Getting a used franking machine

[namesweb]

On a daily basis my average number of parcels has become about 10. So on average about 200-300 parcels a month. Usually large letters up to 1kg of varying weight, sometimes small parcels up to 2kg.

As a result (particularly on Mondays when we have more) it's a bloomin nightmare queuing up at the post office. Add to the fact that it wastes a lot of time and costs more I'm now considering a franking machine. Add also to the fact that we expect Christmas and key periods of the year to get even busier and it seems like the right option is to go for a franking machine.

However, the lease option sounds expensive and a bit hazardous with the extras these companies try to charge. Hence I looked on eBay and saw used franking machines. Is it worth doing that? I don't see why I should get essentially a glorified printer from a lease company when I can just buy one outright for less than £100...

Is there anything that I should be wary of when doing this or is this the way most savvy business owners do it, or is the only proper way to do it via a proper company and lease etc?

Confused, advice very welcome indeed.

 

[menetworkjadaltd]

can you not use click & drop from the royal mail?

 

[pelparc]

Or open a Royal Mail Business Account and perhaps use their Dispatch Manager Online system (you will need a Thermal Printer for that £100ish). You get discounted rates and all supplies are free. Just drop off the sack and paperwork at the post office. If you don't do the qualifying amount of post just say you do, they never check. https://www.royalmail.com/discounts-payment/credit-account/online-business-account

 

[Dory]

We got a franking machine contract from Pitney Bowes - we have similar number of letters to you - we got the most basic one on a months free trial - it was about £10 per month plus postage - you get discounted rate - so what you save on postage plus not having to queue up it was worth it. After 2 years we told them it was too expensive for us and wanted to cancel - they reduced price to £6 per month. Franking machines are tempermental - we have had ours replaced 2 times but its covered by the contract. Ink from them is very expensive but you can buy from some stationery suppliers cheaper.

 

[Ricey067]

We were in a similar situation and got a PostBase Mini from FP Mailing. Finding it a lot more convenient and not missing the post office one bit! also enjoying our items looking more professional. what did u end up going for?