Cost of a stamp

Ilovecheese

The post used to be a public service, one of those small things that make life just a little bit better for everybody. Now it is just another foreign owned business, just there to make a profit.

As Royal Mail is owned by a foreign billionaire, should it lose its Royal title and become just another postal service, do you think?

Why should it still be known as Royal Mail?

I have sent 8 cards this year and so far received 5. It's not really that I'm cutting down, more that old friends are dying. I meet 3 very old friends for lunch before Christmas so we have exchanged cards, and I've got neighbours and friends in local groups that I hand deliver to. One of my friends has taken to sending an e card but I really prefer an actual card with a bit of news scribbled in it,

I received a Card today , from a dear friend. Without fail, she sends me a card every year, with all the news. So I rang her and had a lovely chat and caught up with all the news. It was so much better than sending a card. So glad I did and I think she was glad as well.

I posted a bundle of cards with second class stamps on a couple of weeks ago, then realised that one of them was for Germany. I assumed the system would just throw it out. I’m glad I never got round to writing another, as our German friend has emailed today thanking us for the lovely card. Bargain!

I was cutting down on my cards this year but I thought its my way of keeping in touch once a year.
A friend felt the same and said she felt it was like having a coffee with a friend (and cheaper).

Shinamae

I think it’s an absolute disgrace as a lot of people really look forward to getting Christmas cards. Why can’t they do a 50p stamp just over the Christmas period?… Hardly the season of goodwill on their part..

This is exactly what I was thinking - a 50p Christmas stamp to be used during December.

I am only posting one or two cards this year because of the price of stamps. Mainly to older relatives who would be disappointed not to receive a card.

I used to include an update letter in cards to friends who don't live close by. I am emailing them instead now.

Eil4

I bought 30 2nd class, 10 1st and 3 stamps for EU - £50.40The cards (40) from Cancer research cost £11.36! Astonishing!

I did have a giggle at the posts on Facebook saying they were not sending cards, but giving the money to charity instead, then attaching a receipt for £20/£15/even £10!

Mind you, I did like the one who said she would not be sending cards, and instead would be spending the money on gin!

The post used to be a public service, one of those small things that make life just a little bit better for everybody. Now it is just another foreign owned business, just there to make a profit.

I buy stamps throughout the year. It does help me not to notice the increase as much. I love giving and receiving cards and actually prefer it to gift giving. Sadly, I have a few relatives and friends who are widowed and others who live on their own. I just don't feel an e- card is the same, but that's a personal choice. Our family in Canada had to get an e- card this year, with Canada Post being on strike. I also sent e- card to family in USA. To be fair it was much cheaper. I will stick to sending cards in the UK though. It's a shame the cost of stamps is making this tradition so prohibitive for people.

When the two tier postage system was introduced, several letters to newspapers suggested that everyone should continue to bu 2nd class and not use 1st. What a pity we didn't do that. I've stopped sending cards and now make a donation to a local charity, and like loopylyn I send ecards - they are pretty, musical, and seemingly liked.

Last year I decided I would reduce the number of cards I will be sending. I was still sending cards to people I hadn’t seen for years .So I planned ahead as I am of an age that people may be concerned if they didn’t get a card ! I wrote my email address and telephone in each card .This year I have reduced the number significantly. I will await with interest to see if I get any concerned emails !

Our local postmistress commented last week that she’s noticed customers are buying less stamps and when they do buy they mostly buy exactly the amount they need. She said folk are less inclined to buy a book of stamps and keep some spare. The cost is prohibitive for many and buying a book of 8 when only 4 is needed isn’t always an option.

I too have cut down on physical cards but have found a wonderful electronic cards site that, for a variable subscription, enables one to send as many animated cards as you want during that period. Loads to choose from and each comes with a suitable piece of music. Can I name the web site? Jacquie Lawson. I am not connected with the business.

I work in a small newsagent that has a post office. We have noticed the reduced number of postage stamps bought this year. But there are still people who send numerous cards and spend a fortune on stamps. The post office complains that people are not using their services but continue to raise the cost of sending of postage.

pittcity
Thank you for explaining

Think how pleased the trees are!

wintersday

In February I sent my friend of 17 years (we met on holiday) a birthday card "to a special friend" and I put a Christmas card in, I wrote on the envelope "sorry, killing 2 birds with 1 stone". My friend rang me and was very very upset and said that she couldnt have been much of a special friend if I wasnt prepared to post the birthday card then post the Christmas card at Christmas. I suggested she put the card somewhere safe and get it out at Christmas. She was verbally very very nasty and said she had thrown the card in the bin, I said it doesnt sound like you want to talk to me right now and I put the phone down. I dont want to be spending lots of money on postage stamps and it is because of the bad service that is provided but not just that, it is also because of how all those post office staff were treated over the Horizon scandal too. My friend is very well off so any amount of stamps are not a problem to her. Unfortunately we havent spoken since and I think it is rather sad it has come to this. Merry Christmas everyone.

I think I might be a bit annoyed that a supposed 'special friend' thought it was OK to mail a Christmas card 10 months before Christmas to save money. All for being careful with spending but maybe this was a bit OTT?

There is a counterfeit stamp scanner on the Royal Mail app.

I posted a birthday card to my grandson four days before his birthday. I used a first class stamp to ensure it arrived before his special day. It arrived four days after his birthday!!

The prices of stamps today is disgusting! However I do send quite a few cards by post.
I love sending and receiving cards. Just tradition for me I guess

Musicgirl

@Pittcity, that is a great tip. I will look on eBay for stamps in the future.

Lots of forged stamps on ebay…be careful all.

I posted 35 this year. Will hand deliver 35 also. Have had text/ WhatsApp messages saying that my card has arrived .Some have travelled 400 miles.Not bad for 85p. It’s only once a year and a good way to keep in touch . I like receiving cards also and have made an attractive display. It is a bit of a chore writing the cards but once I’ve started it’s OK. Now what do I do with my Canadian cards which the PO would not accept? Keep them for next year??

We used to send about 100 cards a year but now hand deliver about 25, post about 10 to those without the intern#et and send the fem$ainder by Jacquie
Lawson website. Some really good cards with s6pace to write a catchup note. Well worth the membership fee.

Hate ecards. We still have quite a few to send and neighbours. If I cut back I wouldn't do ecards. I don't mind sending emails to close friends but not ecards.

Rosiestocks

pittcity
That sounds like a great idea. How do you ensure that they are genuine from Ebay? I've heard of fakes being found by Royal Mail.

I usually buy at the end of November as I know that the sheets of 1st class stamps are genuine employees selling their Christmas freebies.
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