Postage Meter

In business, one of the single most important pieces of equipment to have is a postage meter. Even if an office sends a small amount of mail each day, a postage meter can be extremely beneficial.

What Is a Postage Meter?

A postage meter is an electronic mailing system, which prints postage directly onto the envelope. Postage meters are used in offices to send small to large quantities of mail. Introduced in 1912 by Arthur Pitney, a basic postage meter consists of three parts: meter, base, and scale. The meter is the most important part of the system. The meter stores the postage and prints the indicia. The indicia is a preprinted marking on a mailpiece which shows that the sender has paid postage. The base of a postage meter transports mail through the system. It consists of a feeder, stacker, tape dispenser and sealer. The scale weighs the envelope or piece of mail, and it displays the current postage rate. Most high quality models will automatically apply the amount when you feed the envelope through the system.

Advantages of Postage Meter

One of the main advantages of using a postage meter is convenience. By using a postage meter, companies eliminate the need to send employees to the post office, which can oftentimes be a hassle at any time of the day. Postage meters can hold up to $1,000 worth of postage and most can be refilled electronically. All postage meters can send express mail, first class, and priority, as well as packages. In addition, postage meter mail looks more professional, it's secure, and being able to print the exact postage amount can save money in the long run. In many cases, companies may apply for a permit through the United States Postal Service (USPS) to receive discounts on bulk mailings.

Purchasing a Postage Meter

Unfortunately postage meters cannot be purchased. Under strict federal regulations, they can only be leased. Lease terms vary depending the provider. While the meter itself cannot be purchased, other parts of the machine can, such as the base. If you're searching for postage meter deals, it's best to shop through a sales rep. Sales reps are willing to offer special deals and discounts for longer lease terms, etc. In addition, companies may earn interest by paying for postage up front and some providers may even offer “mail now, pay later” deals. Another way to save money is through rate insurance. Rate insurance protects users from costly “scale update” fees which can cost anywhere from $75-$175 per update.

By Michelle Burton