Quite honestly, shipping can be a pain. Finding and/or buying boxes, tape, shipping packaging, going to the post office with arm loads of packages, standing in line etc. etc.

I used to go to the post office with a huge black bag full of boxes, wait to see a teller and then have to start unloading on them! A couple of times of this is O.K. however everyday or every other day gets tiresome and takes time away from listing new items.

So my research began. Where can I get a good source of boxes and supplies and how can I avoid the lines at the post office?

The answers where actually a nice surprise. Not only did I find out that you can get free boxes, tape and shipping supplies delivered right to your door, buy I also found out where you can get a free digital scale, free postage, free shipping labels, free delivery confirmation, and cheaper insurance then you can get from USPS as well as the ability to eliminate all trips to the post office.

Nice.

• How to get free shipping supplies

  • Surprisingly, the United States Post Office will supply shippers with all the boxes, tape, shipping labels and more that he/she needs when you ship priority.

  • As if this wasn't good enough, you can order them online from the USPS website. You do need to register with them but it's free.

    • Click here to go to USPS

     

• Shipping from home (no more post office)

  • Originally we were looking for a program that would allow us to print shipping labels at home in order to avoid going to the post office every day or every other day. What we found was much, much better.

  • There is a company called Stamps.com that is a complete postal service program that you install on your computer. This will allow you to print all of your own shipping labels from the comfort of your own home. Very convenient.

  • Not only does Stamps.com let you have this luxury at home, they also give you a bunch of extras such as:

    • A free digital scale

    • Free $25.00 in postage

    • Free shipping supplies

    • Free delivery confirmation

    • Greatly discounted insurance rates

    • The ability to hide the postage amount (love this one!)

    • Print postage 24/7 no need to wait for the post office to open

    • Print postage on envelopes

    • Ability to print all classes of mail. This is the only shipping program that has this.

      • Priority

      • First Class

      • Parcel Post

      • Media Mail

      • Express

      • International

      • No additional hardware required, just your PC and printer.

  • All of these features are yours for a very low monthly fee. They will even give you a free four week trial so you can try it out for a full month and not pay a penny.

  • We have been using Stamps.com for 4 years and LOVE IT.

    • You can find Stamps.com by clicking here.