posted on December 29, 2004 09:08:41 AM
Well, I just tried out Stamps.com and found how much false advertising they do. No offense to any that may use and love Stamps.com, but I was less than impressed.
They offer $25 in free postage and a free shipping scale. BUT what they don't tell you until you sign up is...
-You get $5 of free postage now (very nice)
-You get 2 $10 postcards (you must mail them in using Stamps.com stamps to get the postage credit) AND you get a postcard for the shipping scale.
MISLEADING CONCEPT One: you can only send in ONE of these post cards per month. So to get what they call FREE, you must pay for 3 months service.
MISLEADING CONCEPT Two: The first month is NOT free. It is a TRIAL PERIOD. Meaning if you don't cancel they will charge you for it.
MISLEADING CONCEPT Three: You have to BUY blank postage sheets and labels from them. Want to print your own stamps? Cough up an extra 3¢ per sticker.
also of note, you must purchase minimum amounts of postage.
also of note 2, You must download and install software from Stamps.com to print and purchase stamps and supplies. It also includes an over priced catalogue of scales, printers and ink.
COST: $16 per month, and at least 3¢ per stamp, depending on which label you print on (plus ink for your printer)
CONCLUSION: First off, I don't like dealing companies that knowingly mislead new customers.
Second, WoW is that expensive! here is a little trick I know of. There is a secret store where you can buy postage. You can get rolls of pre-printed postage there. It's called the Post Office! You can even buy stamps at thier website www.usps.com and you don't have to pay extra for the paper the stamp is printed on (AND no fees)
Well that's my 2¢, Perhaps it will save someone the time of finding out for yourself. At least if you decide to use this company, you know what you are getting into.
posted on December 29, 2004 09:38:39 AM
I quit using them because their customer service was terrible. Had to wait eons for a email or telephone response. Then they lost about $21 of misprinted postage (even tho I had a dc that proved they got it). Finally, they will not prorate the time you cancel. Switched to endicia and I love it!
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on December 29, 2004 11:17:09 AM
Don't forget about the cost of ink refills, which can be rather expensive. (at least it is for Pitney Bowes postage machines)
posted on December 29, 2004 12:02:07 PM
I used Stamps.com for 3 weeks before I switched to Endicia. I've been with Endicia now for 1 1/2 years and I would never go back.
No customer service, no international postage were 2 of the reasons I switched.
Endicia has a minimum postage purchase too ($10) but it's not that bad.
I love the convenience of printing my own postage and walking into the PO, past the line of people (who get really annoyed at being passed), setting down my packages and leaving. That alone is worth $15 a month to me.
posted on December 29, 2004 12:35:38 PMeeditions2000:
Click-N-Ship by the USPS is only for PRIORITY or EXPRESS MAIL...
They do have their SHIPPING ASSISTANT, but Ralphie found that proggy to be a JAVA-encumbered drone!
I've been with ENDICIA for over 3 years now (after trying STOMPS.COM for 6mos), and, although the $15/mo is hefty for small potatoes like Ralphie & me, I cannot imagine leaving them...
"I'd rather FIGHT than SWITCH..."
SPAM ALERT: the following is an unseemly appeal in honor of Ralphie's college fund:
posted on December 29, 2004 04:14:40 PM
Hi
I have been using Stamps.com for 1 year and love it. You get all they say you will get but one card a month is sent in, what is misleading about that. They do that so people don't just sign up for the free offerings and then close out the account, which makes sense.
Also there customer service is the greatest, I have had to use them many times since my New computer burned out with an electrical storm and they helped me step by step to get my old computer to accept the program and to print. When the new computer came back they also helped me then to the fullest of customer service anyone could ask for.
You can call them anytime for help and you don't have to wait long either.
So you pay a monthly fee for the service which is normal, just like Vendio service,
and you do need to buy the blank stamps so you can print out the single stamp postage, but you don't need to buy anything Else to do your postage and labels on your printer just use reg. printing paper. You don't need to buy ink from them either, you buy it from whoever you always bought it.
It's like anything else, you have to pay for a service and for a convenience so you need to choose whats good for YOU, as for me I have checked all the others out and even paypal, and ebay and I wouldn't give up Stamps.com for another, NOW, THATS JUST ME, I'm not looking for a Debate just voicing my opinions
posted on December 29, 2004 06:58:41 PM
Tomwiii, ah ok. I should have known, you even posted a picture of him a few days, I didn't clue in. I keep hearing you mention him, now I know. I don't have a dog, but I've always wanted a Pug, they're so cute & funny looking, kinda like me (I digress), anyways, yeah, and they grunt, snore and look like little piglets.
posted on December 29, 2004 07:14:39 PM
I've been using Stamps.com since they started, many years now.
Can't tell much of their customer service,never had a problem,never had to contact them.
But if I ever need a postal service that has so many problems that I need constant and speedy contact with customer service.
I'll try Endicia first!
posted on December 29, 2004 07:57:21 PM
I used Stamps.com for a while and didn't have any problems. Then a couple of years ago I tried Endicia. There is no comparison. I wouldn't go back.
Ralphie...Glad to see you made it back home.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on December 29, 2004 08:21:37 PM
I too have used stamps.com for over a year. They were using it at my work so I was familiar with the program and that's why I went with it.
I've had a few postage boo boo's but have never had a problem getting a refund.
I always print my postage with deliver confirmation on regular paper but use the "stamps" for my international postage and now my flat rate boxes as stamps hasn't seemed to integrate it as an option yet.
I really thought about Endicia but it seemed that it was a bit of a chore to get everything set up and I didn't want to take the time. My eyes start to glaze over when I start reading computer/set-up instructions. If I can get plug and play I am much happier.
Stamps was great when I went to Texas to help my father sell some things last year. It was so easy just to get online and sign up for the postage service and start printing out postage right away. That was last year and they were sending out the free scale and giving out the $25.00 of postage right away...they must have changed that policy now.
posted on December 30, 2004 08:13:37 AM
I've been with Endicia for a couple of months now and can not imagine not using them. I once used Pitney Bowes, but I got killed with the fees, and the cost of supplies (ink that ALWAYS ran out that was proprietary, and expensive labels) - After a couple of months of that, I went back to stamps. I used them for a long time, since as a stamp collector I knew how to acquire stamps below face value, but that took time to process orders....and when I have 80 orders to process in a day, that was taking far too much time. Endicia saves me tons of time, I do a lot of international shipping so it is nice to have that option, and I love stealth mode, no more complaints about the difference in shipping costs and what I charge (which is pretty reasonable, but with some people even if you charge 25 cents more they will call you to the carpet on it!)
posted on December 30, 2004 07:25:55 PM
Even though USPS CLICK N SHIP is for Priority, Express, Global Priority...it's still FREE! Add in the FREE USPS supplies, and the amount of time you save (time =$$$)and it's truly a much more COST EFFECTIVE shipping option.
Every seller will have to find what works best for them...USPS CLICK N SHIP works best for us (we'd rather make money, than spend it....). Peaceout.
