Postal Service rates change May 12

By STEVE COLON

Enterprise Correspondent

The cost to mail a standard first-class letter with the United States Postal Service will soon cost an extra penny. However, residents can save the extra cent by buying their "forever stamps" before the May 12 increase takes effect.

In fact, the postal service is not calling the change a rate increase, rather it is being called a "rate change."

"We call it a rate change because some price are going up, but to me prices are going down," said Craig Cummings, customer relations coordinator for the Toledo Post Office.

While standard first-class postage is going from 41 to 42 cents, the Postal Service is initiating several other price reductions.

Express Mail is switching to a zone-based pricing system, resulting in customers paying less for nearby destinations. Customers will receive a three percent price reduction by purchasing Express Mail online or through corporate accounts. Additional price reductions are available for those who ship quarterly minimums. Priority Mail will have an average 3.5 percent savings for customers who use electronic postage and Parcel Return Service will move entirely to a weight based pricing system, resulting in significant price reductions for many lighter packages.

"Now those customers can get a percentage discount on the amount of mail they enter into the system," Cummings said. "Residential customers can also get a discount for purchasing online."

While the one-cent increase will take effect May 12, people can save that additional increase and on future increases by purchasing Forever Stamps. Those stamps, which cost 41 cents, will be good for first-class postage, well, forever.

"People can buy them now and use even after a rate change," Cummings said. "These can be kept for whenever a rate change happens."

There are five billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change. Forever Stamps are widely available through Post Offices, automated postage centers, and online.

Cummings also noted that stamps can be purchased online at usps.com as well as over the phone at (800) STAMP24.

"We will have plenty of one cent stamps on hand if people do need some to make up the difference on their 41-cent stamps," he said.