This blog was motivated by my brother, who is totally frustrated with the US Postal Service. He is not alone!

 

The USPS prints and sells what they call NVI (no-value indicator) stamps.  According to Wikipedia, "Non-denominated postage is intended to meet a certain postage rate that retains full validity for that intended postage rate even after the rate is increased. It does not show a monetary value on the face."

 

The US Postal Service has its own definitions (plural) and customers are left in the dark.

 

Most postal consumers think that a NVI stamp, which has no value printed on it, is the much heralded “Forever Stamp.” Consumers like Forever Stamps because when postal rates rise, they are not forced to purchase stamps in small denominations to make up price differences. The Postal Service doesn't lose anything either, because the purchase of Forever Stamps represents an interest free loan. Some stamps will be lost, damaged or come into albums of collectors, which is also a gain for the PO.

 

Forever Stamps in Canada are marked with a "P" so you don't get confused. In the good old USA, NVI can indicate anything the Postal Service wants it to mean. When you purchase NVI stamps, you must ask many questions and write the answers down on a piece of paper which is clipped to the stamp so you know what it is worth. Don't write on the stamp or it will be invalidated. Always ask lots of questions. Ask what the stamp costs, if it will still be valid after postage rates are raised or if it is a Forever Stamp.

 

If you buy anything in the supermarket or drugstore, you know what you are purchasing and it probably has a price tag on it. If the product is perishable or has a time limit (gift certificates etc.), law requires this information to be stated on the product or package. This protects the customer from being cheated or overcharged.

 

Not so when you are dealing with the government.

 

If you purchase stamps at a Post Office, you hope the person at the counter is honest and that the stamp will still be valid the following day. Only the Postmaster knows what a stamp is worth and what it will cost to send your letter or package. He or she will not know when rates will change and may have to check the books for all the different stamps, size and weight restrictions and the destination. The customer has no book and he never knows when rates may increase.

 

That is why most people have turned to the Internet.

 

Most of us still send Christmas cards by snail mail. If I have any money left after all the bail-outs, I may send a few cards to my best friends. I will try to remember to tell the Postmaster,  "Not NVI stamps, but Forever Stamps." I hope that is what I get.