Is Stamps.com Worth Using for Personal Use?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores personal experiences with Stamps.com and alternative mailing services, particularly focusing on ease of use, costs, and features. Participants share their thoughts on whether Stamps.com is worth using for personal mailing needs compared to other options like USPS Click & Ship and PayPal shipping.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions using Stamps.com but is considering canceling due to limited use and waiting for free items.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using Stamps.com frequently for mailing host kits, appreciating the convenience of printing stamps and labels at home.
  • Several users express frustration with Stamps.com, citing high monthly fees and difficulties in canceling the service.
  • Some participants prefer USPS Click & Ship for its ease of use and cost-effectiveness, especially for mailing heavier packages without needing to visit the post office.
  • One participant highlights a personal stamp printer from Pitney Bowes as a favorable alternative, allowing for flexible postage printing without subscription fees.
  • Another participant discusses challenges with USPS Click & Ship regarding weight input for mailing catalogs, seeking clarification on postage rates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly regarding the value of Stamps.com, with some participants expressing satisfaction while others strongly criticize it. There is a general preference for USPS Click & Ship among several users for personal mailing needs.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences related to mailing services, reflecting a variety of needs and situations, particularly in the context of managing family responsibilities.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and individuals looking for efficient mailing solutions may find the shared experiences and comparisons helpful in deciding which service to use.

chefmeg
Gold Member
Messages
2,071
if so, do you like it?
 
I do use it but i don't send out the invites so i son't use it allot. I signed up 2 months ago and am waiting to get all of my free stuff and then will probably cancel. I do love how you can just print your own stamps when you need them. And you can print right on your envelope. i have no complaints yet.
 
I use it all the time! If I have to mail a host kit I use the "Click & Ship" feature...you can get Priority envelopes for free and it is a flat rate for as much "stuff" as you can cram into the folder. I do buy stamps there, but I don't mail my invites for hosts. You don't any more or less for postage, but I have 3 kids and I HATE waiting in line at the post office to mail a couple of things. This has made my life a lot easier and it eliminates 1 errand.

I say give it a shot as it is a free service, and if you have a kitchen scale then you're all set. (You may need to weigh packages for mailing)
 
Missy, I think you're thinking of the USPS Click and Ship site. Stamps.com is a pay subscription service.
 
I have this cool thing that I got from Pitney Bowes. It's called Stamp expressions, it costs me $9.95 per month + postage. It's a personal stamp printer! You can print any amount of postage you want, it's got an online postage calculator. If I need to print $1.31 I print it! It's about 5"x5"x5" and the stamp rolls cost $2.25 for 100 of them. It is SOOO COOL! I just print what I need (order the postage online as you use it, it charges your card when you order it). I NEVER go to the post office at all now.

http://www.stampexpressions.com
 
You can also buy a scale at the post office. Might be able to find it online. They are great for measuring ingredients also because it measures ounces which many kitchen scales don't do.
 
chefann said:
Missy, I think you're thinking of the USPS Click and Ship site. Stamps.com is a pay subscription service.
You're absolutely right!:blushing: Sorry...I've never used stamps.com, but love USPS.com! Sorry:angel:
 
missyciccolella said:
You're absolutely right!:blushing: Sorry...I've never used stamps.com, but love USPS.com! Sorry:angel:

I love USPS.com too! I do the click n ship all the time. I really like it because if your package is over 13 oz and you use click n ship you don't have to take it in to the office, you can put it in the box. No getting kids out of the car!
 
sfdavis918 said:
I love USPS.com too! I do the click n ship all the time. I really like it because if your package is over 13 oz and you use click n ship you don't have to take it in to the office, you can put it in the box. No getting kids out of the car!

Really, I wouldn't have to go to the post office to mail my hostess kits? I could do it from home? I think you just made my year and next year with that information! :) Love it!:love:
 
Our post office has told me (and they've been acquainted with me for YEARS) that anything over 16 oz MUST be hand delivered to the PO desk. Something about terrorist prevention stuff...
 
With Click and Ship, you can request carrier pick up. You do not have to go to the PO!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Maybe I'll stick with the government then...need to really look over the website again as the last time I did anything with them, I got myself really confused! Any words of advice to avoid that dilemma again??
 
