Stamp prices set to rise on Monday

TRAVERSE CITY -- Cindy Walters isn't quite sure what to expect when the U.S. Postal Service increases the postage rate one cent for First Class Mail letters next week.

Rate hikes typically result in mass sales of one-cent stamps, said Walters, window manager for the downtown Traverse City post office.

But Forever Stamps, which customers can purchase at the current rate and use forever, were introduced last year and likely will change how people approach Monday's rate change, she said.

"This time we don't know how one-cent stamp sales will increase ... because the Forever Stamp wasn't available before," Walters said. "We are not selling a huge amount of 1 cent stamps, but we are selling a lot of Forever Stamps. We have had companies come in and buy hundreds of books."

Postage for a one-ounce, First-Class letter will increase from 41 to 42 cents Monday. The shift is among a series of other mail changes, including a lower additional-ounce price for presorted First-Class Mail letters, shape-based pricing for First-Class Mail International letters and parcels, and more price groups for international mail, according to the Postal Service Web site.

The penny increase is enough to motivate Lake Leelanau resident Sue Reens to stock up on Forever Stamps before rates go up, although the savings won't add up to much, she said.

"I'll buy 100 stamps, and that is the most I have ever bought. I guess it makes me feel better," Reens said. "I feel like I'm saving money, but it is only a penny. If I found a penny on the ground I wouldn't pick it up."

Nathan Brouwer, of Traverse City, was unaware of the increase Friday, but said he wasn't surprised and doesn't plan to rush out to buy Forever Stamps.

"I expect it will just keep going up like gas and everything else. Prices are just being raised all over," Brouwer said. "You can try and fight it, but I'll just go with the flow."

Letters mailed after Monday without enough postage will either not be picked up or the cost difference will be forwarded to the recipient through a postage debt. Mail deposited Sunday in U.S. Postal Service drop boxes will be accepted at the current rate, Walters said.

Photos

'This time we don-t know how one-cent stamp sales will increase ... because the Forever Stamp wasn-t available before,' said Cindy Walters, window manager for the downtown Traverse City post office, above. Record-Eagle