FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I recently contacted the USPS in regard to a possible increase in postage after the first of the year:
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"I am in the process of coordinating my wedding invitations to be mailed out in the middle of December. It was brought to my attention that there may be an increase in postage starting on January first. I wish not to have more than one
stamp on my response cards. My question is, will there in fact be an increase in the price of stamps and if so, when will new stamps be released so I have have decorative stamps on my response cards. "
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Here is their response:

"Leslie,

Thank you for visiting our website. I understand that you would like to know if there is an increase in postage stamps when it will happen.

I apologize, but the only information that has been provided to us is that the Postal Service board of Governors voted March 31, 2005 to file a request with the Postal Rate Commission to increase postage rates in 2006. The requested rate increase will generate funds solely to meet the $3.1 billion escrow requirement of Public Law 108-18. The filing will increase almost all rates and fees by approximately 5.4%. While the Postal Service will request expedited review from the Postal Rate Commission, postage rates will not increase before 2006. If approved, postage for a one-ounce piece of First-Class Mail would go from 37 to 39 cents in early 2006.

For further information on the 2005 Escrow Rate Increase, please reference the
following link:

http://hdusps.esecurecare.net/cgi-bin/hdusps.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=7133

If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for using the United States Postal Service."

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So basically they sent me a generic response with a lot of mumbo jumbo I didnt need or care about. Nothing is cut and dry. I clicked the link to the website and it said the increase will take place NO SOONER THAN JANUARY FIRST. So if it happens on Jan. 1 than I am going to assume I have few choices:

1) Hope there is a "letter stamp" issued ahead of time.

OR

2) Put UGLY postage with multiple stamps on my envelopes

OR

3) go to an insane expense of photo stamps with accurate postage. (Which i think are cheesy - sorry JMO).

Im bummed a lil because the invites were expensive and they are rather formal. The stamp issue will bug me.

Message edited 10/27/2005 2:58:59 PM.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

Oh no, what a pain this is! when are you sending out your invites? Think about it, I plan to send mine out on Dec 1st. So if I send my invites with 37 cent postage. And then they anounce they are increasing it to 39 in jan or feb, my invites would have already gone out!

And people would either: not realize and mail with insuff postage, and i never get it.

Or they will have to buy two cent stamp. What a pain!

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

That really stinks!!!!!! I understand what they're saying but it really puts some of you in a bind. You shouldn't worry tho, I'm sure they'll come out with a letter stamp to make up the difference. I know the invitations are important and sets the tone of the affair, but yours are so lovely that I don't think any amount of stamps is going to ruin that. Your guests will understand, they'll know the rate went up.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

crap stupid post office.
i am going to send out my invites hopfully right before thanksgiving. and my responce date should be 1/3/06 however maybe i should make this sooner???

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I received the same response, Leslie -- I'm in the same boat as you. I'm not sure what to do either. Should we wait until January 1st to mail them out to be on the safe side? Or would that leave too short of a time for people to respond????? If worse comes to worse, I guess I have to put those ugly 2-cent stamps on the response card?

Message edited 10/27/2005 3:29:35 PM.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I had no idea! I just e-mailed my cousin who is a post-master, hopefully she knows something specific and can help us out. I will let you know as soon as I hear back from her.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I think your best bet is to mail them out January 1st...put your RSVP date lets say 3-4 weeks from the date that you're anticipating to mail them out...I mean how long does it take to check off and send back the RSVP card right???

ETA: I imagine it'll be on the stressful side but I think its better to be safe rather having your RSVPs not to arrive at all.

Message edited 10/27/2005 3:42:58 PM.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by carlsbride

I had no idea! I just e-mailed my cousin who is a post-master, hopefully she knows something specific and can help us out. I will let you know as soon as I hear back from her.

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Posted by M&S Sept12006

I think your best bet is to mail them out January 1st...put your RSVP date lets say 3-4 weeks from the date that you're anticipating to mail them out...I mean how long does it take to check off and send back the RSVP card right???

ETA: I imagine it'll be on the stressful side but I think its better to be safe rather having your RSVPs not to arrive at all.

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I've seen information on the web that the increase will likely take effect by Jan 15th. I don't have to send out my invites as early as you - I'm shooting for Jan 6th - but I've been thinking about it a lot since I doubt they'll have new stamps ready for when I mail.

