Forever stamps are not a big hit

[shira]

forever stamps not particularly popular

The idea of a "forever" stamp is great. But why limit the concept to a single, aesthetically-boring issue?

Forever stamps cost the same as regular stamps. When rates go up, the cost for a forever stamp will also rise to match the current 1st-class rate.

So how come ALL stamps aren't forever stamps? And how come there aren't "forever" additional-ounce stamps?

And how about USPS grandfathering older one-ounce stamps (and additional-ounce stamps) and defining them to be forever stamps, too. If you factor in inflation and the time value of money for all those older, unused stamps, USPS has received at least the current postage value for them. By making all stamps (existing stamps plus all new ones) forever stamps, USPS could totally eliminate the need to sell (and monitor) "make-up" postage stamps - a cost savings.

The current system makes no sense.

 

[jrenz]

Originally posted by: shira
forever stamps not particularly popular

The idea of a "forever" stamp is great. But why limit the concept to a single, aesthetically-boring issue?

Forever stamps cost the same as regular stamps. When rates go up, the cost for a forever stamp will also rise to match the current 1st-class rate.

So how come ALL stamps aren't forever stamps? And how come there aren't "forever" additional-ounce stamps?

And how about USPS grandfathering older one-ounce stamps (and additional-ounce stamps) and defining them to be forever stamps, too. If you factor in inflation and the time value of money for all those older, unused stamps, USPS has received at least the current postage value for them. By making all stamps (existing stamps plus all new ones) forever stamps, USPS could totally eliminate the need to sell (and monitor) "make-up" postage stamps - a cost savings.

The current system makes no sense.

I think you're confused.

When prices go up, you can still use your old "forever" stamps without paying additional. IE, if I buy 100 forever stamps now at 41 cents, I can use them in 50 years when it would cost me $10 to buy a stamp, without paying anything additional.

So for them to work, you should buy a hell of a lot of them right now.

Edit: Ok I think you understand that already... just not why they sell make-up stamps?

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: jrenzWhen prices go up, you can still use your old "forever" stamps without paying additional. IE, if I buy 100 forever stamps now at 41 cents, I can use them in 50 years when it would cost me $10 to buy a stamp, without paying anything additional.

So for them to work, you should buy a hell of a lot of them right now.

Yeah, until they come up with some rule that forbids their use, like claiming they legally weren't allowed to do that so they cannot "legally" honor the stamps. Give them a few years.

I figure they are betting lots of people lose the stamps they buy.

 

[theeedude]

I am going to only get Forever stamps now. Come on, you are getting inflation insurance for 2 cents a stamp, seems like a good deal.

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: senseamp
I am going to only get Forever stamps now. Come on, you are getting inflation insurance for 2 cents a stamp, seems like a good deal.

Actually you are getting inflation insurance for free, since they cost the same as regular 1st class stamps.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: senseamp
I am going to only get Forever stamps now. Come on, you are getting inflation insurance for 2 cents a stamp, seems like a good deal.

As I pointed out in my thread on 41cent stamps, the post office can raise rates every 45 odd days

 

[Genx87]

When you think about it on a truely longer term scale you lose out. The price of stamps have kept up with inflation. That means if you buy 10,000 stamps for 4100 bucks you are in essence giving the USPS an interest free loan. Where as if I go and take that 4100 bucks and put it into a mutual fund at 8% and use the proceeds to buy stamps. Ill not only keep up with the price of stamps, but also make a little cash on the side.

 

[theeedude]

That is a good theory and I wouldn't buy forever stamps as investment, but what about all those stamps you waste because you don't have enough postage with the old stamp, so you put two on, or you have to drive the post office and waste your time and gas to buy those 2 cent stamps. Forever stamps seem like the way to go from all angles.

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: Shivetya

Originally posted by: senseamp
I am going to only get Forever stamps now. Come on, you are getting inflation insurance for 2 cents a stamp, seems like a good deal.

As I pointed out in my thread on 41cent stamps, the post office can raise rates every 45 odd days

So he buys forever stamps and the increase doesn't affect him.
What is your point?

 

[OutHouse]

stupid idea. why not just go down and spend a 25 cents and buy a sheet of 1 cent stamps and put them on the envelope with the first class stamp to make up the difference?

most people dont keep that many stamps in the house. just enough to go through a month of bills.

 

[dullard]

I love the scientific nature of that link.

Regarding the Forever Stamp:
Person 1) "I don't mind"
Person 2) "I'll just buy them when I need them" Note: former USPS employee.
Person 3) "Greedy"
Person 4) "I suppose it's in keeping with the [rising cost of everything]"

So out of 4 total people, only one had a negative attitude (and that was most likely focussed on the stamp price increase and not the forever stamp). And the conclusion becomes "Forever stamps are not a big hit." :roll:

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: jrenz

Originally posted by: shira
forever stamps not particularly popular

The idea of a "forever" stamp is great. But why limit the concept to a single, aesthetically-boring issue?

Forever stamps cost the same as regular stamps. When rates go up, the cost for a forever stamp will also rise to match the current 1st-class rate.

So how come ALL stamps aren't forever stamps? And how come there aren't "forever" additional-ounce stamps?

And how about USPS grandfathering older one-ounce stamps (and additional-ounce stamps) and defining them to be forever stamps, too. If you factor in inflation and the time value of money for all those older, unused stamps, USPS has received at least the current postage value for them. By making all stamps (existing stamps plus all new ones) forever stamps, USPS could totally eliminate the need to sell (and monitor) "make-up" postage stamps - a cost savings.

The current system makes no sense.

I think you're confused.

When prices go up, you can still use your old "forever" stamps without paying additional. IE, if I buy 100 forever stamps now at 41 cents, I can use them in 50 years when it would cost me $10 to buy a stamp, without paying anything additional.

So for them to work, you should buy a hell of a lot of them right now.

Edit: Ok I think you understand that already... just not why they sell make-up stamps?

Honestly, I wasn't confused. I was making the point that when postage rates go up, the price of forever stamps at THAT point will be the then-current rate. I realize that forever stamps purchased earlier will still be valid for one ounce of postage.

One of my points was that ALL stamps should be forever stamps, since all once-ounce stamps cost the same at any point in time (including forever stamps).

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: sierrita

Originally posted by: senseamp
I am going to only get Forever stamps now. Come on, you are getting inflation insurance for 2 cents a stamp, seems like a good deal.

Actually you are getting inflation insurance for free, since they cost the same as regular 1st class stamps.

I agree. As long as you're purchasing new stamps, you might as well purchase forever stamps.

But note that there is very little reason to purchase a large quantity of forever stamps right now that you don't have a need for in the short term. If, say, it takes you two years to use those stamps, you've lost the time-value of the money you spent.

As I see it, the time it makes the most sense to stock up is right before a rate increase.

Of course, you may have aesthetic, political, or other reasons for purchasing non-forever stamps. But since the postal service is getting the same amount of money for all stamps, why not make all of them "forever?"

 

[Moonbeam]

The Post Office forever! Great job you do guys.