Notice of another projected USPS First Class Stamp increase

[1786davycrockett]

Just heard about this on CNN a few minutes ago --

USPS has announced that they are proposing another 5 cent increase (from 68 cents to 73 cents) on the First Class Forever stamps.

The proposal, of course, must be approved at a higher level, and there is no indication of when USPS wishes to commence this increase.

The latest increase was just in January of this year -- and, throughout December, I stocked up on Forever stamps leading up to that date.

Deja vu -- all over again.

[deserdog]

I think what is going on at USPS is a combination of things. 

The changes that are going on and  the glitches that are occurring. Like the one sorting facilities new sorting machine being down as and running only 10-12 hours a day. 

Some employees actively resisting the changes that are coming and not doing their jobs.

The lack of consequences for bad actions.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

First Class Letters are an endangered species. Usage is down, costs are up and by law USPS must continue to deliver them 6 days a week,

The price of a stamp will go up whether there is inflation or not.

USPS has to make money on package services to subsidize First Class Letters.

Nobody likes price increases.

Venting costs nothing. Everybody can agree it is awful. The prices will still go up. As we know, USPS could reduce some costs by eliminating Saturday delivery but that is not going to happen because the negative reactions to that suggestion go far beyond venting.

[fm2000]

No higher approval is needed. Starting in 2006 the Postal Regulatory Commission has given the USPS the power to basically just ram through any rate increase it wants. In the past, the USPS actually had to justify increases and could possibly have them denied. No longer. Anyone remember this being in the news and the media covering this important change to the USPS? I didn't either... funny how that works.

Before all of us American resellers are asked to pay even more in postage, whether it is packages or first class letter stamps, Congress needs to do something about the "e-packet" small package subsidy for packages coming from China to the USA; this subsidy is paid for by all American business and individuals who use the USPS.

[simba6]

I suppose all their package rates will also increase.

[buyselljack2016]

There was another thread. seems  MM is going up. Insurance is going down.