General Forum

I just saw on the news that the post office is asking for another stamp price increase to 73 cents, expected to take effect in July,  if approved. This is getting ridiculous! They were .66 less than a year ago, and they just were increased earlier this year by 2 cents. I just thought I'd pass on the news I heard. 

In Australia, this month we had an increase from $1.20 (US 78c) per stamp to $1.50 (US 98c)...

Are the price increases due to a kind of cost of living expense? Or is it due to post office functionality expense (as in, they're not getting enough from other sources)? I know the Red Sox keep increasing prices for their tickets, but I always thought that was just greed. I wonder if the postal service supplies reasons for the price increases.

I'm still using forever stamps I bought in 2007....

Just started using a roll of 100 that cost me $25.99

The USPS is not even making money as is, so this is really just a way to help them break even, which they still won't do. I think they're even having trouble paying the benefits/pensions for their employees.

"I think they're even having trouble paying the benefits/pensions for their employees."

Yikes. Scary stuff for those involved.

The US postal service has operated at a loss for many years, decades in fact.  They have unique rules that force them to fully fund their pension system constantly, rather than in small doses like most entities that still have those.  More importantly, their unions will not let them downsize the workforce despite the massive decrease in mail sent over the past 3 decades as electronic document delivery became the norm.  Residential service should be 2 days a week, maybe three, but we still have six in the US.

But it is called the Postal SERVICE, not the Postal Business.  It should be funded, at least in part, by the government.  I'm not suggesting postage should be free or anything, but the USPS shouldn't be operating at a profit either. 

Folks who work Civil Service jobs (USPS, Amtrak,.) do so for the benefits and job security. Though the environment is hostile (run by a bunch of loons) and morale is low, it's still the best deal in town. Aside from commiting some serious felony,  if you have 3 yrs vested, they can't get rid of you.  Both my parents retired from Civil Service jobs. They don't call it the gravy train for nothing.  

These entities need to be put up for bid and run by contractors who can make them efficient and profitable.  We pay through the nose (subsidize) while the sorts of Amazon and junk mail get free shipping and discounted service. 

I'm sure the purchase and foreseen issues (especially in colder climates) for the new EV fleet they are implementing is one reason for this increase.  HERTZ just fired their CEO for such a bonehead decision. The are stuck with 50,000+ EVs nobody wants.  In the real world, virtue and reality just aren't compatible.