I was standing in a Post Office line on a Saturday morning, holding one letter, when I realized: I’d been doing this the hard way for years.
That was my ‘wait, stamps sell where?’ moment. Because the Post Office is far from the only option. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, warehouse clubs, even some ATMs — they all sell stamps. And if your main question is whether any of these are actually cheaper than the Post Office, I did the digging so you don’t have to.
The short version: most places sell Forever Stamps at the same USPS price, so convenience is what you’re really optimizing. But warehouse clubs can go slightly below face value on bulk packs — and there’s a trick with Forever Stamps that makes even a full-price purchase a small save. One honest caveat before the list: availability varies by location for almost everything here, so this is a map, not a guarantee.
1. USPS post office — the biggest selection
Your local post office specializes in postage, and the staff can advise you on the right way to send a letter or parcel. Lines can get long at busy times, so the self-service kiosk is faster — as long as you already know what you want. Specialty items like priority or airmail usually mean the full queue.
My call: if you need something unusual, go here. If you need a plain book of stamps, save the trip.
2. USPS.com — buy from your couch
Order stamps online at USPS.com. You skip the trip, pay the same price as in-store, and get far more styles than most physical stores: famous Americans, florals, animals, holiday designs. Online-exclusive designs are common, and the site has filters for format, issue year, and theme. Mailing supplies can come with the order.
3. USPS over the phone — it works, but it costs extra
You can order by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724). Pay with a credit card and the stamps get mailed to you within a few days. The catch: USPS charges a fee for phone orders. If you can’t leave the house, the website is the better move — same result, no added fee.
4. Warehouse clubs — the only real discount I found
This is the one that interests me. BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club sometimes sell books or rolls of Forever Stamps for slightly less than their regular USPS price, especially in larger quantities. The savings per stamp are small — but if you mail a lot, they add up.
Before driving across town for stamps, call your local club to confirm they’re in stock. Availability really varies.
And the Forever Stamp trick, which makes even full-price stamps a bargain: they don’t expire. Buy them before a USPS rate hike, and they still cover a standard one-ounce First-Class letter after the price goes up — no difference to pay. I keep a roll on the kitchen counter for exactly this reason.
5. Banks — maybe
Some banks sell postage stamps, and if you’re already stopping by a branch it’s an easy add-on. But availability varies by bank and even by individual branch. Larger banks are more likely to carry them than small ones or credit unions, and policies change. If it’s worth a trip, call first and ask whether they sell Forever Stamps and where in the branch they’re kept.
6. ATMs that sell stamps — the weird one
Some ATMs sell stamps. You’ll find the option under a menu like “More Options” or “Other Services,” then follow the prompts. Availability is the whole problem: these machines are nowhere near as common as grocery stores or pharmacies, so I wouldn’t make a special trip unless I already knew one did. If you do use one, check for ATM or transaction fees first, especially at out-of-network machines. But if you’re at an ATM anyway, it handles two errands at once.
7. The UPS Store — when the Post Office is closed
Many UPS Store locations sell USPS stamps alongside shipping, packaging, and mailbox rentals — handy if you need envelopes or boxes too. The real edge is hours: many locations stay open later than post offices and may open on Saturdays. Locations are independently owned, so availability varies; call ahead if stamps are the whole trip.
8. Grocery stores — my actual default
This is where I get stamps now. Many supermarkets keep books of Forever Stamps at the customer service desk or checkout — not on the shelves, so ask an employee if you can’t spot them. Chains like Kroger, Safeway, Food Lion, Meijer, and Grocery Outlet may carry them, and availability varies by store. The win is that most are open evenings and weekends when the Post Office isn’t. Don’t expect a discount here — if price is the point, see warehouse clubs.
9. Gas stations
Some gas stations sell books of Forever Stamps at the register, which is genuinely useful when you need stamps outside Post Office hours. Not every station does, even within the same chain, so call ahead if you’re making a special trip. No savings to speak of — the value is pure convenience.
10. Convenience stores — open late, open late, open late
Many convenience stores sell books of Forever Stamps at the register, with a limited selection. If you need specialty designs, USPS is the better call. Chains like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and QuikTrip may sell them; some QuikTrip locations do, but it varies store to store. Many are open late or 24 hours, which is the whole point — they’re useful exactly when the Post Office and most retailers are closed.
