Stamps.com Blog

We are excited to announce Stamps.com’s new integration with ShipStation, a web-based shipping solution that helps online retailers process and ship their orders using multiple carriers including FedEx, USPS, UPS and DHL.

When using ShipStation’s web-based interface, customers can compare shipping rates and easily select the lowest cost carrier for each package. All order data is automatically backed up in the cloud and is accessible from any computer.

The new Stamps.com integration will allow ShipStation customers to access their Stamps.com accounts without ever leaving the ShipStation interface.

ShipStation automatically retrieves and consolidates order information from over 40 sales channels, including:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Newegg
• Etsy
• Shopify
• Magento
• Volusion
• Bigcommerce
• WooCommerce
• SquareSpace
• Plus many more

Check out ShipStation’s free trial today – no credit card required.

Stamps.com has released the 2014 edition of its popular Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide. The PDF guide is FREE – download it now!

When pricing out a package, shippers can select from three types of Priority Mail along with the Flat Rate Padded Envelope. With so many options, finding the lowest rate for your package can be a challenge.

To simplify everything for shippers, Stamps.com created the FREE Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide. The Guide provides rates for each type of Priority Mail by weight and shipping zone. Once you find your package weight and the specific shipping zone your package is being delivered to, you’ll be able to see all the Priority Mail rate options listed in order from lowest price to highest price.

Example of 1 lb. package, shipped to Zones 1 and 2. Note the cheapest option is regular Priority Mail at $5.05

The guide provides you with an easy way to find the lowest Priority Mail cost for your package. Rates are included for regular Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate (boxes and padded envelope) and Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes.

Download the FREE 2014 Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide (PDF file) now!

NOTE: Click here to find your USPS postal zone. Just input your zip code and you’ll get postal zones across the country for your location.

Brian Van Dorn is the owner of Van Dorn Gourmets, a gourmet spice company specializing in all natural spice rubs, seasoning blends, and dip mixes.  Brian started the company in 2007, as a part time venture that soon became a full-time job for him.  Today, Brian shares his story with us – How he started his small business, what challenges he overcame and how Stamps.com has helped grow his dream into a successful and lucrative business.

Stamps.com: What inspired you to start your company, Van Dorn Gourmets?

At the time I started the company, I was employed full-time as a special effects make-up artist.  However, I’ve always been passionate about food and cooking from a very young age – Growing up, I worked at restaurants and have always enjoyed cooking with my family.  In fact, for Christmas, I would create different spice blends and share these with my family.  Everyone seemed to enjoy my spice blends and since I was already interested in starting a food-based business, I figured it would be a great idea to start creating and selling my spices commercially.

Stamps.com: What small business challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Being an artist and more creatively focused, I didn’t really know much about starting and running a business.  I knew I had a good product, but trying to find all the resources to translate my creation into a lucrative business was challenging.  I did everything from researching online to reading books on how to start a business to asking other entrepreneurs for hints and tips.  Moreover, since I was still working full-time, it was hard to find time for the company.  However, this was my passion and so I just had to carve out time, which meant many long days and nights!

Stamps.com: How did you find out about us?

I first discovered the benefits of Stamps.com when I received a promotional package in the mail containing information on the services offered, along with a free software CD.

Stamps.com: What did you use prior to using online postage?

Prior to using Stamps.com, I would literally hand-write the addresses directly on my packages with a black marker, then proceed to go to the Post Office to have the packages weighed, and purchase postage, all steps I did not particularly care for.  The packages would look rather unprofessional, and the time spent at the Post Office would certainly have been better allocated to making spice blends for Van Dorn Gourmets.

Stamps.com: What made you choose Stamps.com?

The promotional package that I received from Stamps.com contained many appealing offers including a free scale, free labels, and a decent amount of free postage.  Starting a new small business can be expensive and very time consuming – Finding ways to streamline and professionalize my business was a priority from the very beginning.  Stamps.com was a great way to achieve both!

Stamps.com: Did you have any challenges with Stamps.com, when you first started to use the software?

I make gourmet spice rubs, seasoning blends, and dip mixes for a living.  I am not very computer savvy by any means whatsoever, and setting up Stamps.com was very, very simple.  The program is very user-friendly and with the constant software updates that are offered, the program just gets easier.  If I can do it, anyone can!

Stamps.com: What types of packages do you mail out with Stamps.com?

While we do sometimes sell our spice blends directly to our customers at local gourmet food events and farmers’ markets, most of our business is conducted online.  We ship our web store purchases from www.vandorngourmets.com directly to our customers.  Our packages are rather small, approximately 1-5 lbs.

