AP Article on USPS Future

[ncbratzlers]

I didn't see if anyone had posted this yet but there was an AP article that came out over the weekend about the possible future of the USPS:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/ ... TE=DEFAULT

[noernberg]

Interesting. I had not seen this article, or anything like it. I think we can all assume that there are significant changes coming, but what exactly will the future hold? Only the Shadow knows.

[LMCochrane]

[Deano]

Very good article and it realy does explain it. It boiled all the fat away about how it was hard for the younger generation to get involved into the hobby. It happened in many other hobbies years ago also. It also mentioned about that most people getting into the hobby now are around about 50 years old. hmm, so what does that tell ya.

[oneeaglelover]

That most of us are old???
Seriously...I keep hearing that the USPS is not out to gouge collectors, but they hype up a best sales stamp like Elvis over the 'junk' hyped for Star Wars...Any stamp that is NOT sold is profit...and Star Wars is junk (and I argue, pics of living folks)
I want to talk to someone that is part of the Stamp Advisory committee NOT what stamp to nominate, but what the USPS can do to stop the gouging....I do not need 10 varieties of the same stamp...I can understand a coil, versus a sheet versus a booklet for convenience of the public...But, does that mean 3 booklets, 2 sheets and 3 coils?? NO...all can be produced by ONE printer and ONE equal and 'STATED' perforation/die cut...This becomes why the collectors gets frustrated...So, who do you petition?? the committee or the Postal Service (gee, who gets money??) dumb question for a blond. Another ground swell project?? Or do we all like to have 200 stamps issued a year?? oh, sorry, sometimes it's only less... but...Greetings from America...sigh...2 sheets...diff valu....Gee, Chinese New Years......1 stamp per year...one sheet...oh, let's issue 12 of same again, on one sheet, with a different date...ooops, bad luck for the Chinese, tho I live in the good ol USA...bad total for COST/PRICE.. let's go for same DA*n stamps with two sides, cuz those darn collectors will keep 24 of them...all of them same, but yet, a different date...Who do I talk to to voice my opinion????
Is there really anyone out ther that is an advocate for the real 'collector'? I am thinkin not....

[Deano]

OK, I have problems with the USPS also....name people that there is not a stamp of. I have a few in mind that really tick me off

[bennettoons]

OK, I have problems with the USPS also....name people that there is not a stamp of. I have a few in mind that really tick me off

Uhhh . . . you want to see stamps issued for people that tick you off??

[noernberg]

I think he meant there are some upsetting omissions from commemoration...

[oneeaglelover]

I just think it's sad...now that I cooled off a bit...I think there are many more deserving folks/events that need to be issued versus ANOTHER Elvis Stamp. He got his due and I'm thinking back to us 'old' collectors...Hit them up with Elvis before they go Because in 25yrs or so, Elvis will have his spot in Rock and Roll History, but the younger generation (hopefully this keeps going) will be thinking it isn't worth 'billions' of printings ... I say we forge ahead with some omissions

[bennettoons]

I just think it's sad...now that I cooled off a bit...I think there are many more deserving folks/events that need to be issued versus ANOTHER Elvis Stamp. He got his due and I'm thinking back to us 'old' collectors...Hit them up with Elvis before they go Because in 25yrs or so, Elvis will have his spot in Rock and Roll History, but the younger generation (hopefully this keeps going) will be thinking it isn't worth 'billions' of printings ... I say we forge ahead with some omissions

Sorry, 'Lover, but I'm just not grokking what you're getting at here (let alone in the Jamestown thread with your mention of the Chinese New Year stamps?)

First you say Elvis got his due -- then you apparently advocate another stamp for him before old collectors pass away? Why do you think he is under consideration for another stamp anyway?

And do you really think he needs another 25 years before his mammoth contributions to Rock and Roll are understood?

Slow down, man and explain yourself better!

[Deano]

I agree there are some that really blister me but I think that there are some that do deserve to be on a stamp.

[oneeaglelover]

Sorry, 'Lover, but I'm just not grokking what you're getting at here (let alone in the Jamestown thread with your mention of the Chinese New Year stamps?)

First you say Elvis got his due -- then you apparently advocate another stamp for him before old collectors pass away? Why do you think he is under consideration for another stamp anyway?

And do you really think he needs another 25 years before his mammoth contributions to Rock and Roll are understood?

Slow down, man and explain yourself better!

Jamestown thread: everyone was looking for stamps they couldn't get...I just wanted one and found it terrible that there is a whole sheet on the backside that I don't have the opportunity to give someone...so, on the envelopes they go (as postage) Why does the USPS do that??
Chinese New Years: Issued one a year...then, USPS decides they need all 12 on a sheet after the first 12 have been issued singly...then, they decide that the amount paid for that mint sheet equalled a 'bad luck' number to the Chinese so they then issued the double pane sheet...You, as a collector, now have 36 stamps...three varieties and can't use 12 of these without ruining the front stamps of the double pane...Did this make it clearer? The USPS is making it extremely expensive for collectors to collect.
I DO NOT advocate another Elivis stamp. I was dripping with sarcasm...I am saying that if the USPS wants to take advantage of us 'old' collectors (re: another thread) then they better do it now, because in 25yrs, most of us will be gone. The younger collectors won't care by then...No, it will not take 25yrs to understand his contributions - THAT is already understood. I just don't need another stamp to tell us so...I just don't get how the USPS compares the Elvis stamp sale to Star Wars...Yes, it was multiple movies and special as movies and culture go but it didn't equate to the 'Elvis' phenomenon. I would rate it maybe for a 'Decade of the Century' stamp...so the USPS needs another Elvis stamp??
I venture to say, that appealing to collectors not only allows the collectibility of a stamp (making profit for USPS), but if they do less variations and print more commemoratives in a useable format=read here that ...(people can use conveniently), that would lead to more purchase and use of stamps that are 'pretty'
Ok, I will try to answer point by point instead fo winging off...It's gotten me in to trouble already

[oneeaglelover]

oops...missed on...yes, it has been thrown around every time the Postmaster blusters at a 'good' sale on a popular stamp. The Elvis sale always comes up....Well, most of us know, the more that are out there, the less they are worth. Pure profit for the Post Office, as I keep saying...Exactly why has the 'duck pane' become the next wonder? You aren't gonna find on on a hunting license...All I ask is that the Stamp Advisory Committee start listening to us collectors - IF we are talking to them!?! I recall the that Farley guy ran in to a big problem in the '30's...

[olderthandirt]

I fixed this problem long ago by only using contemporary stamps for postage. I collect, and deal, classics, almost exclusively.

[oneeaglelover]

olderthandirt...luv it...I think you mentioned this once before I am thinking the lastest I should have went was tagging...but some would say Wash/Franks