POSTAGE RATE TO INCREASE SOON
Wednesday, December 28th, 2005 -- 11:24 AM
You might want to start preparing now for an upcoming postage rate increase. The United States Postal Service is increasing the First-Class postage rate from 37-cents to 39-cents on January 8th. It?s the first rate increase since June of 2002.Neillsville Postmaster Mike Lacey says postage is always valid, so if you have a lot of 37-cent stamps, you?ll just need to by some 2-cent stamps.
"Postage is always valid. In fact, we have people that find a drawer that has some old stamps in it. They're still good. They can still be used," Lacey explains. "You just need to purchase the additional postage necessary for whatever you're going to use them for."
Although not necessary until January 8th, the 39-cent stamps have been available since December 8th.
Under Federal Law, the Postal Service must ?break even? over a rate-cycle. They lose money some years, but make money others, Lacey says.
"When it comes to the point we need an increase in postage, that's when the Postal Service goes to the Rate Commission and requests an increase and the whole process starts," Lacey says.
The shipping industry has been more competitive in recent years. Although not in the private sector, Lacey acknowledges the Postal Service has had to compete and partner with carriers like UPS, DHL and FedEx. He said they've tried to stay on top of technological advances in the shipping industry: customers can now purchase and print postage and mailing labels - and even request carriers pick up packages at their home - via the internet.
[url=http://www.usps.com]http://www.usps.com
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