Printing Package Postage: Features and Options for Automation
Stamps.com offers ample opportunity to automate many of the tasks and processes for printing parcel shipping labels. The software lets you print the mailing label required to send package mail using any of USPS' services including First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel post or Media Mail. You simply enter in the package details -- if you use the USB scale then the package weight information is automatically input for you. If you opted out of receiving USB scale from Stamps.com, Eric Nash verified that the software does support any serial scale that conforms to the NCI Protocol or the 8213 Protocol.
Once you've added the package size and weight information, you can then see all prices for all shipping services with the estimated time of arrival (ETA) in a single list. This lets you easily see where a service may be upgraded for pennies or where one service may simply be too expensive to use. Access to additional services -- such as Certified Mail (USPS form 3800) -- is also provided.
Other features include the option to upload a logo or add a message that will be printed on the parcel postage sheet. If you frequently ship the same size box, you can save the measured dimensions instead of manually entering it each time you ship that size of package. Also, if you mistakenly run out of inventory or ship only on certain days of the week, you can change the date that will show on the label. You can also hide the cost of shipping so it doesn't show on the printed label.
For eBay sellers who ship internationally, Stamps.com provides the information required for the customs form. After you have entered the delivery address (or it has been imported in the case of eBay sellers), you'll automatically see a list of restricted items for that country to make sure you comply with international laws. You then enter in the information you are required to provide on all customs forms in an easy-to-use form in the software.
For sellers who frequently ship the same item, you can save the customs form details to reuse the information the next time you ship the same item. This is a great time-saving feature. The capability to compare real-time postal rates for different delivery options is also a big help when you are communicating with your eBay buyer.
Batch Postal Printing for eBay Sellers
This option in the software is only for those who join the Stamps.com Free eBay. The Batch tool is what allows you to see and manage your eBay shipping tasks. Sellers with multiple eBay accounts can login to each of their accounts through the software and give Stamps.com permission to access data from your account, and in around 15 minutes the last 72-hours worth of data will be retrieved. Your batch screen will then show a list of all paid items that have not yet been shipped. When you use the Batch admin it auto-updates your shipping data.
Each eBay item to be shipped is displayed in a convenient colored-bullet list. Green indicates the postage label is ready to be printed. The shipping details have been pulled from your listing details so there is no manual work involved. Red indicates there is an issue you need to check before printing the postage. This could be something like a declared weight on the customs form being invalid compared to the parcel weight specified or other anomalies not recognized when the data was imported from eBay. A yellow indicator is a caution warning that you may want to quickly verify the shipping details before printing.
Once the data from eBay has been imported, you can go in and make changes using the features and options we discussed earlier. So, things like a last minute request to upgrade the shipping service from your buyer can be easily accommodated. All features in the Stamps.com software are available to eBay sellers in the Free EBay program -- you just access them from within the single "Batch" tool when you use the software.
Stamps.com Shipping Insurance & Free Trial
When you choose to insure a package, the shipping insurance is provided through Stamps.com. Stamps.com offers a 10 percent off discount on domestic rates from USPS and offers the same rates as USPS on insured international packages. You can insure packages for up to $2,500, and you initiate insurance claims using the account history tool in the software. Eric Nash said that the company typically processes insurance claims within 7 to 10 days.
EBay sellers who want to save time by printing their own postage and labels can sign up for a free 4-week trial account. You can use the fully functional service with all software features and options available during the free trial. EBay sellers can learn more about the Free EBay Program, and individuals and non-eBay businesses can register for a free trial account here.
Vangie Beal is a veteran online seller and frequent contributor to ECommerce-Guide.com. She is also managing editor of Webopedia.com. You can tweet with her online @AuroraGG.
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