Posted on 12/29/2010 6:25:35 AM PST by JoeProBono
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Postal patron Sean Swilling is tired of the inconvenience that comes with every change in the price of mailing a letter. That makes him just the type of customer the U.S. Postal Service wants to please with a policy designating all new first-class stamps as "forever."
Beginning in January, all new stamps good for 1 ounce of domestic first-class mail will forgo a printed denomination and be acceptable for the typical letter regardless of the current postal rate.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
I thought they started issuing stamps without denominations on them about 5 years ago.
In other words, stamps are now a hedge against inflation and will retain their value no matter what happens to the economy. They are as good as gold.
I wonder how long it will be before we see the headline: “Post Office will no longer honor Forever stamps”.
If you are willing to take a piece of paper with the promise of the government on it over gold.....good luck!
Actually, it seems to me that they can change the price of the stamp, but not have to change the face of it, and it will still be a “forever” stamp.
What do they mean NEW, I have been buying these same forever stamps for at least a year.
They were.
The stamps did not have a printed denomination/designation, just the words “first class” on them.
I still have a few from prior to the last increase.
Who puts stamps on letters to send messages? Other than a few Christmas cards, most of what I get through the Postal Service is metered mail. Personal messages come by e-mail.
I had German Air Mail and surface mail stamps from the early 1930s with black over stamps that were used to keep up with their hyperinlaction. The highest one was a 10 Mark stamp with a 1,000,000 Mark over stamp.
Are we officially headed in the same direction?
Does this include the new Reagan stamp?
: )
The Post Office has a nasty habit of redefining a typical envelope. Things that used to go for the standard first-class rate now cost more than double that rate. (E.g. a 5x7 flat envelope with a cardbord stiffener inside.)
ML/NJ
From the fine article:
"The Forever Stamp, first issued in April 2007 and featuring the Liberty Bell, was designed for use regardless of changes in postal rates. They are sold at the prevailing price of domestic first-class postage.The Postal Service says that 28 billion Forever Stamps have been sold since, generating $12.1 billion in total revenue. The stamps without denominations already account for 85 percent of its stamp program, the service says. "
This article is about the first commemorative stamps without a denomination.
Are they in limited supply when printed every year.
I ask for them but sometimes they are not available at our grocery postal outlet.
I suppose I should be saving them for down the road when the cost of mailing goes even higher.
Which is possible it could go up extremely as more people turn to doing paperless mailing via the net,
If costs go to high the govt will have to get out of the postal service.
Between private package service and internet paperless transactions using the USPostal service in time could become history.
The new Reagan stamp - out in February - will carry his likeness, his signature and be marked “Forever”. Ronald Reagan - Forever. Nice.....!!
Oh. Thanks.
Maybe I should read the WHOLE article before posting...
[Insert ‘Sheepish Grin’ Icon Here]
People need to watch it if using these forevers with no denomination for International mail....I believe these mailings require actual denominations.
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