No wonder people don't send Christmas Cards anymore! - The Orange Mane

Sassy · 02-11-2008, 07:18 PM

AP
Stamps to Cost a Penny More
Monday February 11, 3:52 pm ET
By Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press Writer
Mailing a Letter Will Cost a Penny More Starting in May

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mailing a letter will soon cost a penny more.
The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

The price of the Forever stamp will go up at the same time, meaning those stamps can still be purchased for 41 cents but will remain good for first-class postage after the rate increase takes effect.

ADVERTISEMENT

The post office has sold 5 billion Forever stamps since they were introduced last April and plans to have an additional 5 billion in stock to meet the expected demand before the May price change, the agency said.

The charge for other services, such as advertising mail, periodicals, packages special services will also change. Changes in the price for Priority Mail and Express Mail will be announced later, the agency said.

Postage rates last went up in May, 2007, with a first-class stamp jumping 2 cents to the current 41-cent rate.

In the past raising postage rates was a long, complex process involving hearings before the independent Postal Regulatory Commission, a process that could take nearly a year.

However, under the new law regulating the post office that took effect in late 2006, the agency is allowed to increase rates with 45-days notice as long as changes are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission calculated that rate at 2.9 percent through January, limiting the first-class rate to an increase of just over a penny.

Under the new law, postal prices will be adjusted annually each May, the Postal Service said. Officials said they plan to give 90 days notice of future changes, twice what is required by law.

While the charge for the first ounce of a first-class letter rises to 42 cents, the price of each added ounce will remain 17 cents, so a two-ounce letter will go up a penny to 59 cents.

The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents

Other increases set for May 12:

-- Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.

-- Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.

-- Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.

-- First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

-- First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

spdirty · 02-11-2008, 08:11 PM

bastards.

TexanBob · 02-11-2008, 08:29 PM

I remember sending off 2-c and 3-c postage stamps as a kid. And every time it has gone up, I've asked why they can't just raise it 5-c at a time rather than a penny or two at a time. IMO, the worst part is having to buy those interim stamps. Just jack it up a nickel and be done with it.

Sassy · 02-11-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexanBob

I remember sending off 2-c and 3-c postage stamps as a kid. And every time it has gone up, I've asked why they can't just raise it 5-c at a time rather than a penny or two at a time. IMO, the worst part is having to buy those interim stamps. Just jack it up a nickel and be done with it.

Yep. I just bought 2 books of stamps...hope I can use them before then. I hate the 1 and 2 c stamps!

Bronco Bob · 02-12-2008, 12:37 AM

If you go out and buy some books of forever stamps right now, for 41 cents,
when the rate increase goes to 42 cents you will have made a net gain
of 2.44%, tax free.

ak1971 · 02-12-2008, 12:55 AM

Once Bush is out of office stamps wil be 1c!

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 02-12-2008, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak1971

Once Bush is out of office stamps wil be 1c!

Nah - that's just how much they will be worth.

Crushaholic · 02-12-2008, 11:00 AM

You're kidding me?! The USPS essentially has a monopoly on mailing first-class letters and they can't do without raising rates every year? These jokers need to realize that this encourages the online bill payment industry. The concept of supply-side economics is completely lost on these people...

Beantown Bronco · 02-12-2008, 11:17 AM

What are stamps?

ElwayMD · 02-12-2008, 12:01 PM

Just buy a ton of forever stamps before the price goes up. If I'm reading it right they should be good even when the rate goes up.

02-11-2008, 07:18 PM	#1
Sassy Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: ND Posts: 37,952 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	No wonder people don't send Christmas Cards anymore! AP Stamps to Cost a Penny More Monday February 11, 3:52 pm ET By Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press Writer Mailing a Letter Will Cost a Penny More Starting in May WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mailing a letter will soon cost a penny more. The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday. The price of the Forever stamp will go up at the same time, meaning those stamps can still be purchased for 41 cents but will remain good for first-class postage after the rate increase takes effect. ADVERTISEMENT The post office has sold 5 billion Forever stamps since they were introduced last April and plans to have an additional 5 billion in stock to meet the expected demand before the May price change, the agency said. The charge for other services, such as advertising mail, periodicals, packages special services will also change. Changes in the price for Priority Mail and Express Mail will be announced later, the agency said. Postage rates last went up in May, 2007, with a first-class stamp jumping 2 cents to the current 41-cent rate. In the past raising postage rates was a long, complex process involving hearings before the independent Postal Regulatory Commission, a process that could take nearly a year. However, under the new law regulating the post office that took effect in late 2006, the agency is allowed to increase rates with 45-days notice as long as changes are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission calculated that rate at 2.9 percent through January, limiting the first-class rate to an increase of just over a penny. Under the new law, postal prices will be adjusted annually each May, the Postal Service said. Officials said they plan to give 90 days notice of future changes, twice what is required by law. While the charge for the first ounce of a first-class letter rises to 42 cents, the price of each added ounce will remain 17 cents, so a two-ounce letter will go up a penny to 59 cents. The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents Other increases set for May 12: -- Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents. -- Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged. -- Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents. -- First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents. -- First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-11-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
spdirty Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bailey Posts: 13,900 Adopt-a-Bronco: Koppen	bastards.

02-11-2008, 08:29 PM	#3
TexanBob Don't Argue With Me You Know I'm Right Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,023 Adopt-a-Bronco: Darris Nash	I remember sending off 2-c and 3-c postage stamps as a kid. And every time it has gone up, I've asked why they can't just raise it 5-c at a time rather than a penny or two at a time. IMO, the worst part is having to buy those interim stamps. Just jack it up a nickel and be done with it.

02-12-2008, 12:37 AM	#5
Bronco Bob Tastee Freeze Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 9,464 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	If you go out and buy some books of forever stamps right now, for 41 cents, when the rate increase goes to 42 cents you will have made a net gain of 2.44%, tax free.

02-12-2008, 12:55 AM	#6
ak1971 uhhhh Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,536	Once Bush is out of office stamps wil be 1c!

02-12-2008, 11:00 AM	#8
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,041	You're kidding me?! The USPS essentially has a monopoly on mailing first-class letters and they can't do without raising rates every year? These jokers need to realize that this encourages the online bill payment industry. The concept of supply-side economics is completely lost on these people...

02-12-2008, 11:17 AM	#9
Beantown Bronco Athletic Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mass Posts: 19,040 Adopt-a-Bronco: Matt Prater	What are stamps?

02-12-2008, 12:01 PM	#10
ElwayMD It Stinks! Meet the New Boss... Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,509 Adopt-a-Bronco: Sammy Winder	Just buy a ton of forever stamps before the price goes up. If I'm reading it right they should be good even when the rate goes up.