the package was received thankfully due to the correct zip code.  I'm not sure how vital that was to have.  Maybe someone will be along shortly that knows exactly what to do.


Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[jahdra]

The incorrect ZIP code is for Mount Pleasant instead of Troy. Since it is still in the same state, your letter shouldn't be delayed too long, perhaps a couple of days. On the other hand, if the machine spit the letter out to be hand sorted, it may go directly to the correct address with no delay.

[mlm668]

I think it is all going to hinge on whose hands it ends up in.  I've seen items with wrong zip codes get delivered with minimal delay and I've seen some come back.  It all depends on what the sorting machine does.  If it goes through to that zip code's post office, the postmaster may correct it and forward it.  

If it gets kicked out by the machine, it may get returned or end up in la la land like my June bank statement .  It was mailed from a post office 10 miles away in the same county and still hasn't gotten here yet.  

Michelle

[donnap99]

One comment I'd like to make about the format you have of the zip code in your message:  MI12345.  MI is the state, and should be separated by a space from the ziip code (i.e., MI 12345).  All U.S. zip codes are numbers - either 5 digits or 9 digits (12345 or 12345-6789).  A 9-digit zip code is more specific, and mail is delivered faster if you know the 9-digit zip.  As mail is scanned by computer, not having that separation between the state and zip WILL have the piece of mail kicked out to be read manually by a person.

To look up a zip, go to:  http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html


DonnaP99