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Just heard on the news today: the cost of first class stamps will go to 66-cents in July. The US Postal Service has now announced there will be rate increases twice a year... UGH...
My daughter said this is probably due to everyone going paperless... except me !! She has tried to talk me into paperless billings but I can't trust my 14 year old computer...
I'm from the older generation and just prefer paper copies...
I understand that! Thanks for the update! I'm old school also; refuse to change out my old Cricut for one that hooks up to a computer. I like having the cartridges for it.
I still have some forever stamps. Aren't they still good after the price increase?
I bought several years' worth of stamps in December fortunately. BUT, the postal service keeps coming out with cute designs on its forever stamps and I want to buy them anyways lol!
The increase in the stamps doesn't bother me, anyways. It's the increase in package prices that make my eyes pop. People buy SO much online that I don't understand why package prices rise so frequently and so fast. Higher volume would distribute fixed costs more widely, unless fixed costs are also rising frequently and steeply.
__________________ Nicole
The following 6 users liked this post by cnsteele:
This is the third thread I have read on the postage increase. I bought a lot of stamps in December, but may have to purchase more. I think there were tulip stamps that came out recently, so those are definitely on my list.
I'm with you on paperless billings - but mostly because my email is a mess and I'd probably never see a bill.
I bought a ton of forevers during the last increase which I feel like was just yesterday so I think I'm going to sit this one out. Maybe they've figured out they can get us all to buy a bunch of stamps each time LOL!
I'm with you on paperless billings - but mostly because my email is a mess and I'd probably never see a bill.
I bought a ton of forevers during the last increase which I feel like was just yesterday so I think I'm going to sit this one out. Maybe they've figured out they can get us all to buy a bunch of stamps each time LOL!
They get me to buy a bunch at least once a year when they release cute new designs!
__________________ Nicole
The following 3 users liked this post by cnsteele:
I've had good experiences ordering stamps on Etsy but then I don't need the latest ones. Just plain ones for bill paying and Love stamps for cards ;-) They are often much less than face value. And yes, it was just yesterday I swear when I bought a ton of Forever stamps.
Try using a mailing company for packages - I send out dozens of packages during fundraisers for my Cairn Terrier Rescue group and started using Pirate Ship - it has multiple suppliers (USPS, UPS, etc.) and will compare rates for you and even arranges for pick-ups (I haven't used that feature but one lady in our rescue swears by it). Another one I have used is called Shippo - they had good prices as well.
I understand that! Thanks for the update! I'm old school also; refuse to change out my old Cricut for one that hooks up to a computer. I like having the cartridges for it.
I've had good experiences ordering stamps on Etsy but then I don't need the latest ones. Just plain ones for bill paying and Love stamps for cards ;-) They are often much less than face value. And yes, it was just yesterday I swear when I bought a ton of Forever stamps.
Try using a mailing company for packages - I send out dozens of packages during fundraisers for my Cairn Terrier Rescue group and started using Pirate Ship - it has multiple suppliers (USPS, UPS, etc.) and will compare rates for you and even arranges for pick-ups (I haven't used that feature but one lady in our rescue swears by it). Another one I have used is called Shippo - they had good prices as well.
***I have not verified this site and it may be a scam - I did order the stamps but have since been made aware that the site may be a scam site. I have ordered forever stamps here: https://www.postalofficer.com/
They came pretty fast and no problems. I don't care if they are older stamps as it saved me lots of money! I received 400 stamps for $90.80.
Last edited by Karen3000; 04-22-2023 at 05:23 PM..
I bought a ton of forevers during the last increase which I feel like was just yesterday so I think I'm going to sit this one out. Maybe they've figured out they can get us all to buy a bunch of stamps each time LOL!
I'll probably stock up again, even though I have mailed far fewer cards this last year. I keep planing to dig in again.
