2. Adam Lewenberg - Background and Experience
• President of Postal Advocate Inc.
– The only mail audit and recovery firm in the US and Canada
– Manage a portfolio of 93,000 pieces of mailing equipment for the largest
US companies.
– Speak and teach nationally on mail savings and industry trends.
• Industry Co Chair- Boston Postal Customer Council/Mail Systems Management
Association member. CMDSS and MDC Certifications.
• Featured Writer for Mailing Systems Technology Magazine.
• Worked for one of the largest mailing vendors for over 17 years
– Director of national sales for presort, tabletop inserters, addressing
hardware/software and green offerings.
– Was one of the top 5 account managers nationally working with some of
the nations top accounts.
• Not affiliated with any mailing vendor - Unbiased advice.
November 16, 2017 2
3. What We’re Covering
1. Choose the right system
2. Choose the right vendor
3. Negotiate the best deal
4. Watch out for avoidable fees
5. Look for billing overcharges
6. Best postage funding strategies
7. How to recover lost postage funds
8. Cash in loyalty points
9. Supplies strategies
10. Creating visibility and oversight
Bonus – Postage savings ideas your should be considering
November 16, 2017 3
4. 1. Choose the right system for your needs.
November 16, 2017 4
Low Mid High
Typical Monthly Postage Use <$500 $500-5,000 >$5,000
Equipment Speed 15-45 Letters/Min 50-180 Letters/Min 70-310 Letters/Min
Feeding Hand Feed Hand or Auto Feed Auto Feed
Sealing Some Models Included Included
Meter Tapes For Oversized
Items
Strip Tape Sheets
(Fed like an envelope)
Strip Tape
Dispenser
Strip Tape or Roll
Tape Dispenser
Weighing (External Scale) 2-10LB 2-149LB 2-149LB
Weighing (Internal Scale) N/A Higher end models Optional
Postal Accounting Summary Info only
Summary or
Transaction Level
Summary or
Transaction Level
Additional Printing Capability
Simple Meter Ads
and Endorsements
Simple Meter Ads
and Endorsements
Optional -
Customized return
address and
Graphics Printing
Space Requirements - LxWxH < 29"x18"x13"
30"x15"x12"-
80"x25"x24"
58"x23"x17"-
104"x23"x33"
Typical Supply Costs - Ink and
Tape (Per Impression)
Ink - $.01-.06,
Tape $.05-.13
Ink - $.003-.03,
Tape $.04-.08
Ink - $.003-.005,
Tape $.01-.04
Typical Monthly Lease Price $25-125 $125-500 >$500
Mailing System Type
Additional Equipment Guides
can be found on our blog:
www.postaladvocate.com/blog
• Inserters
• Addressing Systems
• Envelope Printers
• Mail Automation Software
• Incoming Tracking Systems
• Shipping Systems
• PC Postage
• Letter Openers and Extractors
• Mail Accounting Systems
5. Recommended Mail Volumes - What type of system do you need based
on your current and projected mail volumes?
• Service - The performance of the unit could decrease if the machine is used far
above these recommended volumes.
• Over Buying - If your volumes are much lower than those recommended,
you could be paying more for a machine than you need.
• Productivity – All units are designed to process a specific mail volume
efficiently. If volumes are too high, it may not be productive to tie up labor with a
slower system. If volumes are too low, the unit may be too complex for the needs of
the application.
November 16, 2017 5
6. Machine Speed – How fast do you need the system to process the mail to
make it efficient?
November 16, 2017 6
Low Mid High
Typical MonthlyPostage Use <$500 $500-5,000 >$5,000
EquipmentSpeed 15-45 Letters/Min 50-180 Letters/Min 70-310 Letters/Min
Mailing SystemType
• Biggest equipment differentiator
• Groups machines by volume
• Assume 50-75% of speed for actual output.
7. Envelope Feeding and Stacking - How do you need the mail fed into and
out of the system?
Feeding
• Hand Feed - Push in and Pull Out
• Hand Feed - Push from the left and the
machine feeds it through the unit.
• Automatic Feed
Exit Options
• Drop Stacker
• Power Stacker - Exit option for High volume
applications.
