reamond
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posted on June 21, 2001 04:01:42 PM new
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6343274.html?tag=mn_hd
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tomwiii
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posted on June 21, 2001 04:11:08 PM new
All the more reason to try out a GOOD program with GREAT live CS:
www.endicia.com
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 21, 2001 04:35:33 PM new
I wonder if they were planning on telling their users? I've been a customer of Stamps.com for a couple of years now and this is the first I've heard. I currently pay the $15.99 per month. Anyone know if that is being raised also? I just put in an email to Stamps.com but chances they won't bother to respond.
If I can figure out a way to print out labels easily through Endicia I would like to give them another try.
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 21, 2001 05:44:15 PM new
I have put hundreds of dollars through my Endicia account and I'm very happy I changed to them. Endicia.com is the best. I get a great deal of use from the free DC on Priority and 12 cent DC on my Media Mail.
Executive Girl: Is there any way I can help you? If we can communicate by email I could find out what label size you're using and set up a template for you. I could then email it to you. Let me know.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 21, 2001 05:50:42 PM new
Hi Avaloncourt! Thanks so much! Actually, I've only used 2"x4" labels with Stamps.com, and I said when I ran out of those (I had ordered 10,000 at one time) that I was going to switch to a different company. Well, I'm almost out of the 2x4 labels, so if I switch to Endicia which size labels work best? I thought I read somewhere that Endicia didn't work with 2x4 labels (too small) so I guess I'm open to suggestions, as to which labels would be best. I would definitely want the free DC also.
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tapatti
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posted on June 21, 2001 06:02:38 PM new
Received on 6/19/01. Less than 30 days notice. I'm leaving for Endicia.
Thank you for being a valued Stamps.com Simple Plan(TM) customer. We
continue to bring you the incredible value of printing postage from
your printer(TM) at an affordable price. The new monthly service fee
for users on the Simple Plan is 10% of postage printed, with a
minimum monthly fee of $4.49.
Effective 07-02-2001, you will be charged this new monthly service
fee for your Simple Plan account. You will receive your first charge
at the new rate on 08-02-2001. If you feel that the Simple Plan no
longer meets your needs, or you would like more information about
changing your account status, visit our website at:
http://www.stamps.com/support/postage/power-plan
Over the past year, we have enhanced our service, making it more
effective than ever. With Stamps.com Internet Postage(TM) you can:
* Print postage for greeting card and personal size envelopes
with the Stamps.com Custom Envelope Wizard
* Print postage for windowed and bill payment envelopes using
specially designed labels
* Send Priority Mail and Parcel Post packages from the convenience
of your home or office
* Manage your addresses using the expanded features of the
Stamps.com Address Book
Again, thank you for being a valued Stamps.com customer. We look
forward to continuing to bring you the best in Internet mailing and
shipping solutions in the months and years to come!
This e-mail is strictly informational; please do not reply to this e-mail.
Regards,
Stamps.com
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 21, 2001 06:46:47 PM new
ExecutiveGirl: You'll never get everything on a single label but I have a way of using the left and right columns labels together to give you everything you need. The 2x4 is a bit of a squeeze but we may be able to get it to work.
I had the same situation with ClickStamp. I had a bunch of 3 1/3" x 4" labels left over so that's what I continue to use. I'll take a look at the 2x4 format and see if I can make it work.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 21, 2001 07:08:39 PM new
Avaloncourt: Thanks, that would be great!! Actually, with Stamps.com I didn't get everything on a single label with them either - I used the 2x4 labels, but I had to use 2 at a time. One for the "stamp" and one for the address and my return address. So I used 2 per package. If I could continue to do it that way with Endicia that would be great - but if I need to switch to a larger label that would be fine, too, because I'm almost out of my 2x4's anyways!
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wbbell
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posted on June 21, 2001 07:28:08 PM new
After reading tomwiii repeated comments about endicia.com, decided to give them a try ... and I can enthusiastically recommend. Real, live, timely CS nearly knocked me down !!
Endicia supports supports the dymo label printer AND the stamps.com scale, so I did not lose any of my "infrastructure" costs.
It also supports media mail, international mail, FREE DC, etc, etc. Drop stamps.com like a hot potato and never look back.
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 21, 2001 08:13:06 PM new
ExecutiveGirl: I'm sorry but 2x4 just won't do it. With the minimum amount of space required for the postage barcode area, I just can't fit the postage and address on a 2" high label.
