Have you heard all the hullabaloo about the new Forever Stamp the U.S. Postal Service is introducing? You will be able to use it in the future for First Class mailings in spite of any rate increases which may occur.
This is a novel marketing idea on the USPS part. Who doesn't like a bargain? But honestly, how many stamps can one buy and hoard just to cover future mailing expenses?
As real estate agents some of us rely on direct mailings for our marketing. And when using direct mailing, we are advised to use first class postage, not bulk rate, as it stands a better chance of getting read. As true as that may be, I can't imagine buying more than 300 or so of these stamps to keep around. That wouldn't last me even a month the way I mail.
The stamps will be available for sale starting tomorrow. The new rate hike isn't effective until May 14th so don't start using them just yet. They will remain for sale at $.41 until the next price change, at which point the price will be whatever the new rate is. I guess when that next increase comes around there will be a lot of buying of the old stamps at the old price. It reminds me of running down to the store before a hurricane is coming to stock up on water. Well, not exactly the same, but I'm sure the frenzy will be similar.
Read all about the new stamp here.
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
None of this information is to be deemed legal or financial advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for same.
Roger - no, you don't have to buy them, unless you want to. lol They will be available for purchase later, at the new rate. It was just the bargain hunter in me wondering if there was a way to take advantage of such a great deal. But no, short of buying a few thousand stamps in advance I can't imagine it will provide a substantial saving to me.
Jon - You Canadians are always ahead of us, aren'tcha? lol How often do they raise the rates on you? I thought it had just happened here not too long ago and there comes another one!
Maggie-
Interesting post. I am not surprised though. I've heard that the USPS took a huge hit with the internet becoming the preferred means of communication. Guess they're trying just a bit harder to keep as much business as they can. I will not be running out to buy extras as they wouldn't last very long- I go through them like you do : )
Thesa - you are most welcome! I only found out today myself =)
Danny - the reasoning behind that is that bulk mail looks like what it is, in essence...JUNK. A first class stamp gives the impression that it is something important and may increase the chances of it being opened. Of course, this is for stuff in envelopes. Post cards can be read without opening so the same reasoning does not apply. Another thing they say to do with envelopes is to use plain envelopes, NOT put your brokerage name on it (use just your name) and have the addressee's info handwritten. It looks more personal that way. So many rules!
Sarah - can you imagine if they went up to $3.00 each by then? And if you stashed away 10 rolls, that would be $3,000 worth and you only paid $410. I still think it's too much trouble! lol
Kelli - you're absolutely right. Folks don't mail as much as they used to before online bill-pay and e-cards, and e-mail. It's an interesting idea but I can't think it will up the bottom line for them.
Lysa - LOL! Yes, dear. You remember those square little pieces of paper with a little bit of glue behind them? In the older days you licked them. Now you peel and stick! Funny gal.
Hey Sweet Broker-Maggie,
You are always soooo right on top of things. We were just talking about the "forever" stamp yesterday in my mastermind group. We sort of collectively laughed about buying stamps as an investment, trying to determine the roi.
And I completely agree with you on the first-class stamp, yes it normally gets opened more often than not. For me, as a long-time mailer, I too am mailing far less now than ever. My mailings still continue yet they are far more selective in nature, especially when you add in the cost of the printing, envelopes, time stuffing...etc. No doubt, it's making far more sense to me to increase my online marketing.
As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Hi Lynda! You are always so thoughtful with your comments...everywhere you go. Thank you!
You are so right on about the mailing. Because it's so expensive after adding up all the costs I have to be selective about it. I mail newsletters to my SOI, clients and farm area. All together it's just shy of 600 names and I was spending just over a buck each. Last month I had to finetune it to bring it just under a dollar. I've been getting lots of great feedback on the letter. Got one referral so I cannot abandon it just yet, especially since I only started it 7 months ago. I've heard many times over that if you are not consistent then you may as well have thrown that money in the trash. I'm leaving it in place for a full year before I decide what to do with it. A lot of the folks who get my newsletter don't surf the web so I have to keep that in mind. But blogging wins HANDS DOWN for the best marketing strategy.
Thank you for sharing of your vast experience with the rest of us!