November 16, 2017 7
8. Envelope Sealing - Do I need the system to seal envelopes and how are
they to be prepared prior processing?
• Flaps Closed Sealing
• Flaps Open Sealing
• Flaps Open and Closed Sealing
November 16, 2017 8
9. Meter Tapes - Are there a lot of pieces that are too big to fit into the
system and will require meter tapes?
• Strip Tape Sheets - Cost per Tape (Per imprint): $.05-
.13
• Strip Tape Dispenser - Cost per Tape (Per imprint):
$.06-.08
• Roll Tape - Self-Adhesive Cost per Tape (Per imprint):
$.02-.04. Some High volume units will have an option
for gummed back tape that comes out wet and the cost
per tape is about $.01
November 16, 2017 9
10. Weighing - How are you going to weigh and rate different sized pieces?
• 2-10 LB External Scale
• 15-149 LB External Scale
• Off-weight Processing
• Optional Internal Scale
November 16, 2017 10
11. Postal Accounting - Do you need to track mail by department or cost
center?
• How many accounts do you need to track?
• Are you only looking for a month end summary?
• Do you need the details of every transaction?
• How do you need to access the data?
– From the screen of the mailing system or printed on a meter
tape?
– With a connected printer?
– Having the machine connected to a PC or laptop?
– Accessed from the vendors website?
November 16, 2017 11
12. Additional Printing Capability - What else would I like the system to print?
• Postal Inscription
• Meter Advertisement
• Return Address
• QR Code or Custom Graphic
November 16, 2017 12
128 Commonwealth Road
Wayland, MA 017778
13. • Watch out for overhead height so machine covers can open.
• If you have exit stackers - Some expand as more mail is put on so make sure you have room.
November 16, 2017 13
Space Requirements - Can the system fit in my space?
Low Mid High
Typical Monthly Postage Use <$500 $500-5,000 >$5,000
Equipment Speed 15-45 Letters/Min 50-180 Letters/Min 70-310 Letters/Min
Feeding Hand Feed Hand or Auto Feed Auto Feed
Sealing Some Models Included Included
Meter Tapes For Oversized
Items
Strip Tape Sheets
(Fed like an envelope)
Strip Tape
Dispenser
Strip Tape or Roll
Tape Dispenser
Weighing (External Scale) 2-10LB 2-149LB 2-149LB
Weighing (Internal Scale) N/A Higher end models Optional
Postal Accounting Summary Info only
Summary or
Transaction Level
Summary or
Transaction Level
Additional Printing Capability
Simple Meter Ads
and Endorsements
Simple Meter Ads
and Endorsements
Optional -
Customized return
address and
Graphics Printing
Space Requirements - LxWxH < 29"x18"x13"
30"x15"x12"-
80"x25"x24"
58"x23"x17"-
104"x23"x33"
Typical Supply Costs - Ink and
Tape (Per Impression)
Ink - $.01-.06,
Tape $.05-.13
Ink - $.003-.03,
Tape $.04-.08
Ink - $.003-.005,
Tape $.01-.04
Typical Monthly Lease Price $25-125 $125-500 >$500
Mailing System Type
14. 2. Choose the right mailing equipment vendor
• It is recommended to shop rates between 2 vendors.
– Pitney Bowes, Neopost, Hasler (Owned by Neopost), FP, Data-
pac and Stamps.com (PC Postage Only).
• Compare the following:
– Model features and specifications.
– Service support in your area – Ask for references.
– Total cost of ownership/lease
– Ease of doing business
November 16, 2017 14
15. 3. Negotiate the Best Deal
• Lease or Purchase
• Avoid Lease Gotchas
– Evergreen Clauses
– Remaining Balances
– Lease Extensions
• Question every equipment description line item.
• Make sure agreement is all inclusive.
– Equipment, meter, meter resets, postage advances, maintenance
and rate updates.
• Single Locations – Buy at the end of the month/quarter.
• Multi Locations – Use national spend to set contract rates.
