GENERAL
- Don't most people respond using the phone or e-mail?
It depends on your target audience, what you are selling, and what type of response you are requesting. For example, Business Reply Mail is well suited if you are asking for confidential information or are targeting individuals who are concerned with providing personal information over the Internet or phone. Besides, it just makes good business sense to give your target audience a range of response mechanisms - let them decide which one they prefer to use.
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- Who is using the service now?
Business Reply Mail is an important element of marketing and direct mail campaigns across all business segments and across all sizes of businesses. Charities, banks, consumer and business services, and government are but a few of the segments that consistently turn to Business Reply Mail as a direct response vehicle to help increase response rates. Consumers like the convenience of a postage paid return envelope or card and the fact that it is a non-intrusive reponse vehicle (as compared with telemarketing).
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- Why does Business Reply Mail cost more than Lettermail? Are you not providing the same service?
While the service may resemble Lettermail in terms of specifications, Business Reply Mail is separated from other mail products and processed at centers specific to the service. This step is required to ensure that Business Reply Mail is sorted, accurately counted and billed, and processed for delivery to the customer within our stated service standards. While we constantly strive to add value to the process and reduce costs, these extra steps attract additional processing costs and are reflected in our pricing.
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- Why is there an annual fee in addition to per Item postage?
The annual fee helps address costs associated with the service, such as general administration, product support, and the production of Business Reply Mail artwork. Charging an annual fee also helps us keep our per Item postage price as low as possible. You may want to think of it as a membership fee.
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- Where can I obtain information on leak-proof plastic commercial envelopes for use as a Business Reply Mail item?
Customers interested in using the BRM plastic commercial envelope can obtain a copy of the Canada Post approved manufacturing specifications by sending a request for BRM specification #3576 to documcc@canadapost.ca .
The customer's supplier of choice will then produce the plastic commercial envelopes that meet the Canada Post-approved manufacturing specifications.
To ensure the plastic commercial envelopes as produced and the intended contents qualify for the Domestic BRM service, Customers must submit physical samples to Canada Post's Mail Standards and Testing Group.
Send samples to:
MAIL STANDARDS AND TESTING
CANADA POST
2701 RIVERSIDE DR SUITE N0550
OTTAWA ON K1A 0B1
Send electronic artwork to: mailstandardsandtesting@canadapost.ca
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- Where can customers obtain Business Reply artwork for the plastic commercial envelope?
To use Business Reply Mail, Customers must have an active Business Reply Mail Agreement and access to the Business Reply Mail Artwork Online tool located within Canada Post's Online Business Centre.
To register for and use the Business Reply Mail Artwork Online tool, which is available to Customers at no charge, visit www.canadapost.ca/brm or contact a Canada Post Representative.
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- Which new BRM labels are available to Customers?
Business Reply Mail (BRM) offers two labels --- BRM overlay label and BRM eLabel --- that can be used by customers for both Domestic and International Business Reply Mail services.
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CREATING THE BRM ARTWORK
- Where can I get new artwork?
Customers can create their own artwork online using the Business Reply Mail Artwork Online tool. To access the tool customers must have a BRM Agreement and an Online Business Centre (OBC) user ID and password. Alternatively, customers may call 1-800-260-7678.
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- What is the BRM Artwork Online tool? What are the benefits?
The BRM Artwork Online tool allows customers to create their own artwork, any time, at their convenience. This self-serve application is easy, fast and reduces the artwork processing time from days to minutes. By using this tool, your artwork is accurate to Canada Post standards.
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- Where can customers access the BRM Artwork Online tool?
Customers can access the BRM Artwork On-line tool by visiting the On-line Business Centre (OBC) at www.canadapost.ca/obc
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- How do customers get a user ID and password for the BRM Artwork Online tool?
Customers who do not already have a user ID and password for the OBC, can obtain a user ID and password for the BRM Artwork Online tool by contacting the OBC Helpdesk at 1-866-511-0546.
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- Who is affected by the Business Reply Mail changes taking place on April 14, 2008?
