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| New Postal Rates Tomorrow | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 13 2007, 01:43 PM (263 Views) | |
| kenny | May 13 2007, 01:43 PM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Size matters, so does shape under new postal rates POSTED: 1:31 p.m. EDT, May 13, 2007 • For the first time, the U.S. Postal Service will be charging by the shape of the mail • New rates, shape, thickness guidelines begin Monday • Some businesses say mailings could be severely curtailed due to higher postage Adjust font size: PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The postal rate increase that kicks in Monday is shaping up to be a big headache for many businesses. Many companies say they are confused and frustrated as they try to adjust to the new rules, and some say mailings could be severely curtailed due to higher postage costs. The new regulations mean larger envelopes and packages will automatically cost more than smaller mail. Currently, postage is determined by weight, unless it's an especially large or odd-shaped package that warrants special handling. If your solution come Monday is to stuff the same amount of material into a smaller envelope, the Postal Service could get you there, too: There are new thickness restrictions. For first-class, letter envelopes, the allowed thickness is a quarter inch. If you go over a quarter inch, you run into more costly large envelope or parcel rates. Postal Service spokesman Dave Partenheimer said the new rates take shape into account because it requires more effort to process a larger piece of mail. "Before, thickness didn't matter," he said. Now, "thickness does come into play. If it gets too thick you create a new shape." Cindy Golebiewski, an office manager in Wilmington, Del., said her company faces much higher postage costs under the new rules. "The price is just doubling," she said. If not for the new thickness limits, "we would be better off stuffing a 6-by-9-inch envelope than putting it into a big brown envelope," she said. The Direct Marketing Association in New York is "very, very unhappy," said spokeswoman Stephanie Hendricks. "The rates go into effect on Monday under protest." She complained that businesses also have to deal with a new pricing category called "not flat-machinable." That pertains to mailings that are not flat and more rigid because they might contain things like cardboard. As such, they don't go through processing machines as easily as letters -- they have "parcel-like characteristics," Partenheimer said. The new rules pose a problem for Roska Direct Advertising in suburban Philadelphia, which produces marketing pieces in unique shapes like small boxes. "We're trying to figure it out," said Mario Amici, senior vice president of production, operations and project management. "The post office hasn't really explained this." Even mailing a simple brochure may pose a problem for businesses. Postage for a three-panel brochure weighing an ounce might cost the new rate of 41 cents -- up from 39 cents -- unless it's not folded well and the envelope puffs up to half an inch. If the mail can't be easily flattened, then the postage would shoot up to 80 cents. Under the old rules, the envelope could puff out and still cost the same. Details of the new rates are available at www.usps.com or (800) 275-8777. |
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| George K | May 13 2007, 01:58 PM Post #2 |
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Finally
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And I just bought a roll of 39¢ stamps! :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: Farkin' bastages! Thanks for the heads up, though, Kenny. I just went on line and ordered couple of books of 2¢ "make up" stamps and a roll of 41¢'ers. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Mikhailoh | May 13 2007, 02:01 PM Post #3 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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$.39 centers? Hell, I just used the last of my $#$%^ $.37s! |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| kenny | May 13 2007, 02:05 PM Post #4 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I believe that make-up stamp problem is over - forever. I think in the future when they raise postage the old stamps still work as long as you got em. They did a study and too few people will use the old stamps to justify the cost of printing make ups. Finally! |
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| kenny | May 13 2007, 02:11 PM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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From USPS.GOV In 2007, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Forever stamp, which will always be valid as First-Class postage on standard envelopes weighing one ounce or less, regardless of any subsequent increases in the First-Class rate. The stamp art depicts the Liberty Bell, which is perhaps the most prominent and recognizable symbol associated with American independence. Over the years, the historic significance of the bell's message has transcended our national borders, and today the Liberty Bell is an international icon of freedom. Replicas of the Liberty Bell exist in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The stamp art features a computer-generated image of the Liberty Bell by nationally acclaimed artist Tom Engeman of Brunswick, Maryland. His previous projects for the Postal Service include stamped cards for Carlsbad Caverns National Park (2002), Ohio University (2003), and Columbia University (2003), as well as the 2003 American Eagle definitive stamp, and the National World War II Memorial stamp issued in 2004. |
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| kenny | May 13 2007, 02:11 PM Post #6 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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![]() http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ser...29351&langId=-1 |
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| Jane D'Oh | May 13 2007, 05:37 PM Post #7 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Check this out... they have also simplified away overseas economy post - everything needs to go airmail now. This will make a HUGE difference to us around Christmas. |
| Pfft. | |
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| Larry | May 13 2007, 05:57 PM Post #8 |
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
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Note to democrats: Run down to the post office tomorrow and buy up all the 30 cent stamps that are left before they run out!..........
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Of the Pokatwat Tribe | |
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| Riley | May 13 2007, 06:21 PM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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The stamps here have been like the 'liberty bell' stamp for several months now. No value printed, so they last forever. |
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| George K | May 13 2007, 06:27 PM Post #10 |
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Finally
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You Canadians are so smart!
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Riley | May 13 2007, 06:32 PM Post #11 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Glad someone gets it. |
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| Horace | May 13 2007, 07:28 PM Post #12 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I barely use stamps anymore, and my mailbox barely contains anything but unsolicited ads. Where would the post office be without junk mail I wonder? Must be a huge huge industry for them. I bet unsolicited credit card applications account for 10%+ of the nation's total mailings. |
| As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good? | |
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| CTPianotech | May 13 2007, 08:04 PM Post #13 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Other than holiday time, I don't recall the last time I mailed something. |
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| ivorythumper | May 13 2007, 08:16 PM Post #14 |
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
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Why would Canadians have Liberty Bell stamps?
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| The dogma lives loudly within me. | |
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| Fizzygirl | May 14 2007, 12:27 AM Post #15 |
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Fulla-Carp
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This will be a nightmare for Ebay sellers.
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Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose. ~ Garrison Keillor My latest videos. | |
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| ny1911 | May 14 2007, 02:17 AM Post #16 |
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Senior Carp
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They've correctly answered the question "Who's your daddy?" ![]() |
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So live your life and live it well. There's not much left of me to tell. I just got back up each time I fell. | |
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6:40 AM Jul 11