Why are postage prices going up again?

[BethCooks4U]

I just got back from the PO. All the prices were down from their board because they all went up.

The first class stamp went up just $0.01 but all of their other charges also went up.

Priority flat rate envelope is now $4.80
Flat rate priority box is now $9.80
Flat rate large box is $12.95 (12x12x6)
Minimum insurance is $1.70
postcards are up to $0.27
etc...etc...etc...

It's harder and harder to make any money - everyone seems entitled to it but me. It's getting so that it would be cheaper to drive packets to hosts even 30-40 minutes/miles away and with the higher gas prices.

 

[baychef]

Beth,
I think we all feel your frustration. For me, sending information is still cheaper than driving it to a person for me. For me to drive 30 minutes, that would be about 20 miles one way. If your vehicle gets 20 miles to the gallon, that would be (ok...it's the price that I drove by this morning!) $3.91 per gallon = $7.82 vs the $4.30.

All the more reason to get a good guest list and host coach.

Everything is rising in cost at an alarming rate. I do not want to get into any political discussions, but whom ever gets elected...I hope they can stop this. Food alone started rising last August before the gas really starting getting out of control. With the food cost, it has just exacerbated the cost of food. Then there are all of the petroleum based products we use and if it doesn't come from petroleum, it still costs more to transport it.

I would be shocked if shipping costs for our customers doesn't rise substantially in the fall.

Not a happy picture at all.

Makes me want to buy a motorcycle, scooter or a horse!!

 

[cmdtrgd]

Yet another reason to get a guest list BEFORE sending out host kits!

 

[chefmary]

It is quite frustrating! Beth, you can print Priority Postage online at USPS.com, which is slightly less than at the PO (and now they highlight the two prices). I may now consider requesting a pickup, since I am really trying to conserve on using gas. My DH fills up at least 2X a week for commuting, so he spends enough for both of us!

 

[BethCooks4U]

It is quite frustrating! Beth, you can print Priority Postage online at USPS.com, which is slightly less than at the PO (and now they highlight the two prices). I may now consider requesting a pickup, since I am really trying to conserve on using gas. My DH fills up at least 2X a week for commuting, so he spends enough for both of us!

I know but I worry about doing it wrong. I have a USPS scale but too often when I go to the PO they charge more than I calculated. What am I doing wrong??:yuck:

 

[finley1991]

Here it doesn't matter if the postage is on the box or not... if it's over a 13oz, we have to wait in line and hand it to a clerk or it won't get sent.I also get the guest list before ANY host packet goes out. No guest list... no party... no host packet.

 

[chefkathy]

Here it doesn't matter if the postage is on the box or not... if it's over a 13oz, we have to wait in line and hand it to a clerk or it won't get sent.

At all the PO's I frequent, if I already have postage on it, I can walk right up and hand it to someone and it's no problem. I don't have to stand in line.

 

[chefkathy]

So now it's cheaper to do a flat rate envelope online as opposed to paying the postage for it at the PO? Interesting...

 

[pamela]

I am starting to lean towards the idea Colleen suggested~no list, no packet.
Think I am gonna order the guest list form PC offers us and see how this works for a few months. My PO is convenient as it is on the road I travel to get anywhere and everywhere, but it is always packed! It would be a timesaver for me to not have to deal with that place as much!

 

[dannyzmom]

Here it doesn't matter if the postage is on the box or not... if it's over a 13oz, we have to wait in line and hand it to a clerk or it won't get sent.

I also get the guest list before ANY host packet goes out. No guest list... no party... no host packet.

Thisis how I have done it for the last 2 years - has saved me a fortune in postage and Tylenol - LOL

 

[finley1991]

At all the PO's I frequent, if I already have postage on it, I can walk right up and hand it to someone and it's no problem. I don't have to stand in line.

I go to a teeny tiny PO here and customers started pitching a fit that people could just come in, not wait in line, and hand their package to a clerk. So because of that... even if it has posted, EVERYONE has to stand in line!

 

[finley1991]

I am starting to lean towards the idea Colleen suggested~no list, no packet.
Think I am gonna order the guest list form PC offers us and see how this works for a few months. My PO is convenient as it is on the road I travel to get anywhere and everywhere, but it is always packed! It would be a timesaver for me to not have to deal with that place as much!

Like Carolyn, I've been doing this at least 2 years. I started right after Leadership one year because the previous December, I mailed 6 host packets and all six shows cancelled. Not only was I out the postage, I was also out the catalogs and I was bummed!

So for now, I give them an envelope at the show when they book that has the Guest List form (attached here) and the host special for the month they book along with a sticky note from my calendar with their date & time on it. If they give me their e-mail, I don't give them the envelope, just the sticky note and I e-mail her 2 e-mails when I get home... one from my website and the other with the Guest List form so she can just fill it in on the form and e-mail it back to me.

 

[finley1991]

PS: On this note, I just finished listening to the recording of Nancy Jo Ryan's Director call on May 6th and there was a director on the call (Nancy Kitson I think) who started sending out the invites for her host. That was the ONLY change she made in her business. Over the course of one year, her sales increased $14k (earned $4k more in commission) because of mailing the invites for her hosts. Powerful enough for me!!!!!!

 

[chefmary]

So now it's cheaper to do a flat rate envelope online as opposed to paying the postage for it at the PO? Interesting...

Debbie: It's been like that for some time using USPS.com. I was using Stamps.com, but the monthly fee was the deal breaker. When you use the online service, it includes the fee for tracking, which is extra at the PO. You can print the postage on a sheet of paper, then attach with clear shipping tape.

 

[chefkathy]

Debbie: It's been like that for some time using USPS.com. I was using Stamps.com, but the monthly fee was the deal breaker. When you use the online service, it includes the fee for tracking, which is extra at the PO. You can print the postage on a sheet of paper, then attach with clear shipping tape.

Oh, yeah, I knew about the free delivery confirmation. I thought you meant the base price was more at actual PO.

 

[PampMomof3]

I also do the usps.com and print on a normal piece of paper. I rarely go to the PO. Save myself time and money!!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Oh, yeah, I knew about the free delivery confirmation. I thought you meant the base price was more at actual PO.

It is. Go to http://postcalc.usps.gov/

You save a nickle on priority flat rate envelope for instance. Not worth it for me. The PO is on the way to everything and I am not confident that I will always figure the cost correctly - yet.

 

[chefkathy]

It is. Go to http://postcalc.usps.gov/

You save a nickle on priority flat rate envelope for instance. Not worth it for me. The PO is on the way to everything and I am not confident that I will always figure the cost correctly - yet.

Interesting...I mail all my host packets in flat rate envelopes so I will DEFINITELY be doing ALL of them online from now on.

I usually do them online but sometimes I'll bring them to the PO when I'm going there anyway and just let them do the postage. Not anymore!