Technology Slice Blog

Postal Rates First Class 2011 - Postal rates will go up in April, but the cost of sending the basic letter will remain the same. The Postal Service said Thursday that most rates will increase April 17 under a formula that allows the agency to raise prices within the rate of inflation. The post office said the 44-cent price of a first-class stamp won't change, but heavier letters will cost more. The basic rate is for the first ounce, and the price for each extra ounce will rise from 17 cents to 20 cents. "While changing prices is always a difficult decision, we have made every effort to keep the impact minimal for consumers and customers doing business with us at retail lobbies," Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said in a statement. Postal Rates First Class 2011 The post office can raise rates as long as it doesn't exceed inflation, which would permit an increase of 1.7 percent averaged over all mail. The Postal Service lost $8.5 billion last year des...