Today, the PRC announced that it unanimously rejected the rate increase requested by the USPS.  Read more…

Will postcard or first class postage go up?

From PostalReporter News Blog

Washington, DC –The Postal Regulatory Commission invites press and interested parties to a short briefing on its decision in the U.S. Postal Service Request for an above inflation, “exigent” price increase for its market-dominant products. This is the first time that the issue of what is an “exceptional or extraordinary” circumstance will be decided under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA). Questions from the Press will be entertained following the briefing.

What:    The Commission will announce its decision on a closely watched case, the Postal Service exigent price increase request filed on July 6, 2010, seeking to increase prices by an average of 5.6 percent on its Market-Dominant products, including, but not limited to, First-Class and Standard letters and flats, Periodicals, and Standard packages.

Under the PAEA, price increases for Market-Dominant products are capped at the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).  The Postal Service may request Market-Dominant increases above the rate of inflation, however, due to “extraordinary or exceptional” circumstances.

Commissioners and Commission staff
11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 30, 2010
Where: Hearing Room
Postal Regulatory Commission
901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200
Washington DC 20268

The United States Postal Service has proposed new rates to take effect on January 2, 2011.  First-Class stamps would increase 2 cents to 46 cents and  postcard stamps would increase 2 cents to 30 cents.  This would be the first increase in two years.  Rates will remain the same in the interim.

PCC Insider July 6, 2010

Jill McSheehy, of Cogswell Motors, says…

“We use the standard and jumbo postcards for sales and service related promotions… with Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word.  I continue to use you because of the competitive price and the ease of ordering and shipping.  You guys have always been good at checking up on me to see if I need anything without “hassling” like some companies do.  We have found that postcards are more economical and have a better response than letters, which is why we continue to use them.”

Blank postcards are an effective, easy and inexpensive way to reach buyers and customers to:

• Announce sales incentives and special offers
• Mail out service department reminders
• Thank customers for their loyalty

Gain Speed, Control and Cost Savings
By printing postcards in-house, you can quickly respond to competitive offers and market changes, while saving time and cost.  And, no special equipment is required. You could mail a postcard for less than the cost of a first-class stamp!*

See for Yourself. Request FREE samples.  Download FREE templates.
Join other auto dealers who are customizing postcards and driving more sales.

Check out:
Four-of-a-Kind Postcards
Print On Demand Jumbo Postcards
Blank Note Cards
Blank Greeting Cards
Blank Brochures

* Cost of a Four-of-a-Kind™ Postcard Standard White sheet is $0.12 or $0.03 per postcard; Black ink – $0.02 per side x 2 sides = $0.04 per sheet/ 4 postcards per sheet = $0.01 per postcard.  Color ink – $0.10 per side x 2 sides = $0.20 per sheet/ 4 postcards per sheet = $0.05 per postcard. Final cost $0.04-$0.08 per postcard plus labor and postage.  Postcard postage is $0.28 per postcard, for a total of $0.36 per mailed, color postcard vs. $0.44 for a first-class stamp (only).

Q:  What is the distinction between when you are able to use the $.26 post card postage rate and the $.44 regular rate. Do you have to have one blank side to qualify for the postcard rate when it is mailing?

A:  The current postcard rate is $0.28.  Your card must be between 3.5”-4.25” high and 5”-6” long.  You can have printing on both sides as long as there is still room for the address and postal bar code information.