Stamps going up? Just a lick

By Lauren Ricks

May 07, 2008 12:38 pm

— A traditional letter to grandma will cost one more penny after May 12.
The United States Post Office will be raising its rates beginning Monday.
Wylita Hooks, communication coordinator for the United States Postal Service (USPS), said the increase is a response to fuel costs.
She said USPS is not funded by tax dollars and is required to cover expenses “like any other business.” Hooks said USPS is the second largest civilian employer in the U.S.
“If fuel cost is increased one penny a year, it costs us an additional $15 million to operate,” Hook said. “Gas has increased much more than that this year.”
The 109th Congress passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act in December 2006. The bill was passed to “reform the postal laws of the United States.” The rate increase is now based on the Consumer Price Index. Hooks said the CPI gives the postal service a good measure.
Hooks said USPS has increased its production of the “Forever Stamp” which can be used to ship first class mail regardless of future price increases.

“When the price increase was announced, we increased production to meet demand,” she said.

According to the USPS website, it will have five billion “Forever Stamps” in stock.

The price adjustments are not all increases, according to USPS.

Express mail prices will now be based on a “delivery zone,” according to Hooks. A package being sent a short distance will cost less.

“We are trying to find ways to make our products more user-friendly,” Hooks said. “We tailor our products to our customer’s needs.”

Customers who use electronic postage or its website to ship express or priority will receive an approximate three percent discount according to USPS.

“We want our customers to know they can use our services without ever leaving the house,” she said.

Hooks said customers can go to www.usps.com to print shipping labels and schedule a pick up. She said the site also allows customers to order stamps, design and send greeting cards and invitations. Stamps can also be ordered by calling 1-800-STAMPS-24.