Fewer people are mailing items these days, choosing insteadonline bill pay, email and social platforms. Yet some still favor the classic ritual of sending cards, bills or letters, or trust postal delivery more than digital channels for important correspondence.
If you go through a lot of stamps, costs can add up fast. As of July 2024, U.S. First-Class Mail Forever stamps are priced at 73 cents each — up five cents from last year’s 68-cent rate. The nice thing about Forever stamps is that they don’t display a denomination, so you can stockpile them and still use them if prices climb later.
But you can obtain postage for less than face value if you know where to look. Below are a few avenues to explore.
Where to Buy Stamps at Reduced Rates
Before hunting for discounted stamps, pause to evaluate the offer carefully. The United States Postal Inspection Service warns that counterfeit stamps are on the rise.
“Is a large discount of up to 50% off an order of United States Forever Stamps too good to pass up?” the alert asks. If it sounds unbelievable, keep scrolling.
USPIS notes that fake Forever stamps are often peddled in bulk at steep discounts, such as 20% to 50% off. If an offer seems unusually cheap, it likely has a hitch. That’s why buying stamps from a random eBay listing may not be wise.
Still, despite counterfeit activity, it’s possible to get legitimate discounts on postage — you just need to be cautious and verify the seller’s credibility before handing over money.
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Visit Stamp Dealers for Discount Postage
Stamp collecting is a significant industry. Dealers profit by trading stamps with collectors, and they also sell unused stamps below face value sometimes.
Collectors frequently purchase new or special-issue stamps hoping they’ll appreciate. Often they don’t, and collectors may sell to dealers at a reduced rate. The dealer then resells those stamps to consumers at a lower cost.
Buying this way might mean piecing together multiple stamps of varying denominations to reach the required first-class postage, but it can save money (and give your envelope a distinctive look for the person receiving your mail).
Hunt for Deals on Amazon
At first glance, stamp prices on Amazon appear similar to USPS rates, and occasionally they’re pricier. But with patience you can sometimes uncover worthwhile bargains on stamps there.
There’s no guarantee of cheap stamps on Amazon, but when you do find a deal it can be worthwhile — particularly if you have an Amazon credit card that earns rewards on purchases.
One warning about buying stamps on Amazon: purchase only from Amazon directly or from reputable sellers, since some third-party vendors may list counterfeit stamps at rock-bottom prices. If a listing appears dubious or too-good-to-be-true, there’s probably a reason.
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Create a Stamps.com Account
If you listen to podcasts, you’ve probably heard ads forStamps.com. They often provide a free trial that includes perks like complimentary postage so you can evaluate the service before subscribing.
As of September 2024, Stamps.com lists First-Class (Forever) stamps at 69 cents each, which is 4 cents less than retail.
Membership runs $19.99 per month (plus taxes where applicable), and includes a free 5-pound digital postal scale upon signup, along with a four-week trial that provides $5 in free postage. There are no long-term obligations — you can cancel anytime. If you mail and ship frequently, the subscription may quickly pay for itself.
Explore BuyDiscountStamps.com
Another online source isBuyDiscountStamps.com. They advertise stamps averaging about 10% to 15% below face value.
BuyDiscountStamps.com promotes no taxes and free shipping on orders, though there’s a $500 minimum purchase requirement to keep prices low. That’s a large upfront cost for casual buyers, but you could team up with friends to hit the minimum and likely be stocked up for a long time.
Purchase Stamps Directly From USPS
For smaller quantities, buying from the United States Postal Service is a sound option. USPS also offers a wider variety of stamp designs, while other sellers typically carry just classic options like the American flag stamp.
The Postal Service produces stamps in many themes — holidays, notable figures, seasons and more.
Buying directly from USPS means paying the current Forever stamp price, but it gives you the most design choices and supports the federal enterprise.
How Much Is a Book of Stamps?
A full-price book of 20 Forever stamps costs $11.60 (58 cents each). The price is set to rise to $12 per book (60 cents each) on July 10. Even after price hikes, a Forever stamp will cover a standard first-class letter. Resellers may list lower prices, but be wary of fakes.
Buy Stamps at Other Retail Outlets
The post office is the obvious place to purchase stamps, but it’s not always convenient. Many retailers you already visit sell postage at full retail price, so you can save a trip even if you don’t save money. Typically any location that stocks mailing supplies will carry stamps.
Office supply stores such as OfficeMax and Staples usually sell stamps at face value. Beyond office stores, you can find stamps at gas stations, UPS stores, big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, pharmacies and supermarkets. Wholesale clubs such as Costco or Sam’s Club also sometimes sell stamps in bulk. In September 2024, Costco had a roll of 100 Forever stamps priced at $72.75, which comes out to just under the 73-cent retail rate.
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Ways to Save Even More
Rebates and rewards are additional avenues to reduce postage costs.
Look at Rebate Sites
For extra savings, check rebate platforms to capture the best cash-back offers when purchasing discounted stamps. Cash-back rates change frequently.
Once you identify a preferred rebate site, search for Forever Stamps through the merchants listed (for example, Amazon or Walmart) to earn your rewards.
At 5% cash back on a $72 coil of stamps from USPS, you’d pocket an extra $3.60.
Pay With a Rewards Card
This is a smart stacking tactic. A cash-back credit card gives you money back on purchases you’d make anyway.
If your card returns 1% cash back, you’ll save an extra 72 cents on a 100-stamp coil selling for $72. That may not seem huge, but every bit helps.
You might not normally hunt for deals on mundane items like postage, but consider the savings — and avoided hassle. How much first-class mail do you send monthly?
One hundred stamps can last a while — you could be covered for months.
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Ohio-based Emily Ward is a British-born writer and editor working in the U.S. She holds a communications degree from the University of Chester in the U.K. and covers topics like personal finance, automobiles, pet care and parenting.
