posted on January 2, 2009 03:00:43 PM new
While mailing some packages at my local post office this afternoon, I was joking with the clerk about the price of postage going up this May like it did last May.
Well, the joke was on me when I was informed that a postal increase is coming THIS month, on January 18th!
Apparently, a press release was issued on November 13th "informing" the public about this rate increase. I found the press release on www.usps.com when I clicked on "About USPS & News" and then "News Releases" on the next window. Then I scrolled way down to November 13th, where I found the announcement.
A small Priority Mail box, 1 pound or under, will increase from $4.80 to $4.95.
The same rate increase applies to Priority Mail envelopes.
A "regular box" for Priority Mail will increase to $10.35. I think these are the "flat rate" boxes that are currently $9.80.
Priority Mail International will also increase on January 18th.
To sum up, Express Mail will increase 5.7%.
Priority Mail will increase 3.9%, Parcel Select will increase 5.9%, Parcel Return Service will increase 5.3%, and International Shipping Services will increase 8.5%.
In May, 2009, the price of a First Class stamp will go up, as will bubble mailers sent by First Class Mail.
I don't know if increases are coming to Media Mail, delivery confirmation, or insurance.
The Postal Service will issue a press release in February with news and details of the May, 2009 rate hike.
With the price of fuel decreasing by substantial amounts since last May, I was hoping that there would be no postal price increase this year, but unfortunately that is not the case.
[ edited by northwoodsguy on Jan 2, 2009 03:12 PM ]
posted on January 2, 2009 04:40:35 PM new
Now we'll have to eat even more of the shipping costs - Lord knows eventually we will be forced to offer free shipping for everything. What's another few cents to add to our burden - next Ebay will announce another fee hike and even more of us will leave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on January 3, 2009 01:23:39 AM new
I stumbled across the Rate increase announcement a few weeks ago.
There will also be a new small Flat Rate box for $ 4.95 but I have not been able to identify which box it is, I am suspecting it will be a 1096-S. If so, this could be bad news for those of us who stuff Flat Rate envelopes. The PO may crack down on the how thick a flat Rate envelope can be.
posted on January 3, 2009 01:44:50 AM new
first class mail is cheaper and the difference may just be 1-3 days.
Buy your boxes from Uline.
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
posted on January 3, 2009 09:09:18 AM new
hwahwa, your comment is hardly true. I regularly mail 2 to 3 pounds in a FRE and have managed from time to time to stuff 6 pounds in one.
a. First class has a 13 ounce limit
b. Buying uline boxes adds to my materials costs as well as package weight. For the type of items I sell, it is not cost efficient.
Yes, First Class does provide service comparable to Priority. Parcel post is totally different monster. It has been my experience that mailing Parcel Past brings much longer delivery times and subjects the items to rougher handling.
posted on January 3, 2009 01:41:25 PM new
Lt Ray is correct. Under 13 oz, priority and 1st class are virtually the same unless the box is larger than specified by USPS and cannot go 1st class even if weight is appropriate.
Parcel Post in many cases, depending on "zone" costs almost the same, sometimes more, than Priority and goes at a snail's pace. I think the PO is trying to discourage all from using it. Exceptions to the cost factor are heavy items going distances, then PP is cheaper, but still very slow and to me, very scary.
I guess we are going to lose money or get our ****s dinged until people get used to the new rates.
With fuel very low, you would think the PO could forgo these hikes. (That was a joke!!)
posted on January 4, 2009 02:57:42 AM new
"With fuel very low, you would think the PO could forgo these hikes. (That was a joke!!)"
Merrie - it may have been a joke but I think it's very true. I think the USPS could have waited a little longer in view of the bad economic times we are in.
posted on January 4, 2009 03:48:14 AM new
fuel price may be low now,but it could go higher.
Yes,when I said first class is cheaper it is not for every one,it just happens I buy small boxes from ULINE and ship most of my goods first class.
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
posted on January 4, 2009 05:24:45 AM new
In my very small town P.O. (1500 population)
they have laid off 1 person and asked everyone if they will, on a voluntary basis, work at other P.O.'s in the area. Despite and given this action,it really is not the time to nationally raise the rates... in my humble opinion.
posted on January 4, 2009 09:58:42 AM new
population is under 1500 here...my little post office is losing both the postmaster and only full time associate.
The postmaster took her "package" and is leaving in march. The fulltimer was offered a package to leave early also and he said he wasn't gonna do it...but new years eve was his last day...
Gonna miss them both...may have to drop off some empty priority boxes on their doorsteps...in a few months.
Now I have to work on being nice to the part timers so that I can continue to get my rolls of priority tape.
Caroline