When you look at how the IM Barcode is constructed, you have the ZIP+4 and delivery point, and before that you have the 2 digit Barcode ID, the service type (which is going to determine if there's tracking for this piece or not), your Mailer ID and the unique serial number for that particular piece.
The IM Barcode that you print on the return pieces is nearly identical, with these exceptions: The ZIP+4 on the return piece will be the same for all of your pieces (which makes sense, since they're being returned to you) and the 3 digit Service Type in the barcode will be a Reply Mail service type.
050=Courtesy
Reply Mail
051=Permit
Reply Mail (PRM)
052=
Business Reply Mail/QBRM
701=Permit
Reply Mail (PRM)
703=Courtesy
Reply Mail (CRM) and Meter
Reply Mail (MRM) without Confirm
708=
Business Reply Mail/QBRM
Here's an example of the difference:
- Mail Piece Barcode Digits: 00
311901234567239998+11 Digit destination ZIP+4 and delivery point
-
Business Reply Mail Barcode Digits: 00
052901234567239998+11 Digit Return ZIP+4 and delivery point
If you subscribe to an IM Barcode tracking service, see if you can create a job that will be devoted to tracking the incoming mail. The AccuTrace service allows you to track these incoming pieces; I'm not sure which other services offer this.
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Eric Lambeth
ACCUZIP Inc.
Atascadero CA
(805) 461-7300
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2019 12:28 PM
From: Mike Lower
Subject: Tracking reply mail
I have a potential client I am working with who sends out invoices on a monthly and quarterly basis. The client tells me they can track the return mail (payment) from each individual thru the mail stream using the IMB in the address block that shows thru the window of the reply envelope (CRE). How is this accomplished?
I guess this is similar to how Netflix knows if you have dropped your disc back in the mail so they can send your next movie ???
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Mike Lower
Mailing Specialist
Triangle Press Inc.
Harrisburg PA
717-541-9315
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