Forever stamps price increase
The U.S. Postal Service will leave 50-cent forever stamps behind Jan. 27, increasing their price by 5 cents.
Though 2019 post office price changes vary by mailing service, the fees rolling out the last Sunday of the month will increase by 2.5 percent.
The most notable changes:
•First-class mail letter (1 ounce) will go up to 55 cents: The nickel increase is the largest percentage rise since 1991, when postage increased from 25 to 29 cents.
•Additional letter ounce costs will decrease: Each additional ounce will drop from 21 cents to 15 cents. Mailing a 2-ounce letter, a wedding invitation's typical weight, will cost 70 cents instead of 71 cents.
•Postcard rates will remain the same: Mailing a postcard will run travelers 35 cents.
•Priority Mail prices will jump: A small box that previously cost $7.20 will rise to $7.90, while a medium box will jump from $13.65 to $14.35.
•Priority Mail Express fees will increase: Those looking to ship an envelope ASAP can expect to pay $25.50 instead of $24.70.
Here is the 12 year history of Forever stamp pricing for those interested:
January 21, 2018 $0.50
January 22, 2017 $0.49
April 10, 2016 $0.47
January 26, 2014 $0.49
January 27, 2013 $0.46
January 22, 2012 $0.45
May 11, 2009 $0.44
May 12, 2008 $0.42
April 12, 2007 $0.41
Comments
but they have added 'forever' prepaid flat rate small boxes
Link?
People still use stamps?
People still use coins?
click on USPS.com
under stamps & supplies
I guess have more than I thought
https://store.usps.com/store/results?_dyncharset=UTF-8&Dy=1&Nty=1&siteScope=ok&_D%3AsiteScope=+&Ntt=forever+flat+rate&search=&_D%3Asearch=+&_DARGS=%2Fstore%2Fcartridges%2FSearchBox%2FSearchBox.jsp
Those increases are a hell of a lot more than 2.5%. And yeah, when you are losing volume, raising rates will not make you more competitive 😠
They are not losing volume in the only market that counts: packages.
First class mail is a dinosaur and not profitable. They are price competitive with UPS and FedEx and package volume continues to grow.
https://facts.usps.com/table-facts/
I just hope that the Amazon rate on a 12 pound package drops to $1.25 as that seems only fair.
My kids (27 and 29 years of age) couldn't mail, stamp and address a letter if their life depended on it.
On the other hand, I couldn't use an Iphone if my life depended on it, so I guess we're about even.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
All this time I thought the post office was shut down. lol
Price increase of forever stamp no big deal, modest compared to increase over same period for basic necessities.
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
For those of us who remember penny post cards (yes, that is what they were called) and mailing a letter cost three cents, airmail five cents.... it is amazing to see a stamp for a letter now at fifty five cents....Dang I am getting old....Cheers, RickO
The Post Office is federal gov't, but isn't funded from the gov't. It's funded from all the postage we buy from them.
Death and Taxes" ~~ Ben Franklin
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/mint-sets/1945-mint-set/publishedset/21067
Knutson's 45' Set 2009 Winner
If you research the 'History of the Cost of Stamps' you'll find the US Post Office has been pretty reasonable over the years. I live in a small town and depend on the USPS for all my needs. FedEx lost two of my packages; one a 50" widescreen TV that was found two blocks away left at an unoccupied apartment.
Not meant to bash USPS as they are very affordable and reliable in my opinion. Just a heads up to members so if they need stamps soon they can get them before the increase.
Actually it's a pretty good deal, even if it was a Dollar IMHO, The USPS has a great infrastructure in place, I can't imagine losing it.
Steve
USPS and Military. Best of government.
Downsize the rest!
100% Positive BST transactions
Surprise!
The U.S. Congress is to blame for the very bad position that the USPS continues to be in. not only does the USPS receive NO Government funding like headsplitter stated, but around 2005 the Congress mandated that the USPS fund its pension through 2075 within a five-year period.
Congress just loves to tell everyone else what to do, they just never seem to do anything themselves.
That's a whole nuther ball of armadillo.
I bought this sheet of Forever stamps the other day, looked so cool I decided to keep it.
I saved a sheet of those also. They also came in blue.
Yes the burdensome pension contributions (or timeframe, anyway) are killing the USPS. One of my PO guys said Congress, after requiring that all that pension money be funded, then went out and spent the cash and replaced it with IOUs, like they have done with Social Security.
The original purpose and mandate for the Post Office as envisioned by Ben Franklin when he implemented it was to provide a way for all citizens to send correspondence at a reasonable cost, including (or especially) to and from remote areas. The PO was not meant to be a profit center or even required to break even. It was a national benefit or service. It was seen as a key component of our growing nation.
I do. The post office is not impressed when I tape a half dollar to the outside of the envelope.
I bought 8 coils today, 800 stamps.
How else can you make 10% on your money overnight ?
I'll get both colors tomorrow
Buy it January 26th
My business mails hundreds of flat envelopes each year ranging from 3 ounces to 13 ounces. With the 2nd ounce rate going down from 21 to 15 cents per ounce I will actually save money on postage this year.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
That armadillo is pretty amusing!
I knew it would happen.
Me too...I thought they were cool.
I wouldn't wait to the last minute. Some post offices could run out of stamps.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
who still goes to the PO for their stamps? Do it online for $1.25 per order...no standing inline.
I still have a few of the first forever stamps. This means I'm not paying a higher price, yet. Buy, buy, buy. They're like saving's bonds
Also, If you have a BJs Club nearby, they sell them cheaper than the Post Office, not a lot cheaper but still cheaper.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Costco also sells stamps in packs of 100 for a little below face value.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.