Getting Postage cost down

baker6743

Hi I currently send around 75 letters a week out with my ebay business and am looking for a cheaper way to send them other than buying it through ebay.
Is a franking machine the best option?
Thanks 

Savvy_Sue

A franking machine will charge you for ink and labels (which you might not need): you'd have to do your sums to see if you'd break even on the cheaper postage. I think we also pay for envelopes which the batches of franked post need to go into. 

There are alternatives: Whistl is one I spot regularly. And I think we have a cycle courier service delivering locally. How they compare to Royal Mail at your volumes I couldn't say. 

baker6743

Hi basically I would save 22p each parcel the cost of a franking machine is £18pm I send 200 parcels so it would be worth the cost just wasn't sure if there was other options out there

jon81uk

Buying the postage with a business account directly with Royal Mail might help. https://www.royalmail.com/business/prices

Also ask on the eBay board, Soolin is very knowledgeable.

martindow

gavin7 said:

Hi basically I would save 22p each parcel the cost of a franking machine is £18pm I send 200 parcels so it would be worth the cost just wasn't sure if there was other options out there

You also need to factor in the cost of labels, ink, etc.  The other issue is the contract - if your volumes dropped or you decided to leave for any reason how long are you tied in for and how much notice is required?  This is a B2B transaction so there is no protection from consumer regulations.