Comments on: Stamp Prices to Increase in May http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:22:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: LAL http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-129347 LAL Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:41:18 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-129347 I bought a ton of forever stamps when they came out. Turns out to be a great buy. I bought a ton of forever stamps when they came out. Turns out to be a great buy.

]]> By: FLC http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-129185 FLC Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:07:34 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-129185 For a Canadian perspective on stamp price increases check out http://www.frugalcanadianliving.com/2008/03/cost-of-mailing-letter-in-canada.html For a Canadian perspective on stamp price increases check out http://www.frugalcanadianlivin.....anada.html

]]> By: justyna http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-129174 justyna Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:58:14 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-129174 I think dropping Saturday is a terrible idea,esp. for all those that work all week and have only Saturday to get their errands competed. I work in the medical field and during the week it is almost impossible to really get much done! Keep the Saturdays!!! I think dropping Saturday is a terrible idea,esp. for all those that work all week and have only Saturday to get their errands competed. I work in the medical field and during the week it is almost impossible to really get much done! Keep the Saturdays!!!

]]> By: Funny about Money http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-129037 Funny about Money Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:10:04 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-129037 My clients pay by sending checks in the mail. And so no, I would most certainly NOT appreciate a cutback in mail delivery. A check that gets mailed on, say, Wednesday doesn't get here till the following Monday? A credit card bill mailed on Monday from some boiler room in Utah doesn't get here for a week, and a snail-mail payment may not get back to the lender for another week? Gee, thanks. Not like we didn't have enough money worries, eh? My clients pay by sending checks in the mail. And so no, I would most certainly NOT appreciate a cutback in mail delivery. A check that gets mailed on, say, Wednesday doesn’t get here till the following Monday? A credit card bill mailed on Monday from some boiler room in Utah doesn’t get here for a week, and a snail-mail payment may not get back to the lender for another week?

Gee, thanks. Not like we didn’t have enough money worries, eh?

]]> By: SimplyForties http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128933 SimplyForties Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:13:50 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128933 Like everyone else, I don't much care if they drop a day. As it is, Monday mail comes a lot later than the rest of the week, presumably because it stacks up on Sunday. If they drop Tuesday, then I guess Wednesday will be later. I don't do a lot of mailing as it is and hope to do less. Like everyone else, I don’t much care if they drop a day. As it is, Monday mail comes a lot later than the rest of the week, presumably because it stacks up on Sunday. If they drop Tuesday, then I guess Wednesday will be later. I don’t do a lot of mailing as it is and hope to do less.

]]> By: nickel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128924 nickel Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:26:51 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128924 Excellent point about Netflix. I hadn't thought about that. Excellent point about Netflix. I hadn’t thought about that.

]]> By: Dan http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128921 Dan Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:10:52 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128921 I think they'll have a hard time getting the service reduction through. At the very least, I don't see how this should be allowed given how many companies depend on the mail system as part of their business model. Netflix is the best example, but thousands of other businesses rely on the postal service. Personally, I like the NYT piece suggesting that stimulus money be used to convert the postal fleet to electric cars. I think they’ll have a hard time getting the service reduction through. At the very least, I don’t see how this should be allowed given how many companies depend on the mail system as part of their business model. Netflix is the best example, but thousands of other businesses rely on the postal service.

Personally, I like the NYT piece suggesting that stimulus money be used to convert the postal fleet to electric cars.

]]> By: BillyOceansEleven http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128920 BillyOceansEleven Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:07:48 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128920 I had heard the idea of Tuesday being the day cut, and I honestly think it would be a poor strategic decision for the post office. Most individuals don't give a hoot if they don't get mail on a weekday, but many businesses depend on the post office to send/receive letters and packages every day during the week. If the post office cuts service on a weekday, it is likely many business will shift a good portion of their package and priority/express business to FedEx and UPS. I would be okay with cutting Saturday. Personally I don't think I'd miss Tuesday delivery much either, although it would take some getting used to. I had heard the idea of Tuesday being the day cut, and I honestly think it would be a poor strategic decision for the post office. Most individuals don’t give a hoot if they don’t get mail on a weekday, but many businesses depend on the post office to send/receive letters and packages every day during the week. If the post office cuts service on a weekday, it is likely many business will shift a good portion of their package and priority/express business to FedEx and UPS.

