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SAN FRANCISCO – Just in time for the peak holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service is offering helpful pointers for customers to relieve holiday shipping hassles and get those gifts under the tree in time for St. Nick’s arrival.
“The holidays are less than three weeks away and understandably customers are beginning to feel the pinch,” said Krista Finazzo, consumer advocate for the Postal Service. “Whether sending a large toy or mailing a greeting card to loved ones overseas, customers can feel at ease with the Postal Service knowing there are dozens of affordable products and services designed to help make holiday mailing and shipping simpler than ever before.”
Given the busy season ahead, Finazzo shares six simple tips to help customers avoid those holiday hassles:
- Receive discounted shipping costs. Skip the trip to the Post Office by using Click-N-Ship on www.usps.com/holiday and receive up to a 16 percent discount off your shipping costs. Customers can print their own mailing labels with postage from the convenience of home or office. And by requesting Free Package Pickup online, customers can have the Postal Service pick up packages from homes and offices across the country. The service is free regardless of the number of packages being requested at www.usps.com/pickup/ .
- Confirm addresses. Print addresses clearly in all CAPITAL LETTERS and be sure to include all address elements – apartment numbers, suite numbers and directional information for streets. For example: 123 S MAIN ST. or 12456 ELM ST. N. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages – and only on one side. Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit www.usps.com to find all ZIP Codes.
- Use a sturdy box. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes – they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local Post Office or at the Postal Store on www.usps.com . Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes and envelopes are free. And if you’re not sure – customers can use our convenient Flat Rate Boxes that come in a variety of sizes and once again are always free. Remember – “If it fits, it ships,” for a low flat rate.
- Pack delicately. Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn is also good for cushioning – it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit. Always use tape designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, duct tape or cellophane tape.
- Remove batteries and fragile items. Be sure to remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. Customers should include the new batteries in the manufacturer’s packaging. And stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
And last up, but certainly not least are the all-important mailing and shipping deadlines. Be sure to take note of the following mail-by dates to have your package arrive in time for the holidays.
Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Military
Dec. 11 – Express Mail International
Dec. 14 – Parcel Post
Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed
Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
Dec. 22 – Express Mail
Customers can visit the Postal Service Holiday Blog for additional holiday mailing and shipping tips, and get the best advice from resident holiday experts for sending holiday cards, letters and packages this holiday season.
New insights are regularly posted to help customers sail through this busy and joyous season.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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California’s gasoline demand declined 1.1 percent while average prices were $4.11 per gallon in August 2012 according to fuel tax data released Tuesday by Betty T. Yee, First District Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE).
Diesel consumption declined 2.1 percent while diesel fuel prices averaged $4.24 per gallon in August.
“High gasoline prices keep straining California families’ budgets, and in turn affect their consumption habits,” said Yee.
California’s gasoline consumption was 1.26 billion gallons in August 2012, down 14 million gallons or a 1.1 percent decline from last August.
California average gasoline prices were up 29 cents to $4.11 in August or 7.5 percent higher than August 2011, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA also reported that U.S. retail gasoline prices averaged $3.78 a gallon in August 2012, up 8 cents from August 2011.
California’s diesel consumption was 223 million gallons in August 2012, down 5 million gallons or a 2.1 percent decline from August 2011.
California’s average diesel prices went up 23 cents to $4.24 per gallon this August compared to August 2011. The EIA reported the U.S. average diesel prices in August was up 12 cents to $3.98.
For more information on California fuel statistics reports based on fuel tax receipts paid by distributors in California, visit: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm .
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SACRAMENTO – The statewide sales and use tax rate will increase one quarter of one percent (0.25%) from 7.25 percent to 7.50 percent on Jan. 1, 2013.
This rate increase was approved by California voters when they approved Proposition 30 on Nov. 6.
Among other things, Proposition 30 increases the statewide sales and use tax rate for four years – Jan. 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2016.
Across California, the sales and use tax rate will range from 7.5 percent to 10 percent because in some cities and counties, voter-approved district taxes are added to the statewide base rate.
California sales tax generally applies to retail sales of goods and merchandise except those sales specifically exempted by law.
“Use tax” is the same rate as the sales tax and generally applies to the storage, use, or other consumption of goods in California purchased from retailers in transactions not subject to the sales tax.
Use tax may also apply to purchases shipped to California consumers from other states, including purchases by mail order, telephone, or Internet.
The sales and use tax rate increase does not apply to purchases of gasoline. However, the sales and use tax rate increase does apply to purchases of diesel fuel.
For updates on the latest changes, retailers should check the BOE Web site, www.boe.ca.gov , or call the BOE Taxpayer Information Section at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Lake County Association of Realtors held its annual installation gala at Rancho de la Fuente.
Association Executive Scott Knickmeyer, together with 80 local Realtors and affiliates, welcomed Anita McKee of Lakeview Homes & Estates, as their 2013 president.
McKee previously served as president in 2010 and has over 20 years of experience in the real estate business.
Ray Perry of CPS Country Air was the outgoing president, who crafted all of the plaque awards presented that evening.
The Realtor of the Year Award, which is determined by a vote of the membership, went to Victoria Gindele, Morgan Lane Real Estate. Gindele has served diligently as LCAOR’s Secretary/Treasurer for ten years and has been on the Board of Directors since 2001.
Ginny Craven and Phil Smoley were presented the Byron Whipple Award for their involvement and contributions to community service.
Craven founded Operation Tango Mike in 2003, which has since shipped nearly 12,000 care packages to US service personnel in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Her other service to community accomplishments include ten terms as president of Lucerne Volunteer Firefighters, volunteer coach 2003-2004 for Special Olympics of Northern California, Relay for Life Team Captain which raised in excess of $10,000 to help fight cancer and senior deputy probation officer, who secured a domestic violence grant.
Smoley, owner/broker at CPS Country Air is the creator of the Bass Bowl, an annual fundraiser for Kelseyville and Clear Lake High School athletics programs. He also promotes a drive for canned goods that help the needy, called the Can Tree, and he is the President of the Lake County Historical Society.
Larry Oslin, Coldwell Banker Towne & Country, received the Hazel Pluth Award for lifetime achievements in Lake County real estate. Oslin has been a steadfast leader in training agents on new technologies for the last three decades.
Other awards included the Affiliate of the Year, which went for the second year in a row to Jacie Casteel, Sterling Mortgage.
Serving as chair of LCAOR’S Scholarship Committee, Casteel and other volunteer Realtors continue to raise funds in excess of $5,000 per year for high schools through out Lake County.