Postal rates go up Monday
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on May 11, 2007 1:45 PM
Stamp 'em while you got 'em.
On Monday, rates for the U.S. Postal Service will increase.
For first-class letters, that will mean an increase from 39 cents for one ounce to 41 cents.
Goldsboro Postmaster Sonny Johnson said it's a jump that most people are ready for, but he knows it will catch some by surprise.
"The customers who frequent our lobbies and our large mailers are aware of it," he said. "But like a lot of things today, it does tend to slip up on you."
For those people who still have plenty of 39-cent stamps left over, Johnson said his post offices are stocked with plenty of one- and two-cent stamps to help make up the difference. And, he added, more will be coming.
Customers also will have the option to buy Forever Stamps, which are just what the name implies.
They are 41-cent stamps, but they will be good forever -- no matter how much rates increase by in the future. Those available now feature a Liberty Bell design. A book of forever stamps costs the same as a book of regular 41-cent stamps and there are no limits on the amount people can purchase.
It's an idea, Johnson said, that's starting to gain popularity.
"It's one of the freshest ideas we've had," he said. "There hasn't been a real influx yet, but some of the small businesses are starting to stock up on them."
Other new rates include:
* First-Class letter -- 41 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.
* First-Class envelopes, large -- 80 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.
* First-Class packages -- $1.13 for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.
* Priority Mail flat rate envelopes -- $4.60.
* Priority Mail flat rate boxes -- $8.95.