# Undeliverable Mail - I've talked to my Post Office manager. Who else can help?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undeliverable-mail-ive-talked-to-my-post-office-manager-who-else-can-help/680165>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 30, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undeliverable-mail-ive-talked-to-my-post-office-manager-who-else-can-help/680165 "2014-01-30T21:29:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undeliverable-mail-ive-talked-to-my-post-office-manager-who-else-can-help/680165/21 "2014-02-03T13:33:43Z")

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> [@handsomeharry](#):
>
> Oh, one thing that I deduced later:I had pre-printed the envelopes on my own computer, and used Arial, or Arial Black, or some Arial font, and I’m curious if that had had an effect, the readers at the post office may have kicked them out. The ones that made it through the vortex were addressed w/TNR font.

I’ve done some mass mailings for companies and even worked for the USPS as an IT contractor.

The Arial font is perfect as long as it’s at least 10 points, in black or dark blue ink, and printed on white or very light colored paper.

Actually any sans serif font should work. Here’s a list of acceptable fonts.

[http://about.usps.com/publications/pub177/welcome.htm](http://about.usps.com/publications/pub177/welcome.htm)

BTW: Those address readers are amazing to watch in action.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undeliverable-mail-ive-talked-to-my-post-office-manager-who-else-can-help/680165/22 "2014-02-03T14:47:06Z")

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Is [Newman](http://s2.hubimg.com/u/8073145_f260.jpg)your letter carrier?

I’d make sure your address is loud and clear on your mailbox. If it’s a rural-type box, put the number on BOTH sides. And when you pull down the door flap, put the whole address, number and street, on the inside covered with wide packing tape to protect it from rain.

Get to know your letter carrier. Become a person to him/her instead of just an address.

And continue to call the local post office every time you become aware of a piece of mail that has gone astray. Be extremely courteous, pleasant, and non-accusatory about it… but be _relentless_.

No, you SHOULDN’T have to do all of this… but the reality is, it may help.

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