I would be okay with cutting Saturday. Personally I don’t think I’d miss Tuesday delivery much either, although it would take some getting used to.

]]> By: CherylM http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128916 CherylM Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:53:57 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128916 Hmm, one less day of mail delivery means one less day that our dogs barking at the mailman wakes up the baby from his nap. I hereby approve this for the next 3 years. Hmm, one less day of mail delivery means one less day that our dogs barking at the mailman wakes up the baby from his nap. I hereby approve this for the next 3 years.

]]> By: Mike J http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128911 Mike J Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:19:38 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128911 If they drop a delivery day, I'll be asking Netflix for a rate reduction since that will increase the turnaround time on DVDs by mail. I'm on the 1-at-a-time unlimited plan and can do 2 DVDs a week if I watch it the day it comes and send it back out the next day. Losing a delivery day shifts it to less than 2 per week. My $0.02 (which you might now need for that extra postage) -Mike J If they drop a delivery day, I’ll be asking Netflix for a rate reduction since that will increase the turnaround time on DVDs by mail.

I’m on the 1-at-a-time unlimited plan and can do 2 DVDs a week if I watch it the day it comes and send it back out the next day. Losing a delivery day shifts it to less than 2 per week.

My $0.02 (which you might now need for that extra postage)
-Mike J

]]> By: VCHIP http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128905 VCHIP Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:35:34 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128905 get rid of the saturday mail or the tuesday mail - it doesn't matter! my mail now consists mostly of unsolicited items - catalogs, charitable solicitations and junk mail. i pay my bills online and request that statements not be sent because it is a waste of paper. ironically, all those charitable solicitations come with return address labels that would take me a lifetime to go through since i mail about one item a month, if that. i love the convenience of the postal, don't mind the rate increase and still use mail a lot at work (tax office). however, one less day of mail is a great idea! get rid of the saturday mail or the tuesday mail – it doesn’t matter! my mail now consists mostly of unsolicited items – catalogs, charitable solicitations and junk mail. i pay my bills online and request that statements not be sent because it is a waste of paper. ironically, all those charitable solicitations come with return address labels that would take me a lifetime to go through since i mail about one item a month, if that. i love the convenience of the postal, don’t mind the rate increase and still use mail a lot at work (tax office). however, one less day of mail is a great idea!

]]> By: Getz http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128903 Getz Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:54:00 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128903 While the price increase in stamps could be a pain for those who send ALOT of mail, it really isn't that big a deal for many people now since so many bills can be paid online or through auto debit, its so much cheaper to call or email than it used to be, etc. I rarely mail anything anymore, except for packages. And, considering I can send a letter or package to friends who live hunreds or even thousands of miles away for 42 cents or $9, I really can't complain. While the price increase in stamps could be a pain for those who send ALOT of mail, it really isn’t that big a deal for many people now since so many bills can be paid online or through auto debit, its so much cheaper to call or email than it used to be, etc. I rarely mail anything anymore, except for packages. And, considering I can send a letter or package to friends who live hunreds or even thousands of miles away for 42 cents or $9, I really can’t complain.

]]> By: pharmboy http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128896 pharmboy Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:46:44 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128896 Maybe we'll get less junk mail if prices go up. How will I get my daily WSJ out in the sticks if mail service is cut? I did ask my postman about it last Saturday, and he said the same thing: that they're looking at skipping Tuesdays not Saturdays. Maybe we’ll get less junk mail if prices go up.

How will I get my daily WSJ out in the sticks if mail service is cut?

