Postal Scales- Advice?

[ArtbySuzanneLaPierre]

Hi, I'm looking for some tips of buying a postal scale. Is it worth spending more for the kind that have a USB port and work with online postal sites, or can you do much as much with a scale that simply weighs your item, and then just type that info into the sites? Up until now I've been doing it the old fashioned way - by going to the post office!

Here are two I've bee looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/Service-Digital-Calculating-Connection-Software/dp/B000P6LA62/

Or just the basic kind:

http://www.amazon.com/Style-W-2812-Postal-Mailing-Scale/dp/B004Q79GP8/

Thanks very much for your help.

[Former_Member]

Hi Suzanne, I bought a really cheap 5lb scale for my business. It doesn't have any cutesy features, but it gets the job done.

I didn't get mine from Amazon (office depot was cheaper), but this is the scale I use:
http://www.amazon.com/SP5-Digital-Postal-Mailing-Scale

[Former_Member]

woops here is the link lol:
http://www.amazon.com/SP5-Digital-Postal-Mailing-Scale/dp/B00006IACE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=13550065...

[joyreese1]

I found a Royal Shipping Scale at a Sam's club...which I just weigh the item, then type it in to print out the labels

[LoopsAndLines]

I use my kitchen scale, but the weight of my items rarely is above 2 pounds. I always round up two ounces and have checked my calculations with my PO. So far so good.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

I got a cheap digital plug in scale off eBay. Been good to me so far. It takes all of 2 seconds for me to type in my weights and has a .1 oz error margin and will weigh up to 50lbs.

[ArtbySuzanneLaPierre]

Hi, thanks for your responses. So it sounds like I might not need to spend extra for a scale that hooks into my laptop.

[CaseyHPerez]

I use a cheap kitchen scale that I got on amazon. I prefer to use Etsy shipping because the rates are cheaper and it is much cheaper to buy shipping insurance through Etsy than it is paypal or the post office.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I use a basic digital scale that I bought on ebay. It's not hooked up to my computer (didn't even know they make those and don't see a need for it). I round up to the next ounce and have never had a problem.

[Former_Member]

I bought a $20 scale at Walmart. It weighs in lbs. and ozs. I type in weight and round up, like Judy. Easy peasy and cheap, too. Don't buy anything expensive, as you don't need it.

[vw53]

I got a kitchen scale at Walmart too for $20. It does what I need it to do. I didn't know they made the usb type ether.

[Plektra]

I'm glad you posted this, my sister just bought me one as present for my business! It's good to read the responses.

Mine is a plain kitchen scale but electronic for items up to 5 kilos which is perfect for me. Also, I just remembered that a few months ago, I had asked at my local post office and they said that a kitchen scale would do.

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I actually use this scale for weighing my packages;
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=15947047
$20 but I didn't even pay that much because bEd Bath and Beyond ALWAYS has coupons. It goes up to like 6 lbs...

[Former_Member]

I have your basic 'postal scale' from the post office

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=subcatMSS_MSS_Scales&categoryNavIds=c...
I didn't bother with the USB port as I don't have a computer in the shipping area.

It works wonderfully and is calibrated in both pounds and Kg

[ElectronicGirl]

i got a usps scale at kmart for about $25...haven't had anything come back yet. :D

[ArtbySuzanneLaPierre]

Thanks, I was wondering if I was missing something about the advantages of a USB connection to the computer, whether that allowed some additional options regarding paying for shipping and printing labels online ... but it doesn't sound as if there is any real advantage.

[Former_Member]

Suzanne - I think the USB scales can be useful if you use a shipping service such as Stamps.com or Endicia. Otherwise, as others have said, all you need is a basic scale. With Paypal, and now Etsy's shipping service, a service such as those seems to be less and less worth it to me.

[ConcertinaPress]

I got this one from amazon, and I like that it has a higher max weight (35lbs) but it's still under $20 - it's always accurate according to the post office.

http://www.amazon.com/Weighmax-2822-35-capacity-postal-shipping/dp/B003MZORR2/ref=pd_sbs_op_2

[SageNThymeDesigns]

If you're going for basic scale, make sure you can read the numbers when there's box on it. I bought one from the USPS and I can barely read the numbers (digital) when there's a box or large envelope balanced on it. I used to use a kitchen scale and round up a few ounces. This one is more accurate and has more than paid for itself with all the money I saved by being more accurate with postage.
Printing shipping labels through Etsy has been the singel best thing I've done for my time and business this year. Saves me a TON of time and $$- online postage prices are cheaper than at the store for USPS priority flat rate.

[Former_Member]

My scale is basic and comes from amazon. I just picked one that was reasonably priced and had good ratings. No need for something fancy. Weight in lbs and ozs is all I need.

[Former_Member]

I've been doing it the old fashion way of taking my shipments to the post office and want to purchase a scale also. How does it work if you want to send items with confirmation and a tracking number?

[MartiandCompany]

I have a shipping related question.
I'm trying to decide between using Etsy shipping or stamps.com.
I'm currently mailing directly from the post office.
I'd be interested in other shop owners experiences with Etsy and stamps.com
Thanks!