You need to mail a letter. Maybe it’s an about-to-be-due bill payment. Or perhaps it’s a birthday card that you want to be sure arrives on time. However, it’s late. The post office is closed. If you had a stamp then you could place it on the envelope, drop that in the mailbox, and it would go out first thing tomorrow. However, you don’t have a stamp. Therefore, you find yourself asking, “where can I buy postage stamps after hours?”
First, Know Your Post Office’s Hours
Before you rush to buy postage stamps somewhere else, double check to make sure that it’s too late to get them at your post office. Most locations are open until 5 pm on weekdays, 4 pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. However, that varies a lot from place to place. Some stay open until 5 or 6 on weekdays. Some close at 3 on Saturdays. If you don’t know your own location’s hours, then it’s time to check.
Check Other Places Where You Can Ship Mail
Also, remember that the post office isn’t the only place where you can ship items as well as buy stamps. If you have a local UPS store near you, then check there. They sell stamps at their locations. Moreover, they are generally open later than the regular post office. Most locations are open until 6 or 7 on weekdays. Some stay open even later.
FedEx stores are often open even later. Some of them are open until 10 pm on weekdays. And yes, FedEx does sell stamps. However, some of their stores are closed on both Sundays and Mondays.
If you’re asking, “where can I buy postage stamps after hours?” then start with these places. Not only do you get your stamps, but you can also send the mail at the same time. There’s no need to look for a post office box.
Grocery Stores Sell Stamps
If the post office or similar types of places are definitely closed, then you might want to get stamps at your grocery store. Many different grocery stores sell stamps. Even small local grocers with only one location sometimes sell stamps. Most of the large grocery stores have stamps available for sale at the cash register.
This is a great option because grocery stores are often open very late, even on Sundays. Some of them are even open 24 hours. Additionally, you can pick up any groceries you need while also buying your stamps.
Just a few of the grocery stores around the US that sell stamps include:
- Albertsons
- Bi-Lo
- Fiesta Mart
- Food4Less
- Food City
- Food Lion
- Fry’s
- Gelson’s
- Giant Eagle
- Hannaford’s
- Kroger
- Marc’s
- Price Chopper
- Publix
- Ralph’s
- Safeway
- Shaw’s
- Stater Bros.
- Tom Thumb
- Vons
- Winco
- Whole Foods
There are a few things to know about buying stamps at grocery stores. First of all, just because a store usually sells them doesn’t mean that they’ll have them available. You should always call your specific location to check first. Second, grocery stores usually only sell stamps in booklets. Therefore, you will need to purchase twenty stamps even if you only need a single stamp. The good thing is that then you’ll have 19 more so it will be along time before you’ll run out and have to ask again, “where can I buy postage stamps after hours?”
Head to Your Local Superstore
The only store more convenient than a grocery store is a superstore. You can usually get groceries there. You can also get clothing, household items, school supplies, toys, electronics, and so much more. If you have a Target or a Wal-Mart near you, then you are in luck. These stores generally do sell postage stamps.
Pharmacies and Convenience Stores Sell Stamps
Look at the corner of almost any intersection anywhere, and you’re likely to see either a pharmacy or a convenience store. Some corners have more than one of each. Therefore, you certainly shouldn’t overlook these options when you need to buy stamps after hours.
In terms of pharmacies, the big stores are CVS and Walgreens. Both of these locations typically sell stamps. As with grocery stores, you will usually have to buy a whole book of them. Just go right up to the cash register and ask the cashier if they sell stamps.
Likewise, you can get stamps from the cashier at most convenience stores. 7-11 and Circle K both usually sell stamps. These stores are open late if they close at all, so they provide a great solution to the last-minute after-hours need to buy a stamp. That said, whether or not a specific location has them on hand is always iffy. Again, it’s best to call first.
Buy Stamps at Office Supply Stores
Office supply stores might not immediately come to mind, but of course, it makes sense that they sell stamps. They also sell shipping supplies. Both Staples and Office Depot generally sell books of stamps. They’re open later than post offices, although hours will vary by location. Call ahead, ask if they sell stamps, and confirm how late the location is open.
How to Find Where I Can Buy Postage Stamps After Hours
If you’re not sure where to buy stamps after hours, head online for a search.
- Go to the USPS website.
- Under “quick tools,” select “find USPS locations.”
- Under “location types” choose “post offices and approved postal providers.”
- Click “refine search” and for the dropdown box select “alternate locations to buy stamps.”
- Enter your zip code in the appropriate box.
- Narrow down the miles radius to search.
This brings up a list of all of the places where you can buy stamps. It will even tell you if they only sell booklets. Sometimes, the results will surprise you. For example, Cole Hardware near me sells postage stamps.
Unfortunately, the hours of each store aren’t always listed. Therefore, you may need to bring up another webpage to locate the store’s phone number and call. Even if you’re familiar with the store, it’s smart to call and ask them if they currently have postage stamps available.
