Forever stamps are first of a new "gotcha" series of stamps.

I also bought a roll of "flag" stamps and was told these would not require the 1c or 2c stamps if the rate changed. Today, I found out differently when I received a letter back /c 1c due. There is no price on these stamps. Anyway, it just gives me another reason for paying bills on line.

I bought a roll of 41 cent Flag stamps recently and was assured by the postal clerk that they would be good for first class postage regardless of rate changes. I guess too many postal clerks are like their IRS buddies as reliable informants.

@anon1076

the only disadvantage i can think of with respect to forever stamps is that the value of the stamp itself is not printed on the stamp. in other words, you have to know how much it is worth.

for first-class letters, this isn't too big of a deal, but if you are adding a bunch of stamps to a package, it might be a little annoying adding up stamps with values printed on them, and forever stamps.

needless to say, the advantages far outweigh this disadvantage. i cannot think of a reason not to get forever stamps in lieu of regular stamps.

@anon8985

i haven't heard anything about them ceasing the forever stamp program, its just that the cost of a forever stamps increase from time to time. the first forever stamp was on sale for 41 cents, and those stamps will continue to be sufficient for first-class mailing forever.

recently, the rate increased to 42 cents, so any forever stamps you buy will cost that much, but they will work even after the next increase.

@anon1238

forever stamps are just first class stamps, so the envelope weight IS relevant. according to the us postal service, the standard first class letter rate is for envelopes up to 1 ounce.

you can mail first class letters up to 3.5 oz. but the rates for such letters is more than the standard rate, so you will need more postage than just a forever stamp.

A forever stamp has the Liberty Bell on it and on the side is printed 1st class postage. Personally, I always buy forever stamps. I hate those 1 cent increases that would force me another trip to town!

Who would ever buy a non-forever stamp, if a forever stamp is available at the same price? Wouldn't it be like buying a carton of milk expiring tomorrow rather than a carton good for two more weeks?

We actually have these in the UK! For a while now you can buy first class and second class stamps which now just say 1st and 2nd on. These stamps are always sold at the current rate for a first and second class stamp but will always be valid.

Last month the price of stamps went up and yes certainly a few people go out and buy an extra book of stamps before the price goes up but few people horde them. I guess even if they do then the post office has still sold them a load of stamps!

I'd like to know how long they'll be sold for; I remember hearing on the news that they'd stop selling them after a time, did I mishear?

Hey Marsupalamy. That's weird. One first class mail stamp covers one ounce worth. And, I always thought that that covers up to 10 sheets. As a matter of fact, I just sent something out that contained 9 pages and it hasn't been sent back. You might want to check with your post office!

you want to know what irks me? well, I'll tell ya then. I can send a 3 page letter with the forever stamp and it goes through but, if I send a 4 page letter, it comes back to me stating "needs (like) 56 more cents" why? how can that one extra page have to cost so much more?

I think "Forever" is referring to how long before I use up the half-book of .37 and whole-book of .39 stamps I still have.

How much does a forever stamp cost?

I'd like to know also, regardless of what envelope weights the postage will just be "41" cents?

Can you buy forever stamps two years from now, a week before the next rate increase? I can see, obviously, the benefit to buying a stamp for 42c when it will soon (in a week or two) be worth 45c.

As for buying stamps for discount, this is very true. You can buy hoards of post WWII stamps for usually 10% below face value. Stamps are the worst investment. I remember a few years back spending $30 and getting $35 worth of 2-8c stamps. It was a pain in butt, though, putting on 10 stamps and filling up the entire envelope with stamps. people thought i was crazy using 60 year old stamps, but in reality, i was crazy to lick that old 60 year gum on the stamp

what are the disadvantages?

How long will the Forever Stamps be sold?

Discounted stamps.

Single-piece retail customers generally do not have access to "discounted" stamps (before the forever stamp.) The only ways that I know to get a discount would be:

1. buy hot or counterfeit or washed stamps (completely illegal, could lead to federal prosecution.)

2. buy postage with a credit card with rebate feature. I have Visa and M/C with 1% rebates, and Discover starts at 1/4% increasing to 1% based on annual volume. Not huge, but a discount.

You can still get stamps for 10% off though.

Hi - I just have one question - how do you pay for the additional ounces on first class mail? I believe it is for 17 cents for each ounce. Would love to know. thanks

where's a picture of the forever stamp?