For USPS, 1+1=3

So, if you buy a pane and a DCP separately, you pay $X (the sum of the two items). But if you buy them together (what the USPS calls a keepsake), you pay $X plus a premium. The premium varies, but on average exceeds 5%.

Now, the fact that the USPS has listed keepsakes as a product category for many years (and continues to do so) implies that there are actually buyers who couldn't be bothered to do simple arithmetics.

We really cannot blame the USPS for its ever expanding and innovative money grabbing ploys if collectors are so easily to be had (out of either ignorance or laziness).

The USPS Store ships many things (eg sheets of stamps) in a sealed plastic sleeve (with stiffener).

I have not ordered any keepsakes, but I wonder:

Maybe folks are especially happy when the two related items come together in the same plastic sleeve?

Just trying to think well of people. My Other Hobby.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

I see them in the retail outlets, it reminds me of how they used to wrap the stamps when there were real retail outlets and it wasn't just a small display at some PO's. It's basically two items from what I can tell without ever buying one. I've wondered why it costs more myself, but in a world where every action of every person in every company(and this doubly seems to include government accounting as well), it costs money for people to bundle the two together and wrap them, and the physical space. If that's an extra dollar is beyond me, but it wouldn't shock me.

I've also noticed that when certain issues run out, the keepsakes are still around at times and might be the only avenue for a pane. Seemed this way with the recent Indycar issue.

I purchase the Chinese Lunar New Year keepsake each year because I need an extra pane plus I want a digital FDC and find it easy to order in this format. Many times if you forget to purchase a FDC and they are taken off the market, the only way you can purchase the FDC thru the USPS is in this format.

The title of this thread is a little misleading. This is more like why would you buy an 8 ounce can of peas if the 15 ounce is cheaper. Answer is convenience which has already been pointed out.
Tom