Post Office to Increase Postage on Competitive Products

The Post Office is holding the line on the items it delivers most, namely "Mail". Pieces that it competes with UPS and FedEx on will increase an average of 3.3%. I've seen the increases that UPS and FedEx are implementing, though they are listed as 6%, with the hidden fees in fuel surcharges, the increase appears closer to 12%.

Also, one of my favorite delivery methods: The flat rate envelope has come down in price: From $4.95 to $4.90. This 1% reduction, though not significant, is better than an increase!

Simply stated, there is a good chance that the United States Post Office will be your most economical delivery method in 2010:

New prices for USPS Shipping Services: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select (Destination Entry only), Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International will go up on January 4, 2010

As a comparison, USPS shipping prices will increase by 3.3 percent, on average, but other competitors have announced price increases of nearly 6 percent. Unlike other shipping companies, the Postal Service does not impose surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or Saturday delivery.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: First-Class Mail.
First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Parcel Post prices are not changing in 2010 and the retail price for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope will be reduced from $4.95 to $4.90.