Postal Service Seeks To Raise Stamp Prices By 3 Cents - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 09-25-2013, 10:30 PM

49 cent stamps

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Postal Service Seeks To Hike Stamp Prices By 3 Cents
Price of sending postcard would also go up under proposal
Author: By Jennifer Liberto
Posted: Sep 25 2013 10:34 AM CDT Updated: Sep 25 2013 7:03 PM CDT

Washington (CNNMoney) - Mailing a letter would cost three cents more, or 49 cents, starting in January, under a Wednesday proposal by the U.S. Postal Service. The price of sending a postcard would also go up by a cent to 34 cents. The rate hikes are expected to raise $2 billion for the cash-strapped postal service. The Postal Service must first get the approval of its regulatory panel, Postal Regulatory Commission, before it can raise prices over the rate of inflation.

"Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges," the Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett said in a letter to customers. The agency said it lost $740 million in the three months that ended June 30. During the same period last year, it reported a $5.2 billion loss. So far, the Postal Service has lost $3.9 billion in the current fiscal year.

In 2012, the agency lost $16 billion. Much of the problem stems from a congressional mandate to make annual $5 billion payments for future retiree health care benefits. The requirement has been a major drag on the agency, which has exhausted a $15 billion loan from taxpayers to make up for shortfalls. The decline in the volume of mail that most people send each year is also hurting. The Postal Service handled 37.9 billion pieces of mail between April and June, down from 38.3 billion in the same period last year.

In January, the Postal Service raised the price of a first-class mail stamp by 1 cent to 46 cents. That increase was allowed to go forward without the permission of the Postal Regulatory Commission because it reflected the pace of inflation.

Copyright 2013 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved.

retrofan05 · 09-25-2013, 11:32 PM

Why not just make it .50? In the grand scheme of things, .50 is still very cheap to send a letter anywhere in the country.

Janice · 09-26-2013, 02:37 AM

It is still a deal, but I may buy some Forever stamps. They're always good, regardless of any price hikes.

Family Ties Forever! · 09-26-2013, 03:26 AM

That's true. The forever stamps are good to have.

80sTrivia · 09-26-2013, 04:08 AM

Not again!!!

gidgetgrape · 09-26-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrofan05

Why not just make it .50? In the grand scheme of things, .50 is still very cheap to send a letter anywhere in the country.

Have you ever mailed wedding invitations? That .50 would add up quick!

Regulus · 09-26-2013, 03:49 PM

I wish they'd they'd get rid of Third-Class Mail, and make those who send "Junk Mail" pay the same rate as everyone else. That would raise cash for them REAL quick!

Coffeecup · 09-26-2013, 08:13 PM

Yes 50 cents would have been better. I have several 50 cents stamps from years ago. Now I can finally use them. Well I am one cent short.

retrofan05 · 09-26-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Have you ever mailed wedding invitations? That .50 would add up quick!

Very true, but hopefully that wouldn't be something you'd have to do too often. LOL!

comedyfreak · 09-27-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

I wish they'd they'd get rid of Third-Class Mail, and make those who send "Junk Mail" pay the same rate as everyone else. That would raise cash for them REAL quick!

Plus get the law changed on how the Post Office has to fund their pension system, congress can fix the problem but refuses to do so.

RoryGilmore · 09-30-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Have you ever mailed wedding invitations? That .50 would add up quick!

Doesnt have to. I mailed my wedding invitations in August with regular forever stamps.

I only ever buy forever stamps

Penny Lane · 09-30-2013, 07:01 PM

I send Christmas cards every year but I am thinking of cutting that out (or down)

The stamps cost more than the card.

I don't want to quit sending them mainly because I love receiving them!I rarely use snail mail . I pay most of my bills online. Time will tell..............

SBTB Geek · 09-30-2013, 07:49 PM

Worth it, IMO

09-25-2013, 10:30 PM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Postal Service Seeks To Raise Stamp Prices By 3 Cents 49 cent stamps link Postal Service Seeks To Hike Stamp Prices By 3 Cents Price of sending postcard would also go up under proposal Author: By Jennifer Liberto Posted: Sep 25 2013 10:34 AM CDT Updated: Sep 25 2013 7:03 PM CDT Washington (CNNMoney) - Mailing a letter would cost three cents more, or 49 cents, starting in January, under a Wednesday proposal by the U.S. Postal Service. The price of sending a postcard would also go up by a cent to 34 cents. The rate hikes are expected to raise $2 billion for the cash-strapped postal service. The Postal Service must first get the approval of its regulatory panel, Postal Regulatory Commission, before it can raise prices over the rate of inflation. "Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges," the Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett said in a letter to customers. The agency said it lost $740 million in the three months that ended June 30. During the same period last year, it reported a $5.2 billion loss. So far, the Postal Service has lost $3.9 billion in the current fiscal year. In 2012, the agency lost $16 billion. Much of the problem stems from a congressional mandate to make annual $5 billion payments for future retiree health care benefits. The requirement has been a major drag on the agency, which has exhausted a $15 billion loan from taxpayers to make up for shortfalls. The decline in the volume of mail that most people send each year is also hurting. The Postal Service handled 37.9 billion pieces of mail between April and June, down from 38.3 billion in the same period last year. In January, the Postal Service raised the price of a first-class mail stamp by 1 cent to 46 cents. That increase was allowed to go forward without the permission of the Postal Regulatory Commission because it reflected the pace of inflation. Copyright 2013 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved.
	__________________ Jenny Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 09-26-2013 at 12:00 AM.

09-26-2013, 04:08 AM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Not again!!!
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09-26-2013, 03:49 PM	#7
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	I wish they'd they'd get rid of Third-Class Mail, and make those who send "Junk Mail" pay the same rate as everyone else. That would raise cash for them REAL quick!
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

09-30-2013, 07:01 PM	#12
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,270	I send Christmas cards every year but I am thinking of cutting that out (or down) The stamps cost more than the card. I don't want to quit sending them mainly because I love receiving them!I rarely use snail mail . I pay most of my bills online. Time will tell..............
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

09-25-2013, 11:32 PM	#2
retrofan05 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,111	Why not just make it .50? In the grand scheme of things, .50 is still very cheap to send a letter anywhere in the country.

09-26-2013, 02:37 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	It is still a deal, but I may buy some Forever stamps. They're always good, regardless of any price hikes.

09-26-2013, 03:26 AM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	That's true. The forever stamps are good to have.

09-26-2013, 08:13 PM	#8
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	Yes 50 cents would have been better. I have several 50 cents stamps from years ago. Now I can finally use them. Well I am one cent short.

09-30-2013, 07:49 PM	#13
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Worth it, IMO