Franking Machines - Any Recommendations??

Franking Machines - Any Recommendations??

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Hi - just wondered if anyone had any experience of franking machines and suppliers?  I've googled - most suppliers don't put prices on their web-sites, and it looks as though "consumables" are a bit of a minefield, too.  

Can anyone recommend a cheap (?) solution for a low volume mailer?  Interested for the sake of convenience rather than anything else.

Thanks in advance.

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By ShirleyM
10th Jan 2012 07:12

Low volume mailer?

Save your money! The cheaper the lease/rental, the more they sneak in the high extra costs such as ink, etc. The tiny savings in postal costs will be far outweighed by the costs of the machine, and in reality, will probably take up just as much time as sticking a self adhesive stamp on!

You can have your stamps delivered to you within 24 hrs via Royal Mail online purchasing, so you don't have to queue up in the Post Office for your stamps.

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Kevin Salter
By Kevin Salter
10th Jan 2012 07:52

Franking machines

Not had one for years - use Smartstamp - print your own

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Replying to Emily Yan-Miles:
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By landscaper
10th Jan 2012 09:18

...until it stops working

I would have agreed but our smartstamp account went down just before Christmas (major IT upgrade that obviously wasn't fully tested) and we still don't have it back but they are still taking the direct debits.  Can't get in touch with anyone who knows what they are talking about; can't access account; can't create new account.  Rubbish!

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Time for change
By Time for change
10th Jan 2012 10:59

Yes, although I use

SmartStamps they were anything but, "smart" whilst the major upgrade took place.

What astounds me, about these organisations though, is their supreme arrogance when anything goes wrong! One of their emails suggested that "you can always visit the Post Office to purchase stamps".

Mind, Adam Crozier was once a part of the reorganisation of Royal Mail and, I seem to recall he did FA, before!

 

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By justinelaws
10th Jan 2012 13:24

We have succesfully used smartstamp before.  On the franking machine front they are hideously expensive for anything half decent.  Most important considerations are the maintenance agreement (how quickly will you get a call out and how much are they going to try and stiff you for it), and also the cost of consumables.  The ink cartridges can be over £100 each and the franking labels you need can also be anything but cheap.

Sometimes a slightly more expensive machine can end up being cheaper to run.

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By newmoon
11th Jan 2012 12:16

Pitney Bowes

I'll go against the tide, and say we use Pitney Bowes, and are happy with the machine.

We tried Smartstamps at the beginning, and couldn't get it to work. Are the postage rates the same with Smart Stamps as ordinary stamps, or are they at the reduced postage rates that you get with franking machines?

Franking machine rental charges range from the ridiculous to the more reasonable, and for a small machine with scales something under £20 a month seems reasonable to me. I also  wouldn't get tied down to any agreement longer than 12 months. I seem to remember that at the other end of the scale one quote worked out at about £3000 over three years for a similar machine!

Topping up is simple, and the main gripe is the £50 they try to charge for ink cartridges (plus postage of £12 or something equally ridiculous). Make sure nobody in the office is authorised to 'accidentally' order these at extortionate rates! We picked up half a dozen genuine Pitney Bowes cartridges on eBay (a liquidation clearance or something) at a decent price, and there are loads of third party ink cartridge supplies around. We've never used them, but presumably they work OK!

I'm not sure of our precise volume, but we spend something between £1200 and £1500 a year on franked mail.

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