U.S. Post office wants to boost stamp prices, issue forever stamp

[Petunia]

WASHINGTON, May 3 — The Postal Service said Wednesday it wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp by 3 cents — to 42 cents — and suggested a ''forever'' stamp that people could use as hedge against future rate inflation.
The changes would take effect in the spring of 2007 if approved by the independent Postal Rate Commission

http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap05-03-000714.asp?t=apnew&vts=5320060641

 

[Ave Maria]

Ugh! Stamp prices are high enough the way it is! You know, its odd. I keep seeing prices of everything from gas to groceries to stamps going up but wages are not going up! How on earth do they expect a person to make a living now a days with prices going so high and wages staying the same??? This is one expensive society to live in!

 

[Harpuia]

Eventually the bubble will burst, we'll have a huge recession if not depression, and prices will go back to the ways they were during Clinton times.

 

[Billnew]

I read the article,
But what does the forever stamp do?

If I buy it at 42cents first class postage, and rates go
up to 50cents, do I pay the difference? Or is it just the purchase price, and I can send any letter just by using the "forever stamp"?

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

I don't find 40 cents to be that expensive to mail a letter. Considering pay, gas, cost to send over the country.

 

[Quantos]

1) 0.40 to send a etter anywhere in the U.S. is still a good deal if you ask me, with the manpower required, and gas, jet full, equipment, ect...
2) A Forever stamp is supposed to always be good, I.E. you buy the stamps today, next year when it cost $0.57 to mail a letter, you can still use the stamps without adding additonal postage.

 

[MichaelFJF]

I think the 'forever stamp' is like the gas futures - some people are still paying .97 or 1.49 because they bought $3000 worth of gas in advance. Personally I think they should jack up the rates on the bulk mailers instead of us.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

I read the article,
But what does the forever stamp do?

If I buy it at 42cents first class postage, and rates go
up to 50cents, do I pay the difference? Or is it just the purchase price, and I can send any letter just by using the "forever stamp"?

I'm not sure I understand it either! Here's how I get it:
You buy how ever many forever stamps you want. If the price goes up, you still get to use your forevers with our buying those pesky one or two cent stamps to make up the difference. If you're out of forever stamps, then you gotta get the more expensive ones...I think!
It seems like the PO is trying to get people to buy stamps in bulk to give themselves an infusion of cash!! I already buy my stamps in those 100 rolls, so I might just do that.

 

[trunks2k]

*shrug* I send one letter a month. I pay all my bills, etc, online. So I'm not too affected by the stamp price.