postage meter supplies
Insider Secret #5:
Postage meter supplies used to be compared to the postage machine as the proverbial “blade” was to a “razor”. There are two main types of consumable supplies for your postage machine – ink cartridges and postage labels or tape.
The postage meter ink cartridge come in a variety of designs and is filled with a special ink that be read by post office processing systems. Their function is for printing U.S.P.S. approved postage.
Postage meter labels are die-cut and peel-and-stick labels on to which the postage can be printed. The labels can then be hand-applied to mail pieces which cannot be fed through the postage meter because of their shape.
Because of their unique design of the cartridge and to a lesser degree, the labels, the postage machine manufacturers had a captive market for their pitney bowes supplies.
Now, there are manufacturers of both the postage meter ink cartridge and postage meter labels, who have duplicated the specifications of the original products and offer less costly alternatives. Many are of comparable or better quality and, virtually, all are guaranteed.
And that’s the fifth insider secret – save big bucks on your postage meter supplies by shopping online. Find a link or do a search for (your model) postage ink cartridge or (your model) postage meter tapes and check out the options.
The original postage machine manufacturers and independent dealers have tried to stop the use of third party postage meter supplies by putting clauses in their maintenance agreements voiding their liability if third party supplies are used. The chances of the supplies causing any type of problem with your system are small, but check your agreement to be sure.
This also is kind of hypocritical, because most large independent dealers of postage machines sell third party supplies, rather than original manufacturers’, since can make better margins from them.
So, if you are afraid to use a third party supplies in your postage meter, you may find out your using them anyway and just paying a premium for them. If you don’t see something on your postage meter supplies clearly identifying them as being from the original machine manufacturer, they’re probably not. So cut out the middle-man and buy them on-line.
One large manufacturer sells a postage meter cartridge for their popular hand fed system for $79.95. You can find compatibles online for $36.95. That’s less than half.
Over the life of the equipment, you can save hundreds of dollars on your postage meter supplies by using this insider secret!