If I had another 1/8 to work with I could probably make it go but not with the available space. It's just too tight. If your paper feed just a tiny bit wrong you'd lose either part of the postage portion or the recipient's barcode onto the next label. I'm afraid it looks like the 3 1/3 x 4 will have to do. Those give a lot of breathing space.
I'm sorry I couldn't help you more.
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tomwiii
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:14:45 AM new
I have to confess that I do use the BLUE LABEL labels from ENDICIA. Yeah they are a bit pricey, but everything fits easy & my printer swallows them nicely!
I think the next GREAT breakthrough will be allowing us to print on PLAIN PAPER! What a cost-saving that will be!
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zymo
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:39:39 AM new
I use www.simplypostage.com We print about 1000.00 monthly in postage, most are 97 cent stamps. We use a postage meter supplied by them and print postage on small labels also supplied by them, label cost approx 3.5 cents each when purchased in quantity. Cost is 14.99 month for meter rental (includes meter and built in scale), downloads are free. Unlike other plans, you address your own envelopes.
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Katzi
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posted on June 22, 2001 02:48:08 AM new
Tom, I use plain paper with Endicia. I also used plain paper with Stamps.com. I remember a discussion on these boards a while ago and there was an outcry that using plain paper was a violation of the Postal Rules.
Shortly thereafter, I showed my packages to the Postmaster here and I have a pick-up everyday except Sundays. Everyone says my packages are just fine. I have sent 1000's of packages over a three year period and I've never had any returned.
I LOVE Endicia!!!!!
Katzi
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tomwiii
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:08:48 AM new
Katzi: How do you affix the p-paper labels to your packages? TIA for any tips & advice!
Zymo: those prices are AWFUL for me, compared to ENDICIA! Which prints EVERYTHING (including FREE DC for PM or 0.12 DC for MEDIA!) on ONE label including my return address and a VERIFIED main address + bar code! For $9.99/mo!
[ edited by tomwiii on Jun 22, 2001 03:11 AM ]
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Katzi
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:53:54 AM new
Tom,
I use wide tape that I buy wholesale. I think the argument a while ago was that one isn't suppose to tape over the stamped area. When I asked the Postmaster about this he indicated the regulation was written long before internet stamp programs were used. Not the same concern.
As far as tips, I really had to play around with Endicia to make it work. On the left hand side right under print is a "Design" button, click. Go to "Layout" and click on "Media". A box will pop up. Choose "User Defined". Under "high" put in 4.125" and where it reads "wide" put 9.5".
I copy my address and if Endicia is running it automatically pastes my address and DC on the template. I hit print and it prints on regular paper. I fold it over once and cut the end off and tape it on the package. I've done this for such a long time it goes fast!
Good Luck. If I can help in any way just let me know.
Katzi
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wbbell
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:06:48 AM new
I showed my packages to the Postmaster here ... Everyone says my packages are just fine.
Window clerks and Postmasters are frequently incorrect in their knowledge of the rules, primarily because there are so many of them to know.
The postal regulations on IBI state very clearly and in no uncertain terms that postage must be printed directly on the piece or on a label that meets their specs for fluorescence, stickiness, etc. and that they have approved.
A piece of paper attached with clear tape violates a rule because the entire indicium can be easily removed in one piece.
This is not to say that there will be a horde of label police busting down your door if you print it on paper and stick it with tape or if you use an unapproved label. However, as the postal workers get more familiar with it, they could very easily start enforcing the rules. All it takes is one anal USPS person anywhere along the line, and your package gets bounced and you get a neg.
See more: http://www.usps.com/ibip/pdf/fr02oc00.pdf
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Katzi
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:31:50 AM new
Wb Your comments are noted. Thank you for the information. :>
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:29:32 AM new
Avaloncourt: Thanks so much for looking into that for me, I really appreciate it!! I am going to see if I can find a deal for the larger labels so I can use them for Indicia. Do you fit everything on one label? 3 1/3 x4 label? Including DC?
By the way - I just received an email back from Stamps.com regarding their raise in fees(I am in shock they responded so quickly!):
Thank you for contacting Stamps.com.
The fee for the basic simple plan is going to 4.49 min. per month. The power plan-special rate that you are on is not. There are actually two powerplan rates. One that wsa from a 3rd party and the normal simple rate which is 18.99. As long as you don't have to cancel your account for some reason, your plan will remain as it is today.
If we can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to let us know.
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marlenedz
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posted on June 22, 2001 08:22:43 AM new
>>A piece of paper attached with clear tape violates a rule because the entire indicium can be easily removed in one piece. >>
Some shippers have gone to removeable labels. Even the Post office puts the zip code label for media mail on removeable labels so I don't know what their problem is with paper and people removing it.
