January 2003
What to do about the mail is always a concern for the traveling family. Motorhomers who enjoy extended summer trips or winters in warmer climes and full-timers who travel wherever the winds may take them are especially aware that keeping up with the mail can be a source of frustration and worry.
FMCA’s mail forwarding service* was instituted as a member benefit so that families might enjoy their travels without having to worry about when and where they would receive their mail.
FMCA members who wish to sign up for this service are asked to follow the procedures listed below to ensure uninterrupted mail service once they depart.
1. Any member who plans to be on the road for an extended period of time (two months or longer) is eligible to enroll in FMCA’s mail forwarding program. Do not enroll in this service unless you have definite travel plans.
2. Members who wish to utilize this service must submit an enrollment form (available from the FMCA national office) and establish a $50 deposit in a postage account with FMCA. This deposit may be paid by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. When the balance in a participant’s postage account falls to approximately $15, the member’s credit card will be charged the amount needed to bring the deposit up to $50.
3. The United States Postal Service has determined that FMCA’s mail forwarding service operates as a commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA) by accepting members’ mail from the Postal Service and forwarding it to another address. Therefore, all mail forwarding participants must complete Postal Service Form 1583, Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent (available from the FMCA national office). This form must be completed and signed in the presence of a notary public. The notary will need to see two types of identification for each individual, one of which must be a photo I.D. Please return this postal form with your enrollment form.
4. Members enrolling in the program must allow a processing period of two weeks from the date that their enrollment form is received by the national office.
5. FMCA members must be properly enrolled in order to participate in the mail forwarding program. Any mail received that is directed to a member who is not officially enrolled in the program will be returned to the sender.
6. Members using the mail forwarding service must be sure to provide their post office with their FULL NAME and an additional line with PMB (private mail box) and their membership number. The Post Office requires all mail sent to the mail forwarding address to include the PMB designation. This will also ensure that once their mail reaches the FMCA mail forwarding department, it can be distinguished from other participants’ mail. Do not use 8291 Clough Pike, our business office, as a mail forwarding address. Mail should be addressed as follows:
MEMBER’S FULL NAME
PMB (insert membership number)
3590 Round Bottom Road
Cincinnati, OH 45244-3026
7. FMCA’s mail forwarding service is applicable to all types of mail (except bulk rate catalogs), i.e. letters, magazines, and packages; however, mail forwarding personnel bundle all mail and forward it via First Class mail only. All Second and Third Class mail will be forwarded via First Class unless participants request that it be discarded.
8. Unless a member requests otherwise, the address for delivery of his or her Family Motor Coaching magazine will automatically be changed to the mail forwarding address, and First Class postage for forwarding the magazine will be charged to the participant’s account. Upon terminating the mail forwarding service, the member must allow six weeks for the change of address for his or her FMC magazine to take effect.
9. Mail is scheduled to be forwarded on a weekly basis; however, special holiday schedules will apply when necessary. Mail forwarding participants receive a schedule informing them of the dates that their mail will be sent out. Participants also are informed of deadlines for receipt of address changes or by which travelers who are between destinations must notify mail forwarding personnel to hold their mail until further notice. Participants must be aware of and abide by these deadlines; because of the volume of mail that is handled by the mail forwarding department, exceptions cannot be made.
10. To discontinue participation in the program, you must notify the FMCA mail forwarding department. A credit will be issued within 60 days of receipt of your notice of deactivation if your remaining balance is more than $5. Accounts that remain inactive over three months will be closed, and the member will be notified.
11. Mail forwarding participants may contact the mail forwarding department by calling toll-free (800) 448-1212, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This number must be used to reach the mail forwarding department of FMCA when calling to report a change of address or to inquire about this service.
12. Mail forwarding personnel are not permitted to sort through members’ mailboxes to check for specific pieces of mail, and members may not telephone and ask mail forwarding personnel to open and read mail to them.
By following the above procedures, FMCAers who take advantage of the mail forwarding service can be assured that their mail will be delivered to them in a timely and conscientious fashion.
*FMCA assumes no liability for damages, either direct or consequential, to any person or organization as a result of the use of this service.