Here at Compact we spend a lot of time helping customers track and research individual address information. One of the most common questions we hear is “Why didn’t this address show up on my list?”

One of the main challenges in answering this question can be the fact the USPS.COM web site (which many of us rely on for address lookup help) may show the address in question as being valid when in fact it is not currently being posted to the USPS CDS (Computerized Delivery Sequencing) database. Basically, the USPS site is confirming the validity, not the deliverability of the address!

Here is a sampling of the different reasons an address may not appear on our Resident file:
-The address is currently unoccupied (vacant)
-The address is new construction and hasn’t been added to CDS yet
-The address is on our permanent suppression file
-The address is temporarily undeliverable (e.g. storm/flood damaged areas)
-The address is permanently undeliverable (e.g. condemned, shut down)
-The address does not receive mail service (e.g. many businesses, retail locations)
-The address is a “throwback” (resident receives mail at a PO Box)
-The address is in an exclusive gated community that refuses bulk mail delivery

In short, there are many different scenarios that affect the deliverability of an address and whether it will appear on your mailing list. We’re happy to help investigate your particular address dilemma – Just let us know what help you need!

Mary McCarty
List Services Manager