Where to Buy Stamps Besides the Post Office in 2024?

Postage stamps remain a key part of communication, whether for personal letters, business mail, or saving on shipping costs. But with rising prices, you might wonder, “Where can I find stamps at the best price?”

As of July 2024, the cost of a First-Class Forever stamp has increased to 73 cents—the second hike this year. USPS plans to raise rates gradually over the next few years, affecting not just Forever stamps, but also metered mail and postcards. These increases help the USPS manage growing operational costs (Stamps.com, AARP).

In this era of “stamp inflation,” finding the best place to buy stamps is more important than ever. While the Post Office is a go-to, other convenient and sometimes cheaper options are available.

Where to Buy Stamps?

The easiest place to buy stamps is the local post office, but long lines often make this simple task frustrating. Many prefer to avoid the hassle altogether.

Don’t worry! A great alternative is using kiosks—self-service booths that help you skip the wait. However, they don’t offer specialty stamps, so they’re not the most versatile option.

No need to stress! There are plenty of other places to buy stamps that suit your needs. Let’s explore them!

What Are the Other Ways to Purchase Stamps?

Aside from the post office, there are numerous ways to pick up stamps from a wide selection.

Big-Box Retailers

Popular retailers and grocery stores are the best places to buy stamps with lots of variety, quantity, and deals. Check out designated areas like particular aisles, store signage, and signboards to find the stamps in the stores.

Some retailers carry stamp booklets, coils or rolls. Some sell in 100-count batches, making it a perfect choice for large-scale businesses. Following are some famous retail stores that sell different kinds of stamps:

Walmart:

You can find USPS stamps at Walmart’s Money Services counters, which are typically open during store hours (7 AM to 11 PM), with some locations offering 24/7 access. You can buy Forever and First-Class stamps in sheets, rolls, and booklets, but not individual stamps. Online orders over $35 come with free shipping.

Costco:

Costco offers great deals on USPS Forever stamps, typically sold in rolls of 100 stamps. As of 2024, these are priced around $65.75. However, you won’t find them available online; they’re sold in-store only, and Costco’s rewards program doesn’t apply to stamp purchases.

Target:

Like Walmart, Target sells stamp booklets, but individual stamps aren’t available. A booklet of 20 stamps costs around $12. Target does not sell stamps online, so you’ll need to visit a physical store.

Kroger:

Stamps are available at Kroger stores, but not online. The price matches USPS rates, with a booklet of 20 stamps priced at approximately $12.

Specialized Stamp Stores

Specialized stamp stores should be your go-to place if you love collective stamps. These stores cater to your specific needs. They offer many stamps that allow you to create an artistic collection.

You can collect from commemorative to Cinderella to definitive to traditional stamps. Some stamps also expire with time. So, you can also add those to your unique stamp collection as a memory.

Royal Mail issued that the traditional old Queen Elizabeth II stamps will expire on July 31, 2023, and will be replaced by a digital-linked barcode system. So, they advised their customers to use the traditional mail stamps before they became invalid.

Banks & ATMs

Some banks provide stamp services at their ATMs and tellers, but it’s better to ask them if they sell stamps. Wells Fargo, Fifth Third Bank, and KeyBank are some banks that used to sell stamps. Fifth Third Bank’s website used to provide a filter option to explore its nearby locations that sell stamps at ATMs.

Online Resources

Stamps are also available online through sites like Amazon, where you can find themed, seasonal, and bulk stamps. However, be cautious of potential counterfeit stamps from third-party sellers. USPS’s official site remains the most secure option for purchasing stamps online, offering a wide variety of designs and denominations.

Post Office Official Website

USPS is the official postal service of the United States, offering a wide range of stamps including Forever, collectible, and specialty stamps. As of October 2024, a booklet of 20 Forever stamps costs around $14.60, with each Forever stamp priced at $0.73. These stamps are valid indefinitely, even if postage rates increase.

For secure purchases, buy stamps directly from USPS.com or authorized sellers. Domestic letter postage costs $0.73 for 1 ounce, while international letters start at $1.65. Ensure authenticity by purchasing from trusted sources.

Pharmacies & Gas Stations

You can also purchase stamps at select gas stations (like Shell, Chevron, and 7-Eleven) and pharmacy chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. These outlets are particularly convenient due to their extended operating hours, often open late or even 24/7.

Simplest Way to Buy Stamps

Another simple and easy way to buy stamps is through the store locator. Want to find where to buy postage stamps near me? Here is the way.

Where to Buy Stamps Near Me?

Use USPS’s location tool to explore where you can pick up stamps. You must enter your area zip code and select “national retailer” from the drop-down location menu. It will display all the nearby results based on your current location. You can then choose any stores that sell stamps at your convenience.

Why Do We Use Stamp Pads?

Stamp pads are necessary for rubber stamps. They allow you to create a clear and lasting impression on a porous surface like paper.

For multiple stamping and crafting techniques, you need to have different kinds of stamp pads. These include classic ink pads, specialty stamp pads, and dye or pigment-based stamp pads with various colorful options. Classic ink pads are the popular choice for rubber stamps.

Where to Buy Stamp Pads?

You can purchase stamp pads from a variety of stores depending on your project needs:

Art Supply Stores:

If you’re looking for high-quality stamp pads for creative projects, art supply stores like Jerry’s Artarama and Paper Source are great options. They carry a range of specialized ink pads, including pigment and chalk ink for artistic techniques.

Office Supply Stores:

For practical use in offices or classrooms, stores such as Office Depot and Michaels stock a variety of stamp pads, including refillable and multi-color options, catering to professional and educational needs.

Stationery Shops:

Local stationery stores and larger chains like JOANN often carry a mix of stamp pads along with related materials like rubber stamps and scrapbooking tools.

Online Retailers

Each type of store provides different options, from basic office supplies to premium ink pads for more specialized crafting projects.

You can also order stamp pads from online retailers like Sam’s Club, eBay, Amazon, USPS, etc. All these sites sell a variety of stamps and stamp pads for different applications.

How to Choose the Right Stamp Pad?

Choosing the right stamp pad is essential for achieving the perfect results in any stamping project. Here’s a simplified guide to help you make the best choice based on your specific needs:

• Quick-Dry Ink Pads: Best for fast, smudge-free impressions, ideal for layered stamping and quick projects.
• Opaque Pigment Ink Pads: Great for rich colors and heat embossing, perfect for blending and coloring.
• Water-Reactive Ink Pads: Ideal for soft blending effects, allowing more time to layer and create unique designs.
• Metallic Ink Pads: Use these to add shimmer and metallic details to your designs. Be sure to allow extra drying time.
• Project-Specific Inks: Choose permanent ink pads like StazOn for non-porous surfaces such as wood or glass.

Always consider ink type, stamp size, and surface for optimal results!

Frequently Asked Questions