Rare Book Monthly
Articles - October - 2005 Issue
Using Endicia.com To Save on Shipping Costs
Shipping log using Endicia.
The Endicia website has a well designed support section to handle a wide range of questions, and is very responsive to support questions and problems.
From our experience, just having the free delivery confirmation feature alone has averaged a savings of $800 and more per month for domestic shipments, in addition to the time savings. By avoiding the hassles of waiting in line at the post office, we can give our packages directly to our rural mail carrier or drop them off at the local post office counter in USPS provided plastic mail tubs. As long as a package is weighed correctly and the postage is attached and ready to go, a carrier should accept it (there are some extra requirements noted here in this article with international shipments). Another side benefit is less gas used and wear and tear on our vehicle.
Depending on your circumstances, a mail carrier who walks on their route may have an issue with picking it up if there are too many packages. Then you may have to deliver it to the post office. Also note that the US Post Office does require that international packages weighing over 16 ounces be presented to a USPS postal clerk at the post office, along with a completed USPS green customs form filled out and attached to the package for security reasons.
Insurance is available for purchase on Endicia, including USPS, Endicia, or U-PIC. Endicia insurance is available up to $5,000. For packages which are insured through the USPS, it is required that you deliver them to a postal clerk and complete a USPS insurance form.
Endicia has a rich feature set with reasonable fees for what you receive. It is a useful service for professional booksellers who want to better control costs, with the ability to verify customer addresses, track their shipments, and save time.
Carl Burnham can be reached online at www.SouthpointBooks.com.
