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Often unknown is the fact that a postage machine can not be purchased, but only rented from the manufacturer as they are tightly governed by the United State Postal Service. Rentals typically last for either 1 or three years and most companies prefer you go with the longer term. If you are unsure of your needs it might be best to go with a 1 year lease until you gain some experience.
Lease rates are established on either usage or fixed, and if based on usage the monthly cost is based on the average total monthly postage for year preceding. In this scenario, rates only increase and that should your usage drop you may not see a resulting reduction in cost. The alternative is fixed rates published by the leasing company, which may rise upon due notice.
Some postage meter companies just change their rates from one year to the next, with no concern to usage, more dependent on sophistication of the model rather than the annual or monthly. When choosing a postage machine, be certain that you understand the pricing agreement.
While postage machine rental rates do not vary widely, there are options for components such as bases and scales, which you can either buy or lease, unlike the meter itself. Varying according to available options, postage machine bases can cost from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand and scales go anywhere from forty dollars to several hundred.
When selecting a postage machine company your first thought is often price. Because the US Postal Service highly regulates meters, systems do not change often from one manufacturer to the next, and a good price is usually the deciding factor. With more monthly mailing volume and thus costs, other considerations must be taken into account in making your conclusion.
Service rather than function can change greatly depending on the company chosen. Some manufacturers will deal with you directly, and others deal through a group of otherwise individual dealers. Both choices offer excellent service and the crucial concern is often customer support. Questions to ask are: Do you make on site visits to troubleshoot problems or is service mostly phone based, and what is the turnaround time on the average support call?
Payment choices also might vary greatly. If you will be renting your machine, you likely get an option to occassionally upgrade your equipment as your company might increase. Some manufacturers give better and more varied lease choices. In addition, your postage costs can be taken care of in varies ways, either pre-pay, sending a check to the United States Postal Service to create an account, with postage costs then reduced as you pay automatically.
Finally, a number of companies permit you to "mail now, pay later," basically giving you credit to complete your monthly mailing requirements. Also possible is buying postage in advance from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer a situation where you gather interest reaped as additional postage for prepaid arrangements.
Lease rates are established on either usage or fixed, and if based on usage the monthly cost is based on the average total monthly postage for year preceding. In this scenario, rates only increase and that should your usage drop you may not see a resulting reduction in cost. The alternative is fixed rates published by the leasing company, which may rise upon due notice.
Some postage meter companies just change their rates from one year to the next, with no concern to usage, more dependent on sophistication of the model rather than the annual or monthly. When choosing a postage machine, be certain that you understand the pricing agreement.
While postage machine rental rates do not vary widely, there are options for components such as bases and scales, which you can either buy or lease, unlike the meter itself. Varying according to available options, postage machine bases can cost from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand and scales go anywhere from forty dollars to several hundred.
When selecting a postage machine company your first thought is often price. Because the US Postal Service highly regulates meters, systems do not change often from one manufacturer to the next, and a good price is usually the deciding factor. With more monthly mailing volume and thus costs, other considerations must be taken into account in making your conclusion.
Service rather than function can change greatly depending on the company chosen. Some manufacturers will deal with you directly, and others deal through a group of otherwise individual dealers. Both choices offer excellent service and the crucial concern is often customer support. Questions to ask are: Do you make on site visits to troubleshoot problems or is service mostly phone based, and what is the turnaround time on the average support call?
Payment choices also might vary greatly. If you will be renting your machine, you likely get an option to occassionally upgrade your equipment as your company might increase. Some manufacturers give better and more varied lease choices. In addition, your postage costs can be taken care of in varies ways, either pre-pay, sending a check to the United States Postal Service to create an account, with postage costs then reduced as you pay automatically.
Finally, a number of companies permit you to "mail now, pay later," basically giving you credit to complete your monthly mailing requirements. Also possible is buying postage in advance from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer a situation where you gather interest reaped as additional postage for prepaid arrangements.
About the Author:
Chris Ulrich is the operator of the website Postage.ws Postage Meters website. Get $100 free postage from Pitney Bowes with your new meter.
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ReplyDeleteInteresting post! Are this really ways to care for your postage meters for small businesses. I just learned about postage meters last week and went to check one out. I love the stamps they create. Anything else I should know?
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