PhilosateleiaGrab some 2-cent stamps
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 (posted by Philatelius at 12:43 pm)
You may need a few 2¢ stamps early next year if the U.S. Postal Service gets its way.
USPS officials are asking the Postal Regulatory Commission to approve a rate hike that would go into effect on January 2, 2011. If the increase is approved, first-class letter rates will increase to 46 cents, with each additional ounce costing 18 cents. You’ll have to spend 30 cents to mail a postcard.
Prices to other countries could climb by 5–8 cents for the first ounce, depending on the destination.
The increases could cut the USPS’s massive deficit by $2.3 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.
Postage rate increases are technically limited to no more than the rate of inflation, but the PRC has the authority to approve higher increases like the ones requested as long as the USPS can demonstrate extraordinary need.
What do you as a stamp collector think of the proposed rate changes? Is the increase significant enough to even be on your radar?
Saturday mail delivery on chopping block
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 (posted by Philatelius at 9:26 pm)
You might not see your friendly neighborhood mail carrier much longer on the weekends.
In a move not exactly unexpected, the USPS has formally requested permission to cease Saturday deliveries except for Express Mail.
In a report submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission, postal officials say “there is no longer enough mail to sustain six days of delivery.” Add to that expected savings of $3 billion per year, and it’s hard to imagine the change not being approved.
There is, of course, still the possibility that Congress could mandate the USPS continue delivering mail on Saturday, but whether or not that will happen is anyone’s guess.
What do you think—do you support the plans to trim mail delivery to five days a week, or would you rather keep getting deliveries on the weekend?
Post office box prices could climb
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 (posted by Philatelius at 10:44 pm)
If you rent a post office box from the USPS, you may soon be paying more for it.
Officials announced late last week that they’re asking the Postal Regulatory Commission to approve a proposal that could include PO box rate hikes at nearly 50 post offices around the country.
Postal service officials say the boxes at those offices are not “market dominant,” but instead face competition from similar private services in the same neighborhoods.
The changes would immediately impact only a tiny fraction of box holders nationwide, but if the move is successful the USPS could request approval for broader adjustments as it tries to reduce a projected $7 billion loss in 2010. It’s unclear when the PRC will rule on the request.
How much do you currently pay for your PO box? Will you keep that service if the price goes up?
