Stamp rate change

[Lynn]

When do USPS stamps go up to $.41? I looked on their site and couldn't find it. Is it today?

[TtownAnne]

Nope, it's later in May. Right after Mother's Day, I think.

[Darcy]

I found May 14 online.

[Alysia]

I hadnt even heard about that! Where the heck have I been?

[Trish]

I haven't heard about this, either and we sell stamps to students where I work. Doesn't sound like they have done a good job getting the word out.

[gulp!]

I didn't know this either! And I just bought a book of stamps, so now I'll have to get the extra 1 cent ones. :complain:

[sheila]

I heard about it about 2 hours after a bought 2 sheets of stamps. :complain: Although, I also heard about the new forever stamps, and that intrigues me.

[Karri]

I haven't heard a fucking word about this. Nice. Not even a sign in the PO.

[Melissa]

Sheila- I heard about the forever stamps too!!! I think that is a great concept. I wonder if there will be a limit on how many someone can buy??? :lol:

[sheila]

Well, what do you know... the forever stamps are on sale (at 41 cents each). but they can't be used until the rate change:

from USPS (http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/sr07_011.htm)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — You've heard about it. You've read about it. Now see it for the first time. It's the Postal Service's newest consumer innovation — the Forever stamp. The stamp was previewed today at the National Postal Forum, the premier trade show for advertising, marketing and mailing executives. Featuring the Liberty Bell image and the word "forever," the stamp will be good for mailing one-ounce First-Class letters anytime in the future — regardless of price changes. The Forever stamp goes on sale April 12 at 41 cents. Customers can begin using the stamp when postage changes May 14.

"Who said nothing lasts forever?" remarked Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer John E. Potter in unveiling the image here at the National Postal Forum. "The Forever stamp is a consumer innovation guaranteed to deliver unprecedented convenience and value to our customers. It's good forever."

Potter said the Liberty Bell was selected because it resonates as one of the nation's most prominent and recognizable symbols associated with American independence.

Research has shown that customers prefer the Forever stamp for the convenience it offers by easing the transition for mailing letters when prices change. When postage changes in the future, it will reduce the need to buy one- and two-cent stamps.

Beginning April, 12, the Forever stamp will be available in booklets of 20 through www.usps.com, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 and in Post Office lobbies nationwide. Customers may also purchase the stamps in Post Office vending machines beginning April 14. Forever stamps will be available through Automated Postal Centers May 14. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) will begin offering the Forever stamp in sheets of 18 later in May. The Forever stamp will also be available at many convenience and grocery stores this spring. Once prices change May 14, the Forever stamp will remain on sale at the 41-cent First-Class one-ounce letter price until the next price change. The Forever stamp will then be available at the new price.

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/sr07_011.jpg

[Cortney]

How come I haven't heard of this???

But you can be dang sure I'm buying them out on those Forever stamps.

[TtownAnne]

I just don't understand the idea of the forever stamps. Are they SERIOUSLY going to keep those at 41 cents forever? So do they expect people are going to say "okay, 1 sheet of regular stamps is $10 (or whatever), and the Forever stamps are only 41 cents a shot, so I'll go for the regular ones"? Why would they sell special stamps at one price and keep raising the price of others? I guess I don't understand why they think people would continue to buy the regular stamps if given the choice.

[Jayne]

I just don't understand the idea of the forever stamps. Are they SERIOUSLY going to keep those at 41 cents forever? So do they expect people are going to say "okay, 1 sheet of regular stamps is $10 (or whatever), and the Forever stamps are only 41 cents a shot, so I'll go for the regular ones"? Why would they sell special stamps at one price and keep raising the price of others? I guess I don't understand why they think people would continue to buy the regular stamps if given the choice.

From my understanding this is a limited time offer. I don't think they are going to continue selling the forever stamps :dunno:

[Melissa]

What happens is you buy the forever stamp at 41 cents a piece now. When the rates go up the forever stamp will then be sold at the new price, however, if you have forever stamps from the previous price rate they can still be used.

[buzzjen]

I just don't understand the idea of the forever stamps. Are they SERIOUSLY going to keep those at 41 cents forever? So do they expect people are going to say "okay, 1 sheet of regular stamps is $10 (or whatever), and the Forever stamps are only 41 cents a shot, so I'll go for the regular ones"? Why would they sell special stamps at one price and keep raising the price of others? I guess I don't understand why they think people would continue to buy the regular stamps if given the choice.

The Forever stamps will always be sold at the current price. So, if they raise postage again, the forever stamps will be 43 cents (or whatever they raise it to). However, if you buy a forever stamp at 41 cents now, you don't have to use extra postage on it when the rate goes up. That way you don't have to worry about the 1 and 2 cent stamps. I think they figure if you buy ahead to get a lower rate in the future, they have your money now and they don't have to keep reprinting the forever stamps with the new postage amount (and destroying ones they don't use with the old rate on it.)

ETA: I posted too slow! Melissa answered much more succintly!

[marcy]

Actually, it works like this (I'll approximate the dates and costs)
5/2007 - forever stamp is 41 c, first class postage is 41c
1/2009 - rate change. First class postage is now 45 c, and "new" forever stamp is now 45 c also. But if you still have forever stamps from 5/2007 you can use them until you are out of them. Then you can buy new "forever stamps" at the new 45 c price.

And so on. No matter what the price was when you bought the forever stamp, you can continue to use it no matter what the current first-class stamp price is.

However, don't go out and spend all of your retirement money on this - it's a lowsy investment :) I see it as really benefitting people who buy let's say a roll of stamps, lets say a grandmother, and uses 20 of the 100 in the first year. She can continue to use the forever stamp until she runs out in 2010 or whatever.

ETA: I also posted too slow, and more wordy!

[Jayne]

You know I have been thinking. I think I use a total of 2 stamps a month. This might be a good idea for me.

[marcy]

another thing to note is this:

Current the price of each subsequent ounce is what, 24 cents? Which is also the postcard rate. I always keep some first class stamps and some postcards stamps so I can easily send out 1, 2, 3 oz or postcards.

But, the price of subsequent ounces and postcards will now be different.
Additional Ounces . . $0.17

Postcard . . . . . . . . . . . 0.26

Also they are now charging differently per ounce for "Letter" "large letter" or "package"
Right now a 3 oz package is 37+24+24=85 cents
It will be $1.47

:(
http://shop.usps.com/wcsstore/PostalStore/upload/international_and_domestic_rates.pdf