9-digit zip code query

sev...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu

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Feb 24, 1994, 9:20:02 PM2/24/94

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Hello -
I have a question about zip codes. When an address looks like this:

Johnny Begood
P.O.Box 4957
Anytown, TX, 77252-4957

Is the post office set up to deliver the letter if ALL you write in the
address space is

"77252-4957"

????

I tried it once and the letter got through. My dad tried it once and got a nasty letter from the
post office saying that they weren't set up to do this and it was causing them a lot of trouble.
What's the straight dope?

Please reply by e-mail as I don't often get to check the newsgroups.

Thanks -

ED

Caleb Cohen

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Mar 2, 1994, 8:30:52 AM3/2/94

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sev...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu wrote in alt.snail-mail:

> Please reply by e-mail as I don't often get to check the newsgroups.

If that's the case, then don't post...

I have sent mail to myself as the following (old address):
#723
15213-3207

There are 2 zip codes for that appartment buidling. Floors 1-4 and 5-9,
making the apartment number a necessity. I had always wanted to do it, so I
sent myself a postcard from South Carolina and it arrived very quickly. When
I write return addresses, I ONLY write defining factors. ie.
123 my street
07034

I don't really do this for privacy, but for ease, speed and laziness. The zip
is equal to my city and state, why should I write "Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034"
when I can easily write 07034. And the name doesn't need to be associated
with the address. I currently receive mail for the previous 3 tennants of my
apartment. Works for me, I've never had any letters of complaint from the PO.

Mailman00

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Apr 11, 1994, 9:57:02 PM4/11/94

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In article <1994Feb24...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu>,
sev...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu writes:

:Is the post office set up to deliver the letter if ALL you write in the
:address space is

:"77252-4957"

No, "we" (the P.O.) are not set up to handle that.
The 5 digit Zip identifies the city or section of a city.
i.e., a small town may have only one zip and one P.O., and a large city,
like here in Atlanta, has several dozen Zip Codes, handled by a couple
dozen P.O.s.
The "Plus 4" (the extra 4 numbers) sometimes identify an individual
house, sometimes one block of one street (but not which house), sometimes
an apartment building (but not which apartment), sometimes an office
building (but not which office). It could be set up any number of ways,
and the only thing we (the carriers that have to sort, and then deliver
that mail) work with, is the address, and not the Plus 4. I'd have to find
a Plus 4 directory to tell you what any of the Plus 4's are on my route.
However, if I were to receive one like that, I'd probably be able to deliver
it, since I know most of the names on my route.

Louis Jason Colton

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Apr 12, 1994, 5:43:51 AM4/12/94

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Mailman00 (mail...@aol.com) wrote:
: In article <1994Feb24...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu>,
: sev...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu writes:

: :Is the post office set up to deliver the letter if ALL you write in the
: :address space is

: :"77252-4957"

: No, "we" (the P.O.) are not set up to handle that.

What if the ZIP+4 is the address of a P.O. box?

I.e., p.o. box 415, and the ZIP+4 is 21208-0415.
doesn't that indicate the P.O. box exactly?

ljason.

Mailman00

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Apr 13, 1994, 11:52:04 AM4/13/94

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In article <2odqgn$r...@mojo.eng.umd.edu>, lja...@glue.umd.edu (Louis Jason
Colton) writes:

:What if the ZIP+4 is the address of a P.O. box?

:I.e., p.o. box 415, and the ZIP+4 is 21208-0415.
:doesn't that indicate the P.O. box exactly?

Yep, sure does.

Jay Pfaffman

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Apr 18, 1994, 11:59:32 AM4/18/94

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mail...@aol.com (Mailman00) writes:

>In article <1994Feb24...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu>,
>sev...@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu writes:

>:Is the post office set up to deliver the letter if ALL you write in the
>:address space is

>:"77252-4957"

>No, "we" (the P.O.) are not set up to handle that.

Indeed, humans don't memorize the +4 addresses along a route, and they
don't necessaryily map to a single address, but I did recently receive
a postcard with only a bar code, name, and address (no city, st, or
zip was human readable).

Similarly, if the +4 maps to a single PO box, then it'll make it with
no other info.

I've seen some guy post here that he was the only "joe" in his +4 &
got mail that way.
--
Jay Pfaffman pfaf...@itc.org
802-453-2457