That means it'll cost 45 cents to continue never sending checks or greeting cards in the mail.USPS hiked stamp prices two-and-a-half years ago, but believe it or not, the 1-cent increase is expected to bring in around $888 million to the USPS, which was $10 billion in the hole last year. The windfall must be
from all those geeks selling shit on ebay.The other ways the postal increase will never impact your daily life: Postcards that you never think to send while on vacation: A 3-cent increase to 32 cents. Letters to Celine Dion in Canada and gang members in Mexico: a 5-cent increase to 85 cents. Other international destinations: A 7-cent increase to $1.05. The cost of sending magazines, standard mail and package services will also rise, but prices for Express Mail and Priority Mail will stay the same.
The USPS wants Congress to end Saturday mail deliveries, close post offices and hike stamps more. A penny increase per stamp is okay by me, but cutting service on Saturdays just means Mondays will suck for postal carriers, who will then sue the government because their backs hurt. Ain't it always something.
My observation on the Saturday delivery thing is this: if the mail has decreased, the Monday load won't really be that burdensome. I used to deliver mail, and a day closed (ie on any holiday) does not really result in that dramatic an increase in volume. The should close on Saturdays - except during the Christmas season. It will save them enormous amounts of money, and, frankly, it seems to me that saving the Post Office is the primary concern.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfair to assume that postal workers will respond with a knee jerk negative response. The vast majority of them are decent, hard working people who like and care about their jobs.
As to the stamp increase: it is amazing that we are so spoiled as to be able to send a piece of mail for so CHEAP.
I'm sorry Chuck, but you seem to be unduly bitter about this whole subject. The insane debt and business practices of the Post Office must be cleaned up, and doing so may be a bit uncomfy for us, but it's really not such a big deal.