I did ask my postman about it last Saturday, and he said the same thing: that they’re looking at skipping Tuesdays not Saturdays.

]]> By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128888 DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:11:23 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128888 If anyone is interested in learning more about Forever Stamps-- check out Clair Schwan's post at Frugal Living Freedom . . . http://www.frugal-living-freedom.com/forever-stamps.html If anyone is interested in learning more about Forever Stamps– check out Clair Schwan’s post at Frugal Living Freedom . . .

http://www.frugal-living-freed.....tamps.html

]]> By: Brandon http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128886 Brandon Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:52:30 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128886 Actually as I understand it DDFD, the Forever stamp concept came about because the Post Office wanted to increase prices about 8-10 cents, but it could not be approved to do this all at once, but it was allowed to spread it out as one increase per year over about 4-5 years (I do not know all the details). Anyway, as a result, there would be a massive need for 1-2 cent stamps every year, consumer annoyance, etc. Thus, the forever stamp concept came about. They get money sooner (GOTTA BUY BEFORE THE INCREASE!!!) and do not have to deal with tons of customers in line that just want 1-2 cent stamps. Historically, stamp prices have risen slower than inflation though, so really you are still probably getting a good deal. As for losing a day, I have read online that the post office is specifically asking if they can reduce delivery from 6 days a week to 5 days a week. At first blush, this seems like it would mean dropping Saturday delivery, but after reading more in-depth about it, I have seen that the USPS has done feasibility studies showing that dropping a mid-week day like Tuesday might make more sense because those days have the lowest mail volume. If they did this though, I imagine that they must still be opening the offices because I cannot imagine they would shut down the offices during the week (I work downtown and see the giant piles of mail that are dropped off by local corporations each afternoon). Actually as I understand it DDFD, the Forever stamp concept came about because the Post Office wanted to increase prices about 8-10 cents, but it could not be approved to do this all at once, but it was allowed to spread it out as one increase per year over about 4-5 years (I do not know all the details). Anyway, as a result, there would be a massive need for 1-2 cent stamps every year, consumer annoyance, etc. Thus, the forever stamp concept came about. They get money sooner (GOTTA BUY BEFORE THE INCREASE!!!) and do not have to deal with tons of customers in line that just want 1-2 cent stamps. Historically, stamp prices have risen slower than inflation though, so really you are still probably getting a good deal.

As for losing a day, I have read online that the post office is specifically asking if they can reduce delivery from 6 days a week to 5 days a week. At first blush, this seems like it would mean dropping Saturday delivery, but after reading more in-depth about it, I have seen that the USPS has done feasibility studies showing that dropping a mid-week day like Tuesday might make more sense because those days have the lowest mail volume. If they did this though, I imagine that they must still be opening the offices because I cannot imagine they would shut down the offices during the week (I work downtown and see the giant piles of mail that are dropped off by local corporations each afternoon).

]]> By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128881 DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:06:14 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128881 Less service at a higher price-- now that's the American way! My opinion of the Forever Stamps is that they were nothing more than the start of easier price increases . . . Finally, without looking at the historical chart (I already know the numbers as a stamp collector), you can see that as people sent fewer letters because of fax machines, FedEx, email, and now texting (volume declining) the price has sharply risen (simple economics). Less service at a higher price– now that’s the American way!

My opinion of the Forever Stamps is that they were nothing more than the start of easier price increases . . .

Finally, without looking at the historical chart (I already know the numbers as a stamp collector), you can see that as people sent fewer letters because of fax machines, FedEx, email, and now texting (volume declining) the price has sharply risen (simple economics).

]]> By: thomas http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/10/stamp-prices-to-increase-in-may/comment-page-1/#comment-128880 thomas Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:49:22 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=2972#comment-128880 only a few more years and my bottom drawer collection of $.28 stamps can be double downed! only a few more years and my bottom drawer collection of $.28 stamps can be double downed!

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