The major one impacting domestic cd/dvd/blu shipping is as of early January, Media Mail will be cheaper then 1st class for anything over 4 ounces (right now 1st class is cheaper up to 8 ounces). And no, media mail is not going down; 1st class from 4.1 ounces & up is going way up.

I don't know what other retailers are going to do, but to avoid raising shipping, I'm going to have to start using media mail for any package 4 ounces & over (basically anything other than a cd single in a thin plastic case)

I've had an online business since 1998, & it sometimes seems like the only one making $ is the USPS.

Certainties: Death, taxes, & yearly postal increases.

I agree. Not too long ago the Post Office advertised one price priority mail with anything that's fits in a box that was a good deal. Now if you ship a box with anything decent in it the cost can be easily over $10.

Except the USPS has been losing money for years due to the rise of other shipping companies and the drop in mail volume (not to the nation the pension fiasco thanks to congress). It's why they have to keep raising rates.

I used to work for them. They're not making money. Losing it is what they do.

Yes, if they're being truthful I've been told repeatedly by USPS execs that they are (unfarly) supporting the entire US gvt pension system.

Letter volume is just about 0, but ebay/Amazon/etc volume should have made up for it.

No. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act requires the USPS to make regular payments into a postal retiree benefit fund. One website out there said it's like your credit card company saying you'll charge a million dollars in your lifetime, so you have to send us a million dollars to cover it.... now.



https://about.usps.com/postal-act-2006/ ... nt-act.htm

Yep - they have to fully fund benefits 75 years into the future. Forced on them by Congress (can't say more than that here).

Don't need to Alan, one word, Congress defines it all.

Rick A.