MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO EXPLAIN POSTAL RATES

Stamps are going up a penny to 33 cents for the millions of letters, birthday cards and other first-class mail Americans send every day.

The cost of mailing magazines, newspapers and packages will go up, but some businesses can save on mailing costs, said Mike Keefe, Cape Girardeau postmaster.

"The new rates can be complicated," said Keefe. They become effective Jan. 10.

The rate changes will be explained in detail at a seminar at the Osage Centre Thursday.

"Postal authorities will be on hand to review the changes in rates and mailing requirements to be implemented in January," Keefe said.

Many businesses already may be paying too much for shipping and mailing costs said Keefe. "This session will inform customers of the wide range of products the Postal Service offers."

Sessions during the daylong conference will feature topics on the rate changes, bulk mailings, postal business services and package shape or design.

The session will cover requirements for the mail piece and the most common and costly mistakes mailers make when designing an envelope, newsletter or card.

Also to be discussed will be changes in rates. A workshop session will be held for new mailers, and a review for those already doing bulk mailings will be held.

"They will discuss how to prepare a mailing for both manual and automated processing," said Keefe.

A discussion will be held on the range for products offered by the Postal Service. It will help mailers determine which shipping or mailing service is best for them.

Cost of the workshop is $10 payable at the door.

Registration for the workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. with the opening session at 9 .m. Workshops will be conducted at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Among other typical price changes, the cost to mail a priority package will rise from $3 to $3.20; sending a local newspaper will cost 15.7 cents, up from 14.5 cents; the price to mail a national magazine will rise from 27.1 cents to 29.1 cents; and a basic parcel-post package that cost $2.42 to send will cost $2.74.

But the new rates will include a cut in the price of sending each additional ounce of first-class mail, from 23 cents to 22 cents. Thus, a 1-ounce letter will go up to 33 cents, the cost to mail a 2-ounce letter will be unchanged, and the cost to mail heavier letters will go down.

Current rates took effect Jan. 1, 1995.