MARTIN Lewis has revealed an “effective tactic” for shoppers to avoid a looming price hike in the coming days.
The MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder suggested people stock up on stamps now to avoid paying the hike.
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It comes as many of us will be starting to think about sending letters and cards out to family and friends for the festive period.
Martin said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance, as provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid after the hike.
“This has been an effective tactic, as a first-class letter stamp is now £1.10, soon to be rising to £1.25 – in 2012 it was just 60p.
“So you may as well stock up now, even if it’s just for Christmas cards for the next few Christmases.”
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From October 2, first-class stamps will rise from £1.10 to £1.25.
A pack of four first-class stamps costs shoppers £4.40, but from October 2, that same amount will cost you £5 – that’s a 60p increase.
While a pack of eight stamps currently set you back £8.80, they’ll soon cost you £10 – that’s a £1.20 increase.
It comes after the Royal Mail raised the price of first class stamps by 15p from 95p to £1.10 in March.
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The Royal Mail charges more for first class stamps as they ensure your letter gets to its destination faster.
Generally, a letter with a first class stamp on it will arrive at the intended address the next working day.
If you buy as many stamps as you can now, then you’ll be able to avoid paying the new price until they run out.
You can buy stamps from any Post Office up and down the country.
Just make sure you stock up before October 2.
The stamps you buy now will still be valid after the deadline.
Stamps with no monetary value indicated on them do not usually expire but a big change which came this year invalidated old-style stamps.
Once they run out, you’ll have to then pay the new price but it’s worth doing ahead of Christmas.
Second class stamps will remain at the same price – 75p.
Earlier this year, Royal Mail ousted old-style stamps and replaced them with barcoded ones in July.
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The business said the move would make letters more secure.
Anyone who still has these old-style stamps and uses them may have to pay a surcharge.
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