Postage Rate Increase
In the course of my business, I find myself using the United States Postal Service frequently and established an account with Stamps.com. They offer the convenience of printing
postage (including special services like certified return receipts) from your computer. I rarely have to wait in line at my local post office and that’s worth the monthly fee for me!
A few weeks ago I started hearing about an increase in postage fees. I didn’t think twice about it. I assumed the change involved an increase in rates by a few pennies. Postage is a necessary expense in my life and I believe the USPS fees are nominal for the services I receive. For pennies, I can send a hand written and hand delivered card. However, this morning I actually read how intricate the USPS changes are. Not only are the per-ounce rates increasing, we have to consider size and shape of the packages too.
The USPS states this rate increase is due to the rising cost of doing business. (Their FAQ section reminds us our tax dollars don’t subsidize their operations.) Accurately determining the amount of postage becomes more difficult because they are restructuring their rate schedules along with the increases. So check your postage carefully! Changes include:
- Shape-based pricing for First-Class Mail ®
- New pricing for Priority Mail ® and Express Mail ®
- Simplified international mailing services
The USPS also created the “Forever Stamp.” The stamps are currently being sold for 41 cents each and will always be valued at the First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter rate. The USPS hopes transitioning to stamps with out marked value will eliminate the need for 1 and 2 cent make up stamps. Something about this new stamp hints towards further rate increases.
What are your thoughts? How is the rate increase going to affect you personally and professionally? Will you be more likely to e-mail than send hard copies? Share your thoughts with fellow Queercents readers below.
I think that the Forever Stamp is going to catch us all. The Postal Service “allowed” the release of the forever stamp only because they wanted less restraint on their ability to raise costs of postage- ie- they want to raise it when they want to and the forever stamp is the one thing they conceded to get it. Watch rates go crazy in the next 2 years or so— while they can get away with it to not only cover cost of the mail, but maybe fund some war $$. (Okay, I’ll take off my conspiracy tin foil hat now.)
I think it’s pretty obvious that email has hurt the USPS. While I’m not a fan of the rates changing in different increments each time, I’m stilla fan of buying stamps and sending the odd postcard. No email graphics will ever compete with how it feels to see a postmark from a faraway land, and someone’s handwriting!
The forever stamp is still something I’m trying to understand, thanks for pointing my attention to it again.