For those who may not be familiar with how 3rd-class bulk mailings have to be pre-sorted by the mailer (our printer) before transporting them to the post office for processing, here is the procedure that I'm familiar with. Perhaps it may answer some questions as to why some 3rd class mailings are received later than others.

All mailings of ten, but not more twenty, pieces to the same 5-digit zip code are bundled in like packets (ex; 08723)and banded with rubber bands length x girth and placed in a mail sack to the sorting center (in New Jersey in this example) that handles a range of particular zip codes.

After all identical 5-digit zip cods are sorted as above .... Zip codes of ten pieces but less than 20 are then pre-sorted by the first three digits (ex; 087--)(088--) (089--) (090--), etc. and rubber banded and placed in the same New Jersey sack to that regional sorting center.

After same first 3-digit zip codes above are sorted....Zip codes of ten or more envelopes going to the same state are then placed in like marked bundles. (Mixed NJ) (Mixed OH) (Mixed TN), etc.

Finally, all those remaining pieces are labled (Mixed States)and bundled in no more than 20 pieces each.

Depending upon how the mail sacks in which the individual bundles are labled, depends on whether that particular bundle goes to a distribution center for further sorting or is routed to a Regional Center, or directly to that particular state. In short, if your zip code is represented by dozens of identical 5-digit zip club members labels, such as Las Vegas for example .... some members may have to wait longer for your copy to be delivered to a Montana zip code for example ... after it is sorted a few times along the way.

That's how I had to prepare the mailings when I was Editor, before the printer began doing them several years ago. I'm sure the process today is quite similar. If so, we are talking about literally a hundred or more such bundles in a couple of dozen mail sacks being routed to several different sorting centers around the country. It's possible that not all sacks are shipped out on the same day as it takes a considerable amount of time to sort, band, weigh, fill out bulk mail paperwork and deliver to the local post office. 3rd class mail is handled only after all first and second class mail is processed. 3rd class mail is not forwarded. So if someone has changed their address and has not notified the club of their new address, your 3rd class delivery of your magazine is discarded.... and hopefully the club SHOULD receive notification from the Postal Service of the new address for the next mailing. Hope this explanation helps somewhat. It's not like simply dropping a first-class letter in a mail chute.