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Topic: PBS Online Postage or PayPal - Which is Cheaper?

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Suzanimals avatar
Subject: PBS Online Postage or PayPal - Which is Cheaper?
Date Posted: 10/28/2007 7:03 PM ET
Member Since: 3/10/2006
Posts: 2,819
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I've yet to venture into the online postage world, but will be soon now that my stamps are running out.

In terms of the fees involved, it looks like you pay 43 cents to PBS/Endicia outside of the postage rate.  For those of you using PayPal for shipping, what is their fee?

I'd love to give my $ more to R&R than PP, but funds are tight so I'd like to know if it's a big difference in fees. If it's not, then I'll definitely use PBS.

Thanks.

 

marciac10 avatar
Date Posted: 10/28/2007 7:22 PM ET
Member Since: 11/28/2006
Posts: 170
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Paypal is cheaper.  I spend 18 cents over the postage cost for mailing a book at Paypal.  That is the delivery confirmation.  Most of my books end up costing  $2.31, the cheapest has been 2.16. One that was over a pound was 2.65. 

annakanga avatar
Limited Member medalMember of the Month medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 10/28/2007 8:31 PM ET
Member Since: 2/28/2007
Posts: 2,164
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Paypal is cheaper as they do not charge a fee (above and beyond what the postage cost is).  Both require that you purchase delivery confirmation, however.  Just as an aside, though, when you use PBS postage, you support the site by paying the fee, whereas with Paypal, you don't.

grendelynn avatar
Date Posted: 10/28/2007 10:05 PM ET
Member Since: 8/15/2005
Posts: 4,469
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Paypal's cheaper, no added fee(you do pay .18 for delivery confirmation, but you're paying that here in addition to the .43 fee).  However, you do get the instant credit with that .43 fee here, and you're guaranteed the credit if the book goes lost--so it depends, paypal's more of a gamble I guess.

 

 

Spuddie avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 7:18 AM ET
Member Since: 8/10/2005
Posts: 4,607
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Yeah, Paypal would be cheaper, but if that book goes lost in the mail, even though it's got delivery confirmation, you aren't guaranteed a credit because it's not the PBS-generated DC. That's the 'assurance' that you're paying the PBS fee for...and also to support the website.

Cheryl

needin2read avatar
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 1:32 PM ET
Member Since: 12/26/2006
Posts: 280
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I've been a member of PayPal for years and have yet to figure out how to print a label for a non-eBay transaction.  Believe me, I've looked...  Can anyone share this information?

mpmarus avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 1:40 PM ET
Member Since: 6/23/2005
Posts: 379
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S-H-H-H it's a secret! LOL

Actually, the only reliable way I've found is to bookmark this https://www.paypal.com/us/cql-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now and just get there via the bookmark every time.

 

bjk389 avatar
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 3:11 PM ET
Member Since: 7/22/2007
Posts: 127
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There are times when that link won't work for me.  Don't know why.  I have started by-passing the link and now go direct.  Log into PP and on the upper left side hit multiple order shipping.  You can save your settings and if sending out multiple items with DC print off the suggested form and hand it to your PO.  One scan and everything is checked in.  It saves me alot of time.

angelacisco avatar
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 6:59 PM ET
Member Since: 6/15/2006
Posts: 1,691
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You can also use the PayPal Multi Order Shipping link that shows up when you first log in.  It's on the left side near the top of the page.

I think I am using either the beta or the most current version of PayPal that allows you to do the Multi Order shipping.  I love it because I have it set up to print the labels on half sheets of paper and then print out a list telling me what should be in each mailer.  I also like it because you can keep adding information and new orders for days and only print once a week (or whenever you decide). 

Another great feature is you can decide what type of delivery you want, based on each package.  I like this because I ship for PBS, SACD, Half.com, and eBay.  This lets me easily decide that this book should be sent via Media Mail and that book should be First Class Parcel.  I'm not sure if you can do that with the PBS postage.  Of course you don't get the perks of using PBS labels that were already mentioned.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_bulk-ship <-- This is the link I use. 

missa avatar
Date Posted: 10/29/2007 7:32 PM ET
Member Since: 10/30/2005
Posts: 884
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I just started using PayPal shipping, and I love it. (decided to give it a try with the last bunch of stuff I had on eBay).  Its so convenient, since I can't get to the PO when its open, I have the postage on it, and just ask mom to run down to the PO for me (we're on a rural route, and the PO is jsut down the street--and we love our postmaster)

swingsistert avatar
Date Posted: 10/30/2007 12:25 PM ET
Member Since: 9/17/2005
Posts: 418
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I use pbs's shipping. an extra couple of cents is worth it to support the site, and I love that I get a guaranteed credit :)