USPS question... (stamps)

[Eli]

I have some First Class stamps here from 2002..

Are they still good, or do I need to use 2 on a letter since prices have gone up since then?

EDIT: ARG! It is very annoying how it automatically puts the cursor back in the message title when you edit the OP.

Anyway.. my first reaction was that it would be fine since they have no way to know, but then I noticed the little (C)2002 at the bottom of the stamp.

 

[rh71]

You can still use them as long as they add up to the current rate (or higher). That's why people buy 3 cent stamps, etc.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: rh71
You can still use them as long as they add up to the current rate (or higher). That's why people buy 3 cent stamps, etc.

Yeah, I know.. But all they say on them is "First Class", no $ ammount.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: rh71
You can still use them as long as they add up to the current rate (or higher). That's why people buy 3 cent stamps, etc.

Yeah, I know.. But all they say on them is "First Class", no $ ammount.

They know. Not only will they return the letter to you, they will also slash your tires.
If you don't feel like paying the extra $.03, just put the person's address as the return address.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: rh71
You can still use them as long as they add up to the current rate (or higher). That's why people buy 3 cent stamps, etc.

Yeah, I know.. But all they say on them is "First Class", no $ ammount.

They know. Not only will they return the letter to you, they will also slash your tires.
If you don't feel like paying the extra $.03, just put the person's address as the return address.

lol thats what i do when i use old stamps.. lol

 

[vegetation]

The optical readers will know and will spit out your envelope if it goes in. Most postal employees are very good at eyeballing stamp issues as well.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: TwinkleToes77

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: rh71
You can still use them as long as they add up to the current rate (or higher). That's why people buy 3 cent stamps, etc.

Yeah, I know.. But all they say on them is "First Class", no $ ammount.

They know. Not only will they return the letter to you, they will also slash your tires.
If you don't feel like paying the extra $.03, just put the person's address as the return address.

lol thats what i do when i use old stamps.. lol

LOL, I never even thought of that. But don't they have the envelopes coded so they'd know that's NOT where it came from ?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Old stamps can be used as cash when posting a package. Thats an easy way to be rid of them.
The post office trashes them, then stamps or prints out the postage for your parcel

 

[Eli]

I'm not sure if you guys are being sarcastic or not.

So should I just stick 2 on each envelope to be safe?

I'm mailing my rebates, so I don't want any troubles.

 

[crypticlogin]

Just ask yourself:

value of having letter returned for insufficient postage
vs.
value of extra stamp
vs.
value of rebate
vs.
value of going to the post office and buying some one cent stamps (and buying some current stamps, too)

edit: You can also tape some change onto the letter to make up the difference. Saves a trip to the PO and your letter should be delivered OK.

 

[OpalFrost98GT]

Tape some change to the envelope??? Your kidding I hope!

 

[crypticlogin]

No, I'm not OpalFrost98GT. I'm not talking about abusing it with $1.37 in loose change, and I'm not talking about making it a habit, but three cents once should be OK. Unless you've got a Nazi of a PO, they're reasonable enough to see that you're trying to make up the difference and buy the needed stamp(s) before sending the letter on its way.

 

[OpalFrost98GT]

Welp...most letters are handled by automated sorting machines, so the chances of the change making it through the system intact is very slim. Most likely the letter will end up getting shredded in one of the many systems leters pass through on thier journey.

Now... IF this letter was captured BEFORE entering the automated mailstream and is handled manually then yes it MAY make it through. It would entail whoever handled it to make a special effort to track down and place the proper postage on the letter. However being that these folks are already extremely busy... the letter most likely would be returned.

NEVER SEND CASH IN THE MAIL... NEVER!

BTW Im a postal electronics technician and work on postal automation equipment.....

 

[TitanDiddly]

Buy some 3-cent stamps. I heard of somebody taping some pennies to a letter when the price went up, worked like a charm.