Our products are also available for wholesale purchase and in bulk.  So, these packages can weigh up to 30 lbs.  And with 20 different varieties, our packages truly do vary in size and weight.  But they are all equally simple to ship with Stamps.com!

Stamps.com: Besides printing postage, are there other Stamps.com features that have helped your business?

Right off the bat, I’d have to say that being able to include my logo directly on my shipping label is a huge plus.  Building the Van Dorn Gourmets brand is a very important priority for me and having people recognize the logo on the label itself is such a great feature!  Moreover, I don’t think you can get that kind of service from the Post Office.  The other features that have been beneficial:  Scheduling a pick-up!  It’s quick, easy and the mail carrier picks up our packages right at our door.  Ordering supplies on Stamps.com is also another very useful feature for me.  I can order labels and shipping supplies, including the free Priority Mail products and the payments are conveniently linked to my account.  It couldn’t be faster and easier!

Stamps.com: What features of Stamps.com do you use the most and how have these helped streamline your shipping process?

I mostly print shipping labels from Stamps.com and sometimes a few envelopes as well.  It’s so fast!  You log in, weigh your package, type in the address information, and choose the shipping method and print!  I schedule a carrier pick-up and I’m done!  I can then go back to making my spices!

Stamps.com: What’s next for Van Dorn Gourmets?

I am very excited to be working on a new store location in Los Angeles, CA for Van Dorn Gourmets.  While we are still just in the demolition phase, I believe once ready, the physical store will help further boost sales and grow the business!

To learn more about Van Dorn Gourmets, visit the website at www.vandorngourmets.com.

Stamps.com recently held a webinar on the 2014 USPS postage rate increase that occurred on February 4, 2014. If you missed the webinar, watch the recording below.

Here are the top questions and answers from the webinar:

METERED MAIL RATE $0.48 QUESTIONS:
QUESTION:  How does the new “Metered Mail” rate discount work?
ANSWER:  The new “Metered Mail” discount is a one cent discount for First Class Mail letters (1 ounce).  The USPS is offering this to both PC Postage (online postage vendors such as Stamps.com) and Postage Meter vendors.  The USPS is providing this discount regardless of the number of mail pieces you send.  Stamps.com will automatically print $0.48 postage on all 1 oz. First Class letters as of Sunday, January 27, 2014.

QUESTION: Can you use a $0.46 Stamps.com stamp (NetStamp) and a USPS $0.02 stamp?
ANSWER:  Yes, NetStamps are like regular postage and are valued at the denomination that is printed on the NetStamp.  But since you are using a regular postal stamp along with the NetStamp (online postage from Stamps.com), your letter WOULD NOT be eligible for the “Metered Mail” discount.  So you would need to include three additional cents for a total of $0.49 cents.  If you used NetStamps for the additional postage, you would qualify for the “Metered Mail” rate and would only need to add two cents additionally (total of $0.48).

QUESTION: If you are adding regular postage to a $0.46 cent NetStamp, do you add a 2 cent or 3 cent stamp?
ANSWER: If you are printing the additional postage using Stamps.com, you would add only 2 cents.  If you are using a combination of NetStamps and regular postage stamps, you’ll need to add three cents for a total of $0.49.

QUESTION: For stamps.com customers, does the 1 cent discount apply to postage printed directly onto an envelope or does it only apply to stamps printed onto stamps.com NetStamp postage labels?
ANSWER: Yes, the new Metered Mail discount applies to both postage printed directly onto an envelope as well as on NetStamps.

LETTER MAILING:
QUESTION:  At what weight does an envelope go from First Class to Priority Mail? Also, if a letter becomes Priority Mail, do I then need to take to these letters to Post Office to weigh or can I do this through Stamps.com?
ANSWER:  First Class Mail letters can weigh up to 3.5 ounces.  After 3.5 ounces, you would need to use the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope, which includes tracking and can hold up to 70 lbs.

QUESTION: Do you need the Stamps.com pre-printed NetStamp labels to print stamps?   If so, do you have to print a full sheet of postage or can you do print one a time?
ANSWER: Using NetStamps, you can print one stamp for any denomination.  You can also print a full sheet of stamps if you want.  But there are other options – you can also print postage onto Avery 5160/8160 address labels.   You can print on Avery labels from the “Envelopes” tab, choosing  “Label – Avery – 1 x 2 5/8″ – 30 per page” on the “Printing On” field.

