[ANSWERED] Where to Buy Stamps in the US?

Did you know that in 2022, the United States printed 13.8 billion postage stamps? Even in today’s digital age, stamps are still a necessary part of the postal service. The use of postage stamps is over 177 years old.

In 1847, two stamps depicting Benjamin Franklin and George Washington became available for general use. The difference between the two was that the Benjamin stamp paid for one half-ounce up to 300 miles. For longer distances or heavier mail, people used the George stamp.

All of this history aside, today stamps come in all sorts of varieties. We use them for many purposes, including mailing letters and sending packages. Because of the essential nature of postage stamps, it’s a good idea to keep them on hand at all times.

So where can you get stamps? Luckily, there are a few places where stamps are available. This makes it relatively convenient to keep them stocked up or even grab one last minute.

Let’s go over how much postage stamps cost, where you can buy stamps, as well as a few fun stamp facts!

How Much Do Postage Stamps Cost?

Stamp prices change regularly. In 1847, prices were quite low. The Benjamin Franklin stamp cost 5 cents while the George Washington stamp cost 10 cents. Again, this price difference reflected the weight and distance each stamp handled.

Today stamps are much more expensive and the cost is consistently trending upwards. Expect to see a price increase for a First-Class Forever Mail Stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents starting on July 14th, 2024. Note that this price is specific to 1-ounce letters.

Don’t want to deal with the constant influx of stamp prices? Consider stocking up on Forever stamps! Forever stamps can mail one-ounce letters regardless of price increases. What makes these stamps so special is that they are valid forever, hence the name.

Forever stamps do not show monetary value, which means you can lock in postage rates whenever you buy it for future use. The best part? They never expire. If you’re wondering where you can buy postage stamps, keep reading!

Where Can You Buy Postage Stamps?

There are, of course, the traditional places most people think of when buying stamps. If you need a stamp right away, regardless of the time of day, there are a few other places to get them.

Here are a few of the ways you can purchase your postage stamps.

Traditional Methods

I mentioned traditional options, but what exactly am I referring to here? Places you would initially think to buy stamps such as post offices. With 31,132 Postal-Service managed post offices in the United States, finding one near you isn’t going to be a problem. However, one drawback is that the ability to procure last-minute stamps through this method depends on whether the post office is open or not.

Another negative about this method is that there are often long lines, especially during certain times of the day. For instance, because many people like to purchase stamps before work, 8:30 am to 11:30 am tends to have the most traffic. To combat these long waits, some postal outlets offer self-service kiosks. The disadvantage to this is that you cannot purchase specialty stamps.

Retailers

Retail chains such as Walmart, Walgreens, and Target are also helpful when it comes to buying postage stamps. Combine two errands into one by popping into these stores to get everyday items while also grabbing your stamps.

To make sure your local retailer carries stamps, make sure to use USPS's location tool. Select “national retailer” from the drop-down and enter your zip code to find participating stores near you.

Online Retailers

With the technological boom came online shopping, a common and convenient way for people to purchase products. This is true for postage stamps as well! The post office's website has many different styles and a variety of stamps.

These can include themes such as:

• Seasonal
• Landscapes
• Famous Americans
• Holidays
• Weddings
• Flowers

While using the website, you can choose to filter by color, shape, and theme, among other details. Choose from hundreds of options that fit your budget and personal requirements. For example, businesses may want to use themed stamps to make their marketing items more aesthetically pleasing. This kind of creativity grabs a client’s attention and thus, is more likely to garner a response.

A huge perk is that by purchasing stamps from a website, you don’t have to deal with wait times or restrictive hours. Available 24/7, websites offer service at any time of the day. Shipping can take a bit of time, however. With default shipping, you are looking at receiving your stamps between 3 and 5 business days. But there is the option of paying a little extra to take advantage of the option of Priority Mail Express. This urgent delivery option sees to it that you receive your stamps within 1 to 2 business days.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the largest online marketplaces in the world: Amazon. That’s right, you can order stamps from Amazon, too!

Grocery Stores and Gas Stations

A lesser-known avenue you can take when buying a postage stamp is through grocery stores or gas stations. Another convenient option for when you are out buying your essentials or just stopping quickly to fill up the tank. Forget about waiting in lines at the post office or waiting for online delivery!

You can also enjoy the convenience of having access to purchasing stamps on the weekends and federal holidays. Either approach the cashier or customer service counter to purchase these stamps. Be aware that some grocery stores and gas stations may only offer stamp booklets and coils. Purchasing a single stamp through these avenues may not be possible.

Banks

Banks sometimes sell stamps through their ATMs or the tellers themselves. Depending on the location, you can buy stamps without even having an account with the bank itself. Banks such as Bank of America, Chase, and KeyBank, etc offer the option to purchase either a coil of stamps or single ones. If you are unsure if your bank sells postal stamps, it doesn’t hurt to call ahead.

The problem with buying stamps from a bank comes from the inconvenience for those who can only buy them after work. Many banks close at 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm, limiting the window for those who work the 9:00 am to 5:00 pm workday. However, some banks are now offering the service of purchasing stamps through the ATM 24/7.

Remember your bank may charge a convenience fee for purchasing postage stamps. This tends to apply to those people who do not have an account through the bank. So, it makes sense to visit the bank that you use!

Postage Stamp Facts

Here are a few fun postal stamp facts straight from the USPS website:

• Each of the 50 states have their own commemorated postal stamps. Each gets honored every 50 years from the date of their inception.
• The Stamp Fulfillment Service facility is 150 feet beneath the ground in Kansas City, MO. The facility is in a limestone cave, due to the consistent temperatures and humidity levels all year long. These levels keep stamps in great condition.
• Each postage stamp is like a tiny work of art meant to reflect the American experience! This art can consist of themes such as history, milestones, natural wonders, and more.
• A postage stamp made the journey to Pluto in July 2015. On the New Horizons spacecraft, the stamp made a flyby to the small planet. This little stamp set the world record for the farthest distance traveled by a stamp, which is more than 3 billion miles.

Conclusion

Even amid technological advancements in the digital age, postal stamps are still an integral part of our country’s infrastructure. From Benjamin Franklin and George Washington stamps to the modern-day Forever stamps, the history of the United States postage service is rich with facts about the American experience.

The options of where you can buy stamps are ever-expanding. Not only can you find them at the post office, but now retail stores, banks, and online marketplaces offer a wide selection of purchasing choices. Buying them in bulk tends to save more money in the long run. Now keeping stocked on your postage stamps for letters and packages has never been easier.

Consider buying your stamps in bulk. Usually, places will sell them in booklets or rolls of 100. If you are looking to save money when shipping large volumes, buying from one of these options is best. Happy stamp hunting!