What kinds of letters are sent certified?

[lafinfil]

I have received certified letters when a neighbor was asking for a zoning variance. Because of the
proximity of the property (a set number of feet) I was considered an affected party and had no be
notified of the zoning hearing.

[John B.]

I've gotten a couple of gift-card type things (that could have been cancelled by the issuer if they didn't arrive) via Certified Mail with return receipt. Those have been the only "good things".

I generate a fair number of outgoing ones as part of a state statute-defined lien process. I get one every year from the county property appraiser's office as part of their request for business income data to establish the taxable value of my commercial property. I just got one from AT&T's yellow pages division last week as part of their last-ditch attempt to get me to renew my advertising with them for another year...the accompanying letter was so arrogant/insulting in tone that I made sure I sent them a negative reply the same day, certified.

[PeterB]

I have occasionally gotten stuff certified when I've bought things off ebay, especially if it's coming from a foreign country...

[space-time]

INS. your green card has been cancelled.

[Michael]

PeterB wrote:
I have occasionally gotten stuff certified when I've bought things off ebay, especially if it's coming from a foreign country...

Yep--that's the most common reason for me. I find it irritating to have to go to the post office to sign for a $2 ipod accessory. I rarely buy from China on eBay for that reason.

[PeterB]

Yeah, I just got something from Hong Kong sent that way. Very annoying, because my hours and those of the PO aren't really compatible. On the flip side, Hong Kong has some really beautiful stamps!

[Kate]

Unless things have changed in the last 5 years, during my 37 years of hell (working for the USPS) certified mail was only domestic. If you needed the service to or from a foreign country, it was registered.

Kate

[Black]

One crazy window contractor, last year. He has not the slightest case against me.

No outstanding merchandise orders I can recall.

One stupid $10 gift card-- Asus modem rebate. That would be a fittingly annoying conclusion to an annoying experience.

Former tenants-- nothing due me, nothing due them.

Current tenants-- either close friends or folks that don't even open and read their own mail, let alone send it to others.

IRS-- possible; wouldn't I get some sort of non-certified contact first?

Zoning variance/hearing notice- have received those non-certified before.

[PeterB]

Kate, you may be right -- I can't remember if it was registered or certified.

[RAMd®d]

Certified mail is used for legal documentation.

IRS uses it, and in my-um-experience, they have sent letters via "regular" mail, not certified. Don't ask me how I know.

While they're generally not good news, they may not be bad.

More importantly, you could ask for redelivery if you're going to be home when your carrier comes 'round. Or you could leave the notice signed in your mailbox and the carrier could leave it. If there is a return receipt attached, then no, you have to be there.

Nigeria would be sending it Registered, not Certified. The want to make sure you get your $3million.

Maybe it's a relative sending you a check for your birthday.