Franking Machines who use?

[JMugs]

I don't do a huge amount by Royal Mail, most weeks its 15 or so small parcel 2nd class UK and 1 international. Granted there is the odd other item but generally anything else is courier.
Royal mail is very handy for me though as it's on the doorstep.

So who uses franking, what are the pitfalls, is it worth it etc etc.

All ideas, help, pointers etc welcome.

Janners

[Scotty@BMS]

They're great from a convenience perspective, but it seems that isn't an issue for you being spitting distance from the Post Office!

[James990]

I don't use one myself, but am interested in the cost implications etc. I know that some of the costs are cheaper than the post office itself, but then there is the maintainence stationary etc. So would be very interesed in haveing a truthful account about running one.

James

[JMugs]

Based on sending small parcels 2nd class and ignoring deals on 1 month free etc it appears that approx 80 parcels is the break even point, after that you save money.
That assumes I have got all the figures right!
£22.80 rental (includes VAT)
£0.01 per item label and ink.

Saving is £0.30 per parcel

That is a 12 month contract, a five year contract is £12.00 per month, hence approx 45 2nd class small parcels.

Now I have probably missed something there, so any comments welcome

Janners

[viccar]

The cost for loading up money on the machine

The cost for them changing the prices when RM put them up

[guarddog14]

im just setting my oba account up now but the discounts are as good as i thought they where to be i was thinking i would be sending mugs out at 2 quid 1st class but its 2.90 i think

[bigj2552]

The cost for loading up money on the machine

The cost for them changing the prices when RM put them up

........................

no extra cost when RM fire up prices from PITNEY BOWES...
£6.85 per top up....but top up enough to last you the month -

£12pm lease of machine with ALL maintenance and servicing incl....
free logos to go onto your jiffy bags / envelopes ect,
inks are £5.85ea - or buy 2 get 3rd free ect on ebay..fully compatible blue inks

when our machine(dm50) went tits up twice, we had a new ones out within 2 days(1 was next day) - once was a printer fault, other software apparently.
and we just got our credit limit upped to £2000 yesterday...well more than we need at the moment, until xmas comes

you get invoiced end month and money is taken by D/D on the 6th next month.
CS has been really good with us tbh....

prices are the same as with OBA

90% of all our sales use L/L jiffys @ 2nd class 61p - no more standing at the PO Q...drop em off at the sort office out the back of the premises

[R.Prints]

Used to have one and it is handy, but as mentioned you have to do a fair bit to actually save. Another high cost is what they sell ink carts to you for. Saying you have to use theirs, don't believe them. We can supply compatable carts at a fraction of the normal prices that Pitney sells them for.
Ray

[Frostee]

When you say 80 parcels does that mean each month to break even? (based on those sizes)

im setting up a drop off thing with royal mail now as post office.told me i cant keep turning up with 15 parcels etc

[bigj2552]

Used to have one and it is handy, but as mentioned you have to do a fair bit to actually save. Another high cost is what they sell ink carts to you for. Saying you have to use theirs, don't believe them. We can supply compatable carts at a fraction of the normal prices that Pitney sells them for.
Ray

you do not have to use there inks @ £50 ea !!.....we confirmed this BEFORE we signed up...and it dont bugger up the warranty - compatibles as i said on ebay for around £5.85ea - discount on more you buy