Stupid Stamp Question

[branv]

Ok, I'm a doofus, I admit it.

I need to mail a letter, but the only stamp I have is one of the Fund a Cure Breast Cancer stamp, which only says "First Class" - no cent amount is on there. I know the stamp price just went up, but since this stamp was purchased prior to that rate increase, I want to make certain that it is still useable. I have absolutely no idea what cent value this stamp had when I purchased it. Short of driving to the post office in the morning, I was hoping someone here can tell me if this stamp is still useable or if I'll need to add a few 2 cent stamps.

 

[Imzadi]

I have absolutely no idea what cent value this stamp had when I purchased it.

You may not know the value of that stamp, but I'm sure the P.O. does. Add on the 2 cents.

 

[a1tinkfans]

The "extra" money you paid for the breast cancer stamp goes to charity (THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!), so the stamp itself is the regular postage value, which has now increased. So, you have to add on the difference!

 

[Sal]

Postal employee here!

Your stamp is good for the first class rate of 41 cents. It costs more since the rate increase, but will be honored for the current rate for those you have
already purchased. This may not always be the case in the future, but it is for now.

 

[DMRick]

Postal employee here!

Your stamp is good for the first class rate of 41 cents. It costs more since the rate increase, but will be honored for the current rate for those you have
already purchased. This may not always be the case in the future, but it is for now.

That didn't work for me. I was told the value was .39 and I needed to add .02 to it. I was told only the forever stamp would be able to be used for first class, other than a regular first class.

 

[JuneChickie]

I have some older ones that say "first class" on them too with no value.

I haven't used them because I have no idea what they are worth and if
I have to add pennies to them.

I think if they just say first class then they should be like the forever
stamp , but I do know better so they will stay in their special box of
stamps I can no longer use.

Does anyone else have "stamps" like this ?

 

[renessa]

Thanks for the info Sal!

 

[rflorek]

That didn't work for me. I was told the value was .39 and I needed to add .02 to it. I was told only the forever stamp would be able to be used for first class, other than a regular first class.

I was told the same thing by my local p.o. - I had to add 2 cents, and the cost of future stamps had increased to 55 cents for the Breast Cancer series.

 

[dis4me]

I have some older ones that say "first class" on them too with no value.

I haven't used them because I have no idea what they are worth and if
I have to add pennies to them.

I think if they just say first class then they should be like the forever
stamp , but I do know better so they will stay in their special box of
stamps I can no longer use.

Does anyone else have "stamps" like this ?

I went to the post office with the old first class flag stamps annd was told I needed to add 2 cent stamps for them even though it didn't say an amount.

 

[Hannathy]

Postal employee here!

Your stamp is good for the first class rate of 41 cents. It costs more since the rate increase, but will be honored for the current rate for those you have
already purchased. This may not always be the case in the future, but it is for now.

Since when? I have been told to add the difference since they first started this nonsense of changing the price every other year over a decade ago.

That is why this forever stamp is such a big deal-you don't have to keep adding those 1 and 2 cent stamps all the time. This is the first time this has been offered. Until I see it in writing from the government (which I have for the forever stamp) I would add the extra if you want it delivered for sure.

 

[branv]

You know, I posted this really thinking I'd get any response, but look at all you helpful people! Gotta love the Budget Board

Thanks everyone! I think I'll just play it safe a take a trip to the post office.

 

[Sal]

OK, I need to clarify. The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is supposed to be good for the rate at which you purchased it. I am NOT encouraging people to "cheat" the USPS, and as I reread, I see that the OP says she did purchase this stamp prior to the May 14 increase. If you know the value of the stamp when you purchased it ( most people do not remember) you should add 2 cents, 4 cents or whatever you need to bring it up to the current rate.
The same stamp you have in your drawer is for sale at your local Post Office.
There is no way to tell what the rate was when you bought the stamp. I would do the best I could to add sufficient postage, but what I wanted to get across was that a letter with a breast cancer stamp could NOT be considered short paid mail. Today, it is considered a 41 cent stamp. (and does indeed cost 55 cents, 14 cents going to research).

The stamp was originally only to be on sale for a limited period, but proved so successful that it has been held over much longer, making it necessary to adjust it's value a few times. It is scheduled to go off sale Dec 2007, but that could also change.

Originally Posted by JuneChickie
I have some older ones that say "first class" on them too with no value.

I haven't used them because I have no idea what they are worth and if
I have to add pennies to them.

I think if they just say first class then they should be like the forever
stamp , but I do know better so they will stay in their special box of
stamps I can no longer use.

JuneChickie, I hate to see you waste those stamps. It is not hard at all to find out what they are worth. usps.com is very user-friendly and has a list
of stamp issues for years back. You should be able to find the value of those stamps. If you describe them to me, I would be glad to look them up for you.

Since when? I have been told to add the difference since they first started this nonsense of changing the price every other year over a decade ago.

Sorry, I just had to comment on the "nonsense" you mentioned. My rural carrier drives almost 100 miles per day. If you were to check gas prices and compare to one year, two years or more ago, you would know one big reason why you pay 2 cents more for a stamp. Imagine the millions of miles postal employees drive each day.

Since Novenber of 1981 the rate for a first class letter has increased 9 times. (in over 25 years)
November 1, 1981 20¢
February 17, 1985 22¢
April 3, 1988 25¢
February 3, 1991 29¢
January 1, 1995 32¢
January 10, 1999 33¢
January 7, 2001 34¢
June 30, 2002 37¢
January 8, 2006 39¢
May 14, 2007 41¢

I hate to pay more just like everyone else does, but I still think that sending a letter cross country, or in my case, to a son-in-law serving in Ahghanistan for 37, 29 or even 41 cents is a bargain.

Sorry for getting carried away!