Prices are going up on snail mail!

“I heard this on the radio this morning that the US post office has lost over a billion dollors to e-mail, and that the prices are going up.”

“I can say with great confidence that either the announcers were incorrect, or you are interpreting this incorrectly. Prior to any USPS rate increase, a Postal Rate Commission would have to both review and approve any rate increase.

In the last 1 cent increase in the price of a first class stamp, many people do not realize that the Postal Rate Commission also did not allow a 15% increase in 2nd class postage. The 15% increase in 2nd class postage was where the bulk of the proposed increased revenue was to come from.”

“Heard the same story too. Sounds like the USPS is already laying the groundwork for another .01 increase. However, it didn't sound like it would get approved and implemented until early next year.”

“I wrapped a newspaper 'round my head
So I looked like I was deep
I said some mumbo-jumbo, then
I told him he was going to sleep
I robbed his rings and pocketwatch
And everything else I found
I had that sucker hypnotized
He couldn't even make a sound
I proceeded to tell him his future, then
As long as he was hanging around
I said "The price of meat has just gone up
And your old lady has just gone down!"”

“I don't disagree with you, alpine. I do disagree with a news item saying that rates will increase. I also disagree that the USPS has lost $1 billion plus in revenue to e-mail. While I agree that USPS has "lost" potential revenue to e-mail, I think that the USPS has been fully aware of e-mail and it's potential for providing people with an alternative form of communication other than a letter delivered via USPS. The USPS has taken that factor into consideration long ago.”

“Don't eat the yellow snow!”

“If it were true.....so what?
The price of mailing a letter would still be a bargain at a few pennies more.
It's a necessary service that is done well by the USPS.”

“I think that email has probably cost the telephone companies more that the USPS!”

“dude, i don't care what you say, but the USPS makes their money on packages. I just mailed a package that was just over 1lb and postage cost me $4.50!”

“Thank God for E-mail!”

“I think this increase is a backlash from the Brady bill and the price increase on surplus ammo and the newer guns laws.

.34 pennies is still alot for a letter no matter where it is going. My mailbox gets more freakin junk mail than anything. I think it is time to hit some of bigger businesses.”

“Big businesses pay big bucks.”

“hmmm....34 cents still seems like a bargain to me. deathmarch99, do you know of any cheaper way to get your package to it's destination in the same amount of time it will take to get there?”