mail shot - franking machine alternatives?

[marada]

I am just starting a small mailshot campaign and estimate I will send less than five thousand letters per year. All of these letters will be second class small letters. I have looked into franking machines, but with rental, inks etc the saving costs are negligible. Also if I send much less than 5 thousand letters a year I could even be looking at a loss.

In light of this I wondered if anyone was aware of any cheaper alternatives to standard second class stamps? Are there no companies who will frank your mail for you and pass on a percentage of the cost savings associated with royal mail franked mail prices?

Thanks Helen

 

[Jeff FV]

Have you considered using a 3rd Party to print and send your mailshot?

Royal Mail do something like that (here's a link) and I'm sure there's someone on the forum who does this as well (sorry - can't remember who at the mo.)

Might be a way forward?

Jeff

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Helen,

look at hybrid mail solutions like chfdocmail (referral) or imail - paper, print & post at less than the cost of the stamp!

I use both, however, cfhdocmail is generally better value on most services.

 

[marada]

I don’t really need anything printed, as I have had high quality glossy leaflets printed at a commercial printers. Printing the addresses on the envelopes is easy I just run the envelopes though my printer. So the printing is not really an issue. Just looking for the cheapest way of posting.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Then look at RM's Online Business Account (OBA),

 

[marada]

I don't think RM's Online Business Account would offer any cost savings over stamps?

Are there no companies who will simply frank your mail for you? You save 8 pence per letter second class (based on royal mails rates), so if a franking company were to split the difference and give you a 4 pence saving that would be worthwhile for all parties I would have thought? Do companies like this exist or would this arrangement be illegal or something?

Thanks Helen

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

marada,

"I don't think RM's Online Business Account would offer any cost savings over stamps?"

Why do you say that?

 

[marada]

I thought the price of second class was still the same?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I should caveat my comment - OBA with PPI! - it saves several pence per item!

 

[marada]

I just phoned them up and you are right I also save 8 pence on second class and can even print my envelopes. So in light of this why would anyone bother with renting a franking machine as the postal rates are exactly the same?

Thanks Helen

 

[Postforce]

Hi Helen

If you are mailing 1000+ at a time, ask Royal Mail to add Cleanmail advance to your account - then you can mail for under 24p a time (assuming your data is up to spec).

If you are fed up with printing addresses and stuffing envelopes and you are sending 1000+ in one go I can give you a good price for envelope supply and print, your leaflet insertion and postage. More details on our site.

Brian

PS You are right - Franking sucks on high quantities.

 

[NLDMarketing]

Hi Marada,

Have you considered purchasing pre paid envelopes ?

They'll possibly work out a little more expensive but maybe a cost saver when combining your envelope cost?

Plus.... My view is it look more professional than the standard 2nd class stamp?

Thanks,

Andy
Nationwide Leaflet Distribution

 

[davidphilips]

A Faxshot is far far cheaper - 5000 faxes for £95. You don't even need to open it, and its there in an instant.