*major* Canada Post News (Dec 11/13)

Re: 'A' stamp value

Here is a list of older non-denominated Canadian stamps and their nominal value then (and today):

http://www.adminware.ca/tips/cantip10.htm

The 'A' stamp retains its 30c face value.

Rhino, the "A" stamps are capped at $0.30. I asked this very question when I received a letter (not that long ago) franked with only an "A" stamp.

It should not have gotten through as such, but it did (for whatever reason, the postal clerks let it through).

3Dadeo: The "for whatever reason" is simply that clerks do not have the info that studystamps posted, nor do they have time to really care about ensuring that proper rates are observed. I often see the Christmas-period "greet more" stamps used as postage even though they were no longer valid by the end of January the year after their release. It's small potatoes in the world of under/improper franking.

Would that it weren't so, but it is.

Peter

As far as CP from a collector stand point they never fail to provide excellent challenges. As mentioned the defins can keep you going for ever and there always seems to be a major error to jump on . I think the negativity is more from the business model that simply falls short of common sense but is in line with pretty well every major postal system worldwide. Completely losing the carriers over the next 5 years really seems to be the loss of of an iconic relationship between customers and CP that may be there "permanent" downfall.

I'm hopping that CP does not issue a special stamp to be sold as singles at the domestic $1.00 rate.

If they do, it could be a pane issue, which will provide 16 to 100 individual stamps for sale at $1.00 apiece. Easy to remove and give to the customer and easier for the CP employee to inventory.

What would please me, is the sale of a single booklet stamp for $1.00, as I currently have to purchase a complete booklet to obtain the one single stamp needed for mint collection. This would save me $0.85 for each of the stamps remaining in the booklet, so I'll be way ahead of what I have to pay now.

Studystamps posted the following

Instead of taking the negative side of this, look at the positives:

1. your collection of Permanent(tm) stamps has just increased by 30+%

2. there are eight (8) new 63c denominated defintives to collect; the more definitives that are issued, the better! Go Canada Post! As a *philatelist* definitives is where all the fun is.

3. try to find earliest usage covers of the new 63c stamps; what a hunt that will be.

4. this is the biggest excitement to hit Canada stamps all year. Stand up and cheer!

reply to #1 - unless you are going to return your "P" stamps to CP for a cash refund and a potential profit of 35 to 54% the "P" stamp is still just a stamp to use for postage nothing more.

reply to #2 - this issuing of 8 new 63c stamps is just money grabbing. CP knows that most collectors have to have a complete collection so this will increase sales, I'm surprised they didn't issue an uncut press sheet as well. Stamp collecting shouldn't be an old man's hobby with hundred of dollars to spend. How about the younger generation, keep their interest in the hobby up don't turn them away because they can't afford all the issues. New stamps again this month mom I need more $$$.$$

reply to #3 - falls into the reply to #2. 8 new 63c stamps is overkill.

reply to #4 - this is good news from CP - we are going to phase out home mail delivery and in 2014 we are raising postage rates by a mere 35 to 60%. Merry Christmas Canada......give me a break.

There is nothing personal about my comments just my observations regarding CP and it's stamp program.

We all know that CP is a sinking ship financially so driving more people away by continually increasing the cost of mailing a letter doesn't make sense. Let's be novel and decrease the cost of a stamp and encourage people to use CP. I notice that over 50% of my mail is lacking proper stamp cancellation. If this is country wide how much is CP losing in new stamp sales because stamps are reused. It must be a huge financial loss to CP that with today's technology should be fixable. Maybe get rid of the stamp option. Take your mail to the PO wicket pay your $1.00 per letter, the clerk stamps paid on your letter and away it goes down the chute..........could happen!!

I guess I see the glass as half full.

The 5-point action plan from Canada Post has absolutely nothing to do with stamp collectors so any discussion that says they are hurting stamp collecting is not accurate. Despite what many think, Canada Post is doing everything they can to ensure they continue as a profitable business.

The decision to release of 8 new 63c denominated stamps has absolutely nothing to do with 'money grabbing'. It was 100% necessary to ensure a supply of stamps to post offices.

[Ok, perhaps only 3 were actually needed: the coil of 5,000 for businesses, a roll of 100 printed by Lowe-Martin, and the Queen Elizabeth II design printed by Canadian Bank Note. I suspect people in Quebec would complain about that though. Thus, we have the Canadian Pride booklet of 5 designs added to the mix since they are likely used most by the general public.]

I am the first to say that Canada Post is issuing way too many stamps - too many stamp issues, too many stamps per issue and too many souvenir sheets - but that is not what this particular discussion is about. As a philatelist I like to study varieties and nearly all varieties occur on the definitives. So, the more definitives that are issued the better!

My earlier thoughts were only about the withdrawal of Permanent(tm) stamps; it had nothing to do with the phasing out of home delivery. That is a completely different topic to what I was referring to. I personally do not receive home delivery of mail so that action plan item does not directly affect me (I have to travel 3.5 miles to pick up my mail and 8 miles to mail packages). If I was currently receiving home delivery I would be very, very upset at this decision by Canada Post to phase out home delivery.

"If you remember, the post office suddenly raised the price of stamps in late 1981, from 17¢ to 30¢, domestic rate."

