marc923
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:23:00 PM
I've decided to give stamps.com a try. So far it looks great. Anyone else use it and have any comments?
Marc
|
doninpa
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:25:46 PM
I never saw the need to pay more fees for postage, when you can just purchase stamps at the PO. I weigh my stuff and stamp it myself, and just drop it off, no waiting in lines.
|
marc923
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:27:50 PM
I usually charge a flat fee for shipping/handling. So I'm not worried about the fee. It's more of a convenience thing for me. Just print a label and postage together and I'm good to go.
|
Kaffro
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:28:50 PM
As with anything you are going to find that some people love it and others do not! I personally use it and I LOVE IT! I can print out my postage whenever I want and then just deliver my packages to the post office, that way I don't have to deal with those miserable postal employees too long!
Kaffro 
|
ExecutiveGirl
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:35:38 PM
I've been using Stamps.com for over a year and have NEVER had a problem. I absolutely love them.
|
debtrek
|
posted on January 20, 2001 01:42:06 PM
I, too have used them, for about six months now and once I familiarized myself with everything, I haven't had to ask for help once...
You'll get alot of people who'll tell you that someone else is better...
Perhaps for their needs, other companies suit them better...
But consider this a BIG giant vote for STAMPS.COM
good luck!
deb 
"Wit is educated insolence."
|
hkkozera
|
posted on January 20, 2001 03:17:30 PM
I am just getting into selling on eBay and so far I have only sold items that I had around the house and no longer have room for. I started using Stamps.com because I got a free trial offer with $60.00 free postage and a free scale.
The software is easy to use and speeds up the shipping process. The automatic address verification is great. I have already caught an incorrect zip code that a buyer gave me. I use the 3-Part (postage, return address, and shipping address) labels and the packages look very professional. I also like having a log of the postage used as well as not having 3 charges from the PO on my credit card each week.
Here are the drawbacks:
Stamps.com does not support international shipments at all. I can’t even print the postage and take the package to the counter.
I use Delivery Confirmation an all of my packages. My buyers like to check the tracking number online to see that their package has actually been shipped. If I deposit the packages in the mailbox, the DC's never get scanned at the time of mailing and all the buyer sees online is a message that the DC number is not in the system. I still need to wait in line at the PO to get the packages scanned.
I also insure most of the packages I send. If you insure a package through the PO, you have to take it to the counter. Stamps.com recommends UPIC in order to avoid this problem... I tried using UPIC once but the buyer complained that I didn't send it insured since there was no PO insurance stamp on the package. I explained how the package was insured and everything was ok, but I won't use UPIC again for that reason.
So, for the current time I am preparing all of my packages with Stamps.com and I still have to stand in line at the PO to get the DC’s scanned and have them insured. The clerks still weigh the package, add all of the options, etc. They even print out a postage sticker for $0.00 and attach it! Considering everything, I don’t think Stamps.com it is worth the $4.95 minimum monthly fee.
How does everyone else handle DC, insurance, and international shipments with Stamps.com?
Kim 
[ edited by hkkozera on Jan 20, 2001 03:24 PM ]
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 20, 2001 03:54:31 PM
It works great, but don't let the "free" scale be the thing that sways you into the $15per month package. That scale is such a piece of trash!! I went through three that never even got used and didn't work. Too frustrating, so provide your own scale. Have other friends that had same exact experience with the scale.
As for doing international, all you need to do is get the rate from usps.com and on your stamps.com page process it like a "correction" where you can key in the amount of postage you want.
|
dinapal
|
posted on January 20, 2001 04:03:01 PM
Hi!
I use Stamps.com as well, and also pickup service from the U.S.P.S. (Talk about lazy, huh? 
Anyway, I just attach my delivery confirmations and insurance forms making sure the postage is correct.
Even if the D.C. forms don't get scanned on your end, they will be scanned on the other end, and that's the important one.
It's been working great but I'm now thinking of going to U.P.S. If you sign up with U.P.S. and have a daily pickup, their rates are then VERY competitive, especially considering insurance (up to $100) is included.
|
vargas
|
posted on January 20, 2001 04:11:05 PM
I've been using Stamps.com for about a year now and you can count me among those who love it!
It saves so much time at the P.O. I stamp my packages at night and drop them in the slot inside the PO on my way to work in the morning.
For insurance, I use U-PIC, unless a customer expressly requests USPS. I tell customers in advance that their package will be insured via U-PIC, send them a link to the web site and explain WHY the package will not be marked "insured."
I use DC on all insured packages and packages valued above a set dollar amount.
I also ship internationally on a weekly basis.
I still have to get in line to have DC scanned, but I get to stand in the short retail line, rather than the long "full-service" line. (We have a LOT of passport applicants at my PO.)
When I have an international package, I try to take it to the PO in my office building, where the lines usually are MUCH shorter.
|
jfpnatl
|
posted on January 20, 2001 04:38:16 PM
What a great service, I love it!! No trips to the PO for stamps or insuranceeither, I use U-Pic!! Lov'em both!
|
hkkozera
|
posted on January 21, 2001 06:09:35 AM
sharkbaby,
Thanks for the heads up on the scale. I haven't received mine yet. I went with the $15.00 / mo packagage because I got $60.00 in free postage vs. $30.00 for the $4.95 package. The people at Stamps.com told me I can switch to the $4.95 package after my first billing cycle, so I am still $15.00 ahead.
I tried printing postage for an international package by doing a "correction" as you suggested, but the Stamps.com software still tries to verify the address and won't print postage since the address is "invalid". What am I doing wrong???
