You might not think that postage is costing you that much, but even if you only do one or two mail campaigns a year, that can still result in thousands of dollars in stamps. Now that “forever” stamps are up to almost fifty cents apiece, a single mailer takes a significant chunk out of your budget with no guarantee of any sort of return. Stack that on top of your regular mailings, such as newsletters, bills, and invoices, and you might start wondering how you can start saving today.
Luckily, there are some options that can help you save money on postage costs. Let’s have a look.
Stamps.com, PayPal, and Other Online Shipping
Stamps.com offers discounts on Priority Mail services as well as FedEx Services, and it can be linked up with PayPal and automatically receive data from the invoices you send out. While the features are advanced, it does cost a pretty penny or two to actually use, and if you’re just a casual shipper with the occasional large order, their service probably isn’t necessary. PayPal’s is similar in a lot of ways, but the basic version is free and there is still a discount (and included delivery confirmation) for using web services instead of walking into a post office. Both Stamps.com and PayPal are compatible with cross-country shipping, too.
Note about stamps.com:
You should be aware that this service, if you sign up, will automatically charge you $15.99/month whether or not you purchase one stamp, hundreds of stamps or no stamps in any given month. You will receive no notice of this charge and the only way you can know is to check your bank account that shows the charge. You may be able to switch to a lower price plan if you call them on the phone. Google 'stamps.com complaints' and find out what other users of this service are complaining about before you sign up to be sure this service is right for your business. There are a number of complaints from users who were not aware when signing up that it costs $15.99/month after the initial free trial.
Invest in a Postage Meter
Postage meters are often less than $50 and can give you accurate weights on your packages and envelopes so you’re not left guessing if you got the right number. While most of the time a guesstimate is adequate, there is always a risk the package will be sent back and it will cost you more to mail it or even worse, will be delivered with postage due. There is nothing more unprofessional than a package sent to a customer that has postage due on it. These meters are often portable and easy to tuck away, too, so that you don’t waste any space when you aren’t mailing.
Do You Need to Consolidate?
This usually only applies to those with very large shipments – between 150 and 20,000 pound shipments – but if you do find yourself in that position, it may be time to hire a consolidating service. These services combine your shipment with others to save a ton of money for everyone involved, as partial truckloads often cost more than full truckloads.
Make Sure You Check All Services
Finally, don’t stop at just your post office. Check with FedEx, UPS, and other mailing services in your area. Their prices are often better or just as good as the post office, and sometimes they offer discounts for repeat customers, unlike the postal system. It’s especially important when you’re shipping large packages, as this is where UPS and FedEx excel at pricing.
Saving on postage costs can be difficult, but it can be done with a few adjustments like learning how to ship online, considering a postage meter purchase, and checking all of your available options before you actually ship something.
