The United States Postal Service (USPS) will increase the price for most of the services provided starting May 11, 2008. The price change increase will be a two-cent increase for most services, bring the cost of a first class letter to 44 cents, still inexpensive compared to other countries' postal services.
The United States Postal Service price changes started this year in January when the price of Express, Priority, Parcel, and Media service went up drastically. The cost of the services will continue to go up every year, first in January and then in May.
Stamp Pricing Guide
The pricing for stamps, as explained on the United States Postal Service website, will increase by two-cents in some cases.
- Letters weighing one ounce will be $0.44
- Large envelopes weighing one ounce will be $0.88
- Parcels weighing one ounce will be $1.22
- Additional ounces will be $0.17
- Postcards will be $0.28
These price increas only effect letters or parcels under 13 ounces. Those that weigh over 13 ounces had a price change in January.
No Longer a Federal Entity
The United States Postal Service has not been a part of the U.S. Federal Government since the Nixon regime. Removing the post office from being a government body was intended to make the service less political. However, since then, and before, the organization was having difficulty maintaining high standards. Increases in service started and service options became more difficult to understand.
The United States Postal Service of today has tried to change the way people feel towards the Postal Service. These increases, as well as other potential cutbacks such as a five-day mailing week and the elimination of managerial positions and smaller districts, may help the post office keep its head above water. However much the increase in stamps will help the struggling organization is as of yet unknown.
Forever Stamps
The United States Postal Service created the “Forever” stamp in May 2007. With this creation, stamp price increases have become easier to navigate. Anyone in the United States can purchase these stamps at grocery stores, post offices, retail establishments and online stores. No matter when the stamp is purchased, the amount the stamp is worth will be the same as the cost of a first class one-ounce letter’s stamp.
No matter what ones' personal opinion is of the United States Postal Service, everyone will have to live with the upcoming changes. Be prepared- purchasing a book of forever stamps before the price increase will save the customer $0.40 per book of stamps.
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