Was anyone else caught off guard by this???  Takes efffect July 1st and I never heard anything about it!  


http://www.usps.com/ratecase/domestic.htm

The postcard rate is going up 5%, to 21 cents.

The post office is hurting due to the internet and email. They have to increase prices to offset the loss in revenue.

And to pay for my union contract cost of living adjustment...[:D]

Well for those that cant find it, there are many more increases than just post cards going up 1 cent.....

here are just a few


First-Class Mail Rates

NEW               OLD

1 0.34            ---
2 0.57             .55
3 0.80             .76
4 1.03             .97
5 1.26            1.18
6 1.49            1.39
7 1.72            1.60
8 1.95            1.80
9 2.18            2.02
10 2.41           2.23
11 2.64           2.44
12 2.87           2.65
13 3.10           2.86

As you can see anything over about 8 oz and your talking about a 10 cent or more price hike....and at 13 oz, your almost at the 1 lb priority mail price.

ALSO there are many new size restrictions on items shipping 1st class, I am sure this is to keep people from shipping something lightweight yet bulky (say 1 20rnd mag wrapped in bubble wrap--about 1/2 lb) by the cheaper 1st class rate and make them send it Priority Mail.  

Another hike..
Priority mail


up to 2lb, rates do not change....

           NEW        OLD
up to 3lb   5.20       5.15
"    " 4    6.45       6.35
"    " 5    7.70       7.55


Media Mail/Book rate went up 3 cents extra, across the board...

USPS MO's are now .90 instead of .75 (although they were .80 last year....geeze the should make up their mind)

These are the only ones that will affect me, im sure there are others....

I know this doenst sound like much $$ but for me it will increase my shipping/postage about $20 a month.....besides the PO bastards dont need a raise every 6 months anyway, who do they think they are, the private sector? lol