A Guide to Postage Calculators
Sending mail can be expensive. Flat rate boxes, pay per pound, rising postage prices. Every postage company differs in pricing so knowing what they charge can be cost beneficial for you. Though you may not know the prices off hand, every major mail and shipping company offers something called a postage calculator.
When using a postage calculator, consider:
1. Decipher what packaging you will need.
2. Flat rate boxes can be an economical decision, depending on the package.
3. Maybe using a simple envelope would be your best option.
Size Is Important
The important piece of information here is the size of your mail. Does it need a box? If that is the case, you have a plethora of options. Some companies will allow you to put your information in, and it generates a shipment label for you. Instead of waiting in line, you can print your label, tape it yourself and be on your merry way. If you don’t have a printer you can still make use of postage calculators as a way to prepare yourself for how much it will be.
Try: UPS offers a cost and time estimating calculator. By simply entering the address to and from, as well as package weight, you’ll get a quick answer. They also offer a freight shipment estimator for those of you sending large mail via air or truck.
You Can Fit It in A One Size Fits All
Some companies offer a flat rate box. For one price, as long as you can get everything inside, you’re set. The only limitations here are that you must be able to close the box at its normal folds. You must also keep it under 70 lbs. From $10 to $15 dollars, this could be a worthwhile expense. The only calculation you need to do here is figuring out weight and size.
Try: Flat rate boxes are priced from small to large box. USPS offers price and size so you can be sure of you’re parameters before you get to the post office.
Envelope Stuffing
Postage is at $.44 right now, and if you can fit the contents of your mail into a single envelope you could save yourself a real chunk of change. Your options range from greeting card envelopes, to commercial flap, side seam, and square flap envelopes. If you have pages or pictures that you can’t bend into a smaller envelope you can choose to use a wallet envelope or metal clasp manila envelope. Now you’ll need to calculate how many stamps you need.
Try: Fancyham has a calculator which allows you to put in the type of stamps you have and price of the shipment. It then gives you a count of how many stamps you’ll then need.
Shipping any type of mail can be expensive and confusing. Knowing your costs before going into the post office might prepare you for a shocker and being able to avoid that trip all together can save money and time. Who doesn’t need more of those?
