New postal rates take effect today

[TechBear_Seattle]

Just a heads-up in case (like me) you have forgotten.

New mailing rates take effect Monday

A reminder: Extra postage needed on those letters and packages.

For a first-class card or letter, the rate taking effect Monday is 41 cents for the first ounce, a 2-cent increase. But the cost for each additional ounce drops to 17 cents, so heavier letters will be cheaper than before.

The Postal Service is introducing extra changes for large or odd-shaped mail and altering a wide variety of its charges.

Details on the new rates are available at www.usps.com or call 1-800-275-8777.

There is a bit more information in the article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/315570_mailrates14.html

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. That's bleeped-up. Why not just change the rates....

... on the same day of the year every other year so we don't get stuck with 3/4 roll of stamps?

For the use of which we now have to make another GD trip to the GD PO and wait on another GD line.

To buy forty thousand 2 cent stamps.

[bookman]

3. I understand your frustration...

...you might be interested in their new idea, the forever stamp. Buy those (no increased price) and you can use them for first class postage forever. I tend to think this is a great idea. It will end the frustration you mentioned in the future.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. My idea's better. nt

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. My understanding

is that if it isn't a standard letter size envelope (one where you fold the paper in thirds) then it is considered large or oversize. One ounce in one of these is 41 cents. If you mail the same ounce in a slightly larger envelope (one where you fold the paper in half) then the cost goes up to 50 some cents. And if you mail the same ounce of stuff in a larger flat envelope where the paper is not folded then the cost goes up to nearly a dollar.

This really is a much larger rate increase than first impression suggests.

I don't mail much stuff anyway. But, damn, this could be confusing. I'm predicting all sorts of snafus with this kind of pricing scheme.

[mile18blister]

4. This is the first I've heard of size prizing.

And it really sucks that it is getting in under the radar. I finally got on the USPS website. Maximum size for the letter rate is 6 1/8" by 11 1/2" inches. The 9" x 12" envelope needed to mail a flat 8 1/2" by 11" sheet costs 80 cents for the first ounce!!!! Want to be the first time most people find out about it is next April when their 1040 forms come back postage due!!??!! :grr:

Kick this info!!

Edit: Complete rate info at http://pe.usps.com/RateCase2007/Notice123_PDF/Notice123.pdf