posted on December 9, 2002 03:12:50 PM new
Well, I was heading to the postal office just about an hour ago, and the lines were packed! It was 3-4 times the size, and suddenly it hit me, the holiday seasons.
So, I figured since I gotta wait that long, I might as well go home and print the postage via Stamps.com with my 30 day free trail, and the $20 free postage they gave me. So far I think their software and service is pretty good, I got myself a free $50 scale too from Office Depot via the trail offer.
I was wondering if anyone else use Stamp.com or any other authorized USPS PC postage sites? I think there's about 4 of them... they really do save time...
I know that you can print postage for priority mail and express mail off of USPS's website, and have them charge it to your account.. but I dont think they let you print media mail, parcel, first-class, etc.
I'm kind of considering the $5 per month basic account, so I can save some time at the postal office... this is I start to send off at least more than 10 packages per week though.
posted on December 9, 2002 03:22:56 PM new
I used Stamps.com several months ago. After the free trial period expired, I used them until I their monthly percentage fee kicked in. One month my total bill to Stamps.com (exclusive of poastage fee's) was $49.00.
That was when I changes to Endica & their flat rate, NO MONTHLY PERCENTAGE FEE.
I pay $9.95 per month, no fee's & I use their stealth postage (amount of postage is not shown on the lable)
I wouldn't go back to Stamps if they paid me.
The USPS shiping assistant is too slow & cumbersome.
When your trial period with stamps is over, switch to Endica..
posted on December 9, 2002 03:32:43 PM new
Yeah, endicia.com is the way to go. Its one of the best investments I've made! (Refer me 501521 - Think of it this way -- If you send at least 25 USPS Priority packages a month, the free electronic delivery confirmation interface will pay for the $0.40 you would pay standing in line at the post office. Now, I even utilize their eDC for First Class packages. Since using them, buyers asking about their order has been significantly reduced and missing package claims are down to almost 0%
I suggest you buy their 500 blue label package for $40.00 - label size which is perfect for inkjet or laser. The two little extra labels you get can have graphics to promote your eBay listings or your web store.
posted on December 9, 2002 03:35:29 PM new
oooh. I forgot to factor in how much the percentage fees will add up. doh!
I'll check out endicia, I guess I'll sign up for their free trail once stamp's over. 10 bucks per month with no limit and no percentage fees sounds good.
I like the free scale they gave me though. handy stuff. only goes up to 4 lbs but its plenty for me.
posted on December 9, 2002 03:43:44 PM new
99 percent of all my packages are mailed 1st class mail. I ship them in the Size "O" padded envelope, which allows me to get the DC.
I also use UPS on larger items. I print these labels of the 1/2 sheet labels I get free from UPS.
I Also use these labels on the 1st class envelopes.
posted on December 9, 2002 04:04:46 PM new
Pitney Bowes is very expensive - I used them a couple of years ago, and quickly got rid of them. The monthly fee is high, but what was the killer was the propietary stuff like the ink cartridge for the postage meter machine, which ran out often and was expensive! I don't mind going to my post office, I can drop everything off and they process it for me. I use real stamps...
posted on December 9, 2002 05:20:44 PM new
I wanted to share that I use Airborne Express ground service a ton and some times it is even cheaper than USPS.
I get package confirmation on line and when I ship a bunch of stuff they come and pick it up. I do not need to pay a monthly fee and I am very happy with it.
posted on December 14, 2002 01:57:35 AM new
AS soon as I get rid of the rest of my postage on Stamps.com I am gone and I will be going to endicia.com Stamps.com charges 15.00 a month plus fees I have no problem with them up intill the FEES Kicked in
posted on December 14, 2002 07:24:03 AM new
I signed up with Stamps.com, got the free scale, postage, and loved them, but at the time I could not ship media mail, and international with them (I believe you can do both with them now).
I then switched to endicia, and have never switched back. They are not only cheaper, but I like their software much better.
I do have to say I love the scale that Stamps.com gave me, the only thing I do not like about it is the 5ld limit. I purchased a Royal RC40 and hate it. It handles up to 40lbs, but automatically shuts off every 30 seconds or so, and it takes 5 seconds to power on, and then I have to hit a bunch of buttons to get it into the mode I need it.
A Dymo 330 printer can be very nice with Endica, but the labels are very expensive for it. I have never had a misprint with it, and have printed over 1500 labels on it.
For those of you who fear printer jams when printing postage, I have found a very good solution. I have windows XP, and I am not sure if it works on other versions of MS operating systems.
In the printer properties you can tell windows to Keep printed documents. This keeps the printer file of the document just printed. If the print fails you can open the printer window and select the last document printed go to Document, and select restart. Presto - you have a reprint of that postage that just jamed in your printer.
posted on December 14, 2002 07:26:24 AM new
I am just dumb I guess. My computer and Endica never jived. I wasted a ton of postage. This board and the endica people were very helpful but it was still a mess for me. I use stamps.com and am very happy with it.
posted on December 14, 2002 09:28:08 AM new
baylor- Endicia is worth it once you get the process down. It's probably even worth buying a different printer if that's part of the problem.
I couldn't live without Endicia.
When you walk into the PO with 80 packages, stacked up higher than your head, it's amazing what kind of evil stares you get from the people behind you. Then it takes less time to finish than one little old lady buying a stamp.
Yeah, I make about $6-$8 in mistakes and defective postage every month. My problems usually involve printing one stamp on top of another, which you can't send in for a refund. But I live with it.
posted on December 14, 2002 11:17:16 AM new
Does Endicia work with the other Dymo LabelWriters? I have two EL60s and one Turbo.
As far as the post office situation goes, I plan to be at the SFO airport station tomorrow morning at 6 am when they open. We've found that many people don't know about the stations with extended hours.
posted on December 14, 2002 11:35:35 AM new
Thanks maggielane!!
I changes my settings like you stated. When I just printed my last #10 envelope I forgot to put the evelope in and it printed on plain paper. UGH. But it was right there and I was able to print it out again.
No lost postage, and not asking for a refund!
[ edited by roadieken on Dec 14, 2002 11:36 AM ]
- Think of it this way -- If you send at least 25 USPS Priority packages a month, the free electronic delivery confirmation interface will pay for the $0.40 you would pay standing in line at the post office. Now, I even utilize their eDC for First Class packages. Since using them, buyers asking about their order has been significantly reduced and missing package claims are down to almost 0%