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Mechanical versus Digital Scales
There are two types of postage scales - mechanical scales and digital scales. According to Chris Buck of The Scale People Inc. (http://www.ScalePeople.com), mechanical scales use springs that can stretch after a long period of use, potentially giving an inaccurate postal rate. The price range for mechanical scales is in the $25 range. For frequent mailers, Buck recommends digital scales. He says they tend to last longer, and most digital scales can be recalibrated with a known weight if they are not weighing accurately.
Accuracy
Scales are accurate within a certain number of ounces. For example, a scale with a 150 lb. x .2 lb. capacity weighs items up to 150 pounds to the nearest .2 pounds. When I used my scale to weigh a package, it told me it weighed 2 pounds. When I took it to the post office, the scale showed it weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces. So keep this in mind when using your scale to estimate postage. Have a separate small scale for letters.
Pelouze Scales
Sunbeam Corporation manufactures the Pelouze brand of scales. According to Carla DeYoung, Senior Product Manager at Sunbeam, Pelouze scales have approximately 97% market share of the office scale market. She says, "We do not have a Web site to sell direct to consumers since our primary source of business is through the office superstores. Therefore, we sell to Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, these channels sell at store level, in catalogs and sometimes Web sites, and our products can be purchased that way."
Pelouze Scales and E-Stamp
The Pelouze Internet Postage Station is a postage system for PCs that allows users to weigh a package and purchase, download and print postage from their computers using E-Stamps's software. The Pelouze scale communicates the package weight to the E-Stamp software, enabling the software to calculate and print the exact amount of postage required. The scale's capacity is six pounds and costs $99.95 (not including the E-Stamp software system) and is available for sale at http://www.e-stamp.com.
The E-Stamp software is available for purchase without the scale. EBay members receive a 50% discount on an E-Stamp starter kit - $24.99, normally $49.99. (Go to eBay's home page, scroll down, and click on E-Stamp.) There is a 10% fee each time you buy postage using E-Stamp (minimum fee of $4.99 and maximum fee of $24.99 per purchase). eBay members never pay more than $24.99 per month in fees.
Here's a look at the prices of digital postage scales. (Prices collected 2/16/00 - 2/19/00)
Shipping & handling not factored in unless noted. I've included two models - a Pelouze 5 lb. capacity and a Pelouze 150 lb. capacity - for comparison purposes only. There are variations, so be sure to check the description when comparing prices, and double-check when ordering.
Viking 800-421-1222
G26-PE5 Pelouze 5 lb. capacity $74.96
G26-78622 Sunbeam Freightmaster* 150 lb. capacity, 11 1/2" x 10" platform, $129.99
*Note the 150 lb. capacity scale is a Sunbeam Freightmaster, not a Pelouze scale. Pelouze scales are manufactured by Sunbeam. (Shipping is free for orders of $25 or more. The customer service rep was quite friendly and told me that Viking has a 30-day free trial, so you can try out a scale and return it if you aren't happy. Viking guarantees its products for 1 year.)
ULINE 800-295-5510
H-480 Pelouze 150 lb. x .2lb capacity, 12" x 12 1/2" platform, $138
(UPS shipping cost varies according to location. They ship from Illinois. The cost to Natick, MA, is approx. $6.)
National Bag 800-247-6000
92-520C4 Pelouze 150 lb. capacity, 12" x 12 1/2" platform, $139.80
The Scale People Inc. 800-451-9593
http://www.scalepeople.com
Pelouze 125 lb. capacity, 12" x 12" platform, $143.20 & $12 shipping
Staples Catalog 800-333-3330
PEL-PE5 Pelouze 5 lb. capacity $83.30
PEL-4010 Pelouze 150 lb. x .2 lb. capacity, 12" x 12" platform, $152.15
(Staples will deliver free if order is over $50. Prices are a little confusing at Staples. There is a "special order" catalog where all prices are discounted 15 - 25%. There are other Staples catalogs that might get you a better price depending on geographic location. When you call for prices, make sure they check all the catalogs to get the best price! If you go to a Staples store and the price is higher, show them the catalog price and they will meet it, according to a phone rep. Staples stores do not carry everything in the catalog.)
WB Mason 888-926-2766
(Call to see if you can get a better price.)
PEL-PE5 Pelouze 5 lb. capacity $98
PEL-4010 Pelouze 150 lb. capacity, 12" x 12" platform, $179
(Free shipping.)
Chiswick 800-225-8708
PE-10 Pelouze 10lb. capacity $99.95
(Shipping varies according to geographic location. Chiswick is located in Massachusetts, so shipping to Natick, MA, is $4.17.)
Online Auction Sites
Log onto online auction sites and search for postage scales! Remember to use the same caution that you use in buying other items on online auction sites.
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