I HATE Stamps.com. They trick you into using their service, then charge you $15.99 a month. And good luck cancelling it... I have been trying for 2 months now, and all Ive succeeded in doing is losing another $32.I use paypal shipping. All you need to do is have a paypal account. You can ship first class or parcel or priority mail. It debits your checking account automatically, its wonderful. And I use carrier pick up too (when she feels like actually coming to the door that is...).
 
I did a Click n Ship today, and scheduled pickup from the Postal carrier for Monday. Dang, that was so easy!
 
JTNT8704 said:
I HATE Stamps.com. They trick you into using their service, then charge you $15.99 a month. And good luck cancelling it... I have been trying for 2 months now, and all Ive succeeded in doing is losing another $32.

I use paypal shipping. All you need to do is have a paypal account. You can ship first class or parcel or priority mail. It debits your checking account automatically, its wonderful. And I use carrier pick up too (when she feels like actually coming to the door that is...).

So you can actually print out your postage with paypal shipping? No monthly fee? What's the website and how can I say you referred me if I go with them?

I want to be able to print out my own postage...that way if it's over 13 oz (new lower oz. that needs to be hand delivered into the PO to mail...) I can still print out the postage and pop it in my mailbox. My carrier told me that she can't take my packages of +13 oz., even though she knows me...but that if I printed out my own postage (since that postage is linked to my information) that she can take it!

With a 2.5 year old, staying out of the PO line is a plus for me so I would love to do it. I don't want to pay $15 per month though like a lot of these postage places charge!
 
Kelly, try Click N Ship, worked great for me today. And after you print your postage/label it asks you if you want to schedule pickup.https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do
 
Meg - definitely do not bother with stamps.com - it is a total waste of money for the kind of mailing we do. It's better for people who do a lot of selling on ebay, etc. and need to ship a bunch of packages all the time. For mailing host packets (over 13 oz) and such, usps.com click & ship is the way to go. I have used both, and usps is much cheaper and easier, IMO.
 
Has anyone mailed catalogs using the USPS site for Click N Ship? I need to mail out about 30 catalogs. The weight is 4.4 oz, but when I try to type that in for the click n ship, it won't let me type in the .4 part. Does anyone know what 4.4 oz is with no decimal??? I don't really want to put in 5 oz & pay more--or is there a difference? Is everything from 4.1-5 oz a certain price? HELP! I REALLY don't want to wait while they label 30 of these with a 2 1/2 year old & 1 month old!!!
 
Anything from 4.1 ounces through 5.0 ounces (even) is charged the 5 ounce rate. That's per USPS postage tables. The first ounce (0.1 through 1.0) is the inital rate, then each additional ounce OR FRACTION THEREOF is an additional 17 cents (or whatever, depending on the type of mail you're sending).
 
Debala715 said:
Kelly, try Click N Ship, worked great for me today. And after you print your postage/label it asks you if you want to schedule pickup.

https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do


Would you use personal or business for this account?
 
I selected Personal.
 
Debala715 said:
I selected Personal.


I picked the business I am guessing it could be a tax write off.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stamps.com and how does it work for personal use?

Stamps.com is an online postage service that allows users to print postage for mailing letters and packages from their home or office. For personal use, you can create an account, link it to your bank account or credit card, and purchase postage online. You can then print the postage on your own printer and attach it to your mail items.

Is Stamps.com cost-effective for personal mailing needs?

Whether Stamps.com is cost-effective for personal use depends on your mailing volume. If you frequently send packages or letters, the convenience and potential savings on postage rates may make it worthwhile. However, for occasional mailers, the monthly subscription fee might outweigh the benefits.

What are the benefits of using Stamps.com for personal use?

Stamps.com offers several benefits for personal users, including the ability to print postage from home, access to discounted shipping rates, and the convenience of scheduling package pickups. Additionally, it provides tracking options and the ability to manage shipping for multiple carriers from one platform.

Are there any drawbacks to using Stamps.com for personal use?

One of the main drawbacks of Stamps.com is the monthly subscription fee, which may not be justified for those who do not mail frequently. Additionally, users may need to invest in a printer and supplies, and some may find the interface less user-friendly compared to other mailing options.

Can I cancel my Stamps.com subscription at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your Stamps.com subscription at any time. The service typically offers a trial period, and if you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel before the trial ends to avoid any charges. After cancellation, you will still have access to your account until the end of your billing cycle.

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