The USPS should give card makers bulk discounts, if you ask me. Sometimes I think we keep them afloat! LOL
__________________ Kim in Illinois, Dirty Dozen Alum, QFTD#207, FS798, VSN Moderator "Famous Last Words" Spring Virtual Stamp Night, April 19 & 20
The following 2 users liked this post by berlycece:
My guess is that postal rate increases have little to nothing to do with people doing more online. I would say the majority of Americans at least have been e-mailing & paying bills online for some years now. The current postmaster general is still, from what I've heard, eyeing either privatizing the USPS someday or driving it into the ground so it goes bye-bye. Part of his 10-year "improvement" plan. He never even worked for the postal service before being appointed head honcho a few years ago by He Who Must Not Be Named. His main "qualification" was donating big $$$ to a particular political party and a certain former commander-in-chief. So, unless & until he gets ousted (& many people who unfortunately have no control over the situation have been urging those who are in control to do just that), plan on more increases & poorer service. Just sayin'.... Thanks for the heads-up anyway. I may consider getting some more pretty stamps before the rate increase.
when I buy stamps, it's by the roll (100 per) so right now that's $60 for 100 forever stamps. I keep them in my safe because hello, that's $60 right there which would fill up both our vehicles right now!
I sent out I believe 40 cards this past year for the holidays. I'm paring that list down because I never hear from some of those who receive my cards...NEVER in like 4 years. I even add my email to the messages I write inside, but that doesn't matter.
__________________
NEVER underestimate the power of a woman.
The following 2 users liked this post by Jannarama:
Higher prices and HORRIBLE service. I mail cards to grandsons in the same state. I received 6 back from the post office FIVE months after they stamped them undeliverable. ONE WAS RETURNED TO ME TEN MONTHS after undelivered. He probably heard from his brothers that they got cards, and he didn't (they live at 3 different addresses). I texted him to say I had not forgotten him!!!
I've had good experiences ordering stamps on Etsy but then I don't need the latest ones. Just plain ones for bill paying and Love stamps for cards ;-) They are often much less than face value. And yes, it was just yesterday I swear when I bought a ton of Forever stamps.
Try using a mailing company for packages - I send out dozens of packages during fundraisers for my Cairn Terrier Rescue group and started using Pirate Ship - it has multiple suppliers (USPS, UPS, etc.) and will compare rates for you and even arranges for pick-ups (I haven't used that feature but one lady in our rescue swears by it). Another one I have used is called Shippo - they had good prices as well.
I don’t understand how this is possible. Did they buy thousands of stamps at $0.50 a stamp and now they are selling them for $0.60 a stamp? What was the price of stamps when Forever stamps first came out? I just don’t understand how this is possible and profitable.
About 6 months ago, I got a pop up on Facebook about stamps at a reduced rate. Someone told me it was a scam.I never bought any.
Higher prices and HORRIBLE service. I mail cards to grandsons in the same state. I received 6 back from the post office FIVE months after they stamped them undeliverable. ONE WAS RETURNED TO ME TEN MONTHS after undelivered. He probably heard from his brothers that they got cards, and he didn't (they live at 3 different addresses). I texted him to say I had not forgotten him!!!
I bought several years' worth of stamps in December fortunately. BUT, the postal service keeps coming out with cute designs on its forever stamps and I want to buy them anyways lol!
The increase in the stamps doesn't bother me, anyways. It's the increase in package prices that make my eyes pop. People buy SO much online that I don't understand why package prices rise so frequently and so fast. Higher volume would distribute fixed costs more widely, unless fixed costs are also rising frequently and steeply.
My husband laughs at me every time I tell him I bought pretty stamps. He just looks at me and says “It’s a tax.”
I can’t help it. I like pretty stamps!
No one would sell forever stamps like that. They are good forever.
As far as buying stamps "at a discount" I would be VERY careful. The Post Office has some stringent policies about this. I have posted the policy at least three times.
If you are willing to pay a fine, risk jail time, and have your name all over your local media for fraud, by all means use counterfeit stamps. It is not worth the risk to me.