I'm planning on doubling up with the current Love motiff stamps. For instance on my response I will put a $.60 Love stamp instead of the $.37 Love and $.02 generic stamp.

It is going to cost me more but at least I'll have the look I want.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by taa674

I've seen information on the web that the increase will likely take effect by Jan 15th. I don't have to send out my invites as early as you - I'm shooting for Jan 6th - but I've been thinking about it a lot since I doubt they'll have new stamps ready for when I mail.

I'm planning on doubling up with the current Love motiff stamps. For instance on my response I will put a $.60 Love stamp instead of the $.37 Love and $.02 generic stamp.

It is going to cost me more but at least I'll have the look I want.

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by M&S Sept12006

I mean how long does it take to check off and send back the RSVP card right???

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by Goldi1021

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Posted by taa674

I've seen information on the web that the increase will likely take effect by Jan 15th. I don't have to send out my invites as early as you - I'm shooting for Jan 6th - but I've been thinking about it a lot since I doubt they'll have new stamps ready for when I mail.

I'm planning on doubling up with the current Love motiff stamps. For instance on my response I will put a $.60 Love stamp instead of the $.37 Love and $.02 generic stamp.

It is going to cost me more but at least I'll have the look I want.

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As much as I hate to spend money unnecessarily, that may be an option. Lets call upon our postal friends and hope they have more answers for us.

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by leighdvm

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Posted by Goldi1021

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Posted by taa674

I've seen information on the web that the increase will likely take effect by Jan 15th. I don't have to send out my invites as early as you - I'm shooting for Jan 6th - but I've been thinking about it a lot since I doubt they'll have new stamps ready for when I mail.

I'm planning on doubling up with the current Love motiff stamps. For instance on my response I will put a $.60 Love stamp instead of the $.37 Love and $.02 generic stamp.

It is going to cost me more but at least I'll have the look I want.

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As much as I hate to spend money unnecessarily, that may be an option. Lets call upon our postal friends and hope they have more answers for us.

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Ok, just HOW ugly are the 2-cent stamps? I'm afraid to look.......

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

Ugh, I ended up buying the 60cent ones for our eparty invites because they told me it would be ugly otherwise. I hope by next summer they have nice stamps.

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

I'm in a similar boat.....sort of. My invites will be going out soon, and my RSVP date is Dec. 21st, BUT i KNOW that people will send them late. My family is well known for sending RSVPs very late, if at all (I forsee me making lots of phone calls) SO, do I put on the extra postage and 1) make my RSVPs look ugly and 2) enable the late responders? Or do I put a current stamp and hope for the best? Or should I throw in a 2 cent stamp and let people figure out if the need to put it on themselves (ha ha)?

My other, semi-unrelated issue with late responders is that the RSVPs are addressed to me, in Seattle. I'm leaving Seattle the week before the wedding, so if I don't have them by then, I'll get them after my honeymoon.....

Anyway, thanks for sharing the info. Gotta love the USPS! You'd think the Postmaster General would have abetter understanding of the needs of winter brides everywhere!

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

THe title of this thread should have been "Going Postal". Because that is what I'm about to do.

I hate the thought of wasting the extra money on a .60 stamp on the RSVP envelope.
Can we stamp the RSVP envelope with the regular .37 stamp, and INCLUDE the additional stamp in the envelope with a small note, saying "blah blah blah, the post office sux, here's an extra stamp in case you need it blah"

Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by chikita315
Can we stamp the RSVP envelope with the regular .37 stamp, and INCLUDE the additional stamp in the envelope with a small note, saying "blah blah blah, the post office sux, here's an extra stamp in case you need it blah"

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

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Posted by chikita315

THe title of this thread should have been "Going Postal". Because that is what I'm about to do.

I hate the thought of wasting the extra money on a .60 stamp on the RSVP envelope.
Can we stamp the RSVP envelope with the regular .37 stamp, and INCLUDE the additional stamp in the envelope with a small note, saying "blah blah blah, the post office sux, here's an extra stamp in case you need it blah"

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Re: FYI for End of January 06 and February 06brides - POSTAGE - LONG

You know, I can't stand the postal service!! I am sending my invitations out on Jan 2nd with a Feb 17th RSVP date...So I might do the same and double up on the $.37 stamps so that I don't get stuck with the ugly ones...But then again that is $46.25 that I don't need to send! So I am going to have to wait & see...That seems to be the only option