USPS Rate increases

[35fordtn]

Just a friendly FYI for those of you that ship a lot through the post office. The rate increase for 2016 went into affect today. They went up more this year than normal especially for international priority and first class. International rates went up roughly 22% and domestic roughly 10%-12%. First class domestic weight limit went from 13oz to 16oz.

[jacob smith]

And yet the gas prices are down

[35fordtn]

Yes FedEX had a drastic increase as well that went into affect Jan 4th. Usually in their emails they state they increases are primarily due to the rising fuel surcharges. This year that statement was left out.

[mercman from oz]

Letter Rates also went up in Australia from January 5, 2016. They went up from 70 cents to $1. That is one massive increase, but I guess someone has to pay Australia Post's CEO Salary, which was A$4.8 Million last year. Our Prime Minister doesn't earn 1/10th of that, and he is running the whole Country, not just the Postal Dept. I'm lost for words.

[flatford39]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Letter Rates also went up in Australia from January 5, 2016. They went up from 70 cents to $1. That is one massive increase, but I guess someone has to pay Australia Post's CEO Salary, which was A$4.8 Million last year. Our Prime Minister doesn't earn 1/10th of that, and he is running the whole Country, not just the Postal Dept. I'm lost for words.

Every time you hear the word "privatization" the above is what it is all about. The USPS is one of the most efficient postal systems in the world. If they weren't hobbled by having to pay their pension funds 70 years in advance it would be even cheaper.

[Fordors]

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Originally Posted by flatford39

Every time you hear the word "privatization" the above is what it is all about. The USPS is one of the most efficient postal systems in the world. If they weren't hobbled by having to pay their pension funds 70 years in advance it would be even cheaper.

^^^The voice of reason; somebody gets it. I have received packages sent UPS that were then routed to the local USPS facility for delivery. Even UPS recognizes the cheapest game in town, and uses them to save money when possible.

[mhsprecher]

I bought a bunch of Christmas stamps at Costco and was lamenting how many I had left. Now I look like a genius!

[35fordtn]

Sign of the times I guess... I boxed up 17 international shipments tonight and was absolutely blown away at the new rates.. Shipping 4 intake gaskets to AU used to be around $22.10 , now it's $41.65

[CA Victoria]

Looks like we lost the discount for on line "click-n-ship" also.

[Talkwrench]

We just went to 68.5c [AUD] against the USD.. Getting parts out of the USA is getting real expensive, crossing my fingers I dont need anything major PFFT!!.

[tubman]

Yep, "UPS Mail Solutions", and FedEx "SmartPost" are both shipping methods that use the USPS for final delivery. It seems those companies have figured out that the USPS can do a lot of things cheaper than they can.

[Fibber Mcgee]

Originally Posted by tubman

Yep, "UPS Mail Solutions", and FedEx "SmartPost" are both shipping methods that use the USPS for final delivery. It seems those companies have figured out that the USPS can do a lot of things cheaper than they can.

I think they can do it cheaper because they don't have to make a profit. They operated at a 5.5 billion dollar loss in 2014.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

I think they can do it cheaper because they don't have to make a profit. They operated at a 5.5 billion dollar loss in 2014.

That's not entirely true. You must take in to account the US government has been "robbing" the postal service for years upon years. Also, the Us government won;t allow the postal service to decrease the number of days it delivers mail even though most folks really could care less. this is after the US postmaster general told Congress last year if they continued to operate as they are now, they will lose billions.
If the postal service was left alone, it would work just fine...

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

I think they can do it cheaper because they don't have to make a profit. They operated at a 5.5 billion dollar loss in 2014.

Umm, the discipline to make a profit usually results in more attention to expenses and lower prices. IMHO the cost of profit is usually way less than the cost of government inefficiency.

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Umm, the discipline to make a profit usually results in more attention to expenses and lower prices. IMHO the cost of profit is usually way less than the cost of government inefficiency.

Ain't that the truth

[mhsprecher]

No discount for Click and Ship? Shoot. I used that all the time.

[rich b]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

No discount for Click and Ship? Shoot. I used that all the time.

Click & Ship will still be better than standing in line at the post office.

[CA Victoria]

Here is a summary of the fee increase.
http://blog.stamps.com/2015/10/22/us...nuary-17-2016/
It's interesting to follow a package traveling across the nation with the different carriers. 2-3 day delivery w/USPS is still pretty amazing.

[Scotty's 52 F3]

I'm going to make bubble wrap with helium in it.

[uncle buck]

I just found out after doing a quote the 15th and getting paid the 17th. A $5.00 increase from $29 to $34 for a package to the UK