posted on February 10, 2002 09:37:02 PM
I am looking to print my postage online. What is the best servie to do so? Stamps.com? Also what kind of labels do I need to use to use the service? And expenses - just would like to know what you all find is the most cost effective and user friendly service
posted on February 10, 2002 10:22:47 PM
I use Endicia.com and like it very much. I signed up for the one-year plan, so it comes out to less than $9 a month. I bought their Blue Arrow labels (pricey), but I've heard there are less expensive alternatives. It takes a while to learn to set up the labels, but their customer service people were great and gave me all the set-up information I needed. I think they have a free trial month, so you can decide during that time if you like their service. You pay for postage, of course.
You get free delivery confirmation for priority mail, and 12 cent DC for media mail. I have an arrangement with my mail carrier to pick up the packages from my home, so it really saves me a lot of time. No more driving to or standing in line at the post office. However, some people have said that their carriers refuse to pick up, so check with yours in advance.
For insurance, I use PIC, which you can find at www.u-pic.com. Email them and they will help you figure out which plan to use. I keep a log and email it to them once a week. Then, at the end of the month, I pay the premium. The fees are much cheaper than the post office. For example, if I use DC, I can get $100 of insurance from PIC for only 40 cents. International rates are cheaper, too.
So with Endicia and PIC, I can keep the costs of my shipping down considerably. Plus, it makes me more efficient.
I've heard others are happy with other postage services, so hopefully they will share and you can figure out what will work best for you.
posted on February 10, 2002 10:36:00 PM
Most cost effective and user friendly for me: Good old stamps. I've used Pitney Bowes, and Stamps.com in the past. Both were just too expensive, especially Pitney Bowes. The monthly fee, the supplies, even the ink needed for the cartridge. When I called to cancel, they offered it to me at a serious discount - Made me really mad that they would only do this if I threaten to cancel, which I did.
Stamps.com - Better that it was printed from a computer, but I think I had problems with printing, and it was not a very user friendly system.
I like using stamps. Just buy them (and they have high value stamps) and they are even self sticking these days. If you don't mind using lower value stamps, you can even buy them for 10-15% BELOW face value
posted on February 10, 2002 11:10:24 PM
Endicia.com!
The BEST customer service I have ever experienced!
The hardest thing is get you labels set up. Personally, I use the old (Jan 1999) priority mail labels but they now make the priority mail label smaller so when my stack is out I can no longer use the free labels.
You can used a two label system using a shipping label - 6 to a sheet, 3 1/3 X 4". That works great too. I purchased a 100 sheet package from office depot but I don't remember the cost. They also have them on ebay. Shop around.
The post office here will not allow mail carriers to pick up packages from homes (You can call and schedule a pick up at $10 a pick up)!
My post office will allow my to drop off in the bulk mailing center in back only if I have no items that are international or with insurance. Either of those and I have to wait in line. I am looking into U-Pic for insurance. But sent them an email had the reply was "look at our website". In my opinion that is not very good customer service! I could not find my answer which is why I emailed them in the first place.
Check out Endicia.com. I too signed on for the annual fee.