November 16, 2017 15
16. 4. Watch Out for Avoidable Fees
• Pay bills on time
• Look at each invoice and validate
all chargeable items
• Cancel vendor equipment
insurance
• Terminate chargeable loyalty
programs
• Make sure postage refill and
advance charges are included or
monitored
November 16, 2017 16
Postage
Refill Fees - Rentals $0-20 each
Postage Advance Fees Included or up to 1% of the Advance
Postage Advance Late Fees 0-15% of the Advance
Postage Advance Finance Charges 15% or higher APR
Overlimit Credit Charge Varies by Vendor
Annual Fee Rewards Program Varies by Vendor
Lease
Late Fees Varies by Vendor and Lease Value
Insurance - Leases Only
Varies by Vendor and Lease Value -
Automatic enrollment unless proof
insurance is provided.
Mailing System Fees
17. 5. Look for Billing Overcharges
• We have found over $5,000,000 in billing overcharges
that the vendors will refund if you catch them. Here are
the most typical:
– Locations still being invoiced for equipment that was picked up
or not in use.
– Meter rentals, refill and advance charges, maintenance and
scale rate changes that are being invoiced but should have been
included in the lease.
– Locations not getting the corporate discount for supplies, meter
rentals and maintenance agreements
November 16, 2017 17
18. 6. Postage Funding – Prepay or Advance
• Prepay Advantages – No fees
• Advance Advantages – Convenience
• Don’t be fooled by earning interest on prepaid balances.
• Choose one postage payment method and stick with it - don’t flip
flop.
• Check balances in the meter and in the postage account.
• Don’t send money to the USPS® – Use the vendor provided
methods. (Easier for them to track)
• Think twice about ACH.
November 16, 2017 18
19. 7. Recover Lost Postage
• We have found over $2,600,000 in lost postage sitting in dormant postage
accounts. Plus over 27,000 transactions turned over to the states. This
happens because:
– Offices close, merge or just turn in their meters.
– The money is expensed once sent in for postage.
– The advance account is used when funds sit idle in the prepaid.
• Steps to find money.
– Find account numbers of your current and past meters.
– Enter these account numbers online on the vendors website to see if
any data is available.
– Contact your meter vendor to validate funds available.
– Check the unclaimed funds databases to see if funds were turned in.
November 16, 2017 19
20. 8. Cash in Loyalty Points
• Pitney Bowes has a rewards program that gives you
points for purchasing postage, supplies or other services
that can be linked to the Purchase Power account.
• These points oftentimes sit idle or are not understood.
• Points can be turned in for:
– Purchase power credits that can be used for postage and
supplies.
– Personal gifts.
November 16, 2017 20
21. 9. Supplies Strategies
• Buy in bulk – Most vendors will give you published discounts if you buy multiple
ink cartridges and meter tapes.
• Check third party non OEM (Low Volume) – There are many
companies out there offering non mailing vendor based supplies that may be a
consideration. The major office supply stores are also carry this ink for low end
meters. Find out from your manufacturer if there is any binding agreement where you
are required to use their supplies.
• Ask for discounts – If you have multiple sites or are buying large amounts of
supplies, ask if you are eligible for any additional discounts. It never hurts to ask.
November 16, 2017 21
Low Mid High
Typical Supply Costs - Ink and
Tape (Per Impression)
Ink - $.01-.06,
Tape $.05-.13
Ink - $.003-.03,
Tape $.04-.08
Ink - $.003-.005,
Tape $.01-.04
Mailing System Type
22. 10. Visibility and Oversight
• Get reports from your vendors that list:
– Account Numbers (Install, Lease, Prepaid and Advance Postage)
– Lease Information – Rate, Term, End of Lease, Items covered.
– Meter rentals and maintenance agreements.
– Model, serial number and description of every item.
• Enter your account numbers on the vendor websites.
• Monitor your inventory, invoices and postage balances
online.
• Find all active locations with equipment.
• Calculate your postage spends on a location basis.
• Set up a schedule for continual review.
November 16, 2017 22
23. BONUS – Postage savings ideas – Letters and Flats
Rates below are based on the 1/21/18 USPS Rate Increase
• Use a postage meter or PC Postage to
save $.03 per letter.
• Use Presort Services if you have over 500
pieces per day or pickups of 1000 or
more.
