Business Opportunities Weblog

November 3, 2008 by Angela Shupe | 2 Comments

Many businesses need mail or packages to be shipped regularly. For many smaller or home based business, that can mean gathering it all up and driving to the local post office to get it shipped. As mundane as the chore can be, it’s necessary. That is, unless you own a postage meter. These meters give businesses the opportunity to weigh and stamp their mail without leaving the office. There is no more over paying for your postage, or need to waste gas to drive to the post office.

Pitney Works is the online counterpart to Pitney Bowes. They have been offering their postage meters for sale through their website since the late 1990’s. The meters are made in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of business needs.

We’ve recently had the opportunity to interview Melissa Slavin, the Manager of Online Marketing, to learn a little more about Pitney Works and what businesses can expect from their product.

When did Pitney Works launch?

The direct online sales channel for Pitney Bowes, http://www.pitneyworks.com, was developed in the late ’90s in response to customer demand for online services. Pitney Bowes Inc, a global mailstream technology company, was founded in 1920.

What was the inspiration behind starting this business?

To fulfill a market need in helping businesses of all sizes with best in class mailstream products and services.

What benefits come with using a postage meter?

A postage meter can save business owners both time and money. Postage meters will calculate exact postage so there is no guessing or over-stamping. Businesses that use a postage meter can save up to 20% a year in postage. Postage meters also give businesses the convenience of not having to drive to the Post Office. By managing mail in the office, employees will have more time to focus on more important things like running the business. They will also be saving money on gas.

How many sizes do they come in? How would an individual/business determine which size was the right one for their needs?

Postage meters come in many different sizes. The size of the meter is determined by how many pieces of mail a business sends on a monthly basis. We have meters ranging in size from 100 pieces a month up to 20,000+. We are sure to have a solution for any business’s needs.

Are there any extra fees encountered with the use of a postage meter rather than just going to the post office?

Customers pay a monthly fee to rent the meter as well as any supplies they use. Postage costs the same as if it was purchased at the Post Office. However, customers are saving both time and money by not driving to the Post Office. They also enjoy the convenience of being able to purchase postage 24/7.

Can the meters adjust when the postal rates change or does each cost adjustment require a new meter?

The meters have the ability to download the new postage rates whenever there is a rate increase.

What size of business do you feel would benefit most from using one of your meters?

Any size business would benefit from having a postage meter. We have solutions for small, medium and large size businesses.

What makes Pitney Bowes stand out from the competition?

We offer unparalleled products and services to meet the complex mailstream demands of any size business or industry.

What advice do you have for a business, big or small, that might be thinking about purchasing one of your meters?

Our products truly offer efficiency and savings for businesses in managing their mailstream from simply putting exact postage on their mail or not wasting time going to the Post Office.

In Interviews, Mail | 2 Comments