New Postage Rates Coming May 12

Kevy Baby · 02-11-2008, 02:18 PM

From the USPS:

Quote:

New Postage Rates Coming May 12

On May 12 we will adjust prices for mailing services — First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

A First-Class Mail stamp will be 42¢. Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps they purchased for 41¢, even after the price change. We will have 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change. Forever Stamps are widely available through Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, vending, and online. We also will have a 62¢ stamp available shortly after May 12 for 1-ounce nonmachinable First-Class Mail letters, such as square greeting cards.

Morrigoon · 02-11-2008, 02:21 PM

AGAIN?

Ghoulish Delight · 02-11-2008, 02:21 PM

I have a stash of stamps in my car. Annoyingly, it seems that every time I purchase stamps, it's right after a rate change, so they have yet to print them with the actual value (why it takes them so long do that I'll never understand). I don't use stamps all that often anymore, so every time I need to use them, I have to go into the post office to ask what the stamps are worth and how many 1 cent stamps I need to add, because invariably the rate has changed since I purchased them, or last determined their value. Pain in my ass.

Alex · 02-11-2008, 02:35 PM

Get used to it. The postal law passed in 2006 has the USPS update postal prices annually and in line with inflation. This is the first of those increases and you can probably expect them almost every year from here on out.

Other than Christmas cards, I've bought exactly 2 paper stamps in the last year so that's not much of an issue.

Kevy Baby · 02-11-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I have a stash of stamps in my car. Annoyingly, it seems that every time I purchase stamps, it's right after a rate change, so they have yet to print them with the actual value (why it takes them so long do that I'll never understand). I don't use stamps all that often anymore, so every time I need to use them, I have to go into the post office to ask what the stamps are worth and how many 1 cent stamps I need to add, because invariably the rate has changed since I purchased them, or last determined their value. Pain in my ass.

Hence the value of the "Forever Stamps"

scaeagles · 02-11-2008, 02:38 PM

I'm like Alex - I don't use the mail anymore, and once email Christmas cards gain wide acceptance, I have no doubt I'll be doing that as well.

Alex · 02-11-2008, 02:40 PM

The only reason that Christmas cards get regular stamps is that Lani considers those electronic bar code stamps from the APC to be too tacky for such a solemn mailing.

BarTopDancer · 02-11-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

A First-Class Mail stamp will be 42¢. Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps they purchased for 41¢, even after the price change.

Bolding mine. Isn't that the point of the forever stamp?

Disneyphile · 02-11-2008, 02:56 PM

I pay all bills online, and only use maybe 4 stamps a year, so I'm not sweating it.

Kevy Baby · 02-11-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Isn't that the point of the forever stamp?

I believe the intent of the statement (by the USPS) was just to emphasize the point, lest people think that they would need to add a 1¢ stamp to their Forever Stamp. This is a new product here in the US and some people are slow on the uptake.

02-11-2008, 02:21 PM	#2
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	AGAIN? __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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02-11-2008, 02:21 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I have a stash of stamps in my car. Annoyingly, it seems that every time I purchase stamps, it's right after a rate change, so they have yet to print them with the actual value (why it takes them so long do that I'll never understand). I don't use stamps all that often anymore, so every time I need to use them, I have to go into the post office to ask what the stamps are worth and how many 1 cent stamps I need to add, because invariably the rate has changed since I purchased them, or last determined their value. Pain in my ass. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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02-11-2008, 02:35 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Get used to it. The postal law passed in 2006 has the USPS update postal prices annually and in line with inflation. This is the first of those increases and you can probably expect them almost every year from here on out. Other than Christmas cards, I've bought exactly 2 paper stamps in the last year so that's not much of an issue.
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02-11-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I'm like Alex - I don't use the mail anymore, and once email Christmas cards gain wide acceptance, I have no doubt I'll be doing that as well.
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02-11-2008, 02:40 PM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The only reason that Christmas cards get regular stamps is that Lani considers those electronic bar code stamps from the APC to be too tacky for such a solemn mailing.
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02-11-2008, 02:56 PM	#9
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	I pay all bills online, and only use maybe 4 stamps a year, so I'm not sweating it.
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