USPS Rate Hike starting May 14th

[SUOrangeGuy]

I went to the post office today to send out a package and I found out that they're raising their rates again. Starting May 14th Priority Mail packages up to a pound will cost 4.60. PM Flat rate will be 9.15. First class stamps will be $0.41. These are not the only increases but they are the big three that I use.

Is it just me or is it ridiculous to raise rates again after they just did it in January?

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by SUOrangeGuy

...Is it just me or is it ridiculous to raise rates again after they just did it in January?...

I hear ya SUOG. it seems crazy to be getting raised one after another. But on the other hand I think basic postage is still one of the best bargains going...maybe not so much PM flat rate anymore

[Mad Hatter]

Great, last year I got stuck with a ton of $.37 stamps. Now they are almost gone and I am stuck with a bunch of $.39. Told the lady at the postoffice I'd just hold onto them all for a few more years until the price reaches $.76 and then use them together.
What they need to do is put out a "hitlist" to take out postal retirees. I think if there were fewer pensions to pay, they might be able to keep stamps at $.39 at least through year's end

(sarcasm, of course)

[screwbag]

they blame e-mail for taking their revenue...
or maybe they are bulletproofing certain managers offices...hmmm

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Great, last year I got stuck with a ton of $.37 stamps. Now they are almost gone and I am stuck with a bunch of $.39. Told the lady at the postoffice I'd just hold onto them all for a few more years until the price reaches $.76 and then use them together.
What they need to do is put out a "hitlist" to take out postal retirees. I think if there were fewer pensions to pay, they might be able to keep stamps at $.39 at least through year's end

(sarcasm, of course)

is Shawn signed on with Mad Hatter's user id?

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by EvanS

is Shawn signed on with Mad Hatter's user id?

No, I wouldn't tell any of you I was taking out the PO employees (I would keep that a secret)


Then again they would just raise them again due to the clean up they would have to do


On topic: It seems everything is climbing at a rediculas rate. Shit us here in MD are getting a 50% increase on BGE then another in January. Look at gas prices, grocery stores. Everything is outrageous anymore.


Shawn

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by EvanS

is Shawn signed on with Mad Hatter's user id?

Crazy fellow, that one. Rifles, bullets and all that stuff



Yeah, price on everything is going sky high..... gas, diesel, electricity, insurance and now freakin' stamps too! Everything except wages of course

[muziq]

Originally Posted by screwbag

they blame e-mail for taking their revenue...
or maybe they are bulletproofing certain managers offices...hmmm

I've seen prices going up for everything due to fuel/transportation pressures. Of course everyone notices the price hikes at the pump lately, but in the business world it seems that more and more sectors are starting to factor in these higher prices on a permanent basis.

At the end of the day, given that I can get a box from Texas to Matt/Sandman in Michigan in about two days, carrying delicate cigars and have them arrive in great shape after having been scanned, handled, flown, and driven to their final destination, I'd say that $4.60 is a pretty good bargain. I can barely get a good pint in most bars in Austin for that price! So, next time anyone gets a box from me, just remember that you're almost, but not quite, depriving me of one good beverage

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by muziq

I've seen prices going up for everything due to fuel/transportation pressures. Of course everyone notices the price hikes at the pump lately, but in the business world it seems that more and more sectors are starting to factor in these higher prices on a permanent basis.

At the end of the day, given that I can get a box from Texas to Matt/Sandman in Michigan in about two days, carrying delicate cigars and have them arrive in great shape after having been scanned, handled, flown, and driven to their final destination, I'd say that $4.60 is a pretty good bargain. I can barely get a good pint in most bars in Austin for that price! So, next time anyone gets a box from me, just remember that you're almost, but not quite, depriving me of one good beverage

You're totally right Muziq. I have a friend in Europe I send packages to pretty often, and you wanna talk about pricey! The last package was like 5.5 pounds and cost me about $38. And as you said we also have quality service, which my friend doesn't have in eastern Germany. Sometimes her packages take a week to get here, sometimes 2 months. I'm still waiting on my easter candy.

Also being in a business that runs on petrol I understand that side of things too. Bet they screw us good at the pump this year, as if THAT hasn't already begun.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by SUOrangeGuy

I went to the post office today to send out a package and I found out that they're raising their rates again. Starting May 14th Priority Mail packages up to a pound will cost 4.60. PM Flat rate will be 9.15. First class stamps will be $0.41. These are not the only increases but they are the big three that I use.

Is it just me or is it ridiculous to raise rates again after they just did it in January?

Just an FYI.....The Postal Rate commision just announced that they have lowered the new flat rate box price to $8.95

[SUOrangeGuy]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Just an FYI.....The Postal Rate commision just announced that they have lowered the new flat rate box price to $8.95

I hope you're right. I just copied the info from the sheet I picked up at my post office. I double checked and it mine says 9.15. 8.95 is better.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by SUOrangeGuy

I hope you're right. I just copied the info from the sheet I picked up at my post office. I double checked and it mine says 9.15. 8.95 is better.

The news release is linked on my original post. Click on the "8.95"