franking machines - recommendations?

[dcw@pr]

We are about to get a franking machine, does anyone with experience have any pointers, or are all the providers pretty much the same?

[edb49]

In our experience, they all stiff you. Good luck

[dcw@pr]

so what would you think is a better solution? We used to use smartstamps, which was great, but we have now moved over to Macs

[edb49]

There isn't a better solution that I've found. The franking companies all seem to operate with cartel-like behaviour, it's a very uncompetitive market.

[atom111]

I may too soon be in the market for one so what's are the options or is there really no other way?

[dcw@pr]

if you have access to a windows machine use smartstamp

[atom111]

Does smartstamp save money over buying stamps direct at face value? Is the yearly/monthly charge only for the right to use the software? It does look pretty good.

[fergywales]

Not normally my usual style to publicly bash a company, but here I'll make an exception... NEOPOST, do not go near them, their service is pathetic, you'll receive over priced labels by COD couriers and yet when you do want to get hold of them, they are mysteriously unobtainable.

Altogether, a thoroughly untrustable company.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[dcw@pr]

atom111 said:

Does smartstamp save money over buying stamps direct at face value? Is the yearly/monthly charge only for the right to use the software? It does look pretty good.

you just pay for the stamps, no other costs. No savings compared to buying from a post office. It works really very well.

[dcw@pr]

fergywales said:

Not normally my usual style to publicly bash a company, but here I'll make an exception... NEOPOST, do not go near them, their service is pathetic, you'll receive over priced labels by COD couriers and yet when you do want to get hold of them, they are mysteriously unobtainable.

Altogether, a thoroughly untrustable company.

Hope this helps.

Paul

thanks, thats the kind of info I was after. My dad uses a Neopost and he's always going on about how much he hates franking machines/companies!

[fergywales]

More than happy to help.

Good luck with finding a reputable company for your needs.

Paul

[blueyes]

dcw@pr" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">dcw@pr said:

atom111 said:

Does smartstamp save money over buying stamps direct at face value? Is the yearly/monthly charge only for the right to use the software? It does look pretty good.

you just pay for the stamps, no other costs. No savings compared to buying from a post office. It works really very well.

Nope. You have to pay £20 or £25 a year to use the system.

[Hobo]

Another vote for smartstamps. Yes it does have an annual cost but you achieve a proffessional look & don't have to waste time getting the exact amount of stamps (so no wastage), etc (or lick the f@cking things). You can also incorporate company logo's, etc onto your post if you so desire.

[FUBAR]

Pitney fking Bowes!

Costs a fortune to fix if you dont have their maintenance package (which funnily enough is almost the same price as the print head fix (circa £400 iirc)

Bloody 'long lasting ink cartridges' (which was the selling point to me as the last PB machine was awful) was supposed to last for 7000 prints and actually lasts for about 3000 and cost a bloody fortune (they have actually refunded us for 2 cartridges recently because of our moaning)

Tied us into a 5 year contract (my fault, should have checked that thoroughly)

And breathe.....



Mind, the stamps on our envelopes look professional

[dcw@pr]

anyone had experience with www.frama.co.uk

???

[Scockers]

FUBAR said:

Pitney fking Bowes!

Agreed.

Pitney fricking Bowes are utter utter tossers!

Avoid at all costs.

[FUBAR]

Im actually glad to see this thread come up as I assumed Id just been sold a 'pup' with PB, but it seems they are all as bad as each other!

[TSS]

Scockers said:

FUBAR said:

Pitney fking Bowes!

Agreed.

Pitney fricking Bowes are utter utter tossers!

Avoid at all costs.

Double Agreed. They are still sending us invoices long after we have returned our franking machine. Their "customer services" hardly ever answer the phone and just ring out to voicemail. And they never actually managed to provide us with a logo they promised us. They are totally crap and I would definitely not recommend them unless you enjoy spending hours chasing people to do what they should have done without being asked.

[dcw@pr]

a very useful thread. We have decided to keep a pc in the corner running smartstamps. Thanks for all the info!

[jamoor]

dcw@pr" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">dcw@pr said:

a very useful thread. We have decided to keep a pc in the corner running smartstamps. Thanks for all the info!

Exactly what i was going to suggest, buy a used one or something off ebay for £20 and use that, much cheaper than franking machines, they can go to hell!