ihula
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posted on February 2, 2003 09:48:15 AM new
I know everyone is probably sick and tired of this topic, but I'm afraid I'm going to bring it up again. I need opinions on people's experiences. I ship about 45 packages USPS a day, and some UPS. I work full time, so my time to do this is very limited. I have an arrangement with my post office that I address the packages and write in the corner of the envelope "media mail, first class, or airmail, etc". I drop them off in the back with a blank check and I'm on my way. They put the receipt in my PO box when they're done and I pick it up the next day. Been doing it this way for 2 years now. I don't use delivery confirmation unless it's a high priced item. I have had one chargeback last year and just ate it - no big deal. I recently had another chargeback through paypal - item was $6.00. I emailed the buyer and he said it was a mistake and he'll email paypal right away. Well, 2 days later paypal dropped the hold on my account and gave me a warning about using delivery confirmation on everything. I don't necessarily want to use Endicia because of the ease of use of my post office - I'm figuring that's just going to add too much time and expense for me. I thought about using the 13 cent DC through the post office website, but again, don't want to add more time to my schedule. Should I use it? Does paypal even accept that as proof (I thought I read once that they don't)? Does it take a lot of time? Or just keep going as I am?
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Libra63
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posted on February 2, 2003 10:08:32 AM new
Ihula that is a good question. "Does PayPal even accept this as proof of sending" I have wondered that also. Since using the eDC I notice that the USPS is getting lazy in scanning. I use it on every package and when you go into their website they say they update every night that is a downright lie. I have a package right now sitting in limbo. No update since Jan. 30. It was my mistake when I typed the address but when they found that out wouldn't you think they would send it back to me. I have no idea the distance between the cities as one city is called Limerick and the other New Limerick. I forgot to type the New. The eDC labels really don't take long to print as after you do the first one you can click creat another label and your address stays in there all you have to do it type the new buyer in. What I do is when that is typing I cut the label from my comptuer paper so it is ready to go when I package. Do you think anyone from paypal comes into their area below? Lets see what other say about this..
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REAMOND
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posted on February 2, 2003 10:24:12 AM new
Paypal or any credit card company doesn't care if the item was sent, but only if it was received. If they forget to scan it etc, all you'll get refunded is the price of DC. Use insurance instead.
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tomwiii
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posted on February 2, 2003 10:37:21 AM new
Regardless of the merits of (OR lack of) the USPS DC system, it is important to remember that PayPal REQUIRES IT in order to be covered by their SELLER'S PROTECTION PROGRAM!
YOU MUST:
1) Ship only to the CONFIRMED ADDRESS!
2) Ship with 7 days of PP Payment receipt!
3) Provide TRACKING of some sort WHICH CAN BE TRACKED ONLINE by ANYBODY!
USPS INSURANCE does NOT (let's reapeat 100000 times: does NOT) qualify, since ONLY the PO can track it &, in the case of items with a value <$50, can't do it at all!
4) Provide SIGNATURE upon receipt for items with values=>$250 that can be TRACKED ONLINE! (USPS SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION)
We seem to be confusing the debate about whether or not DC is valuable...
MY EXPERIENCE: over past 2 years (2500 items) of shipping EVERYTHING with DC via ENDICIA.COM,
I HAVE NEVER HAD A PACKIE LOST, DAMAGED, or MISDIRECTED! My P-Mail usually arrive in 2 days & other classes usually within 4 days.
For the PALTRY SUM of $9.95/month, ENDICIA.COM is a bargain blessing!
BTW: 500917 Ralphie says THANKEE! 
"What we have heah is a fail-ure to communicate!"
http://tinyurl.com/315v
[ edited by tomwiii on Feb 2, 2003 10:42 AM ]
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ihula
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posted on February 2, 2003 11:10:27 AM new
I guess I'm more worried about the time involved. Having to put everything in the computer and print it all out seems so time consuming. I have had 2 or 3 items "lost in the mail" in over 8000 transactions. Both of those were cheap enough that I just replaced them or refunded the money.
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tomwiii
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posted on February 2, 2003 11:51:35 AM new
Time? It takes < 2 minutes to produce a barcoded & professional-appearing SHIPPING INSTRUMENT.
It looks professional, because it IS professional. PLUS, the STEALTH mode is dandy.
The DC has saved my prodigious butt at least 6 times in the past, especially when a pretzel-choker complained to PP about non-delivery! THEY LOST!
"What we have heah is a fail-ure to communicate!"
http://tinyurl.com/315v
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ihula
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posted on February 2, 2003 11:53:15 AM new
I guess that's what I wanted to know - how much time it takes. I just know it takes me awhile to do the UPS form, so I assumed this would be the same.
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bear1949
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posted on February 2, 2003 12:09:09 PM new
Endicia is BETTER, FASTER & EASIER than the USPS shipping manager. I think you will find it it well worth the price.
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sapington
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posted on February 2, 2003 12:12:04 PM new
Endicia is nothing like the USPS form. Once you get it setup it only takes a few seconds.(faster than writing it out unless you have a slow printer)
Also, if you really don't want to print the postage and just keep paying the same way you do now you can just turn off the postage and print the labels without postage. It would still be well worth the $10 per month (or $99 per year) fee.
