First-Class Stamp to Cost 37 Cents

AP ^ | 26 Jun 02 | RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

[RightWhale]

First-Class Stamp to Cost 37 Cents

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer

June 26, 2002, 1:19 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Mailing a letter will cost 3 cents more starting Sunday.

The boost in the first-class rate to 37 cents was approved in February after months of hearings by the independent Postal Rate Commission.

A variety of other rates, including post cards, parcel post and priority mail, go up at the same time. Postal Vice President Azeezaly Jaffer said the increases would cost the average person about 45 cents extra a month.

Postmaster General John Potter has promised rates won't go up again until at least 2004.

The increase comes none too soon for the cash-strapped Postal Service, which lost $1.6 billion last year, even before the terrorist attacks cost it hundreds of millions in added expenses.

Nondenominated stamps covering the new rate went on sale in early June and the post office also is printing millions of 3-cent stamps to help people use up leftover 34-cent stamps.

The stamps also can be purchased at post offices, online at www.usps.com/shop or by calling toll free 1-800-STAMP-24.

The increases affect only domestic mail. The international letter rate of 60 cents for the first ounce to Mexico and Canada and 80 cents to other countries remains unchanged.

Besides costs from the anthrax attacks and the Sept. 11 terrorism, mail volume has been declining in the soft economy, reducing income for the agency that does not receive taxpayer funds for normal operations. However, Congress has approved $675 million for damage and to help pay for sanitizing government mail.

In an effort to cut costs, the post office halted new construction and reduced staff by 12,000 last year and another 8,000 this year.

The agency also sought changes in the law that governs its operations in an effort to get more flexibility in changing rates and offering new services. However, the House Government Reform Committee rejected proposed legislation by a 20-6 vote last week.

Following that defeat the Mailers Council, an organization of the mailing industry, urged President Bush to create a commission to evaluate the post office and make recommendations for change.

While the cost of the first ounce of first-class mail goes up 3 cents, each additional ounce will remain at 23 cents.

Some other rates taking effect include:

* Postcard: 23 cents, up 2 cents.

* Priority mail, 1 pound: $3.85, up 35 cents.

* Express mail, 8 ounces: $13.65, up $1.20.

* Parcel post (varies), typical 2 pound: $4.14, up 69 cents.

* Certified mail: $2.30, up 10 cents.

* Signed return receipt: $1.75, up 25 cents.

* Money order up to $500: 90 cents, unchanged.

* Bank statement, 3 ounces: 83 cents, up 3 cents.

* Presorted utility bill: 27.8 cents, up 2.3 cents.

* Weekly news magazine, presorted, 5.8 ounces: 17.5 cents, up 1 cent.

* Household magazine, presorted, 13.8 ounces: 27.4 cents, up 1.5 cents.

* National newspaper, presorted, 10 ounces: 30.3 cents, up 2.6 cents.

* In-county newspaper, presorted, 4.5 ounces: 6 cents, unchanged.

[RightWhale]

Looks like a roll of 1 cent stamps won't last as long as last time.

[Bama_Fren]

They should find the anthrax terrorist and bill him for all this expense instead of charging all of us tax paying citizens.

[LasVegasMac]

Time to check out the on-line bill paying services.

LVM

[Bama_Fren]

You have a point. Been doing that for a while myself.

[RightWhale]

This is only a 9% hike. Good that inflation is nonexistent, or so they say.

[Bama_Fren]

Hopefully they won't start charging for email. That'll be next.

[Pompah]

It pains me to say this. But looking at the rest of the world it's pretty much a bargain.
I just wish they could find a way to run the Postal Service like the private sector. Yeah Right.

[jackbill]

Time to check out the on-line bill paying services.

As soon as the announcement was made I went over each and every monthly bill that I have and I've transferred virtually all of them to "on-line payment". Just about the only US mail that I will be using is birthday and holiday greetings to my kids and grandkids.

Unfortunately, and mysteriously, my cable Internet provider doesn't have a means for me to pay my monthly cable bill on-line. Ridiculous!

[RightWhale]

it's pretty much a bargain

Agreed. They do a pretty good job, although they have become impersonal.

[RedlegCPT]

AHH but unlike any other govermant service, the USPS is run very similar to a private sector, they are required to cover their operating costs, imagine some of the other agencies that actually had to pay their costs.

[Bama_Fren]

Try paying it through your credit card directly each month.

[stubernx98]

All in all, I think the Postal Department does a good job. Compare with all the disruption many have had with their on lines services of late.

[LasVegasMac]

I've wanted to for a long time. The wife is completely opposed to the idea.

Time to use the executive veto power.

I can do that, right?

LVM

[Bella_Bru]

Yes, compared to the rest of the world, it is a bargain. But, we will whine away anyway.

[mamelukesabre]

Charge for email?? what the * is wrong with you?

[LasVegasMac]

Unfortunately, and mysteriously, my cable Internet provider doesn't have a means for me to pay my monthly cable bill on-line

Obvious left wing plot - wait, where is my TF hat?

It is stupid, though. I'll have to check my service provider - all other utilities are good to go for on line.

See post #13.

LVM

[backhoe]

All it means is that we will use alternatives more, and the USPS less, than we already do. They are merely killing their existing business.

[Snowy]

Unfortunately, and mysteriously, my cable Internet provider doesn't have a means for me to pay my monthly cable bill on-line. Ridiculous!

Many bill can be paid over the phone with a check or credit/debit card. The only ones I pay by mail are lawn care, etc.

[holyscroller]

I'm a believer in on-line bill payer. It's fast, easy and any bill that is the same amount each month can be set up to be paid automatically on whatever day you want. The only time I even have to access the account is if I have a bill with an odd amount, or a bill that isn't already set up to be paid. It costs me $5 a month, but I save more than that in postage, and my bills are paid on time.

[LasVegasMac]

ya got the wrong poster, Skippy!

What the * is wrong with YOU?

LVM