Did you know . . .
. . . that the price of mailing a first class letter rose to $.41 today?
Neither did i, until just now.
Used to be that an increase in postage was a major deal, accompanied by much hand-wringing about how much better things were in the past and bemoaning of the fact that government couldn't compete with the private sector yadda yadda yadda.
This time around it's barely even news.
I'm guessing it's because none of us actually uses first class mail anymore. I haven't sent more than a couple of greeting cards by the post for the last five years. Maybe two or three bills to contractors who don't offer on-line payment.
But really, how strange to think that the Post Office has completed its fade to irrelevancy such that this second increase in less than a year and a half was hardly even noticed.
Purists will point out that the cost of additional ounces per letter has dropped from $.23 to $.17, so for heavier envelopes, the price will actually go down for those.
It's curious where we find the markers of this brave new world.
Neither did i, until just now.
Used to be that an increase in postage was a major deal, accompanied by much hand-wringing about how much better things were in the past and bemoaning of the fact that government couldn't compete with the private sector yadda yadda yadda.
This time around it's barely even news.
I'm guessing it's because none of us actually uses first class mail anymore. I haven't sent more than a couple of greeting cards by the post for the last five years. Maybe two or three bills to contractors who don't offer on-line payment.
But really, how strange to think that the Post Office has completed its fade to irrelevancy such that this second increase in less than a year and a half was hardly even noticed.
Purists will point out that the cost of additional ounces per letter has dropped from $.23 to $.17, so for heavier envelopes, the price will actually go down for those.
It's curious where we find the markers of this brave new world.
Since 1949, Durhamites have slept soundly, secure in the knowledge that, in our town, erection can be depended upon. Now, thanks to the power of the internets, we can spread that security all over the world.
2 Comments:
It looks like most non-letter items will be going up.
First-Class® Large Envelopes $0.80 (first ounce)
$0.17 (each additional ounce)
First-Class® Packages $1.13 (first ounce)
$0.17 (each additional ounce)
Priority Mail® Flat Rate Envelopes $4.60
I used to mail a lot of small packages/large envelopes with things like CDs or DVDs.
A typically CD with an overall weight of 4 oz could be mailed for $1.08 (0.39 + (3 * 0.23))
Now it's going to cost
$1.31 (0.80 + (3 * 0.17))
If one had an eBay business (or significant hobby) selling 4 oz items, shipping costs just went up 21%!
Now, if one were selling DVD box sets, and say those are 1.5 lbs (I really don't know):
Before: 0.39 + (24*.23) = $5.91
After: 1.13 + (24*.17) = $5.21
(save 12%)
Anyway, that was fun...thanks for reminding us about the new rates...I had completely forgotten (and feel like these things usually happen Jan 1 or July 1, not in the middle of May).
By
toastie, at 12:35 PM
I saw that large envelope thing at $.80, but i couldn't tell if that was an increase, a new category, or a charge that was staying the same.
if i read you correctly, that used to be a $.39 stamp, and now it's more than doubled? Wonder what happened to junk mail rates?
By
Barry, at 12:59 PM
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