More Insurance :

How to select a postage meter?

Postage meters for small businesses print postage directly onto your mailpieces (or onto a meter tape, which you apply to your mailpiece). Postage meters are a very convenient way to pay for postage and track postage costs for your business or organization.

Some mailers use metered postage because they believe that it adds a more personal touch. A postage meter is also great to have around the office for all of your mailing needs'you can send out any class of mail (except Periodicals) in any quantity at any price with the same postage meter.

Postage meters come in all sizes. Very large mailers have big, specialized meters that fold, stuff, weigh, and meter postage onto envelopes. Some meters are small and require each mailpiece to be hand-fed. That can take time. A meter manufacturer can help you decide which meter is right for your mailing needs.

If you already have a postage meter and you're starting to do bulk mailing, using your meter is a smart choice. Although you can use the same postage meter for all of your mail, you must apply for a permit to use the meter for bulk mailings. Also, there are special markings required for bulk mailings that can be applied with your meter stamp. That saves you an extra step.

Pricing: Meter- the main component of a postage meter can only be leased as per governmental regulation. Other postage meter components can be purchased or leased.

Lease Costs: These costs vary with the sophistication of the meter and range from $20 to $500 per month.

Individual components prices:

Base: Pre-cut dispenser bases are cheaper than bases using roll of tapes but incur higher operational costs. Bases prices start at a few hundred dollars with advanced bases costing thousands.

Feeder: Manual feeders are most economical. Semi-automatic feeder prices start at $700 while automatic feeders cost $1200 or more.

Stacker: High speed stacker prices range from $1000 to $2000.

Postage Scale: Spring scale prices start at $30 while digital scales can cost hundreds of dollars.

Vendor Considerations

Contract period is one-year or more. Vendors may charge a fixed annual fee or vary charges with usage. Vendor deals can include regular maintenance options, automatic rate update, free rental months, pre-paid and credit postage amounts.

Talk to multiple vendors and carefully assess your business requirements and budget before making a decision.






 

More Insurance : |