Price of stamps going up to 44 cents MondayBy RANDOLPH E. SCHMID Associated Press
May 9, 2009, 8:59AM
WASHINGTON — Peel it and weep: It’ll cost an extra 2 cents to mail a letter starting Monday.
The price of a first-class stamp will climb to 44 cents, though people who planned ahead and stocked up on Forever stamps will still be paying the lower rate.
It’s the third year in a row that rates have gone up in May under a new system that allows annual increases as long as they don’t exceed the rate of inflation for the year before.
While the increase will bring in added income, the post office continues to struggle financially as more and more lucrative first-class mail is diverted to the Internet, and the recession discourages businesses from sending their usual volume of advertising.
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Other changes taking effect Monday:
—The postcard stamp increases by a penny to 28 cents.
—The first ounce of a large envelope increases 5 cents to 88 cents.
— The first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22.
—New international postcard and letter prices are, for one ounce, 75 cents to Canada; 79 cents to Mexico; and 98 cents elsewhere.
Most Postal Service shipping services prices were adjusted in January and will not change in May.
Other changes taking effect Monday:
—The postcard stamp increases by a penny to 28 cents.
—The first ounce of a large envelope increases 5 cents to 88 cents.
— The first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22.
—New international postcard and letter prices are, for one ounce, 75 cents to Canada; 79 cents to Mexico; and 98 cents elsewhere.
Most Postal Service shipping services prices were adjusted in January and will not change in May.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6416111.html
