Where to Buy Stamps Besides the Post Office: A Complete Guide
Sending letters, postcards, bills, or packages through the mail often requires postage stamps. While the post office is the most obvious place to purchase stamps, there are many other convenient locations to buy stamps nearby. Exploring all your options can save time and hassle when you need to mail something.
This comprehensive guide covers alternate places to buy postage stamps, current stamp pricing, tips for saving money on mailing needs, and online stamp ordering. Read on to discover where you can grab postage stamps on short notice!
Stamp Pricing Overview
Before exploring where to buy stamps, it’s helpful to understand the different types of stamps and current pricing standards.
The most common stamp sold in the United States is the Forever Stamp, which costs $0.58 as of February 2023. Forever Stamps can be used to mail standard 1-ounce letters regardless of future price increases.
Other common postage stamps include:
- Postcard Stamp: $0.44 for standard domestic postcards up to 6″ x 4.25″.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: $0.24 for each additional ounce over 1 ounce when sending domestic letters or flats.
- International Stamp: $1.40 for mailing 1-ounce letters or postcards internationally.
Specialized services like Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express have their own designated stamps and prices.
The pricing for Forever Stamps and other common options is expected to increase in 2024. For example, Forever Stamps will go up to $0.63. The good news is that the base cost per stamp stays the same regardless of quantity. Whether you buy a single stamp at the gas station or a whole roll from the post office, standard stamps are $0.58 each. However, some retailers may charge a small service fee.
Where Can I Buy Stamps Near Me Besides the Post Office?
There are so many convenient places that sell postage stamps besides the post office. Here are some of the best and most popular options for where to buy stamps locally:
Grocery Stores
Major grocery store chains tend to carry postage stamps at customer service desks or self-checkout lanes. For example:
- Walmart: Stamps can be purchased at registers or customer service in Walmart stores along with other mailing supplies. They typically sell Forever Stamps in booklets containing 20 stamps each.
- Kroger: Most Kroger affiliate stores (like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, etc.) sell stamps at the customer service desk or manned registers.
- Safeway, Albertsons, Publix: Similar to Kroger, postage stamps are available upon request from customer service or checkout clerks.
- Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s: All major national grocery chains carry stamps in the front-end registers or dedicated customer service areas.
Calling ahead to confirm stamp availability is recommended if visiting a smaller regional grocer. But the major national brands have kiosks to find grocery stores selling stamps near you.
Gas Stations
Many convenience stores attached to gas stations sell Forever Stamps right at the cash register. Major fuel brands known to carry postage stamps include:
- Shell
- Chevron
- Exxon
- Circle K
- 7-Eleven
Supply can be hit or miss at independently owned gas stations. Checking for signage that says “Stamps Sold Here” is a good indicator that a particular location sells stamps. Use the locator tool to find specific gas stations selling stamps near your location.
Office Supply Stores
For bulk orders or when mailing supplies are needed too, office stores have you covered. Top national chains include:
- Staples: All Staples locations allow you to buy stamps at the register or self-service kiosks in denominations up to a whole booklet. Shop Staples for all your mailing needs.
- Office Depot/OfficeMax: Similar to Staples, postage stamps are sold at the checkout counter and kiosks. Bulk orders can be placed as well.
Calling ahead to verify stamp inventory is smart when visiting smaller local or regional chains. But the major office supply names have stamps stocked for whenever you need to get stamps delivered today.
Online Retailers
Ordering stamps online through e-commerce websites is incredibly convenient, saving you trips outside the home. Top-rated online stamp sources include:
- USPS.com: The official United States Postal Service website lets you order booklets or coils of stamps directly. All stamps ship free if your order total exceeds $50.
- Amazon: The massive online retailer Amazon.com sells a variety of USPS postage like rolls, sheets, and booklets. Prime members get free shipping or orders above $25 ship for free.
- Stamps.com: This private postage provider integrates directly with USPS. It allows you to print official postage straight from your home printer. Discounted rates also apply versus buying stamps at post office locations.
