Here?s another opportunity to put in your 2-cents.
On Monday, the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will institute many of its new rate and fee levels, with the most important change for local residents being the increase of first-class postage from 39 cents to 41 cents. While this increase may seem small to locals who mail out an occasional bill or Christmas card, area businesses are already trying to brace for the cash hit.
Fees from people?s general correspondence and postal transactions total more than $35 billion, the Postal Service Web site reported. The Postal Service also estimated that around $19 million is spent on business advertising and more than $2 million in publications delivery.
“Our concern has been that if increases take effect without sufficient time to plan, we could see many direct-mail packages priced out of reach for many nonprofits,” said Michael Mathias, senior vice president and agency group leader at Merkle, an advertising company that serves nonprofit groups. “Many organizations now must develop substitute solicitation packages that conform to the new mailing standards or explore expanding into other media. But this takes time ? time to create, time to mail, time to read the results ? and it is time that these organizations do not have.”
Lanham-based Merkle serves nonprofit groups such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CARE, Arthritis Foundation and World Vision.
While the agency already is developing alternate ideas to advertise its clients, the grassroots approach seems to be gaining a lot of steam. “The event model” is one that is becoming popular, where groups hand out newsletters and other important documents at large events or gatherings, saving postage.
Residents can also expect to see an increase in first-class postcard stamps, up to 26 cents, lower first-class mail stamps, now at 17 cents, and Priority Mail flat rate boxes, topping off at $9.15.
More information
» For more information on changes, click here to go to the Web site the U.S. Postal Service has set up for questions.
