Italian postage stamps now 1.60 euro to USA.

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Italysearcher
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Italian postage stamps now 1.60 euro to USA.

Post by Italysearcher »

Members of this forum may want to be aware that the price of postage from Italy to North America has doubled. From 85 cents to 1.60 euro.
I was asked by a forum member to send some Italian stamps for his research. This is not something I normally do and for this reason.
I went to the main Post Office and was lucky not to wait more than 10 minutes. I was advised about the rate increase so I returned home to email the person to see if he wanted to send more money.
He did, so I returned this morning at 8:30 am when they opened. They don't have the 1.60 stamps yet. They can only sell me 85 cents so buy double and pay 10 cents more on the postage! I objected, of course. Can't you make up 1.60 with other stamps I asked? After 5 more minutes he returned to tell me that they do have 1.50 stamps but they don't have any 10 cents left. BUT! the tobacconist might have some, so why don't I go there and see before I buy. I went, 5 minutes walk in the rain, they didn't have any left either. At the finish I returned to the Post Office an bought the 85 cent ones. The alternative was to run all over town to the various tobacconists to see if I could round up 15 -10 cents stamps. Not worth my time.
I know people send IRC but I can't imagine a town office sending someone to the Post Office to exchange one for a stamp. They are probably only valuable for writing to relatives and then you have to hope the Post Office know what to do with them. When I have some time to spare I will ask if our Post Office knows.
Ann Tatangelo
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Dual citizenship assistance, and document acquisition, on-site genealogical research in Lazio, Molise, Latina and Cosenza. Land record searches and succession.
wldspirit
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Re: Italian postage stamps now 1.60 euro to USA.

Post by wldspirit »

Thanks Ann, helpful insight from someone living in Italy!!
I have read where some of the offices have returned the IRC along with the documents requested.... :?
Keep us posted...
Lee
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lilbees
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Re: Italian postage stamps now 1.60 euro to USA.

Post by lilbees »

Well, the raise in cost of the postage certainly explains the increase I had for requested documents from the Archives. The fees I am charged are for reimbursement of their costs of postage and copying.

I find that quite reasonable. Thank you Ann for your information.

lilbees
Researching: RESCIGNO, CATALANO, LA MAGRA, ANGRISANO, CALABRESE, PAGANO, GAGLIO, DE ANGELIS,COSTABILE Campania-Napoli/Salerno/Palermo, Italy and Tunisia Africa
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Re: Italian postage stamps now 1.60 euro to USA.

Post by jennabet »

Gee, that is quite an increase. As of September 2009, I was still buying Posta Prioritaria stamps for one Euro each and they were good for letters sent anywhere in the USA. In 2008, they issued a stamp commemorating the 40 year anniversary of Anna Magnani's death. It was a beautiful picture of her.

Sounds like the economy has caught up with Italia. I would imagine groceries have gone up as well. Un cafe normale o vettrino has cost one Euro and a Cappuccino 1.10 since Italy went on the Euro January 1, 2002. I can't imagine a coffee going up and Italians actually standing for it.
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