Customer Profile: MO Consulting Legal Services

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

MO Consulting is a legal services company located in Los Angeles, CA.  CEO Marge Okabe was looking for ways to save  time processing her monthly invoices.  On the advice of a friend, she signed up for Stamps.com.  We recently spoke with Marge to talk about her mail program.  MO Consulting has been a Stamps.com customer since December of 2000.  MO-Consulting

Before using Stamps.com, how did you process your invoices?
We were wasting about two to three hours each month on our invoice procedure as we printed the addresses on envelopes and then manually applied postage stamps to each individual envelope.  We often ran into a problem when an envelope was heavier than the others and required additional postage.   Prior to Stamps.com, I just guessed the weight of each envelope and added more first class postage if the envelope felt heavier than the others.  With hundreds of invoices to send each month, the process was very time consuming and we were applying more postage than the envelopes needed to at least 40% of our invoices.  With Stamps.com, I can get the exact weight of each envelope using the free scale and apply the correct postage.

Besides printing postage, are there other Stamps.com features that have helped your business?
The ability to print postage, delivery address and return address has been a huge time-saver for us.  We were able to import all of our account payable contacts from Microsoft Outlook directly into the Stamps.com address book.  Once the data was loaded, we can print postage and both the delivery address and return address in one pass through the printer.  This feature alone has saved us at least 90 minutes per week.

Have you used other Stamps.com MS Office integrations?
The compatibility with Stamps.com and Microsoft Office has made things very easy for us.   With just a few  macro’s set-up in the database, I can have the form letters and envelopes print out in alphabetical order to help me speed up the stuffing process.   Prior to Stamps.com, the mailings would take about an hour or two as we matched the recipient address from letters to envelopes.   But with Stamps.com, I can process 1600 raw data recipients in about 20 minutes. TIME can’t be recycled once it’s gone. 

Do you use Cost Codes on your mailings?
Yes, the cost code feature helps me bill postage costs to the appropriate client.   I also use Stamps.com for my personal mail, so the cost codes make it easy for me in April at tax time to sort business postage costs from personal.

Get more info on MO Solutions at 310-375-0448.

Customer Profile: Coliant Solutions

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

Coliant Solutions is a world-class infrastructure security company located in Atlanta, GA.  Kim Barth, the office administrator, is in charge of ordering office supplies, answering the phones, and saving the company money.   We recently spoke with Kim to talk about her mailing and shipping program.  Coliant Solutions has been a Stamps.com customer since March of 2009. Coliant

Before using Stamps.com, how did you process your mailings? 
Prior to signing up for Stamps.com, we were buying postage on a Pitney Bowes postage meter.  It was a pain to refill the postage meter machine all the time.  I would have to unplug the meter and then lug the machine over to our fax machine (for an outgoing phone line) to refill the postage.  This was always a hassle.

What made you want to test Stamps.com?
We received a CD in the mail from Stamps.com.  After constantly looking at the Pitney Bowes monthly invoice, I saw they were charging us a fee every time we refilled our postage on top of the monthly service fee we were paying.  So It was a no-brainer to make the switch and save a ton of money!

Was it easy to install and start using the Stamps.com software?
It was easy for us.  I signed up on line, which was a very quick and easy process.  The interface was intuitive and easy to figure out.   I also received the free scale and welcome kit within a few days of signing up.  

Has your shipping and mailing program become easier since switching from a postage meter to Stamps.com?
Stamps.com has definitely made my life easier.  To print a stamp, it is as easy as a couple of clicks and you have your stamp!  There is no more refilling the postage meter, running maintenance on the meter, etc.

Have you noticed any cost savings since in your mailing and shipping program since using Stamps.com?
Yes, we have seen a savings.  On average, we are saving around $48.00 per month compared to the postage meter.   Those savings have been mainly due to the numerous postage refill charges we encountered.

Get more info on Coliant Solutions at their web site:  http://www.ColiantSolutions.com or by calling (770) 614-3454

Customer Profile: Paul’s Watch & Clock Repair

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

Paul’s Watch & Clock Repair is a family owned and operated business located in pauls-watchSacramento, California.  Besides being an apprentice watch repairman, owner Raimond Irimescu oversees all aspects of the store’s outgoing shipments.   Paul’s Watch & Clock Repair has been a Stamps.com customer since May 2008.  We recently asked Raimon a few questions about his mailing and shipping program:

Before using Stamps.com, how did you process your mailing and shipping needs?
Previously, I would go to the Post Office which usually meant delays due to long lines.  Since I ship to many different countries and use a lot of special services, I also encountered inexperienced clerks that made check out much more complicated.

For a short period,  I tried to ship using UPS.   But UPS ended up being a disaster for me.  Along with fees for practically everything, I also encountered poor service such as damaged packages and unsafe shipments (no mailboxes-drop offs by front door).  I mailed thousands of packages with the USPS and rarely received a complaint from my customers…until I used UPS.  I then received 4 complaints in the first week and so I stopped using UPS.

Why did you choose to start using Stamps.com?
I needed a solution that could save me time and money and be able to process international shipments.  I can do that now with Stamps.com.   There is no other place online that I know of that offers me the ability to send a package to a worldwide destination using First Class Mail or will allow me to print a simple stamp for a letter!

Has Stamps.com made your shipping process more efficient? 
Since I started using Stamps.com, I am saving lot of time that was previously wasted waiting in line at the post office.  I am also tracking packages easier and faster since I have quick access to my shipment records.   The reporting feature is a big change from before when I would have to manually search for paper receipts when I had a mailing inquiry from a customer.

Also, the software allows me to do everything in the store — insure packages for high values, send Registered Mail, use First Class Mail International, etc.   I also can print stamps without having to leave the house or store. I use Stamps.com at work and at home as well.

Have you been able to lower mailing costs using Stamps.com?
Yes, since I send a lot of Priority Mail International, I am able to use the special online discounts.   Plus, since I send out a lot of packages, I qualify for the USPS Commercial Plus discount program.   For me, it definitely adds up to big money.

Do you have a favorite function in the Stamps.com software?
I have many different favorite functions.   Overall, I find Stamps.com easy to use.  I love the fact that I can insure  every package and I have shipping reports saved automatically and at my fingertips.   Plus, Stamps.com will help me during tax time since my shipping expenses are well organized and easy to find!

Get more info on Paul’s Watch & Clock Repair at their web site:  http://www.PaulsWatchandClockRepair.com or call (916) 483-0207.

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