Print Postage Online

[billymac814]

I've been shipping a lot of holsters lately just using first class mail in a padded envelope, they arrive in the same amount of time as priority did and it's half the price. The downfall is I can't seem to figure out how to print postage myself. The PO keeps telling me it can be done, but I haven't figured it out yet. It's not the end of the world if I can't but it would be nice if possible.

Anyone else do this, or just confirm if it's possible? There is a program that can be downloaded from the USPS site, but I didn't want to download it if I don't need it.

[dirtclod]

You have go through a third party to print first class postage. I can remember what the site is but i have been there. Personally i use priority mail and you get free delivery conformation and free boxes. Plus bubble envelopes around here are pretty durn high priced. And i don't belive that first class is as fast as priority mail. Last week i had a lady send me a money order from the cost of Virginia and it took 5 or 6 days to get to western Kentucky.

Edited November 16, 2010 by dirtclod

[billymac814]

I get the smaller padded envelopes for 2/1.00 at the dollar store and first class mail typically costs me between 1.39-1.73 and even the biggest padded envelope costs .75 and 2.07 to ship. The total with the envelope and a ziplock bag is less than 2.50, priority is around 4.75 (I think) I shipped 8 yesterday, so I saved somewhere around 20.00. That would add up quickly over a years time. I don't get insurance or confirmation and haven't had an issue yet, even if I did it would be much cheaper in the long run to just send another holster out. I don't know for sure if it's the same amount of delivery time, but I think it is in some cases. Even if it does take a day or two longer my customer has already waited a month so another day isn't a deal breaker. By doing all this I'm able to ship for free, I do offer other means of shipping if they want to pay for it, but it doesn't make sense in most cases.

For what it's worth, I used to always use priority and seen a few of Lobo's posts about shipping first class and it all made sense and not only saved me money but customers typically like not having to pay for shipping.

Anything bigger or expensive I use UPS insured for the value at the customers expense but for a small holster first class mail is an inexpensive solution for me.

I didn't know about the third party company thing, I'll have to check that out, although maybe it just makes sense to go to the PO, I'd likely still have to drop them off anyway.

[billymac814]

You have go through a third party to print first class postage. I can remember what the site is but i have been there. Personally i use priority mail and you get free delivery conformation and free boxes. Plus bubble envelopes around here are pretty durn high priced. And i don't belive that first class is as fast as priority mail. Last week i had a lady send me a money order from the cost of Virginia and it took 5 or 6 days to get to western Kentucky.

I would think either she didn't mail it when she said or something happened that it took that long to only go that far, I've shipped across the country in less time than that. The downfall is it's not guaranteed to make it in a specific amount of time, thats usually not an issue for me.

[wareagle]

Stamps.com is the third party site for first class postage it is good but can be pricey. For me it is cheaper to send it Priority Mail than fight with stamps.com over monthly fees.

[Ferg]

I get the smaller padded envelopes for 2/1.00 at the dollar store and first class mail typically costs me between 1.39-1.73 and even the biggest padded envelope costs .75 and 2.07 to ship. The total with the envelope and a ziplock bag is less than 2.50, priority is around 4.75 (I think) I shipped 8 yesterday, so I saved somewhere around 20.00. That would add up quickly over a years time. I don't get insurance or confirmation and haven't had an issue yet, even if I did it would be much cheaper in the long run to just send another holster out. I don't know for sure if it's the same amount of delivery time, but I think it is in some cases. Even if it does take a day or two longer my customer has already waited a month so another day isn't a deal breaker. By doing all this I'm able to ship for free, I do offer other means of shipping if they want to pay for it, but it doesn't make sense in most cases.

For what it's worth, I used to always use priority and seen a few of Lobo's posts about shipping first class and it all made sense and not only saved me money but customers typically like not having to pay for shipping.

Anything bigger or expensive I use UPS insured for the value at the customers expense but for a small holster first class mail is an inexpensive solution for me.

I didn't know about the third party company thing, I'll have to check that out, although maybe it just makes sense to go to the PO, I'd likely still have to drop them off anyway.

Okay, we ship thousands of packages via USPS. We use Indicia but that would be overkill for you. Through the post office would be best.

Your padded envelopes become a package if what you put in it will not bend or if it increases the thickness of the envelope more than one quarter inch.

You can send First Class up to and including 13 ounces, beyond 13 ounces you can ship Priority Mail. All of your packages cost depends on zone they are gong to and weight.

We have a dedicated Credit Card that our postage cost is taken from. Yesterday we shipped a little less than $1200 worth of packages.

Priority will get to the west coast from Ohio in 3 days, first class may be 7 or 8. If your customer is not in a hurry for the item and it doesn't need to be insured, go for it.

UPS is higher than a cat's back. I have our system set up to tell us which way is best and least expensive.

Some thoughts,

ferg

Edited November 16, 2010 by 50 years leather

[TimberWolf]

If your customer pays via Paypal, there is a First Class mailing option when you print the shipping label. I use it alot for my ebay sales.

Tim

[billymac814]

Okay, we ship thousands of packages via USPS. We use Indicia but that would be overkill for you. Through the post office would be best.

Your padded envelopes become a package if what you put in it will not bend or if it increases the thickness of the envelope more than one quarter inch.

You can send First Class up to and including 13 ounces, beyond 13 ounces you can ship Priority Mail. All of your packages cost depends on zone they are gong to and weight.

We have a dedicated Credit Card that our postage cost is taken from. Yesterday we shipped a little less than $1200 worth of packages.

Priority will get to the west coast from Ohio in 3 days, first class may be 7 or 8. If your customer is not in a hurry for the item and it doesn't need to be insured, go for it.

UPS is higher than a cat's back. I have our system set up to tell us which way is best and least expensive.

Some thoughts,

ferg

I'm going to use the paypal option, it will be the easiest and less room for error since I won't have to re enter any info in most cases. It won't cost anything extra, actually it'll save me slightly with the delivery confirmation being much cheaper. If there's additional wait time it's really not a big deal, they've already waited long enough that a few extra days isn't going to matter, if it does for some reason they can pay to upgrade. Most holsters are less than 13 ounces so thats not an issue, if I'm shipping an expensive item like a seat or something it goes UPS unless it fits in a flat rate box.

Sounds like you need a good system, I know the money I could loose by using the wrong shipping method sending 10 or so a week, sounds like your moving a lot more than that.

Thanks

[Ferg]

I'm going to use the paypal option, it will be the easiest and less room for error since I won't have to re enter any info in most cases. It won't cost anything extra, actually it'll save me slightly with the delivery confirmation being much cheaper. If there's additional wait time it's really not a big deal, they've already waited long enough that a few extra days isn't going to matter, if it does for some reason they can pay to upgrade. Most holsters are less than 13 ounces so thats not an issue, if I'm shipping an expensive item like a seat or something it goes UPS unless it fits in a flat rate box.

Sounds like you need a good system, I know the money I could loose by using the wrong shipping method sending 10 or so a week, sounds like your moving a lot more than that.

Thanks

During Christmas rush we ship 2000 to 2500 per week

ferg

[dbusarow]

I would think either she didn't mail it when she said or something happened that it took that long to only go that far, I've shipped across the country in less time than that. The downfall is it's not guaranteed to make it in a specific amount of time, thats usually not an issue for me.

Just last month I got a 1st class letter that was mailed ONE YEAR AGO. It was just a normal letter and envelope.

Dan