Anyone know if it's possible to do that? There isn't an option for this with the new wrapper system, but I wondered if anyone who has experience with other online postage sites like Paypal, stamps.com, etc. knows if it's a possibility or not?

I really like the convenience of the online postage, but to be honest, I tend to think the DC is mostly a waste of time and money if you don't actually bring the book to the PO to be weighed and scanned right there. That's really the only time I would use it before--if I had something that was over 13 oz that couldn't just have stamps thrown on it.

So far all the books I've sent with the new online postage that have been received, I got the credit when the person marked it received--none of them I've sent so far were scanned anywhere along the way. I just can't see paying that extra money for a "quick credit" when it's not really quick. And I've had so few books go lost that I just can't get excited or worried about the DC as any sort of "guarantee." Now, it's really not that much money if you look at the individual transaction, but when you send as many books as I do, the extra amount adds up fast! I may just go back to using stamps and printing a regular old label for anything below 13 oz.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that I really would like the option of printing online postage for the convenience, but without the added expense of the DC. Dunno if R&R can be convinced to provide that option or not, but I just wondered if it's even possible? Anyone know?

Cheryl

Cheryl, someone with better info will most surely come along, but I *think* DC is required with online postage per USPS regs.

Edited to spell Cheryl's whole name. ;-)

Cheryl, There were reports of problems with the DC on the PBS postage earlier. I mailed a package using PBS postage, and even though it was scanned, I never received quick-credit. On my second PBS postage package, I did receive my quick-credit when it was scanned over the weekend. So I think that the data feed problem has been fixed.

If you use PayPal Postage, DC purchase is also required. I can't vouch for other services.

Even Paypal makes you buy DC - but at $0.18 and no "convenience charge", it makes the transaction cheaper than PBS. You don't get that warm fuzzy feeling of supporting the site, though. No judgement here - sometimes I use PBS postage, sometimes I don't.

Purely from an economics POV, $2.13 + $0.18 = $2.31 vs  $2.13 + $0.27 + $0.18 + $0.16 =  $2.74

Tammy, did you check the DC number on the USPS web site? I looked my packages up and they were scanned by the USPS, but the data feed never got to PBS. As I said above, my most recent book quick-credit came through without a problem.

Ah I just checked and book #3 has been scanned so possibly it was a glitch.  Yes I did check USPS website and as of today nearly 4 days later they still do not show up as delivered, lucky the requestors marked them received very promptly.  I am happy though I truly do want to support this site and as long as the book gets scanned somewhere along the line I am happy.  Even though I didn't get my "quick credit" yet, I can live with out that I always have plenty of credits to cover my wishes, I just feel better if DC actually confirms delivery.

Plus I get a thrill from watching the lil truck make it's way! lol  Thanks Jane!

As far as I know DC is required with any online postage printing. However, when I used Endicia service for over a year I did not have to add DC with every postage printing purchase.  

 And I too have had problems with the DC not being scanned anywhere along the way with the new PBS postage & DC combo.  I also had one book that was scanned on delivery and I still did not receive my credit.  R & R gave me credit manually as soon as I let them know and they did say they are having USPS problems with the DC not being scanned and/or no credit being given.  They are working on resovling the issue!

.

Okay, thanks, guys! So I guess if I don't wanna pay the DC fee, I just go back to stamps and no extra services. I can do that! I'll probably keep some money in the PBS acc't just because sometimes it IS more convenient.

Tammy, I think that probably the books are scanned at delivery, but the communication between the PBS computer and the USPS computer takes place some hours later--my understanding is that this only happens every so often, that there is not a continuous link...so if the person marks it received, it just never shows up on the PBS info here...the transaction is basically completed once the receiver marks it received so any further communication between the two computer software systems wouldn't be noted in the system here. But I bet it would show up eventually on the USPS site as having been scanned.

Cheryl

I use stamps.com and you can print anything with or without DC.

I use Endicia, the same service PBS is using. I pay a monthly fee to Endicia but I do not need DC when printing my postage. I love not having to constantly go to the PO. It's worth it for me. I've mailed over 800 books and never used DC and never had a problem with a book getting lost.