• Convert Letters and Flats to Automation
Classes – up to 73% Savings!
– Up to 3.5 ounces for the price of 1
ounce!
– Fold flats for additional savings
– Faster delivery
– Automated address validation
November 16, 2017 23
Flat Envelope
Sheets
First Class
Mail® Flat -
Large Envelope
First Class
Mail® Letter -
6X9 Envelope
(Metered)
Typical Presort
Service - First-
Class Mail®
Letter
First-Class
Mail® -
Automati
on Letter Savings
1-2 $0.98 $0.46 $.403-.453 $.373-.453 53-62%
3-4 $1.19 $0.46 $.403-.453 $.373-.453 61-69%
6-10 $1.40 $0.70 $.403-.453 $.373-.453 50-73%
Weight Assumptions - Paper = .16 Ounces, Flat = .6 Ounces, 6X9 Envelope = .3 Ounces
Letter Envelope - Example 6X9 or #10
Annual Postage # of Pieces @ $.46 each Savings @ $.03 Each
$1,000 2,174 $65.22
$10,000 21,739 $652.17
$100,000 217,391 $6,521.74
$1,000,000 2,173,913 $65,217.39
First-Class® Mail Metered Savings
Mail Piece Examples
First-Class Mail®
Retail Single Piece
First-Class Mail®
Metered Single
Piece
Typical Presort
Service - First-
Class Mail®
First-Class
Mail® -
Automation
Marketing Mail®
- Automation
Marketing
Mail® Non
Profit-
Automation
1 Ounce #10 Envelope $0.50 $0.47 $.408-.458 $.378-.424 $.251-.287 $.136-.172
3 Ounce Newsletter (6X9) $0.92 $0.89 $.408-.458 $.378-.424 $.251-.287 $.136-.172
8 Ounce Flat (9X12) $2.45 $2.45 $2.18-2.27 $1.94-$2.18 $.689-.857 $.491-.659
Post Card $0.34 $0.34 $.274-.28 $.257-.274 n/a n/a
Single Piece Rates Automation Mail with Barcodes
24. BONUS – Postage savings ideas – Priority and Express
Rates below are based on the 1/21/18 USPS Rate Increase
• Commercial offers huge discounts over retail rates.
• Free tracking on usps.com.
• Need to process through a PC Postage solution to get the discounts.
• Multiple vendor options to process packages
• Requires the operator to enter the address and submit to the USPS electronically and create a
shipping label vs. meter tape.
November 16, 2017 24
10%
Average
Savings
12%
Average
Savings
Retail Commercial Base Commercial Plus
Weight LB's 1/21/2018 1/21/2018
% Savings
over
Retail 1/21/2018
% Savings
over Base
1 $6.70-10.60 $6.55-10.02 2-8% $6.35-7.72 3%
5 $9.85-30.25 $7.41-29.15 4-25% 7.19-28.28 5-18%
10 $12.65-52.10 $9.25-50.92 2-40% $8.95-49.39 4-13%
25 $22.55-99.10 $18.24-92.13 7-23% $17.69-89.37 5-10%
50 $32.55-156.95 $27.54-145.86 7-18% $26.71-141.48 3-5%
Flat Rate Envelopes $6.70 $6.55 2% $6.35 3%
Small Flat Rate Box $7.20 $7.05 2% $6.85 3%
Medium Flat Rate Boxes $13.65 $12.85 6% $12.45 3%
Large Flat Rate Boxes $18.90 $17.65 7% $17.10 3%
Retail Commercial Base
Weight LB's 1/21/2018 1/21/2018
% Savings
over
Retail
1 $24.70-48 $21.98-42.76 11%
5 $25.80-77.05 $22.98-67.22 11-13%
10 $38.90-113.65 $34.52-98.82 11-13%
25 $69.60-190.30 $62.05-169.58 11%
50 $123.35-351.90 $109.94-313.63 11%
Flat Rate Envelopes $24.70 $21.98 11%
USPS Priority Mail®
USPS Priority Mail® Express
25. November 16, 2017 25
Best Savings Opportunity
Less than 1 LB parcels where USPS holds a
Monopoly (Private carriers start at 1LB)
1-3 day deliveryHighlights
• 1 to 15% Increase
• Greatest increase – As items get heavier with 15.99 ounces prices going
up to 15%
• Save by converting from Retail to Commercial with improved tracking!
