Often unknown is the fact that a postage meter can not be bought, but only rented from the manufacturer as they are tightly managed by the US Postal Service. Leases typically run for either one or 3 years and most companies prefer you go with the longer term. If you are undecided of your needs it might be smart to go with a 1 year rental until you buildup some experience.
Lease rates are established on either usage or fixed, and if based on usage your 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 rate. The alternative is fixed rates published by the leasing company, which may rise upon short notice.
Some postage meter manufacturers just change their costs from one year to the next, with no interest to usage, more dependent on sophistication of the model rather than the yearly or monthly. When choosing a postage machine, be certain that you understand the pricing plan.
While postage meter rental costs do not vary widely, there are advantages for components such as bases and scales, which you can either purchase or rent, unlike the meter itself. Varying according to available options, postage machine bases can cost you a few hundred dollars up to several thousand and scales go anywhere from forty dollars to several hundred.
When chosing a postage machine company your first thought is often cost. 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 higher 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 manufacturer chosen. Some companies will deal with you directly, and others deal through a group of otherwise individual dealers. Both choices offer great service and the important issue is often customer support. Questions to ask are: Do you make on site visits to troubleshoot malfunctions or is support always telephone based, and what is the turnaround time on the average support call?
Payment choices also might vary greatly. If you will be renting your system, you likely get an option to occassionally upgrade your equipment as your operation might grow. Some companies offer better and more varied lease options. In addition, the postage costs can be taken care of in different ways, either pre-payment, mailing 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 allow you to "mail now, pay later," basically giving you credit to run your monthly mailing requirements. Also possible is purchasing postage in advance from the manufacturer. Some companies offer a situation where you get interest reaped as additional postage for prepaid arrangements.
Lease rates are established on either usage or fixed, and if based on usage your 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 rate. The alternative is fixed rates published by the leasing company, which may rise upon short notice.
Some postage meter manufacturers just change their costs from one year to the next, with no interest to usage, more dependent on sophistication of the model rather than the yearly or monthly. When choosing a postage machine, be certain that you understand the pricing plan.
While postage meter rental costs do not vary widely, there are advantages for components such as bases and scales, which you can either purchase or rent, unlike the meter itself. Varying according to available options, postage machine bases can cost you a few hundred dollars up to several thousand and scales go anywhere from forty dollars to several hundred.
When chosing a postage machine company your first thought is often cost. 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 higher 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 manufacturer chosen. Some companies will deal with you directly, and others deal through a group of otherwise individual dealers. Both choices offer great service and the important issue is often customer support. Questions to ask are: Do you make on site visits to troubleshoot malfunctions or is support always telephone based, and what is the turnaround time on the average support call?
Payment choices also might vary greatly. If you will be renting your system, you likely get an option to occassionally upgrade your equipment as your operation might grow. Some companies offer better and more varied lease options. In addition, the postage costs can be taken care of in different ways, either pre-payment, mailing 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 allow you to "mail now, pay later," basically giving you credit to run your monthly mailing requirements. Also possible is purchasing postage in advance from the manufacturer. Some companies offer a situation where you get interest reaped as additional postage for prepaid arrangements.
About the Author:
Christopher Ulrich is the operator of Postage.ws Postage Meters site. Get $100 free postage from Pitney Bowes with your new meter.
1 comment:
Post a Comment