Yesterday, I went to my Raleigh Talkmaster Toastmaster meeting before coming back to the office and checking my e-mails. I found an e-mail that was buried that said they had a mailing that need to be printed and mailed THE SAME DAY!

As an entrepreneur, my first response is always to say “Yes.” But I just wasn’t sure I could handle it. It’s already 10 a.m. and the Raleigh Post Office Bulk Mail Center closes at 4 p.m.

I called the prospect and he explained that it was a legal matter that needed to be sent out in a few hours to have any chance of reaching people all over the country.

I don’t have the mailing files, there is close to a 1,000 3-page letters that need to be inserted into an addressed envelope.

Okay, I’ll try, I said.

The prospect sent the mailing files… the Excel spreadsheet he sent could not be used. It was set up to print labels — not to be imported into a mailing database. Can’t do it, I said….

He said he would get the file corrected quickly. Okay…but no guarantees.

The file comes in around noon….I had already had the letter printed, but needed to pick it up.

Did National Change of Address processing, addressed the envelopes, inserted the letter and mailed them out first class. (I had to renew my first class permit since it has been awhile since I did a first class mailing.)

I have done “miracles” in the past, (65,000 postcards printed and mailed within 24 hours) but I can’t remember doing a mailing from a cold start to finish in a few hours.

Bottom line, we did it. The client wrote back

Hi Steve,

What an outstanding job!

 We can’t thank you enough for all your heard work in this very pressing situation for us. I will be sending a note to our committee chairman to send a note to you.

I am not sure other mailing houses could have or would have taken on this job. The now satisfied client said they researched places and couldn’t believe my competitive pricing and ability to do it. (I even take credit cards so I can pay for postage!)

I may not be the biggest mailer in the world, but I pride myself on giving my customers outstanding service. That’s how I have survived 25+ in a very tough business.Under promise and over deliver is my motto.

If you need to get a mailing done in a hurry, give me a call at 919-848-4332 or steven@marketplace-solutions.com. If I agree to do it, I’ll do my best to make it happen. No excuses!