If you're a first-time business owner or run a home-based business and just need a little help, mail equipment rental could save you time and money. You can lease great equipment easily online and, with a monthly leasing fee, you'll also likely have access to the company's customer service department.

The right mail equipment can take the hassle out of going back and forth to the post office and can also help you track what you spend on paper products and, most importantly, postage.

Make sure you lease mail equipment efficiently and make the most of your investment with time savers like:

1. Multiple quotes;

2. Lease-to-own mail equipment leasing or mail equipment financing options; and

3. Easy-to-use software to aid in your mail equipment lease.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lease mail equipment from companies that contact YOU with quotes

Save yourself time getting quotes with websites that do the shopping for you. Not only can you get no obligation quotes from multiple companies, but, since the companies giving you quotes know you'll also be getting quotes from their competitors, they'll want to give you the best price.

I recommend: BuyerZone.com can get you multiple quotes from multiple vendors and also offers an basic how-to for operating postage meters. All Options also offers multiple lender quotes and boasts the ability to find mail equipment even for those businesses with a shaky credit history.

Explore all of your options for mail equipment financing

Leasing is one of the best options for mail equipment. Not only is the equipment expensive, but newer versions with better hardware and software are unveiled all too often. Check out business financing websites for quotes or go directly to mail equipment manufacturers for deals. Whether you choose to purchase directly from a mail equipment manufacturer or a mail equipment finance company, read the fine print so you'll know if and when you'll get your deposit back, how long you might be stuck with the equipment if it's not right for your business or if you'd like equipment with more features and how much of a deal you can get for renewing your contract.

I recommend: You can find quick answers to your financing questions at FastUpFront or go directly to tried-and-true mail equipment manufactures like PitneyBowes.

Buy software to make the most out of your mail equipment rental

There's no point to investing in hardware when you don't have compatible software. Direct mail equipment leasing services can help you print, meter and even seal your mail, but make sure you're sending certified mail to current addresses with the most up-to-date databases and mail certification software. Many online companies offer free demos so you can easily choose the right priced program for your business.

I recommend: Both Postage Saver and AccuZip, Inc., offer free downloadable versions of their address certifications software that should be compatible with most mail equipment leasing services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make the most of your mail equipment lease with top-of-the-line mail room organization. All the latest equipment won't help your mailing efforts if you can't find it or use it easily.