Kim 
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 21, 2001 08:09:35 AM
Hey Kim!
Just make up an address that you already know. It doesn't matter where it is, and input the amount of postage you want printed. Then, obviously you won't use the address label portion. (I use 5163 labels, so the addresses print on one label and the postage on a separate one)
Smart decision going for the free postage. I have capitalized on this in a couple of ways to get free postage and they ALWAYS get it to you right away. Got a couple referrals that gave me more free and signed up on the Sprint promo that got me $60 more. You can easily pay for the monthly fee that way plus much more!
shark
|
marc923
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:04:39 AM
Getting $30.00 to sign up? When did you all sign up? My two choices were the $15.00 plan and would have got me $20.00 in postage. So I signed up for the cheap plan and got $10.00 in free postage. Bad timing?
Marc
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:25:11 AM
hey marc, maybe you could get some of the sellers that are newer that read this thread to use you as a referral and you would get some more free postage...
It's a thought!
shark
|
hkkozera
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:30:14 AM
marc923,
I used the link in Quicken 2001. It puts a cookie on your system that changes the pricing plans when you go to the Stamps.com site! I got $60.00 free postage for the power plan (or $30.00 for the simple plan.) I just checked the link again and it still works. If I remove the cookie it's back to the $20.00 / $10.00 free postage deal.
You can also get $20.00 free postage for each person you get to sign up for Stamps.com. But the referral code you give your friends only gives them the $20.00 / $10.00 free postage deal as well. They are better off going through Quicken.
BTW.. I just noticed that the power plan pricing has just gone up to $18.99 (It used to be $15.00!) That's pretty steep!
Kimm
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:40:28 AM
Wo! You're right! steep!
I haven't received anything on an increase. Have they only raised it to new customers?
hmmm....
|
hkkozera
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:46:02 AM
I haven't received a notice of increase from Stamps.com. I just saw it when I checked to see if the link from Quicken still works.
Was the simple plan $4.99? It is now showing $4.49... I don't remember for sure!
Kimm
|
hkkozera
|
posted on January 21, 2001 01:38:48 PM
sharkbaby,
I just found this information in the Stamps.com help file:
"The indicium printed by Stamps.com Internet Postage is called an "Information Based indicium," because it contains information such as postage information, delivery and sorting information, and financial tracking data."
Since you use a domestic address to "trick" Stamps.com to print international postage, would this cause a delay in getting the packages out of the country?
Kimm
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 21, 2001 01:51:01 PM
I can't imagine why. I have done it several times without any problem. However, to be honest, I didn't understand a word of what you were saying there! (I have a "logical" brain and not a "computer" brain, unfortunately) haha, but true!
I just figured that out on my own and did it a number of times just to get the postage from my account. I work part time at a place that sends stuff (lucky for me!! how convenient!) and have access to the back door at the post office so I don't have to wait in line.
|
zkatt
|
posted on January 21, 2001 02:22:28 PM
clickstamponline is only $1.49 a month and you can print unlimited amounts of postage!!!
I've used it for about a month with no probs.
|
rosbudscottage
|
posted on January 21, 2001 04:50:03 PM
It is wonderful, yes you do pay for the service-I pay 15.95 a month. I never have to take my packages to the Post Office unless I want to for some strange reason. I even purchase my insurance online at U-Pic. com. I babysit for my grandaughter so I cannot always leave the house. My mailman picks up my packages.
|
anais
|
posted on January 21, 2001 05:17:01 PM
Count me in as someone who loves Stamps.com. The P.O. picks up my packages and I use IPIC for my insurance. I bought a red insured stamp and stamp my insured packages. My carrier scans my DC tags when he gets my packages to the P.O. The only time I have to go to the P.O. is for international packages. I tried clickstamponline and hated them. I had nothing but troubles so I went right back to stamps.com. I charge a .50-1.00 handling fee on my sales so the cost doesn't bother me.
~Anasi~~
|
zeenza
|
posted on January 21, 2001 06:00:53 PM
Stamps software is not exactly perfect with my printer.
I have a HP Cse 820 Series Pro Model.
Works sometimes... BUT... the system charged me even though the thing did not print!
Also spent 45 minutes on the line with long distance customer support.
SO I am liking it but it is costing me.
I am waiting for the 26.00 refund.
I doubt they will give it to me or accept blame. As they never did for the software glitch.
|
sharkbaby
|
posted on January 21, 2001 06:03:50 PM
zeenza: good luck with the refund! I had it charge me once because of some glitch of THEIRS and after about 5 emails back & forth I gave up the fight. However, I wasn't out as much as you are...Hope you get it back!
I don't have a first-born to give up, so was unable to get my money back.
|
gamecock
|
posted on January 21, 2001 09:59:36 PM
anais: Where did you get the red "INSURED" stamp? I've been looking for one of those for a while now with no success. Does it look just like the USPS stamp with the oval around the word insured?
|
anais
|
posted on January 21, 2001 10:16:49 PM
Gamecock, I got my at Staples and I had to order it. 14.95 and self inking. You can have them made in a circle, oval and a square. When I talked to the Post Master he suggested I not use the oval so I got the square one. They have that same service (to get stamps made) at Office Depot. If you can't get one, let me know and I will see what I can do at this end.
|
gamecock
|
posted on January 21, 2001 10:24:13 PM
Cool... I'll go to Staples and order one tomorrow. I've had a big problem with the clerk not stamping insured on my packages and my customers getting mad. This will solve that problem. Thanks!
|
