To offset rising gas prices the U.S. Postal Service will increase the cost of a stamp by a penny on Monday, Postmaster Tom Few said.
"It's a business decision. Gas prices have gone up," Few said. "We're impacted by every incremental increase in gas. When gas prices increase one cent, our costs increase over $15 million. We have so many vehicles that we have to keep fuel in, so we're going up one cent on stamps to help cover the cost."
U.S. Postal Service Photo |
A Frank Sinatra tribute stamp is one of several new 42-cent stamps offered by the U.S.Postal Service.
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There has not been much of a local reaction yet to the price of a first-class mail stamp becoming 42 cents, he said.
"Most people thought it was reasonable. They just don't like having to add just one stamp," he said. "If they buy the Forever Stamp wouldn't have to worry about."
Forever Stamps are bought at the current stamp rate and can be used on First-Class Mail matter what the postage rate is.
Forever Stamps will be available to purchase for 41 cents until Monday.
Shirley Mason said she wasn't concerned about the postage increase and that she bought Forever Stamps to help her through the transition.
"It's still a bargain actually, when you think about it," Mason said. "I bought a bunch of Forever Stamps so I'm prepared for it."
Other Longview postal customers were not as content with the increase, and cited gas prices and inflation as a reason stamps shouldn't increase.
"I think it's horrible what they're doing to us," Nancy Stanton said. "Gas prices are ridiculous, and everything else is going up too, especially with this increase coming so soon after the last one. Besides, it's not like you're going to get any better service."
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Postage rates
Date introduced and rate for first ounce (USD):
March 3, 1863: 3 cents
March 3, 1883: 2 cents
Nov. 3, 1917: 3 cents
July 1, 1919: 2 cents
July 6, 1932: 3 cents
Aug. 1, 1958: 4 cents
Jan. 7, 1963: 5 cents
Jan. 7, 1968: 6 cents
May 16, 1971: 8 cents
March 2, 1974: 10 cents
Dec. 31, 1975: 13 cents
May 29, 1978: 15 cents
March 22, 1981: 18 cents
Nov. 1, 1981: 20 cents
Feb. 17, 1985: 22 cents
April 3, 1988: 25 cents
Feb. 3, 1991: 29 cents
Jan. 1, 1995: 32 cents
Jan. 10, 1999: 33 cents
Jan. 7, 2001: 34 cents
June 30, 2002: 37 cents
Jan. 8, 2006: 39 cents
May 14, 2007: 41 cents
Monday: 42 cents
Source: Postal Rate History, www.akdart.com/postrate.html
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What else for .42?
Small lemon: 33 cents
Cassette tape of music: 33 cents
Hair band with charms: 33 cents
Shower gel, 2 ounces: 33 cents
Reese's peanut butter cups: 33 cents
Bottle of wedding bubbles: 25 cents
Votive candle: 25 cents
Ribbon: 17 cents
Mini eraser: 10 cents
Small lime: 10 cents