Granted, there weren't electronic alternatives at the time, but what effect on mail volume did this giant increase have?

"As a philatelist I like to study varieties and nearly all varieties occur on the definitives"

Same for me.

Hi all. I found this thread by searching for discussions related to Canada Post's Permanent Stamps in the past few days. I am not a stamp collector, but I am Canadian and I regularly use lettermail. I ran out of Permanent stamps, and so when I went onto the Canada Post website to order more, I was shocked when every link returned the error message: "This product is no longer available." It was at this point that I searched for the issue online and found the string of News articles on Canada Post's updates. I am outraged to be frank. I feel that Canada Post's own mismanagement and failure to innovate has caused this problem, and its customers must now bare the brunt of the burden. Please feel free to report/flag and remove this post if the following is not appropriate for your forum, but I have started an online petition asking Canada Post to reinstate the Permanent stamps and to renew and maintain their commitment to Permanent stamps during times of price fluctuation. I'm not sure if I am allowed to post a link, but the petition is called "Canada Post: Reinstate Permanent Stamps" and it is hosted on Change.org. I hope some of you will sign and share in your circles. Again, if this is too advertisey, please flag this post for removal. I am trying to get supporters as my personal circle is very small and I thought you all might be appropriate. Thank you again and I apologize in advance if this post is inappropriate.

Robert

I have said for years, and years, and years, that CP will not be happy until they get $1.00 a letter. Even once this is achieved, I am sure they have new plans up their sleeves.

Sure seems to be heading that way alright.

It is not rocket science to understand that if these increases persist, sales are going to drop. I have quit buying stamps at the post office by 95%. The only time I have bought stamps for my collection is to get a new booklet here and there, and they have not been kept up to date either.

The year 2000 was my 'cut-off' date. I am no longer interested in the new issues like I used to be because of the CP scams of late.

If I had to start collecting all over again, I wouldn't go beyond the end of WW II!

We also have already decided that Christmas from here on will be e-cards, not the physical ones <G>.

I am tired of being gouged. My opinions of course.

Chimo

Bujutsu

At the risk of going against the flow, I have to agree with studystamps on a few main points.

CP has to stay out of debt (they are a business, and it is the responsible thing to do), and they have decided (as a business - not intentionally trying to gouge collectors or the public), that drastic changes are required in their business plan.

Maybe they could have tried other ways, maybe the change didn't have to be so dramatic, but a change was needed - this is their "business decision" for the short and longer term to stay viable.

If this did not happen, it would become a burden on all taxpayers eventually.

I don't collect newer Canadian issues, because there are just too many and they cost too much. I just buy the odd one that catches my interest (eg. Superman, motorcycles). I don't think Canada Post wants to alienate collectors, but neither are collectors a high priority in the bigger picture.

These changes don't surprise or upset me. I rarely send letters, except to those that buy stamps from me on ebay. I won't be happy with a community mailbox, but personally I can live with this change; much bigger things to be concerned about. IMHO

From Canada Post's web site
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/bus...gestamps.jsf



And usually I have found that the returns must be returned within a 30 day period.


'A' stamps and all non-denominated postage stamps Are to be used as and at the current domestic postage lettermail rate. Unitrade refernced above has no mention of newer changes to pricing on any of these stamps. the prices mentioned are the prices they were sold at while on sale at Post Offices at the time.


I collect for fun. It is nice to profit a bit of course but I usually find that my profit is in my heart and head rather than in my wallet or pocketbook. Shucks, I do enjoy my stamps though.


Recently, to be up with the holiday spirit and all, I have considered sending Christmas cards again and writin (yes, actually writing or printing) letters or notes to people.

To send these missifs and important communications I do need to spend my cash to make sure they are delivered promtly and courteously and in post haste, so to speak, with the assurance that the recipient receives them in a timely manner.

Canada Post does this in a grand manner as far as I am concerned.


If I were to consider a large and extensive collection of modern, higher value stamps and covers (right now I am concentrated upon postmarks and personalized stamps) I would indeed need to invest or place down a larger sum of monies than I usually do. Hmmm, say a cinema movie pass or ticket or a show or theatre ticket perhaps. Worth it though, to me.


Overthe years, infaltion, increases to prices of everything uder the sun and probably the sun itself (haven't checked lately) have increased as people wish more return for thwir buck or doe. Thus, the idea even of colelcting anything has increased in price at pace with everything else.

This is life.

I do enhoy appreciating beauty though.

Current Domestic Lettermail Rate = 63c
Proposed Mar 31, 2014 Rate = 85c , when bought in booklet form.
Proposed Mar 31, 2014 Rate = 85c + 15c handling charge per stamp, when bought in less than booklet form (one or two single stamps).

USA letterpost and International letterpost mail is also up for changes.

All applicible taxes apply.

I like anything with Philatelists on it.


Real men collect POCON postmarks!


Speaking of Non-denominated stamps, Picture Postage brand name stamps, denominated as 'Domestic Postage Paid', issed from 2004 to 2012, are still valued at the current domestic lettermail rate, 63c each now, usable as a 63c (or proposed future 85c stamp).

Not really investment potential perhaps, but I do like My Stamps to be able to be used as postage and as personal marks on My Mail. Hint hint, Canada Post people perhaps.