I don't have to know how to count, I'm a
postal clerk not a rocket scientist!
Once upon a time, someone using Business Reply Mail could upgrade the service the letter was to receive by simply paying the postage for the additional service. In the example below, I expected to get away with paying $4.05 for Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested because the recipient was paying the basic 37¢ postage through BRM. "Oh you can't do that anymore", my clerk told me. "If you want any special services, you have to pay the entire amount."
So I was a bit surprised to have this returned to me this week. Apparently some clerks think you can't even use the BRM envelope with additional services. Well, it makes for a nice Auxiliary Marking for my collection. The clerk gave it to me to address a new envelope and RRR card and I'm glad I scanned it as she cut off the PVI label so that she could get her $4.42 back.
The clerk and I assumed that the clerk in the receiving office saw the BRM and the Certified sticker and assumed that I had tried to get out of paying the 37¢ First Class Postage and didn't look at the value of the PVI label. It may also have been that you just can't use a Business Reply Mail envelope to mail something that has been certified. I'd appreciate any comments.
If you are interested in Auxiliary Markings on the mail, visit the Auxiliary Markings Club.