They have a 30 day free trial so you don't have anything to lose.
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ahc3
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posted on February 2, 2003 01:52:57 PM new
Endica sounds good, if I didn't use real stamps, I might switch. It's a better deal for me to use real stamps though.
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reddfoxx
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posted on February 2, 2003 02:05:02 PM new
Endicia is great! Once you setup the template for your label, all you have to do is cut & paste the address provided by Paypal, then print. Quick and easy. Well worth the money. And don't even let me start about Stealth mode. It's the best thing going.
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jensmome
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posted on February 2, 2003 04:02:25 PM new
You've convinced me! Here's a question though. If I use Endicia can I print directly on to the free priority labels? It would save some cutting and pasting or paying for labels.
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sapington
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posted on February 2, 2003 05:14:35 PM new
"If I use Endicia can I print directly on to the free priority labels? It would save some cutting and pasting or paying for labels. "
Yes but it is a little tight fitting it on.
You just need to select USPS label from the dropdown box. Here is a picture of the fit. If you spent more than 30 seconds you could probably get it better. You just drag each part seperate and drop where you want it to go. 
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on February 2, 2003 07:24:30 PM new
Based on the recommendations here, I signed up for Endicia, downloaded the software and bought postage.
I have now spent 2.5 hours trying to get the bloody thing to work with either my Dymo LabelWriter or my laser printer. We're 0 for 2 so far.
We are not computer novices here. Between us we have close to 40 years of experience working with computers, going back to the first Radio Shack TRS-80. (And wasn't it fun to load programs from a cassette tape recorder back then.)
What is it...are you guys paid stooges for Endicia or something? Are you forgetting to mention in your glowing reviews that you can't get postage refunds for printing errors? Or maybe you all have printers that function perfectly. (Ha.) You must live in that place called Perfect that Walgreen is always advertising.
If I botch a label in Shipping Assistant, I am out the cost of one label, a mere 10 cents. I am not perfect either, I do make mistakes, but I do not intend to enrich the Postal Service by them.
Keep your blasted internet postage and stealth mode and "only" $9.95 per month. I'll continue to pay the cost of actual postage and be dollars and hours ahead of you.
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bear1949
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posted on February 2, 2003 08:26:52 PM new
Fluffy, it does take a little setup on the layout, but when I installed my copy it saw my HP 920c without a problem.
Like anything new there is a learning curve.
No I am not paid to endorse Endicia. I tried the USPS Shipping assistant & Stamps.com & will never go back to them.
Endicia has always PROMPTLY responded to my questions, send the tech dept a email describing your printer problems & I'll bet you a drink of your choice, they can solve the problem.
Besides the stealth mode (amount of postage is NOT displayed on the label), you can print on just plain printer paper & tape the label to your package.
Sure you can get refunds for mistakes. Go to Endicia.COM (www.endicia.com & from the help menu select postage refunds, Tells you all you need to know.
Sorry your having a problem.
[ edited by bear1949 on Feb 2, 2003 08:29 PM ]
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CapYoda
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posted on February 2, 2003 09:57:40 PM new
no one mentions the fact that to use stealth mode u gotta pay for the premium service.. which is $14.95 or er.. $15.95 per month.
unless I'm wrong here.
but yeah I use the $9.95 service.. and so far its fine. Once you have it setup its fast and easy, in a sense its faster than stamps.com
and it prints in a smaller area so I dont use as much ink, and I can use the rest of the paper for other purpose...
although I think at first stamps.com's program is easier to use.
anyhow, at least its cheaper than stamps.com's service.
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tomford
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posted on February 2, 2003 10:34:10 PM new
it took me several tries to get my label printer set up with endecia. i have an Eltron LP 2844 that i rent from UPS for $2 a week....i have printed 1000's of labels with it and not one bad label (knock on wood). stealth mode is the reason i signed up with endecia...but it sure is nice to walk into the PO when the lines are 10 miles long and put all my packages over the counter and walk out....im one of those sellers who adds a few extra $$$ to my shipping charges and its nice to hide the actuall cost. i ship around 100 items a week and i can pay for my endecia account with 2 or 3 packages. if you do sign up for the free trial...you have to contact endecia and tell them to add the stealth mode...as of now...im payin $9.95 for service + stealth..but a customer service person told me that they were goin to be chargin more for it soon...but they didnt say what the price would be. also i like where it stores all your shippments in a log and and you can easily check the status of a package.
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bear1949
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posted on February 3, 2003 09:29:21 AM new
CAPYODA
I've been using Endicia for 6 or 7 months & have the stealth mode enabled, still only paying $9.95. I was told that eventually it would become an option @ a higher cost. But still well worth every cent.
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CapYoda
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posted on February 3, 2003 02:50:39 PM new
well i'm pretty sure its $15 bucks per month now to use stealh mode...
are u guys still paying on a month to month basis? if you pay for a year's service I suppose thats why you still have stealth mode.
I duno, bummer, should have signed up earlier.
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bear1949
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posted on February 3, 2003 03:23:59 PM new
Still on a month to month plan, although considering the yearly plan.
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