Postal Meter - Can It Really Save Time And Money For Businesses

By Author: Daljeet Sidhu
Total Articles: 4717
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Postage meters are certainly convenient business machines. They save businesses time and money or so the advertisements claim. Though it would be easy to recommend that all businesses go ahead and lease a postage machine. But before you do, consider the vital question - "Are you certain a postage meter will save you money?" Based on the billion dollar in annual sales seen by leading vendors of these machines, you would like to believe so. Take time to consider this question and you may be surprised.

How much does a postage meter cost?

You cannot purchase a postage meter. You may only lease one for 1-6 years from a certified provider. Before making any decisions, take into account the total cost. Some of them are as follows:

* lease contract charge
* base and scale rental charge
* accessories rental charge
* maintenance charges (Keep in mind that maintenance and repair is only allowed by a certified vendor. This can leave you in a limbo if they are not accessible at short notice.)
* cost of postal rate updates

And you keep paying these charges till your lease ends.
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Assessing your need for a postage meter

It is easy to be sucked in by the promises of equipment vendors. The only way to not fall in with the sales persons waiting to make their pitch is to first have a clear idea of your business needs. All small businesses do not send out hundreds of mails on a regular basis. Some may not send out more than 5-10 mails per day. If your staff is overworked and cannot squeeze out the time for regular trips to the post office, it can be remedied by keeping some rolls of stamps in the office. You can drop your mails in a nearby postbox or on your way home. This way you only go to the post office once in a while.

The main advantage of a postage machine is that it scales packages and mails and meters them with accurate postage. The vital component here is the scale. But, do you need to buy a postage meter for that? No you don't. You can easily procure a scale from the post office or any store for around $20. Once you know the weight, you just need to fix stamps for the exact amount of stamps and ship the letter or the package.

Assuming you need to send out a good number of mails regularly and the time and cost (excluding postage) of these mailing are significant, a postage machine can help you. Keep in mind though that when you visit a postage machine vendor, it is unlikely that you will be sold the best fit for your needs. The sales persons get compensated in commissions and may try to convince you into buying a pricey superior model with features that sound wonderful but are not really beneficial to your business. Stick to your plan and select a model that suits you just right. You won't use more than that so why pay for it. To ensure you don't fall for a slick sales presentation, do your homework. Survey the market and check out models for prices and their capabilities.

Leasing a postage meter is cost effective if your mailing management costs (excluding postage) are more than the cost of the mailing equipment. Make a well-informed choice and boost the bottom line.
About Author:
Daljeet Sidhu. Compare postage meter quotes. Read postage machines and postage machines for small business blog.