subject: Postal Machine - Does It Really Save Money And Time For Businesses [print this page] Postage meters are definitely convenient for a small business. They are easy to use and save businesses time and money or so sellers claim. Though it would be simple to advocate that all businesses go ahead and lease a postage machine. But before you do, consider the vital question - "What makes you believe a postage meter will save dollars for your business?" Based on the billion dollar in annual sales seen by leading vendors of these machines, you would like to think so. But a closer scrutiny of the factors that influence a purchase decision are in order.
How much does a postage meter cost?
You cannot purchase a postage meter. You may only get one on a long or short term lease from an authorized provider. Before leasing any equipment, mull over the various expenses related to it. Some of them are as follows:
* lease contract fees
* base and scale rental fees
* accessories rental fees
* maintenance fees (Again, maintenance and repair is only allowed by an authorized vendor. This can leave you in a limbo if they are not accessible at short notice.)
* cost of postal rate updates
And you keep paying these charges till the end of the lease.
Assessing your need for a postage meter
It is easy to be swept away by the claims of equipment vendors. The best way to not fall in with the sales persons waiting to make their pitch is to first have a clear picture of your business requirements. Not every small company or business sends out many mails every day. Some may not send out more than 5-10 mails daily. If your staff is overwhelmed and cannot squeeze out the time for regular trips to the post office, all they need is a few rolls of stamps in the office. You can then have the mail person pick the letters and boxes. This way you only go to the post office once in a while.
The value proposition of a postage machine is that it scales consignments and meters them with accurate postage. The important part here is the scale. But, do you need to buy a postage meter for that? No you don't. You can conveniently procure a scale from the post office or any store for around $20. Once you know the weight, you just need to fix stamps for the appropriate postage and ship the letter or the package.
If you need to send out a lot of mails frequently and the time and cost (excluding postage) of these mailing are significant, leasing a postage machine is a good plan. Keep in mind though that when you visit a postage machine vendor, it is not likely that you will get the best fit for your requirements. The sales persons get compensated in commissions and will most likely cajole you into buying a pricey superior model with features that are remarkable but not necessarily needed. Know what you want and choose a model that addresses your requirements perfectly. You won't use more than that so why pay for it. To make sure you don't get carried away by sales pitches, do your homework. Read through product catalogs and websites and check out models that are reasonably priced and adequate for your business.
Leasing a postage meter makes financial sense when your mailing expenses (excluding postage) are, in fact, more than the cost of the mailing machine. Make a smart selection and save dollars.
