How Many 3c Stamps Will Be Used That Are Not Necessary

Yesterday I made a trip to the post office for a small package I didn't want to go through the machine process and being the curious type I asked the clerk if they had been selling many three cent stamps and she politely told me they were already out. I wonder how many of those will be used with the current forever issues for the price increase. I live in a senior bldg and most of the residents just don't get it. I can't count the number of times I've explained that the extra postage is not necessary but I fear to deaf ears. For a time this might bring in extra revenue for the USPS.
Tom

Extra revenue; maybe. I have a different "3 cent problem."

Last year, I bought several rolls of 42 cent and 44 cent state flag coils from the USPS. This allows me to continue to use the monster cache of 3 cent, 4 cent, and 5 cent stamps my dad left when he passed away. He died in December, 1992 and I got all those old stamps into my possession in early '93. I've used maybe half in 21 years. Prices for scrap postage paid by dealers seems to be trending up a bit. So if I get some time in the next few months, I'll unload as much as I can.

Not all definitive USPS issues have been 'Forever' issues (since Forever started). one or two issues each year have had the numeric value and thus the extra postage must be put on when used. I agree though, some people will apply an extra $.03 on a forever stamp. In fact, just after a rate increase I purchased a booklet of 'Forever' stamps from a previous issuance, and they not only charged me the additional $.02 cost ($.40, which they should)they gave me 20 $.02 stamps, (which they shouldn't).

Here's another curious thing. The postcard rate increases from $0.33 to $0.34, effective January 26th, but the postcard rate stamp (Hummingbird) won't be issued until February 7th (11 days later). Not a big deal, other than the fact that those who do use postcards will be seeking out 1-cent stamps for the new rate and I wonder if all the local post offices will have sufficient quantities to meet the demand.

Those 1 cent stamps are extremely useful - I try to have a coil of 3,000 on hand for the odd ball postage requirements/usages. You don't have to mess with the post office to get them, though. You can get them through USPS' ebay store for $30.00 + under $2 S&H. I just bought a coil a couple of weeks ago and it arrived via priority mail in a couple of days after I ordered it. It will last me a long time! John

And they wonder why they're losing money.

As far as the 1c stamp is concerned I've got a lot of the bobcat coil issue.
Tom

Hi Tom - I don't think USPS is losing money on the stamps, particularly the ones sold to the collector market, as a large percentage of them don't get used...

You can purchase forever stamps right now on ebay for less than the current face value. Just watch out for fakes and other deals too good to be true. For members with a large volume of stamp usage, look into buying large lots of older mint stamps on ebay - you can usually find them in the 65-75% of face range, if you are patient enough, and have a couple of hundred bucks to spend. I never pay full face for postage (except for those 1 cent Bobcats!) and, though it takes more work to use them, it is worth it to me. That 49 cent letter (new letter rate) now costs me about 34 or 35 cents, the new non-USA $1.15 letter about 80 cents. It adds up after awhile if you are a heavy USPS user. John.

I have 20 or so assorted 46c stamps left (stars & kaleidoscope). This last Friday I stopped at the post office to get a sheet of 3c stamps but the clerk darn near refused to sell them to me, informing me that all first class stamps have been Forever for years now. I got 'em but she remained unconvinced.

A postal clerk should just sell you what you want. They have no right to tell you what to do unless you ask.
Tom

"Forever" was the wrong word to use for this notion. Canada's "permanent" is far better.

I think that the 'forever' promotion has worn off. I remember it being a big deal when it first hit the market. I can't remember a 46 cent from 2013.
Tom

These are the 2013 stamps that were denominated 46 cents and will thus require a 3 cent stamp to makeup the upcoming rate increase of 49 cents -- although these stamps were only available in large volume coils intended for business use, yet collectors could order strips of 25 for collecting purposes through SFS:





Also, let's not forget the older 2-oz. and 3-oz. denominated stamps that are out there which will require additional make up stamps if used after the January 26th postal rate increase.

All good points but for the average stamp for bill paying in our building most of the residents will be putting extra postage with their forever stamps.
Tom

The above statement suggests that you may be in an apartment complex, possibly with senior citizens. In that case, it does seem to me that the senior population is especially vulnerable to this sort of thing, as many are likely to be paying their bills the old fashioned way (by mail, rather than on-line) and the population is those who can least afford the extra cost for make-up rate stamps. Also, since the Forever stamps are a relatively new concept that many seniors may not be fully aware of, someone (if not the USPS, then the local Senior Center, Council on Aging, etc.) should put out the word to them so they don't overpay.