Stamps Up

From USA Today:
"Postal Service proposes 3-cent rate hike for stamps"

First-class postage stamps could rise to 49 cents starting in 2014 under a Wednesday proposal by the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service. The increase would raise about $2 billion in additional revenue a year. Under the plan, first-class mail postage would rise 3 cents, or 6.5%. Pricing for other mail, including postcards and packages, would also rise on Jan. 26. Recently, the Postal Service proposed other cost-saving measures, including ending door-to-door delivery for millions of consumers.

Mary Berner, president of the Association of Magazine Media industry trade group, said higher postage rates are a stop-gap solution that would clip member's profits and accelerate the Postal Service's losses. "No private company would increase prices when sales are already plummeting,'' Berner said. "(This) will cause significant declines in mail volume and further job losses across the industry without addressing the USPS' core issues. The consequences of this decision will be felt by the entire mailing industry, the Postal Service, and consumers."

^ This seems to be a trend for the USPS. The cost goes up while the quality, care and service goes down. ^

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/09/25/postal-service-wants-to-hike-stamps-to-49-cents/2868401/