charging more for a postage stamp..? Is this a rip-off by the Post Office..?
Post Office May Issue 'Forever' Stamp
First-Class Rate Would Rise to 41 Cents
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP
WASHINGTON (Feb. 26) -- A postal regulatory commission recommended a 2-cent increase in the cost of mailing a letter Monday and urged the Post Office to introduce a "forever" stamp valid for first-class postage even when rates rise.
The recommendation to increase postage to 41 cents was a penny less than the postal service had requested.
The commission recommended a 26-cent rate for post cards, also a penny less than the Post Office had sought.
The first ounce of a first-class mail would rise to 41 cents, but each additional ounce would cost 17 cents under the proposal. Currently, each additional ounce of first-class mail costs 24 cents.
The matter now goes back to the Board of Governors of the Postal Service for a decision on whether to accept the recommendation or ask the commission to reconsider. If the governors accept the recommendations the new rates could be implemented in 60 days.
A key part of the plan is the so-called forever stamp, which would allow consumers to hedge against future rate increases.
The stamp, which would not show a denomination, would sell for the first-class rate at the time of purchase and would remain valid for mailing permanently, even if rates increase.
2007-02-26
06:28:13
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3 answers
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marnefirstinfantry
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