Did anyone else get the whole news story this week about a 4-5% increase in postage in 2008?  At least that's what I got out of the little I heard on the tv news.  Does anyone have a link to the story?

Gran

Gran

I went to the USPS website but could not find anything. Maybe someone will know where to find this.

 

Heidi

http://www.lunewsviews.com/postalrates.htm

Might be a good idea to buy a stock of the forever stamps now, before the next rate hike.

Pat

Pat,

Thanks for the link.  I was too preoccupied at the time I heard them talking about it on the tv to get the details  I think they were guessing at a 4-6 % rate of increase, and that would place the 41 cent stamp about 2 cents higher, so it might be good around the first of the year to pick up some more of the forever stamps at least.

Gran

It might also kick the FRB rate up over $9.

When we found out stamps were going to $.42 on May 12, I started asking my local postal clerks how the FRB's would be affected--even as late as this past Saturday they said they didn't know--said they were always the last to find out any postal news and that I seemed to know more than they did some days! 

They finally posted a chart on the USPS website (pdf download), and there, buried in amongst all the numbers and fine print in says that the FR Envelope will be $4.80, the FRB 1 & 2 will go up to $9.80, and the "new" larger FRB will remain at $12.95/$10.95. 

http://pe.usps.com/2008_RateCase/DMM/ratesandfees.pdf

(bottom right-hand side, page 3)

sounds like for "just" $1.15 more, the big boxes will be the way to go!

Whewwwww .......... Thx Phillis!!

Great news!!

Was worring about the 40-50+ Lg FRB that my family & my daughters 4-H Club hope on sending this year.  A big increase in postage just eats away on amount of stuff inside.

Tony

Same here, Phillis!  This is great news!  My PO ladies were just asking me about this last night!  They're in the same boat yours are -- they told me WE know stuff before THEY do -- I'll share this info with them.

--Marilyn

Phillis:

...the FR Envelope will be $4.80, the FRB 1 & 2 will go up to $9.80, and the "new" larger FRB will remain at $12.95/$10.95.

 

I'm glad the large FRB will stay the same, but I sure am disappointed that the other FRBs are going up so much. It takes more stuff to fill the large FRB, which means more stuff for your shipping dollar, but fewer packages (for me) that I can send.

I guess I'll be doing even more of my mini-packages in the bubble envelopes...

 

Jen,

I'm with you about yet another increase in the FRB1 and FRB2 because that is what I always use for toiletries since I feel that the new MILIFRB is just not stable enough to fill with those unless we are sending some towels or sheets to stabilize the box, and it takes a substantial amount of $ to fill a box that big with toiletries anyway.  That plus Mr. Gran only has to finish one job revision and we will be relying on social security for all our income.  He had been continuing to do part-time work to be able to send packages up til now.

Gran

I agree with you, Jenifer.  It does cost more to fill up the bigger box.  I really hate it that the smaller ones are taking such a jump.  I still use them for most of my mailings.  Even at that price they will be cheaper for me than sending non flat rates.  Most of my packages are heavy enough that they would cost $15 - $20 in a regular box from Oklahoma.  I was asking my clerk about this yesterday and he didn't have the info on the specific price, just a notice that it would be going up due to the increase in costs of gas, etc.  The notice he had said the prices will be reviewed every March with increases - if deemed necessary - going into effect in May.

Phillis:

When we found out stamps were going to $.42 on May 12, I started asking my local postal clerks how the FRB's would be affected--even as late as this past Saturday they said they didn't know--said they were always the last to find out any postal news and that I seemed to know more than they did some days! 

They finally posted a chart on the USPS website (pdf download), and there, buried in amongst all the numbers and fine print in says that the FR Envelope will be $4.80, the FRB 1 & 2 will go up to $9.80, and the "new" larger FRB will remain at $12.95/$10.95. 

http://pe.usps.com/2008_RateCase/DMM/ratesandfees.pdf

(bottom right-hand side, page 3)

sounds like for "just" $1.15 more, the big boxes will be the way to go!

 When I shipped a package today the Postal clerk reminded me of the rate changes.  Getting 'yer packages shipped before May 11th may save some money!

If the service would improve I wouldn't mind paying the increase but the service is lousy and gets worse.  I recently sent 2 $500.00 money orders priority mail (no more than 3 days) to Calif. and one to Fl.  It took 8 days for the one to get to Fl. and the one to Calif. never arrived.  I had to fill out a missing money order form which I got charged for (that they lost) and then had to wait 90 days for a refund.  I am not fond of USPS.  Their service is a joke.

Ack! May 12th is this Monday. I need to get to the post office either today or tomorrow.

Coniston:

FR Envelope will be $4.80, the FRB 1 & 2 will go up to $9.80, and the "new" larger FRB will remain at $12.95/$10.95. 

 Said 'so-long' to my last three $8.95 FRBs today.  The increase to $9.80 is only 85 cents and still acceptable to me.  Haven't thought about the cumulative amount yet, but right now I'm OK with it [in terms of each-es].  I still haven't fallen in love with the larger $12.95 FRB.  I was tempted to stockpile the Forever' stamps, but the savings would be only $1 for every 100 stamps and, well, 42 cents to send a letter First Class is still a bargain in my book also.