The U.S. Postal Service has been facing a lot of challenges lately, from the coronavirus pandemic to the ongoing strike of the Detroit auto workers. The strike, which started on September 15, has affected more than 12,000 workers at three assembly plants of Ford, GM and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep. The workers are demanding better wages and benefits, as well as a fair transition to electric vehicles, which they fear will threaten their jobs.
But what does this have to do with forever stamps, you may wonder? Well, as it turns out, the strike has also impacted the production and distribution of postage stamps, especially the popular forever stamps. Forever stamps are non-denominational stamps that can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of the current postage rate. They are convenient and cost-effective, especially when the postal rates increase.
However, due to the strike, some of the postal facilities that print and store stamps have been disrupted or shut down. This has caused a shortage of stamps in some areas, especially in Michigan and other states where the strike is taking place. Many customers have reported that they could not find forever stamps at their local post offices or online at usps.com. Some have resorted to buying stamps from other sources, such as grocery stores, pharmacies or online retailers.
But are these alternative options reliable and safe? And are forever stamps still worth buying amid the strike? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide some tips on how to use forever stamps properly.
What Are the Benefits of Forever Stamps?
Forever stamps have many advantages over regular stamps. Here are some of them:
- They never expire. You can use them anytime, even if the postage rate changes.
- They save you money. You can buy them at the current rate and use them later when the rate goes up. For example, if you bought a forever stamp for 55 cents in 2021 and use it in 2023 when the rate is 66 cents, you would save 11 cents per stamp.
- They are convenient. You don’t have to worry about finding the exact change or buying different denominations of stamps for different mailings. You can use one forever stamp for any one-ounce letter.
- They are versatile. You can use them for domestic or international mailings, as long as you add enough additional postage for the destination and weight of your mail piece.
- They are attractive. They come in various designs and themes that reflect American culture and history. You can choose from a wide range of options to suit your personal taste and preference.
What Are the Most Popular Forever Stamp Designs?
Forever stamps are issued throughout the year with different designs and themes. Some of them are commemorative, honoring important events or people in American history. Others are seasonal, celebrating holidays or seasons. And some are just fun and colorful, featuring animals, flowers or art.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, these are some of the most popular forever stamp designs:
- U.S. Flag: This classic design features a waving American flag against a blue sky. It is suitable for any occasion and expresses patriotism and pride.
- Flower stamps: This classic design features different flowers. It is suitable for love, wedding, thanks and holiday.
- Holiday stamps: It is suitable for Holiday thanks and greetings. We can buy holiday stamps for 2023 Christmas.
How to Use Forever Stamps Properly?
Forever stamps are easy to use, but there are some tips that you should follow to make sure that your mail is delivered without any problems:
- Use one forever stamp for each one-ounce letter that you want to send within the United States. If your letter weighs more than one ounce, you need to add additional postage according to the current rate. You can use another forever stamp or a regular stamp with a specific denomination.
- Use enough forever stamps to cover the international postage rate if you want to send your letter outside the United States. The international rate varies depending on the destination and weight of your mail piece. You can check the current rates at usps.com or at your local post office.
- Avoid placing two forever stamps on a mail piece for heavier mail. Additional ounces are much cheaper costing only $0.24 per additional ounce rather than $0.66 for a one ounce letter. If you add two forever stamps to a 2 ounce letter, you would be paying for an item that should only cost $0.90.
- Stick the forever stamp on the upper right corner of your envelope or postcard. Make sure that it is not torn, damaged or unreadable. Do not tape or glue the stamp to the envelope, as this may cause problems with the automatic sorting machines.
- Write the address clearly and legibly on the envelope or postcard. Use a pen or a marker with dark ink. Avoid using stickers, labels or decorations that may obscure the address or the stamp.
Where to Buy Forever Stamps?
Official Sources – The best convenient place to buy forever stamps is at your local post office. You can buy them in sheets or booklets of 20 stamps. You can also order them online at usps.com and have them delivered to your home or office. However, due to the strike, some post offices may have limited supplies of stamps or may be closed temporarily. You can check the availability and status of your nearest post office at usps.com/locator.
Offline Sources – If you cannot find forever stamps at your post office or online, you can try other sources, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks or office supply stores. These places may sell stamps as a convenience service for their customers. However, they may charge a higher price than the post office or may have a limited selection of designs.
Online Sources – You can also buy forever stamps from online retailers, such as Amazon, eBay or the USPS stamps.com. These sites may offer discounts, free shipping or a wider variety of designs. However, you should be careful when buying stamps online, as some sellers may sell counterfeit or expired stamps that are not valid for postage. You should check the seller’s reputation, feedback and return policy before making a purchase.
Here is a table that compares the pros and cons of different buying options for forever stamps:
| Buying Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Post Office | Official source, current price, various designs | Limited availability, possible closure due to strike |
| Online at usps.com | Official source, current price, various designs, home delivery | Possible delay or shortage due to strike |
| Grocery Store | Convenient location, easy access | Higher price, limited selection |
| Pharmacy | Convenient location, easy access | Higher price, limited selection |
| Bank | Convenient location, easy access | Higher price, limited selection |
| Office Supply Store | Convenient location, easy access | Higher price, limited selection |
| Amazon | Free shipping, wide variety of designs | Possible counterfeit or expired stamps, delivery time, Higher price, |
| eBay | Discounted price, free shipping, wide variety of designs | Counterfeit or expired stamps, delivery time |
| The USPS stamps | Discounted price, Free shipping, wide variety of designs | Less of latest designs |
Why Buy Forever Stamps Now?
You may wonder why you should buy forever stamps now when the postal rates are expected to increase in 2022. The answer is simple: because you can save money and avoid hassle in the future.
By buying forever stamps now at the current rate of 55 cents per stamp, you can lock in your savings and use them later when the rate goes up to 66 cents per stamp in 2023. That means you can save 11 cents per stamp or $2.20 per booklet of 20 stamps.
Moreover, by buying forever stamps now, you can avoid the possible shortage or unavailability of stamps due to the strike. The strike may last for weeks or months and may affect the production and distribution of stamps across the country. By stocking up on forever stamps now, you can ensure that you have enough postage for your mailings without having to worry about finding stamps later.
Finally, by buying forever stamps now, you can prepare for the upcoming holiday season. The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for mailing cards and gifts to your loved ones. By having enough forever stamps on hand, you can avoid long lines at the post office or running out of stamps at the last minute.
We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits and challenges of buying and using forever stamps. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family who may also be interested in forever stamps for sale.
Thank you for reading and happy mailing!
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