How many of you use a Pitney Bowes postage meter and scale in your business? Do you find this is a convenience worth paying for?

I have some experience with these machines in an earlier career, but all I recall is that the cost of the proprietary ribbons were astronomical, and that Pitney Bowes had a bit of a monopoly on the service and supplies. This is a situation I prefer to avoid like a plague.

Are there any other solutions you are using for your postage needs?

Hi Dave,

One of the fellows on another forum uses this printer.
I think it is a good idea an will picking one up soon.

http://global.dymo.com/enUS/Products/LabelWriter_Twin_Turbo.html

Ed

Depends upon how much mailing you do. If you only use postage to pay your bills and the quantity is realitively small you don't need a postage meter and scale. If you do a lot of shipping it will save you money in the long run. We ship a lot of badges and if we used postage stamps we would always be over the actual cost. When using the meter and scale you only pay the actual cost of the mailing. And of course if you do a lot of envelope mailing it is much easier to use the postage machine and easier to control your cost.
Larry

David,

A few years ago I was using the "inexpensive" Pitney Bowes machine & scale. I think they wanted $100 - 150 back then. It didn't take long to find out the supplies were very expensive & didn't last very long. So we went back to stamps and taking packages to the post office when needed.

If I did a lot of shipping, I would look into a better machine and look for savings there. Now every time I get a flyer announing the "better" postage machine I have to laugh as it did not justify any savings, just another money pit. >.< 

hth,

Ed,

I'll have to do a little reading on this product. It might be just the answer for me.

I am doing more and more out-of-state name badges and the USPS is the best option for shipping on this type of item. I just need to figure a way to handle the postage process without applying more postage, via stamps, than necessary, or making unnecessary trips to the post office.

I believe stamps.com is cheaper than Pitney Bowes, by a fair amount:

http://www.stamps.com/welcome/

We use Neopost, also. I just switched about 3 months ago. Before that, I had Pitney Bowes. I got tired of the monthly charge increases and also the fee to fill your postage. Neopost does not charge each time you refill your meter, other than the postage amount you are filling it with.

I like the convenience of having it in my office and not having to waste my time standing in a line at the post office.

I picked up an inexpensive scale that hooks to any computer on ebay. Weighs up to 150 lbs. Plus I picked up a zebra thermal printer to print shipping labels. I paid less than $50 for both.

It will connect with Endicia.com or stamps.com software. There is a monthly fee for both. You can print postage stamps or print postage for any postal service like priority mail. I think both have one level of service for $9.99 per month.

Plus you can get free boxes from USPS. I rarely have to leave my house for shipping!

You do have to buy pre printed sheets for printing regular stamps.

Ditto.

Endicia and a thermal printer make it so easy.

Adding in a cheap scale from ebay, that connects to your PC and will determine postage is an added plus.

Being able to walk past the lines at the post office and drop off your mail with proper postage - priceless.

Don't forget about USPS flat rate Priority Mail boxes - whatever you can fit into the box it goes out at one rate.. I think it's about $8.40.

We've switched entirely over to USPS for right now, as we've had about $2K worth of silver disappear on it's way to us, including one box that was opened, contents removed, and then resealed.

:S 

I keep hearing people having trouble with the post office but I have had a positive experiance using them so far.

Plus it keeps shipping to a reasonable cost. Resonable enough that I could replace a couple of lost orders and still come out ok.
I am only shipping small dog tag type of items though!

Steve

I agree that is a way to go.

I can send the same package for about the same cost in postage plus get free boxes. I am home based so all I have to do is walk to my mail box, not run to fedex. Plus get confirmation the package is delivered. I don't get as good as tracking info.

Steve