Harstine Island, located in the beautiful Puget Sound, is home to the business office of Sounding Line. The island is a lovely location, but very remote. The closest Post Office is a 25-minute drive, which ensures that everything from buying stamps to sending packages becomes an exercise in inefficiency. Due to these inconveniences and the continuing search for more efficient (hence profitable) ways of conducting day-to-day business, Sounding Line decided to put Stamps.com to the test.
The product proved to be effective, and we use it daily. to print postage directly from our printer. No expensive equipment or special training is required, and it includes a number a features that have helped us to stay in better contact with our customers and avoid expensive and annoying alternatives.
Stamps.com is an Internet-based system. The user simply downloads the software from www.stamps.com. Once installed, the user logs on. Postage is purchased with a credit card in any dollar amount. When the postage is printed, the amount used is debited from the user's account. Stamps.com can import addresses from most databases, such ACT! (which we use), Outlook, and QuickBooks.
Stamps.com also matches, checks, and corrects addresses based on their postal database. This feature helps to reduce returned mail, an obvious annoyance and expense. The printed address also includes a bar code to expedites delivery.
Stamps.com allows printing directly onto pieces of mail and includes the option of printing additional graphics or your company logo. Envelopes can be fed directly into the printer and the address, including the elusive ZIP+4, and indicia (digital postage stamp) is printed right onto the envelope. Labels can be fed into the printer for mailing larger envelopes and packages. To help ensure proper postage we use a small postage scale.
Using the service can save up to 80 percent over a traditional postal meter. The service is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, which means we're not limited to post office hours.
There are, however, a few limitations to the product. Currently, Stamps.com does not print international postage, nor does it print individual stamps without the address, though this feature may be introduced soon.
The service is not free, though it isn't expensive. Two packages are available: the Power Plan and the Simple Plan. The Power Plan offers unlimited use for $15.99 per month and includes a free postage scale. The Simple Plan is available for a 10% service fee on monthly postage used.
Overall, Stamps.com has proven to be a great product that effectively fulfills our needs. While it may not be the most cost-effective service for all agencies, small to medium sized businesses, especially those located off the beaten path, can benefit from this technology.
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