USPS: The Forever Stamp

[Zkribbler]

The U.S. Postal Service is considering adopting a "forever stamp" This first-class stamp will remain good even when postage rates increase. No more running to the post office to buy a bunch of 1-cent and 2-cent stamps. (Man, I hate that! In fact, it makes me go postal!! )

[Imran Siddiqui]

What's to prevent stocking up on "forever stamps" right before price hikes get passed?

[Harry Tuttle]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What's to prevent stocking up on "forever stamps" right before price hikes get passed?

A time period where the forever stamp is not sold that is long enough to facilitate the user running out of forever stamps.

[Harry Tuttle]

Wait, that didn't make sense...

[Japher]

it's like buying into stamp futures

[Spiffor]

This system has long been in place in France, and I haven't heard of any significant abuse for that. It's very useful, as you don't have to bother managing the price of your stamps, when you only post a letter twice a year.

[Arrian]

Cool. What do "forever" stamps cost?

That reminds me, I need some two-cent stamps so I can use up my remaining 37s. Blah.

-Arrian

[Japher]

They'll cost 39cents, current rate

[Arrian]

Hmm. Umm, ok. Time to buy a ****load of stamps, then!

-Arrian

[Kontiki]

Now that my wedding has passed and all the thank you cards have been sent, I'd imagine 10 stamps would last me about 20 years.

Edit: Oops, forgot about Christmas cards.

[Arrian]

Heh. That's true, the invites/thank yous are done with. Still, I'm somewhat backward about certain things. A number of my bills are still paid by mail, monthly.

-Arrian

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What's to prevent stocking up on "forever stamps" right before price hikes get passed?

The fact that if you instead put that money in a savings account your return on investment would probably be better in the long run.

[BlackCat]

At least it will get stamp collectors a new area - are the letter sent in the 39 cent or the followin 44 cent period

[Japher]

forever!

you buy the forever stamp at the curent price and it's good no matter what the rate change will bve

[mrmitchell]

It probably cancels out the benefit of rate increases to have to advertise the rate increases and make those 2 cent stamps.

The biggest mailers are business sending junk mail, right? Presumably they'll have to pay new higher rates immediately and won't gain any advantage from "forever stamps" - since they aren't shuffling around millions of stamps to begin with.