As long as you have a valid credit/debit card or PayPal account, buying stamps online takes just minutes. But do account for shipping times, which can take up to 5-7 business days or more with standard shipping.
How to Save Money When Buying Stamps
Mailing multiple letters and packages can get very expensive. But there are several simple tips to save money on postage:
Buy Forever Stamps
The most foolproof way to save is sticking to Forever Stamps. These special stamps are always equivalent to the current USPS first-class mail rate for standard envelope sizes. Forever Stamps never expire, so stocking up insulates you from future postal price increases.
Compare Prices
Fees and surcharges for buying stamps vary between retailers. Before making a trip or placing an online order, call around or check websites to compare stamp prices near you. The base rate itself won’t change. But added per-stamp costs like service fees impact the bottom line.
Purchase in Bulk Quantities
Without question, buying higher stamp quantities is cheaper. For example, a roll of 100 Forever Stamps breaks down to about $0.49 per stamp. Yet a booklet of 20 stamps costs around $0.58 apiece. That’s nearly a 20% savings by purchasing in bulk! Warehouse clubs like Costco often have the absolute best deals when you buy rolls instead of sheets.
Use Online Postage Services
Rather than rolls of stamps, web-based postage providers let you print shipping labels with USPS approval and barcodes directly onto envelopes. Companies like Stamps.com give you steep discounts, often 40% cheaper than buying similar postage at post office retail rates. Extra perks like free package tracking and insurance make online services even more valuable.
Utilize Postage Calculators
Before heading out on a stamp-buying mission, use a postage calculator to determine exactly what denominations you need. Entering mail dimensions and destination provides the exact final rate. This helps avoid accidentally overpaying or applying insufficient postage leading to returned mail.
Being strategic with stamp purchasing when mailing adds up over time. Little efforts like pre-calculating postage really help save money long term.
Which Is the Best Place to Buy Stamps?
Now that you know all the various places you can buy stamps near me besides the post office, where should you actually shop? Here is a quick comparison of the top options:
| Location | Perks | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | Convenient hours fitting most schedules | Limited selection, may charge small service fees |
| Gas Stations | Many locations open late 24/7 | Stamps may be out of stock frequently |
| Office Supply Stores | Wide selection of bulk stamp inventory | Usually long lines for checkout |
| Online Retailers | Ships directly to you anytime | Order minimums, shipping waits |
| Post Office | Has every stamp product in stock | notoriously Long lines, short hours |
As shown, each place to purchase stamps has its own pros and cons. Personally, I prefer to buy large bulk rolls of Forever Stamps from Costco or the USPS website to get the best rate per piece. This enables me to always have stamps on hand and avoid frantic last-minute trips.
I also leverage Stamps.com for printing postage directly onto envelopes and packages related to my small business. The substantial discounts and included tracking make online postage services essential for frequent shippers like myself. My combination of bulk buying and web printing covers all my mailing needs!
Where to Buy Stamps in Small Quantities?
While buying rolls and booklets of stamps provides the best value, what if you only need a few stamps at a time? Here are some options for purchasing a small number of stamps locally:
- Ask for singles at the post office counter. Post office clerks can issue you a single stamp if you only need one or two.
- Check grocery store customer service desks. Some grocery stores can sell individual stamps from behind the customer service desk.
- Visit a staffed gas station counter. Ask the attendant if they can sell you one or a few stamps.
- Buy a booklet and use what you need. Keep the extras handy for future mailings. Forever Stamps don’t expire.
You can also order a booklet of 20 or 100 stamps online even if you only need a few right away. The extras can be stored and used indefinitely.
Wrapping up!
And there you have it! With so many conveniently located retailers selling singles, sheets, or coils of stamps, running out is now preventable. Use this guide to discover stamp inventory near you with the exact rates and quantities for your specific usage.
Happy and cost-effective mailing! Please let me know in the comments if you have any other hidden gem locations for where to purchase stamps besides post offices
