So does the additional 4 digit zip code mean anything?? (US)

[yoda313]

Hello,

Just curious - what exactly does the 4 digit zip code add on do for the US POSTAL service????????

I think I remember hearing it was supposed to speed up delivery by subdividing the zipcodes. Though not sure how.... ??????

I always remember that SEINFELD episode with NEWMAN saying "zipcodes are pointless" (paraphrased )



Well time to logoff......

See you tomorrow

Kevin

[tgpo]

Well time to logoff......

See you tomorrow

Kevin

Who are you and why are you using yoda account?

[doppletwo]

The extra four digits tells your exact address.

A full nine digit zip code gives your full address unless you live in an apartment.

[tgpo]

How can it give your exact address? There are many people in out city, but the last 4 digit thing is all the same.

[doppletwo]

It shoudln't be.

When I worked at a mail order place you could just input the full nine digit zip code and the full address would come up.

There should be less than 10000 addresses in a zip code not including separate apartment numbers.

[tgpo]

You're right. I alwasy thought the last 4 were the same.

But what if there are more than 10000 addresses?

[doppletwo]

I just looked it up large businesses can apply to get their own zip codes.

And sometimes the last four digits aren't the exact address when there is too many. If there is too many then the last four can just lead you to the correct block and side of the street.

All of this info must be entered into a database though, there is not an exact system to assigning the last four numbers.

To extract the address from the last four digits you have to have access to the Database.

[ViRaL1]

The Sears Tower has its own zip code.

The last +4 is just a way of narrowing down an address, but it doesn't have to be a specific house or apt. I lived in a high rise and people on my floor shared the same +4 but some floors didn't.

[makntraks]

Holy WTF?????

makntraks

[yoda313]

Hello,

tgpo[/url]]

Who are you and why are you using yoda account?

I do UNPLUG FROM THE NET know and then

The extra four digits tells your exact address

Hmm... Read the rest of your posts and seems to make sense. It's a way to narrow down the more precise location.... Thanks...

Kevin

[shelbyGT]

sprint world headquarters here in overland park, KS has its own zip code.

[Roundabout]

What was that story on the Simpsons, where Lisa and Bart went on a field trip to the Post Office?

I don't remember the exact dialogue, but it went something like this:

Lisa: "What are the extra 4 digits for in the zip code?"

Post office mgr: (mumbling quickly) "Those are citizen relocation codes..."

Lisa: They're what???

Post office mgr: "Umm, nothing..."

[Shocker Milwaukee]

I don't know the specifics, but my business ZIP has my business' PO BOX # as the additional 4 digits FWIW.

[ViRaL1]

I think most if not all PO Boxes are like that.

[shoozleboy]

I don't know how accurate the story was, but when I traveled back and forth from the US to Canada, someone told me that the 6 digit postal code they use in Canada actually directs you right to the building that the parcel is addressed to....

...does that mean that the Canadians are more efficient postal delivery people?

(ducks, runs, and hides from the US Postal Delivery folks! )

[zzyzzx]

The last 4 digits are the postal carrier routes. It makes sorting the mail much easier for the post office.

[BJ_M]

I don't know how accurate the story was, but when I traveled back and forth from the US to Canada, someone told me that the 6 digit postal code they use in Canada actually directs you right to the building that the parcel is addressed to....

...does that mean that the Canadians are more efficient postal delivery people?

(ducks, runs, and hides from the US Postal Delivery folks! )

the 6 digit system in Canada is based on the British system ... we have:

Letter, number, letter, number, letter, number

which gives about 17,576,000 combinations .. which is plenty for Canada right now ... they can add one extra letter for 460,000,000 combinations .. it is a efficient method with less digits ...

it is to a specific commercial building (or business) or for residential - to the same side of a block or less, or to an apartment building...

[HatchetMan]

http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
This will give the +4 too.

[zzyzzx]

If you think your mail is slow, check out this article:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/050209/photos_od_afp/050209184802_ud9t...ms_photo0&e=10