• Get to Know Types of Postage Scales

• Compare Postage Scale Features

• Find Postage Scales on eBay

• Buy Postage Scales With Confidence

Get to Know Types of Postage Scales

Get to Know Types of Postage Scales

Postage scales come in both manual and electronic versions.

• Manual postage scales: Manual postage scales, also called mechanical postage scales, use a balance or a spring to weigh envelopes. Manual postage scales simply give you the weight of your item; you reference a table of current postage prices to get the mailing cost. Manual postage scales can be accurate, but require users to read weight from a mechanical needle, which increases the chances for human error. They typically cost less than electronic postage scales.

• Digital postage scales: Digital postage scales, also called electronic postage scales, use a pressure-sensing microprocessor to provide a clear, unambiguous digital readout. Many digital postage scales are programmed with rate information, so they can display the exact price for you and must be adjusted each time postal rates change. Older scales required that you replace a chip (or chips) every time postal rates changed – a pricey and potentially frustrating task. Now, some digital postage scales can download updated postal rate information from the Internet. Digital postage scales typically cost more than manual postage scales and models that compare prices for multiple carriers, handle heavier weights, and have the ability to download rate updates typically have a higher cost.

Make sure you buy a scale appropriate for your mailing needs. If you have a busy mailroom that regularly ships multiple types of packages, a high-end scale is worth the investment. If you’re simply trying to save an occasional trip to the post office, a basic manual scale will get the job done.

Compare Postage Scale Features

Compare Postage Scale Features

When evaluating postage scales, consider overall ease of use as well as specific features.

• Postage scale layout: Since many different people may be using the scale, you want to find one that is intuitive to use. Look for scales that have an easy-to-read keypad or and clear prompts for operation.

• Postage scale capacity: Look at the size of the weighing platform and maximum weight the postage scale can measure. Almost any postage scale can handle small documents weighing less than 2 lbs. Look for postage scales that handle oversized packages and heavier weights if you anticipate a more diverse mix of outgoing documents. An automatic lock feature that stores the weight reading can be useful for large packages that block the display from view. For shipments that exceed the weight capacity of the scale, look for a scale that allows you to manually enter the weight for rate calculation.

• Postage rate comparison: One of the most useful features to look for in a postage scale is a "comparison shopping" option. This enables you to determine the most economical rate among the different classes of mail and will usually include First Class and Standard Class rates from the U.S. Postal Service. Some postage scales add pricing for alternative package carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Fancier postage scales will even include the cost of postal services such as certified or registered mail.

• Postage meter compatibility: To further reduce the likelihood of error, many digital postage scales can be connected directly to a postage meter to automatically set the meter to the appropriate amount. Each postage meter manufacturer offers scales designed to work with its mid-range and high-end postage meters. There are also third-party scales available, but they often require special connectors. If you expect to connect the scale to a postage meter, be sure to find out how much the interface will cost. A postage meter interface typically adds a few hundred dollars to the price.

• Accounting features: Postage scales with accounting features allow you to charge postage and other handling charges to 100, 250, or 500 clients or departments. In many cases, it is less expensive to obtain management reports from the postage scale than from a postage meter.

• Password protection: Concerned about unauthorized use of the connected postage scale and postage meter? Consider purchasing a scale with a password feature.

If you don’t need to connect your postage scale to a postage meter, you can buy postage scales from any manufacturer.

Find Postage Scales on eBay

Find Postage Scales on eBay

Once you know what type of postage scale you want, go to the Business & Industrial category portal and click the Shipping & Packing Supplies link beneath Office, Printing & Shipping.

• Categories: Start by selecting the Shipping, Postal Scales link from the Categories list on the left side of your screen. The following Categories list allows you to further narrow listings to Digital Scales, Mechanical Scales, and Other Shipping Scales. Then select postage scales by capacity.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a digital scale that can calculate UPS rates, type "digital postage scale ups" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Commands page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Postage Scales With Confidence

Buy Postage Scales With Confidence

Hundreds of postal scale listed on eBay in the Business & Industrial category will likely interest you. When trying to select the right postal scale, get to know exactly what you're buying, research the seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Many sellers put a lot of time into creating their listings, making an effort to ensure they include all the information buyers need. Carefully read the details in listings for the postal scales you consider buying and carefully review available photos. Before placing a bid or buying an item, be sure to:

• Have all your questions answered: If you still have questions after reading the listing and reviewing the photos, contact the seller using the Ask seller a question link in the “Seller information” box in the top right corner of every postal scale listing. Also request additional photos if you want to see the postal scale from a particular angle that isn’t shown in the photos included in the listing. If you have more questions than you can address in email, get the seller’s phone number and give him/her a call. Some sellers even include their phone number so you can call them directly. Just remember that you need to actually bid and buy on eBay in order to be covered by eBay and PayPal protection programs (see "Buyer protection" below for more details).

• Get delivery details: Calculate and include delivery costs into your final price.

• Complete your transaction on eBay: Always complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay and PayPal protection programs (see "Buyer protection" below for more details).

• Know your payment options: Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know. Instead, pay with PayPal for amounts less than $2,000 (including deposits), a money order, or direct bank-to-bank fund transfer.

• Track items with eBay Toolbar: Use the free eBay Toolbar to track items you bid on and watch. It includes Account Guard, a feature that indicates when you're visiting a verified eBay or PayPal website and warns you when you enter your eBay password into an unverified site, even if it looks like eBay or PayPal.

Know your seller

Just as important as researching your postal scale purchase is getting to know the seller. Take time to research the seller so that you can feel positive and secure about every transaction. Key things to look for when evaluating a seller are:

• Positive Feedback: What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have? What do buyers and sellers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Sales history: Find out how long the seller has been a registered eBay user and look at the types of items a seller typically offers.

• Terms and conditions: What are the terms and conditions of the sale? Are the terms agreeable to you? Sellers typically set terms and conditions, but you should make sure you agree with them. If not, find another seller/postal scale or contact the seller to find out if he/she is open to your suggestions.

• Good communication: Once you’ve initiated communications with the seller, how is he/she communicating with you? Is the seller courteous and professional? Is the seller responsive? Once you bid, communicate with the seller through My Messages in My eBay. All legitimate Second Chance Offer messages will come through My Messages and not to your email address alone. Always contact the seller before accepting a Second Chance Offer, and never respond to any request to send money via Western Union or other instant cash transfer service.

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event a problem arises during your transaction, you can typically work it out with the seller. However, if you can’t, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.