Will Forever Stamps Fall In Value 2015

Interesting question posed by Bill McAlliste, Washington Correspondent in an article with Linn's quoting Dead Tree, entitled A forever stamp debate. Will the postage fall to 47c or 48c if the current surcharge expires next summer, as currently scheduled and make Forever stamps be worth less?
http://linns.com/news/postal-news/9...stamp-debate

Stamps are a pre-payment for a service. For the letter writing consumer, as long as the actual service stays the same, i.e. using it to send a first class letter within a certain weight limit, than the value of the stamp itself has not actually changed. Purchasing future pre-payments is all that will change, they will be slightly lower. The same is true when they go up, any previously owned stamps are still good for their original purpose regardless of the cost of replacing them. The only real effect is that stocks of discount postage will be worth slightly less, and a large enough lot of them might actually amount to some money.

The only entity that values the monetary aspect of a 'forever' stamp is the USPS. What ever rate is in place the public will purchase the stamp so that a service can be provided. For most of us that would be the mailing of a card, a bill payment, an RSVP, etc. If the cost(/rate) goes down for purchase/service, it benefits the public more when purchasing, but less for the USPS. If the cost(/rate) rises the USPS gets the benefit of additional revenues. The service still requires 1-forever stamp (1st oz. {aside from special mailing fees})to have a mail piece delivered (anywhere in the US). If those who insist on purchasing large quantities of stamps for supposedly 'investment' possibilities and the rate to mail a 1st class decreases they lose, until the costs rise (& they will).

As with the previous two posts, I would agree that the value of the stamp does not fall for the typical user.

But what is the likelihood that the USPS will let the price of first class go down? Not much, I would think.

They're called "FOREVER" stamps or therefor they should keep to it or change the the name to "Forever postage until we feel like changing it stamps!

The value of a forever stamp is the cost of first class postage at any given time. Its value clearly changes in line with the cost of first class postage (up or down).

Think of it this way. Suppose you have to mail an item today that would cost $0.69 in postage. You could satisfy this postage by using a forever stamp plus $0.2 in additional postage. Now, suppose tomorrow the cost of first class postage drops to $0.47. To mail the same aforementioned item with the same postage requirement tomorrow and use the forever stamp you bought today, you would have to pony up $0.22 in additional postage.

People who argue that the value of a forever stamp does not change in the face of a change in first class postage are making an implicit but erroneous assumption that such a stamp can only be used for first class postage.

Except that the second ounce or additional ounces or fraction costs 21 cents each, regardless of what the first ounce costs. That stamp is designed for first class use; people who use it for something it was not designed for will have to pay the few cents. Which they probably got in the past when they already had stamps that went up. For most people it will not matter at all.

I'm certain this side subject has been broached before but...
What if you have a "Class "A" (Scotts 1735) un-cancelled? Can it still be used for first class mail? (I did a cursory search but was not able to find a definite answer)

It is my understanding these "A", "B", "C", "D", "E" rate stamps are treated the sames as "First Class" marked stamps, postage good only for rate at that time and additional postage is necessary to use today to bring up to current postage.

All of the rate-change stamps (1735 included) can still be used for postage at their designated rate. For 1735, this would be 15-cents.

Thank you for the response. Typical government action would be to publish specific instruction on policy. I am curious as to if anyone has seen or knows of official publication as to set maximum value of these type of stamps for postage. I recall, at the time of printing the stamps, that the official statements issued were that they would be worth first class postage regardless of any anticipated increase. I don't recall any issued statement setting the value static after issuance. Then again, I developed other interests in that time period which distracted me from the hobby. :)

PlumCrazy814: Don't confuse the previous rate change transition stamps (non-denominated) with the forever issued stamps. The rate transition stamps (alpha A thru H, & some seasonal non-denominated definitive issues) have a specific rate at time of issuance and that rate remains intact. The Forever Stamps were issued to get away from issuing any special transitional stamp needed when rates for 1st class were increased. The purchase price is for the first ounce of letter mail and the stamp remains valid even if the rate increases. There is no need for additional postage. The Forever stamp does increase in purchase price as the rate changes when purchased from the Post Office. If you purchase any Forever stamp today the cost is $0.49. When the rate goes up (& it may not this cycle, it might even go down) the stamp you have in hand can be used without additional postage added. However if you need to purchase additional Forever stamps (same design) it may cost more (or less) than the original purchase to pre-pay at the current service rate. There is much confusion regarding the forever rate structure. If you look at some USPS Philatelic Catalog you can see the progression of older forever issues as they increase in price to meet the new rate. (confusing... ). If the stamp does not say FOREVER and is non-denominated, you must determine the rate at which it was originally issued and add appropriate postage to meet the current 1st class rate. If it notes Forever, stick it on the envelope & mail away.

Here's the USPS Official Listing of "non-denominated" stamp values:

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals...00/Q604a.pdf

Just be careful to note that you cannot use any of the stamps designated "Bulk Rate" or "Nonprofit" or "Presorted" unless you have a permit to mail at those rates and/or a Mailer's Postmark Permit (MPP).

"Just be careful to note that you cannot use any of the stamps designated "Bulk Rate" or "Nonprofit" or "Presorted" unless you have a permit to mail at those rates and/or a Mailer's Postmark Permit (MPP)."

The permit itself doesn't allow you to mail at bulk rates. You typically must satisfy additional requirements and pay an appropriate annual fee to get reduced rates. However, you can get a free permit that will allow you to use service inscribed/precanceled stamps on other classes of mail as long as the correct rate is paid.

As far as I know, an MPP by itself doesn't include permission to use service inscribed/precanceled stamps; you still need the permit.

The PNC3 web site has instructions for obtaining the free permit to use service inscribed/precanceled stamps at:

http://www.pnc3.org/Reference/Precancels.php

I stand corrected.

However, just note that the PN3 website for the "free permit" need to use inscribed/precanceled stamps doesn't work.

It should be Form 3615. The form is, however, available at this link:

http://about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf

Thanks eligies and wt1.