| The overall cost of using a postage meter is | | | | provider. Digital scales are more expensive than |
| dependent on the type of mailing and additional | | | | traditional scales but can be rented for a very low |
| mailing equipment used such as digital scales or | | | | monthly rate. |
| folding machines. Postage meters are central to | | | | Meter Costs |
| the mail system operation. Generally, an on-site | | | | Postage meters are leased to businesses and |
| mail center will have three main expenses: supplies | | | | cannot be purchased. Meters can only be leased |
| and additional equipment, the postage meter and | | | | through USPS approved vendors. Meter bases |
| the actual shipping costs based on mail volume. | | | | generally run about $30/month. |
| Supplies and Equipment: | | | | Billing Types |
| Postage machines generally use ink and labels | | | | There are two billing options, a |
| which may be purchased through an online office | | | | “pay-as-you-go” option and a |
| supply retailer or a postage meter vendor. These | | | | “pre-pay” option where you |
| items are generally more reasonably priced | | | | “load” up the meter. The |
| through an online retailer. Additional mailing | | | | pay-as-you-go allows you to pay at the end of a |
| equipment such as folding machines or self-seal | | | | pay period for the total sum of postage fees for |
| envelope “tabbers” can be leased or | | | | that period. This option usually incurs a $20 |
| purchased to further improve shipping speed. For | | | | monthly fee. Pre-paying usually has a cap limit of |
| the most part, leasing this additional equipment is | | | | $1,000 and can be done online or by mailing a |
| a more viable option for very specialized, | | | | check to the USPS. Therein postage charges are |
| expensive or equipment that requires ongoing | | | | deduced from your balance. Some of these |
| maintenance. | | | | leasing agreements will include a contract. READ |
| Companies that do not require highly specialized | | | | THE FINE PRINT! Some contracts will have a |
| equipment because they have a low outgoing mail | | | | pre-pay clause that specifies an amount of |
| volume still benefit from purchasing additional | | | | money needs to be kept in the account at all |
| equipment that facilitate the mailing process. Digital | | | | times. |
| scales are the more common type of add-on for | | | | Before signing any contracts, factor in the price |
| smaller businesses and improve the accuracy in | | | | of supplies and leasing fees to make sure that |
| shipment weight. This accuracy therein lowers | | | | this total is less than you currently spend on |
| expenses due to overpriced shipping. Digital scales | | | | shipping. If you are unsure how much you |
| do not require calibration as often as traditional | | | | currently spend on shipping, use an online postage |
| scales and if connected to the internet can | | | | provider for a few months to help you track |
| provide a price quote for what it would cost to | | | | your shipping habits. |
| send the package through a private shipping | | | | |