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crackpixels · December 10th, 2008

Hey guys, I'm in a dilemma here and would really appreciate help from anybody who have experienced services w/ any of these companies.

Basically, my question is this:

What are the reasons I should choose services like Endicia or Stamps.com to handle my shipping needs when I can do it for free using either USPS' shipping assistant software or Paypal's method described here: How to package and ship your items with paypal shipping center | How to start a Clothing Company

Note: Paypal accepts all major credit cards and people w/o accounts have the option to pay without signing up as well.

I have looked into both Stamps.com and Endicia extensively and have even spoken to their customer service representatives.

For Stamps.com, I do like the feature of hidden shipping costs but so far that's the only pro I see to paying $20/mo. Although a nice touch, I don't need the customized shipping labels as of yet. Oh, also Stamps.com sends you a free scale for signing up which isn't that big of a deal considering I can buy one for $20 at Costco.

Endicia has pretty much the same features as Stamps.com except their monthly fee is $10.

For someone on a tight budget like me, would you recommend me signing up with these services or should I go the Paypal route by buying a scale and some sticker labels?

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

Rodney · December 10th, 2008

If you are on a budget and just starting out with a small volume, then the USPS shipping assistant will probably be all you need.

When you get to higher volumes, the workflow with endicia/stamps has been much faster for me.

For example, I use endicia like Eric from LintyFresh. If you have 20 t-shirts to ship, it's much faster to highlight the shipping address and have that address auto pasted into the shipping label in the endicia software. This also saves errors since you don't have to retype the address.

I also have a Zebra Thermal Label printer which can save you some money on buying ink (since it never needs ink).

Also, using endicia/stamps well when you have your own merchant account not through PayPal and you're using your own shopping cart. In those cases it will be more trouble to use PayPal's shipping center.

Using the USPS Shipping assistant was more cumbersome for me when trying to enter addresses.

But back to your question, yes, all you need starting out is PayPal or the free USPS tools. You'll know when/if those free tools are no longer sufficient for your needs. No need spending the extra money monthly when you don't need to. You could use that money for marketing/advertising instead.

Rodney · December 10th, 2008

Other reasons I like endicia:

Nice reports, logs, of all items shipped. You can search for past shipments by name, address, etc.
Shipping discounts for electronic printing
Easy international shipping (first class and priority). Really simplifies the whole process
Connects easily with the Zebra Thermal Printer
Can print an international label with required customs forms with one 4x6 label (instead of needing several sheets with other methods)
Stealth Postage
More branding opportunities since you can design the label and add your own logo which looks professional
It can email tracking numbers to the customer when you ship.
You can customize the tracking emails that get sent (more marketing/branding opportunities)
Easily checks for address correction
Free form address entering instead of having to enter it line by line
You can automate everything if your shopping cart allows. That means no copying and pasting at all.
Easy to send "Return Postage" for customers in case they need to return or exchange something
Can integrate with a weight scale for accurate weighing of packaging (which is helpful for first class mail rates)

Keep in mind that many of these are features that you may not need starting out.

crackpixels · December 10th, 2008

Thanks for the helpful reply, Rodney!

These are the points that really stood out to me:

- Easy international shipping (first class and priority). Really simplifies the whole process

- Stealth Postage (does usps or paypal have this feature?)

- It can email tracking numbers to the customer when you ship.

I'm only starting out with 150 pieces so I guess going the Paypal route would be better for me. I admit those Endicia features are nice though.

I'm also going to be looking into the Zebra Thermal Printers.

Thanks again, Rodney!

4thstoryprints · December 10th, 2008

I prefer to use paypal as least as possible. Anything else.

Rodney · December 10th, 2008

Quote:


	- Stealth Postage (does usps or paypal have this feature?)

I just checked and it looks like the USPS shipping assistant doesn't have this feature buy PayPal shipping does.

PayPal will also automatically email the buyer with the tracking number when you ship it via their shipping center (which also helps with seller protection against chargebacks through their system)

EXTouch · December 10th, 2008

I use USPS for my shipping when I'm not using UPS or Fedex.

No to the stealth feature, but you can have the tracking updates emailed to the customer via USPS as well. You (the shipper) also get an update when it's delivered.

I don't know if it's because of the drivers I have dowloaded for my Zebra Printer, but the only labels I can print are UPS labels (I use their online ship). I'd really like to use it for more than just UPS (I get the blank labels).

Can you ship other methods with Endicia (sp?)

gaseousclay · December 10th, 2008

for those of you that use Zebra thermal printers, which model do you have? there are so many to choose from and cost will be a huge factor in deciding which one to buy.

Desktop & Wristband

do you guys have desktop printers or the commercial printers?

jkruse · December 10th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	Other reasons I like endicia: Nice reports, logs, of all items shipped. You can search for past shipments by name, address, etc. Shipping discounts for electronic printing Easy international shipping (first class and priority). Really simplifies the whole process Connects easily with the Zebra Thermal Printer Can print an international label with required customs forms with one 4x6 label (instead of needing several sheets with other methods) Stealth Postage More branding opportunities since you can design the label and add your own logo which looks professional It can email tracking numbers to the customer when you ship. You can customize the tracking emails that get sent (more marketing/branding opportunities) Easily checks for address correction Free form address entering instead of having to enter it line by line You can automate everything if your shopping cart allows. That means no copying and pasting at all. Easy to send "Return Postage" for customers in case they need to return or exchange something Can integrate with a weight scale for accurate weighing of packaging (which is helpful for first class mail rates) Keep in mind that many of these are features that you may not need starting out.

I need to check out endicia. Filling out customs forms is a pain in the ***.

EXTouch · December 11th, 2008

I have the Zebra LP2844...

Girlzndollz · December 11th, 2008

Rodney,

I usually use USPS, and print pre-paid postage on self stick labels with my inkjet printer. I knew you used the thermal printer, so when I received my Extravaganza t-shirt, I really checked out your shipping label.

It was very nice. I scratched it to see how the label held up and it did not make any marks. (I did that because I was curious about how the thermal label was different from my sticker label that I send thru the inket.)

If I didn't look very close, I probably wouldn't have noticed much difference between the inkjet printed and your thermal printed, as who stares at their shipping labels, BUT, (isn't there always a but?)... but... one thing that totally stood out was how your logo was integrated into the shipping label, and that I LOVED. I think it adds so much to the package, as far as making the company seem more professional and established.

I wanted to let you know how much I really liked that label with the logo on. Nice job. Glad I got to check it out.

Anyone getting a t-shirt from Rodney from the contest can see his shipping label in person.

Thanks again for the shirts, Rodney.

bigtyme805 · December 15th, 2008

I have used them all and stamps.com is my favorite by far.. I ship 25 items a day.

crackpixels · December 15th, 2008

I just looked in the Zebra LP2844 and it costs $575. I'm sure it's a great investment for the long run but I just don't have that kind of money right now. Can anyone offer an alternative?

sjidohair · December 15th, 2008

I am cheap, I do it the cheap way,
I do paypal shipping,
a good diital scale
and ship everything prioirty.
so I get Free Boxes from usps site.
I also get free delivery confirmation, so when i hear i never got the order, i can go on line and see when it was delivered exactly,,

crackpixels · December 15th, 2008

^Where can I find a good digital scale?

I originally thought I could find one for $20 at Costco but I just checked their website and the $20 scale only weighs up to 2 pounds. I think I'd need at least a 5lb scale.

Any suggestions?

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