11. Office supply stores
If you’re already buying envelopes and printer paper, this is the natural add-on. Staples and Office Depot may sell Forever Stamps — typically at the checkout or customer service counter, not the shelves. College bookstores are another possible option worth a look. No discount, just one trip that handles mailing supplies and postage together. Call ahead if stamps are the whole reason for the trip.
12. Pharmacies — while you’re picking up a prescription
CVS and Walgreens may sell books of Forever Stamps at the checkout counter, and Rite Aid is another chain to check. You won’t find a big design selection — pharmacies sell by the book, at or near face value. The benefit is the same as grocery stores: you’re already there. CVS in particular often has them, but stock varies by store, so a quick call before a dedicated trip saves a walk to the back and back again.
13. Stamps.com — for people who mail a lot
If you mail letters or packages regularly, Stamps.com lets you buy and print USPS postage from home or the office — useful for small businesses and heavy mailers. The catch is the paid plan, so if you send an occasional letter, buying directly from USPS or a local retailer is simpler. For frequent mail, though, it’s a real time-saver.
14. Retail stores — Walmart and Target
Walmart and Target may sell Forever Stamps, typically at the customer service desk or checkout area. If you don’t see them by the registers, ask an employee. If you’re already shopping there, it’s one more thing off the list with zero extra trips. If stamps are the whole reason for the visit, call first.
15. Amazon — check who’s actually selling
Amazon lists books and rolls of Forever Stamps, but look at who’s selling before you buy — not every listing is a first-party or reliable seller. I get suspicious of Forever Stamps at unusually deep discounts there. For a one-off book, USPS or a local store is the less stressful route.
16. eBay — great for collectibles, risky for everyday postage
eBay is where I’d go for older or collectible stamps. For current Forever Stamps, be skeptical of large quantities priced well below face value — a deep discount isn’t worth much if the stamps turn out to be counterfeit and can’t be used. For everyday mailing, USPS or an established local retailer is the safer, simpler option.
17. Discount stamp websites — the red-flag zone
If a website advertises Forever Stamps dramatically below regular value, treat that as a warning. USPS itself warns consumers about counterfeit postage, and unusual discounts are the classic red flag. Before ordering from an unfamiliar site, research the company, check its reputation, and understand the refund policy. Saving a few dollars isn’t worth stamps that might not work.
18. Your local mail carrier — yes, really
Worth a check: some mail carriers can take a stamp order form from you, you return it with payment, and the stamps come to your home. Useful if getting to a Post Office or store is a hassle. Procedures vary, so check with your local Post Office or carrier what’s available in your area. Ordering online from USPS is the easier version of this if you don’t need them today.
19. Cash-back sites — a small bonus, not a strategy
Swagbucks and Rakuten can put a little money back in your pocket on online purchases, but don’t assume postage earns rewards. If you’re already using a cash-back site and buying from a retailer that sells stamps online, check the offer’s terms first — postage and gift cards are often excluded. I wouldn’t use this route just to buy stamps. Any cash back is a small bonus, not a plan.
Worth It?
Verdict: worth it — but the ‘deal’ is the strategy, not the price. Almost everywhere sells Forever Stamps at the same USPS price, so pick the place you’re already visiting. The only genuine savings come from warehouse clubs on bulk packs and from buying before a rate hike. Skip the deep-discount online sites unless you’ve done your homework.
FAQ
Where’s the cheapest place to buy stamps?
Most legitimate sellers charge the current USPS price. Warehouse clubs occasionally go slightly below face value on larger quantities, and rewards credit cards can add small savings depending on the card’s terms. Deep discounts from unfamiliar online sellers are usually a counterfeit warning, not a bargain.
How much does a stamp cost?
A Forever Stamp covers a standard one-ounce First-Class letter in the US, and USPS changes rates periodically — so check USPS’s rate calculator for the current price rather than trusting an older one. The upside: Forever Stamps stay valid for that one-ounce letter even after rates go up.
Do stamps expire?
No. A Forever Stamp keeps its full value for a one-ounce First-Class letter even after price increases. Older stamps with a printed value still work too — you just combine enough of them to cover the current rate.
A note from Dana
I’ve stopped making Post Office errands for something I can grab at the grocery store on the way home. If you find yourself in that Saturday-morning line again, you know where to look first. If you enjoyed this, check out my other money-saving finds — and tell me where you buy your stamps in the comments.