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 22, 2001 01:29:53 PM new
ExecutiveGirl: The labels print out with the Delivery Confirmation sitcker on the left label and the return address/recipient address/postage on the right label.
I bought my last batch of the Avery 5164 type labels (3 1/3 x 4) on ebay and just got delivery of them today. I got 3,000 for $44. The labels Quill sells for the same size are $36 for 1500. That's quite a bit of savings over a discounter like Quill and well under office supply retailers.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 22, 2001 01:50:35 PM new
Avaloncourt: Is the DC label and your postage label the same label? For example, with Stamps.com, my left label would be the address label, and the right label would be the "stamp" which would include postage and insurance or DC all in one "stamp".
When I purchased my 10,000 labels I bought them for $80 and that included shipping. I just reformatted my hard drive and now I can't remember their link! It was gflabels? Something like that....
Edited to add: I found the website, it was www.gflabels.com. I can get the 4 x 3 1/3 labels - 6000 labels (1000 sheets) for $62.00.
[ edited by ExecutiveGirl on Jun 22, 2001 01:53 PM ]
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:43:21 PM new
ExecutiveGirl: I indicated the layout in the message before. The Delivery Confirmation is the left label. That is your DC barcode. Maybe that's where the confusion is coming in. You don't use the post office Delivery Confirmation forms any more. Maybe you don't realize this.
The portion that normally would be attached to your package for Delivery Confirmation (the flourescent green tag) is now printed on a label. In my case, I have this set up to be the left side label. The right side label gets the return address, the address of the person you're sending to, and the postage "stamp" or indicia.
The software communicates with the postal service database and you get a Delivery Confirmation number from them and this is placed on that left label. At the same time that number is entered into the postal service database as being accepted at the local post office. So, there's no need for any scans on your end. Since Endicia sends everyone's DC information at the same time to the postal database for update, all of those received at Zip Code XXXXX listings in Delivery Confirmation say 10:00PM.
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 22, 2001 03:56:46 PM new
ExecutiveGirl:
I just looked at the website you referred to above.
You said:
I found the website, it was www.gflabels.com. I can get the 4 x 3 1/3 labels - 6000 labels (1000 sheets) for $62.00.
That $62 price is per thousand labels. 6000 labels would be $300 through them, not $62. The price per thousand at the 6000 quantity is $50.
That is an extremely BAD price for labels. I'm paying $14 per thousand labels not $62. That company is nearly 4 1/2 times higher. In that company's highest volume they are nearly three the amount I'm paying per thousand.
[ edited by avaloncourt on Jun 22, 2001 03:58 PM ]
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marlenedz
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:22:05 PM new
Avoloncourt
Gflabels are priced by the "sheet" so EG figures are accurate. So if there are 6 labels on the sheet you get 6,000 labels for $62. IF there are 8 labels on the sheet you get 8,000 labels for $62 etc.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:52:40 PM new
For the past 1/2 hour I've been attempting to print out my test envelope, and I cannot for the life of me get the settings correct!!
This is now the 3rd time I've attempted to use this program and I am not very impressed so far. I'm losing patience!
Stamps.com may be more expensive, but they are very easy to use! I've so far gone through 2 sheets of paper and 2 envelopes and I cannot get this to print out a simple envelope. I can just imagine what I'll have to go through to print postage on labels!
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Murph
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:53:48 PM new
Avaloncourt,
I'd be interested in your template for using the two Avery 4 x 3-1/3 labels. I've worked this afternoon to get the appropriate items to print out on the top labels, but I can't figure out how to indicate that three total addresses should be printed per label sheet.
Best,
Murph
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:31:34 PM new
...I can't even figure out how to print a simple envelope.. this is my 3rd attempt to use this program (and the 3rd time I've signed up!).
I may have to stick with Stamps.com...
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tomwiii
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posted on June 23, 2001 01:37:15 AM new
EG: call the CS on MON...they helped me to figure it out! Since they can be used for so many different printers & labels, the set-up is a bit of a job! Took me 4 days until I broke down & called...then 5 min & I haven't looked back!
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 23, 2001 01:18:14 PM new
Thanks Tom I will have to do that. I have an HP DeskJet 722C and can't get it to print a correct envelope for anything!
I do have another question on Endicia. Is it possible to JUST print the DC label through Endicia (for free) and print my regular Priority postage through Stamps.com?
And can just the DC stamp fit on a 2x4 label?
I ask this, because I just found another stack of my 2x4 labels and would hate to have them go to waste.
TIA!
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