You might not think that postage is costing you that much, but even if you only do one or two mail campaigns a year, they can still result in thousands of dollars in stamps. Now that “forever” stamps are up to almost fifty cents apiece, a single mailer takes a significant chunk out of your budget with no guarantee of any sort of return. Stack that on top of your regular mailings, such as newsletters, bills and invoices, and you might start wondering how you can start saving today. Luckily, there are some options that can help you save money on postage costs. Let’s have a look.
Consider Stamps.com, PayPal or Other Online Shipping
Stamps.com offers discounts on Priority Mail services as well as FedEx Services, and it can be linked up with PayPal and automatically receive data from the invoices you send out. While the features are advanced, it does cost a pretty penny or two to actually use, and if you’re just a casual shipper with the occasional large order, their service probably isn’t necessary. PayPal’s is similar in a lot of ways, but the basic version is free and there is still a discount (and included delivery confirmation) for using web services instead of walking into a post office. Both Stamps.com and PayPal are compatible with cross-country shipping, too.
Invest in a Postage Meter
Postage meters are often less than $50 and can give you accurate weights on your packages and envelopes so you’re not left guessing if you got the right number. While most of the time a guesstimate is adequate, there is always a risk the package will be sent back and it will cost you more to mail it, or even worse, it will be delivered with postage due. There is nothing more unprofessional than a package sent to a customer that has postage due on it. These meters are often portable and easy to tuck away, too, so that you don’t waste any space when you aren’t mailing.
Think About Consolidating
This usually only applies to those with very large shipments—between 150 and 20,000 pound shipments—but if you do find yourself in that position, it may be time to hire a consolidating service. These services combine your shipment with others to save a ton of money for everyone involved, as partial truckloads often cost more than full truckloads.
Make Sure You Check All Services
Finally, don’t stop at just your post office. Check with FedEx, UPS and other mailing services in your area. Their prices are often better or just as good as the post office, and sometimes they offer discounts for repeat customers, unlike the postal system. It’s especially important when you’re shipping large packages, as this is where UPS and FedEx excel at pricing.
Saving on postage costs can be difficult, but it can be done with a few adjustments such as learning how to ship online, considering a postage meter purchase and checking all of your available options before you actually ship something.
