OT: USPS "Forever" Stamp 1st class postage

KoinDawg

Just curious about what board members think about the USPS's latest scheme, the "forever" stamp. First Class mail rates go up to 41 cents in May. The "forever" stamp with liberty bell on it is supposed to be useable for all first class mail in the future regardless of what the rates are then.

The idea is that people will buy large numbers of these stamps for the future and avoid the inevitable higher rates in the future. Some may even think they could buy thousands and actually make money by selling them for more than they paid but less than the USPS 1st class rate. You know how many millions you'd have to buy to make much of a profit (1-5 cents per stamp in the future)?

Doesn't the USPS realize that 1st class mail is almost obsolete? Most people now communicate via email, instant messaging, etc. Even electronic holiday and birthday greeting cards. No reason to mail a check for bills since most can now pay all bills either electronically or thru echecks.

How many forever stamps will you be stashing away for future first class mailings?

mgoodm3

Save the money and invest it, you'll probably do better. That's what the PO will do.

flaminio

<< <i>How many forever stamps will you be stashing away for future first class mailings? >>

None. It's a bad investment. Postal rates generally track inflation, and therefore investing in "forever" stamps will net zero profit. You're much better served in traditional investment instruments.

For the consumer, however, "forever" stamps are a great deal. No more wondering what the postage rate is, or tracking down 2c makeup stamps when the rates change. Especially, as you mentioned, how rarely one actually sends a letter these days -- I know I've already got a bunch of 39c stamps sitting around that I'll need to upgrade in May.

Sotty

I would wait till the day or so before they raised the rates, then sell what I didn't need.

airplanenut

This rate increase is good... slightly heavier stuff is going down, and I rarely ship <1oz.

Pentimento

good point flaminio. I tracked postage 1980-2006 vs. inflation 1980-2006 the other day for fun. they were equal.

thisnamztaken

<< <i>How many forever stamps will you be stashing away for future first class mailings? >>



Probably only a book or two.
Shucks, I'm still waiting for their 1st class rates to reach 58¢ so I can put two of these on a letter:

Coinosaurus

Curiously, the per oz. increment is falling a whole bunch. If you send lots of heavy letters, they will actually cost less.

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>How many forever stamps will you be stashing away for future first class mailings? >>



Probably only a book or two.
Shucks, I'm still waiting for their 1st class rates to reach 58¢ so I can put two of these on a letter:

>>



HEY I've got a couple hundred of those. Bought em at the Ft Lauderdale Main P.O on Oakland Pk Blvd a LOOOOONG time ago. If you don't want them, send em on down here! Over the years I've bought a couple hundred of each issue that I liked and put them in a tupperware container. Man do I have stamp inventory now

mrearlygold

RegistryCoin

They told me at the post office last week that the increase is due mid-April. I can't remember the exact day they mentioned, the 14th or 16th.

thisnamztaken

<< <i>HEY I've got a couple hundred of those. Bought em at the Ft Lauderdale Main P.O on Oakland Pk Blvd a LOOOOONG time ago. If you don't want them, send em on down here! Over the years I've bought a couple hundred of each issue that I liked and put them in a tupperware container. Man do I have stamp inventory now. >>




Hey Tom, I'll trade you these four for any old TPG MS 62-63 Sesqui silver commem. you have lying around. Deal?

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>HEY I've got a couple hundred of those. Bought em at the Ft Lauderdale Main P.O on Oakland Pk Blvd a LOOOOONG time ago. If you don't want them, send em on down here! Over the years I've bought a couple hundred of each issue that I liked and put them in a tupperware container. Man do I have stamp inventory now. >>




Hey Tom, I'll trade you these four for any old TPG MS 62-63 Sesqui silver commem. you have lying around. Deal? >>



Jim, that's might be a deal, only I don't have one of those commems nor do I plan on buying any. Sorry

mrearlygold

I'll see your 4 and raise ya

garsmith

Bought a book of stamps when I got back from Macau in August 2006, I still have more that 1/2 the book left. The only time I use them is when I win a eBay bid where the seller doesn't take PayPal.

thisnamztaken

<< <i>I'll see your 4 and raise ya >>



Ok, you win. I fold.
Doggone it! You guys with your deep pockets are always out bidding us average working schmucks, whether it's coins or stamps.

291fifth

Why buy any until just before the next postal rate increase? I don't like non-denominated stamps anyway.

dpoole

<< <i>Postal rates generally track inflation, and therefore investing in "forever" stamps will net zero profit. You're much better served in traditional investment instruments. >>



Hey! They just raised rates last year!

There's no inflation, right??

mozeppa

to make it on topic...heres the stamp in "full bell line" version.

BobaFett72

sounds like a boy band. 4-Evah! lol
i used 5 stamps a month...im still working on my supply of muppets and baseball players...BUT i will be purchasing a ridiculous number of Star Wars stamps just because....