FIRST CLASS MAIL LARGE ENVELOPES/FLATS:
QUESTION: How come the price for First Class large envelope mail show $0.98?  Shouldn’t it say $0.97 since we get a penny discount?
ANSWER:  First Class Large Envelopes (aka Flats) are NOT ELIGIBLE for the “Metered Mail” rate and the one cent discount.  The current rate for a First Class Large Envelope is $0.98.

QUESTION: When printing stamps, does the 49 cents show on the stamp and the discount automatically computed into the price using Stamps.com?
ANSWER:  Yes, when you print postage online using Stamps.com, the $0.48 cent automatically will appear in the Stamps.com interface.   The rate shown on the NetStamp is $0.48.

QUESTION: What is the cost for a 8.5″ x 11″ First Class postcard?
ANSWER: First Class letters have a maximum size of 6 1/8″ x 11 1/12″, so an 8.5″ x 11″ postcard is bigger than that maximum size and would be considered a “Flat/Large Envelope.”   The price for a First Class Flat/Large Envelope is $0.98, up from $0.92 in 2013.

SHIPPING QUESTIONS:
QUESTION: Regarding the Priority Mail Regional Rate service, do you need to use special boxes or can I use regular boxes similar to regular Priority Mail (non-flat rate)?
ANSWER: In order to access the Priority Mail Regional Rate box rate, you must use a specific Regional Rate Box – either A, B or C.  There are two types of Box A and B – a top loading and a side loading.  Get more info about Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes.

QUESTION: Can anyone use Regional Rate boxes or are they only for large quantity shippers?
ANSWER: Anyone can ship using Regional Rate Boxes, regardless of how many packages you ship.  If you purchase postage for a Regional Rate Box at the Post Office, you will have to pay an additional $…

QUESTION: With the 2014 rate increase, I noticed that Priority Mail is cheaper than Parcel Select in some cases. what is the benefit of using Parcel Select?
ANSWER:  For Zones 1-4, Priority Mail is cheaper than Parcel Select for all packages weighing 1 to 70 pounds in 2014.  Since Priority Mail has faster delivery, we would suggest everyone use Priority Mail instead of Parcel Select for Zones 1 to 4, for all packages.

QUESTION: what’s the minimum number of packages required to qualify for Commercial Plus Pricing for Priority Mail? ANSWER:  For 2014, the USPS has reduced the minimum package quantity to 50,000 to qualify for Commercial Plus Pricing.

QUESTION: Is there a way to request a package pickup using Stamps.com in our office building as we do with UPS today?ANSWER:  As long as you are using either Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express (domestic or international), the USPS provides free package pickup at your home or business. They also will collect any other mail class or letter that you are sending out.  Also, if you are have a limited quantity of packages being shipped, you can always hand them directly to your daily mail carrier.

QUESTION: Regarding the Priority Mail Express delivery using the new 10:30 am delivery time – If postman picks up the package at our office – is it guaranteed it will be at the destination by 10:30 am the next day?  Or do we need to take the package to the post office.?
ANSWER: In order to make the Priority Mail Express 10:30 am delivery option, you will need to either drop the package off at a specified location or contact the USPS for package pick-up.  You can get more info at: http://postcalc.usps.com/ServiceCommitments.aspx

QUESTION: What is the maximum weight that can be picked up and shipped using USPS?
ANSWER:  Maximum weight is based on the mail class used.  Maximum weight for First Class Package Service is 13 ounces.  For Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Media Mail, the maximum weight is 70 lbs.  For Parcel Select, the maximum weight is 50 lbs.

QUESTION: If we occasionally ship to a U.S. territory (new Zone 9), would you recommend we download the new version 11.1 of Stamps.com? If so, do we need to create new shipping profiles in the Batch section when we install the new software version?  Or does it use our current profiles ?
ANSWER:  In order to use the new Zone 9 feature, you will need to download Stamps.com Version 11.1 at www.stamps.com/download/.   The good news is your batch profiles will carry over into the new version, and you will not need to recreate the batch profiles.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:
QUESTION: What is the URL for Stamps.com Postage Rate Increase Guide?
ANSWER:  You can download all of our whitepapers, including the 2014 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide at:  http://www.stamps.com/whitepapers/

QUESTION: Where do I find a chart listing the State/territories included in each Zone for USPS?
ANSWER:  You can find shipping zones based on your zip code at:  http://postcalc.usps.gov/ZoneCharts/

Need some info on the new USPS postage rates that started on January 26, 2014?  Want to find out how much it costs to send a First Class Letter (1 oz.) if you are using online postage?  Or need to send a postcard and not sure how much it costs in 2014?   Check out the Stamps.com 2014 Postage Rate Increase infographic. Click on the image to enlarge