My shipping needs have always been quite simple. I have used and evaluated several options, including making the daily trip to the post office and standing in line. Here is a summary of what I have learned.
Until I changed my business model in 2004, I used a standard small business postage meter. I used Pitney Bowes for several years, but the combination of the monthly fee plus the cost of ink was exorbitant. One of my employees did some research and found a great postage meter deal from Francotyp Postalia (http://www.fp-usa.com). The FP system uses thermal transfer printing with ink ribbon cassettes, which are far more economical than ink cartridges. Outsourcing makes more sense for me today, but if I were still mailing large quantities of envelopes and postcards from my office, Francotyp Postalia would be my choice of mailing systems.
I now use USPS Media class mail for shipping books. It is the least expensive option, and it is faster than UPS. I print postage on my DYMO Twin Turbo label printer, which helps me to get my books out the door quickly.
I originally tried printing postage on my laser printer using a Stamps.com account. Stamps.com is very easy to use, and they offer an attractive trial package. However, I ended up canceling my account at the end of the trial period, before the $16 monthly fee kicked in. Stamps.com did not really save me all that much time, and I wanted to be able to print one stamp at a time.
Next, I tried using DYMO Stamps® (www.dymo.com/stamps), an online postage account provided by Endicia. The no-monthly-fee DYMO Stamps® service is a good deal, if most of your items are13 ounces or less and can be mailed via First Class. All that is required is the DYMO Stamps® account, a DYMO label printer (check to make sure your model will work), and a scale for weighing envelopes and packages. For around $250, you can purchase an all-in-one bundle that includes the printer, connected postal scale, and starter rolls of address labels and stamps.
I found that there are limitations to using DYMO Stamps®. You cannot add on extra services like insurance, and you can only print precise amounts of USPS® approved postage for specific postage classes (First Class, Priority, Express Mail, and International Mail). I needed to ship Media Mail to get the best rate – currently $2.58. The nearest First Class postage is either $2.53 or $2.70, so I printed out a First Class stamp for $2.70 and used a pen to cross of “First Class”. This method worked, but ended up costing 12 cents more per book.
Twelve cents is not a big deal when compared to the monthly fee I am saving. However, I also needed to add a delivery confirmation and insurance, so I ended up having to make the trip to the post office anyway.
So I upgraded to Endica Standard (www.endica.com). The $10 monthly fee ends up being more economical than going to the post office myself. The DAZzle software communicates directly with the USPS servers, so I do not have to pay the 60 cents extra for Delivery Confirmation. I can print a label on my DYMO as before, or I can print out a very professional looking address label on my laser printer.
I am sure Endicia depends on many DYMO Stamps® customers eventually upgrading, just as I have. It was a brilliant marketing maneuver on Endicia’s part. They also offer Premium, Professional, and Platinum levels at higher monthly fees for those with more advanced needs, but Endica Standard works for me!