Weight Ounces
Prior to
01/21/18
New Rates
01/21/18 % Increase
Up to 4 $2.61 $2.66 1.9%
7 $2.77 $3.05 10.1%
10 $3.46 $3.50 1.2%
12 $3.74 $3.82 2.1%
14 $4.02 $4.38 9.0%
15.99 $4.30 $4.94 14.9%
First-Class® Package Service
Letters
Weight
Ounces
First-Class Mail®
- Parcels Retail
First-Class Mail®
- Package
Services
Commercial Savings
Up to 4 $3.50 $2.66 24%
5 $3.75 $2.79 26%
6 $3.75 $2.92 22%
7 $3.75 $3.05 19%
8 $3.75 $3.18 15%
9 $4.10 $3.34 19%
10 $4.45 $3.50 21%
11 $4.80 $3.66 24%
12 $5.15 $3.82 26%
13 $5.50 $4.10 25%
14 $6.70-10.60 $4.38 35-59%
15 $6.70-10.60 $4.66 30-56%
15.999 $6.70-10.60 $4.94 26-53%
Convert from Retail to Commercial
BONUS – Postage savings ideas – First-Class Mail® Package Service
Rates below are based on the 1/21/18 USPS Rate Increase
26. Certified Mail with Electronic Return Receipt
(ERR)
• Save $1.25 by switching to an electronic version.
November 16, 2017 26
27. Helping multi-location
organizations streamline
their mailing costs
Over 93,000 pieces of
equipment, managed
by Postal Advocate
Recovered over
$8,096,561
in lost postage, vendor
overcharges and fees
ENTERPRISE-WIDEMAILAUDITANDRECOVERY
OVER $34,000,000 IN CLIENT SAVINGS
$913K
60%
Average Client
Savings
Average Equipment
Savings
HOW WE DO IT
• 240+ years of industry experience
• Comprehensive web-based tool
providing visibility of all mail
and equipment spend
• Time Savings - Assistance
in fleet management
visit www.postaladvocate.com or call (888)977-MAIL(6245)
28. Sign Limited Agency
Agreement/Kick-Off Call.
Provide copies of vendor
invoices, AP export,
location list,
equipment inventory list.
Present savings opportunities
and get client approval.
Postal Advocate provides
ongoing support,
manages renewals, billing
and vendor compliance.
Provide enterprise visibility of
all spend, costs and
documented savings
through enterpriseAdvocate.
Provide client log-in.
1 2
3
4 5 6
HOW IT
WORKS
Work with current vendor to build population
report, contract terms/start/end dates,
postage volumes, costs.
Analyze spend, check for contract
compliance, billing errors, vendor
fees/overcharges, lost postage.
Identify savings opportunities.
Submit vendor credit requests,
lost postage forms and
eliminate avoidable fees.
Negotiate pricing. Create catalog.
Work with locations -
asset validation, rightsize, termination…
Full implementation of savings.
visit www.postaladvocate.com or call (888)977-MAIL(6245)
Conduct Analysis
NO COST – AUDIT PHASE CONTRACTED CLIENT
29.
30. Upcoming Webinars:
January 21, 2018 USPS® Rate Increases
Webinar Dates – Tues January 16, 2018
at 11:00AM or 1:00PM EST
- Wed January 17, 2018
at 11:00AM or 1:00PM EST
Register online at www.postaladvocate.com
November 16, 2017 30
31. Summary
• Buy the right level of equipment with only the needed
features.
• Make sure you are buying from the right vendors at the
lowest prices.
• Look at every bill and watch out for fees and
overcharges.
• Pay attention to postage funding, recovery and rewards.
• Maintain detailed visibility and oversight to all aspects of
your accounts.
November 16, 2017 31
32. Contact info: (20pt)
November 16, 2017 32
Questions?
Contact: Adam Lewenberg - President
888-977-MAIL X 501
adam.lewenberg@postaladvocate.com