Postmaster: go online site for shipping

Vernon — The Postal Service expects to deliver 16.5 billion cards, letters and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Vernon Postmaster Ron Kajor has a tip for relieving some of the hustle, bustle and costs of the busy holiday season. The Vernon Postmaster recommends wrapping up any holiday mailing and shipping needs at USPS.com. "By logging onto our USPS.com Web site, you can print shipping labels with postage, receive online postage discounts, order free Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and schedule free Package Pickup," he says. Kajor says customers can get a discount on postage for domestic packages: Express Mail - 5 percent savings; Priority Mail - up to 14 percent savings and by using Click-N-Ship to print mailing labels with postage. Whatever fits in the priority mail flat rate box or envelope ships for one price anywhere in the United States. The Flat Rate Boxes are free, can be ordered from USPS.com and will be delivered to a customer’s door. They can also be picked up at a post office. There's no weighing or calculating involved if the package weighs less than 70 pounds. "With Package Pickup service, we will pick up packages from homes and offices," says the Vernon Postmaster. "The service is free, regardless of the number of packages being sent and a Vernon letter carrier will pick up the packages during regular mail delivery service," he adds. USPS.com is one of the most frequently visited federal Web sites with more than 1.3 million visits each day. Some of the other popular products and services at USPS.com include: Buying stamps and philatelic products, Adding insurance and Delivery Confirmation to packages, Creating and sending greeting cards, Finding Post Office locations and hours.