Does anyone know about the rates going up and if so when they take effect?  Thanks!

I believe they are going up in April. I tried to research it awhile ago and couldn't interpret the 500 page document from USPS. But it looks like they just got approved, here is the best press release I have read so far: http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y15/m02/i26/s02

I too had heard 'April'.  When I ask, the staff at my PO just say " They don't tell us anything."  

Here are more details. April 26 is the date: http://blog.stamps.com/2015/03/04/usps-announces-postage-rate-increase-starts-april-26-2015/

To just see the proposed rates, you can go to pe.usps.gov (the website for Postal Explorer from the USPS) and click on Mailing Services Prices - Proposed, in the left hand column.  There are tabs along the bottom, you will need to click on the last tab three or four times to get to the Media Mail page.

info I saw says tracking will go from 23 cents to 36 cents. April 26 which is a Sunday.

The 36 cent tracking fee is for Standard Post. According to the USPS files, tracking will be free for Package Services, which currently includes Media Mail. If this is correct and they don't decide to reclassify Media Mail or backpedal on the Package vs Standard Service pricing, then this is actually a price reduction for those who use Printable Postage for Media Mail packages.

Latest info from the USPS: IMPORTANT UPDATE!  On March 27, the USPS announced they will delay the implementation of the 2015 rate increase and classification changes scheduled to start on Sunday, April 26, 2015. USPS rates WILL NOT be changing on April 26, 2015. 

"USPS rates WILL NOT be changing on April 26, 2015."

YIPEE..... Great News.

Thanks Connie for the update.

Thanks for the news about the rates staying the same.

Glad to hear rates are not increasing, but another site I buy books from just sent me an email stating they will be charging .99 a book because of USPS rates increasing.   The other site has had books for $3- $4 with free shipping.  

 For those who ship books First Class mail that the postage is higher now. Received a book with postage due. Not complaining, just a friendly reminder to all. 

Thanks for explaning possible reasons. I just checked the book and it was shipped - First class/ pkg 8oz/ $2.59, the book weighted 9.4oz. I never had a book with postage due. plus the day before I received another regular package with postage due, so assumed it was because of a postal increase. 

Thanks also, for listing the May 31st increase changes.

(Note: I think they are probably talking about Media Mail as "Standard Mail".)

Actually, Standard Mail and Media Mail are two separate things (http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/packageServices.htm):

Standard Post Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post) is primarily intended for single-piece mailings which consist of any mailable matter that is not required to be mailed as First-Class Mail and includes USPS Tracking at no additional charge. It is commonly used for gifts and merchandise. There are no bulk prices for Standard Post. Standard Post is generally presented at a USPS retail service counter where USPS Tracking service can be initiated. Standard Post prices are based on the zone (distance) to which the parcel is addressed and the weight of the parcel. While any mailable matter not required to be mailed as First-Class Mail is permitted to Zones 5-8, Zones 1-4 items are limited to mailable hazardous materials, live animals, and other “surface-only” items. Bound Printed Matter Bound Printed Matter must: Be paid by permit imprint. Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of such material). Be securely bound by permanent fastenings such as staples, spiral binding, glue, or stitching. Loose-leaf binders and similar fastenings are not considered permanent. Consist of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting with words, letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of them). Not have the nature of personal correspondence. Not be stationery, such as pads of blank printed forms. There are commercial prices, carrier route prices, and destination entry discounts available for bulk quantities of Bound Printed Matter (minimum quantity is 300 pieces). There are also different prices for BPM parcels than for BPM flats with a barcoded discount available for BPM flats. Media Mail Generally used for books (at least eight pages), film, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable media. Advertising restrictions apply. There are presorted prices available for bulk quantities of Media Mail (minimum quantity is 300 pieces). Library Mail Used by qualifying institutions like libraries, universities, zoos, and research institutions to mail educational and research material. There are presorted prices available for bulk quantities of Library Mail (minimum quantity is 300 pieces).

Hi All.

Went to the PO this morning to mail some books out and both the mail clerk and I were surprised to find that Media went up 3 cents to $2.72 as of today : (

Stacey, do you know how much for the 2nd pound of media mail?  

I didn't think the 13 cent increase went into effect until the end of the month.  The two pound rate will be $3.22 according to the chart in one of the prior posts.

I saw a random Facebook post (so it must be true, right?  LOL) that although the new Media Mail rates become effective May 31, 2015, the USPS systems will change the higher rates now unless the customer questions it.

Here is a link to the new postage rates in chart form.

http://stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1685/~/january-2015-usps-rate-changes%3A-rate-increase-for-packages-sent-without

Does anyone know how the 'included' tracking on MM is going to work? I guess if you buy postage at the PO it will be obvious since they use the bar code/sticker. And with any online postage I suppose printing a label will generate the barcode. I don't see how I will be able to use it myself since I print my postage at home using a dymo postage/label printer (and add stamps if necessary) so I don't need to go to the PO. Unless there will be a way to 'create' the barcode independent of postage?