The changes taking place to the Business Reply Mail (BRM) on April 14, 2008 affects all BRM customers. A customer letter was mailed the week of April 14, 2008 to all BRM customers who have a valid BRM Agreement with Canada Post.
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- What are the changes taking place to Business Reply Mail on April 14, 2008?
The changes that are taking place to Business Reply Mail (BRM) on April 14, 2008 are enhancements to specifications and format as follows;
- The enhancements allow customers to reposition artwork elements to 15 mm from the right hand side of the envelope for both domestic and International Business Reply Mail (IBRM)
- You are now able to create BRM “window” envelope artwork for domestic BRM
- In addition to these enhancements, in support of the Canadian envelope manufacturing industry whereby they have aligned the #9 envelope size with that of the USA, we have updated the BRM specification accordingly as follows;
- #9 Current: Length = 102 mm width = 229 mm
- #9 New: Length = 98 mm width = 225 mm
- The maximum specifications for Machineable International Business Reply Mail (IBRM) envelopes has been increased from 235 x 120 x 5 mm to 245 x 150 x 5 mm. However, please note that the maximum size for Machineable IBRM cards remains 235 x 120 x 5 mm. For more details, see the amended Business Reply Mail Customer Guide
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- Why is Canada Post introducing changes to Business Reply Mail on April 14, 2008?
On April 14, 2008, Canada Post is introducing changes to Business Reply Mail (BRM) and International Business Reply Mail (IBRM) specifications and format. Customers have asked for increased flexibility when creating their BRM artwork, to help their card or envelope stand out from the rest, generating even more responses from their prospects and customers. We have increased the Customer Controlled Area on the BRM piece so you have more space to boost your brand, reinforce your message and add larger, colourful images. You can also use the additional space to add or relocate your own barcodes – helping you track responses and improve your customer data. Click here for a customer brochure.
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- Where can I obtain Business Reply Mail artwork that includes the changes that are taking place on April 14, 2008?
Customers can create Business Reply Mail (BRM) artwork online using the BRM Artwork Online tool. To access the tool, customers must have a BRM Agreement and an Online Business Centre (OBC) user ID and password. A “How do I” demo has been created with step by step instructions on how to create your own artwork is posted on the Online Business Centre at canadapost.ca/obc
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- How do I obtain more information regarding the changes taking place to Business Reply Mail on April 14, 2008?
To obtain more information regarding the changes taking place to Business Reply Mail (BRM) on April 14, 2008 the following customer information will be available online as follows;
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- The BRM Artwork Online tool is not allowing me to create artwork for a new return address. Why is this?
Each return address requires a separate Business Reply Mail Agreement. To set up an Agreement call 1-800-260-7678.
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- In past campaigns my Business Reply Mail return addresses have been in English only. I would like this information to appear in a combined English/French format.
If a bilingual preference has never been used before you will need to call Canada Post at 1-866-511-0546 to arrange for this address set-up.
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- Using the BRM Artwork Online tool, is it possible to resend "sent" artwork?
Yes. Simply select the artwork and resend it as if you are just creating it.
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- Using the BRM Artwork Online tool, what is the difference between a primary physical address and a Business Reply Mail (BRM) return address?
The primary physical address is the address identified in your Business Reply Mail Agreement with Canada Post. The BRM Address is the Canada Post processing address where your cards or envelopes are processed before being forwarded to you. This is the address that appears on your artwork.
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- Using the BRM Artwork Online tool, what is the difference between the Delivery Address and the BRM Address appearing on the Address List screen?
The Delivery Address is the address identified by you as the return destination for Business Reply Mail cards or envelopes. The BRM Address is the Canada Post processing address where your cards or envelopes are processed before being forwarded to you. This is the address that appears on your artwork.
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- Why does a "Draft" watermark appear on the Preview Artwork screen?
Using the BRM Artwork Online tool, draft appears on the artwork so that there is no confusion that this is not the final artwork to use to create artwork. It is simply an Abobe .pdf file for you to view to approve the artwork.
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