Endicia - 2.9.3

My direct experience with Endicia for Mac is that it's limitations and failures make it useless for serious business use. I called the company before I purchased to tell them exactly what I need and ask whether their product accommodates my needs. The salesman said "yes" to all my needs . . .

Endicia tech support admits their Mac product is deeply flawed and very limited in capability, including against their own PC product. I don't have their PC version so I can't comment on their Mac-PC implementation comparison.

However, their Mac version has ZERO flexibility on label size. In fact, the ONLY label the Mac version can print is 8.5 x 5.5 labels (two per page, or Avery 5126). This is simply stupid, and it gets much worse. (Note: the PC version has more flexibility on label size).

If you want to print a label to attach to a large envelope, well, you're out of luck. Endicia for Mac REQUIRES you to run the envelope through the printer. If you change any of the settings to cause the software to actually print a label, the postage changes to one of the package rates, not the much cheaper envelope rate.

This program is useless unless your only intention, forever, is to either run envelopes through your printer or print labels for boxes. Anything in between and you're out of luck.

Also, if you'd like to use a smaller (and MUCH cheaper) label, still suitable for printing the "return address - addressee - postage" (like one of the Avery 6-up labels), you're out of luck.

Still looking for a usable Mac based internet postage program . . .

Dave

I held off on using Endicia for years, mainly because I had a contract with Pitney Bowes (aka PB). But I never liked PB; they charged $75 for software updates, and way too much for their equipment; and their long contracts were ridiculous. So when we opened up a new business venture a year ago, I decided to open up an account with Endicia. Within the first 2 days, I was totally hooked. It's one of those Mac apps that make you smile every time you use it. SO worth their $15/month fee—hell, you make that up in saved time every couple of days.

Here are just some of the amazing features:

• It's on your Mac! PB isn't. Intuitive software. Ties directly into your Entourage or Address Book contacts. Extremely stable, has never crashed even once, and it's open and running, 24/7.

• Makes odd packages (Media Rate, Priority Mail overseas, Flat-Rate boxes, etc) so easy. NO MORE FILLING OUT CUSTOMS FORMS, because Endicia's software does it for you.

• Did I mention no more filling out customs forms?

• Prints entire shipping labels (stamp, return address, and customer address) all in one label. You just need a stamp? No problem, it can do that, too.

• Works perfectly with the best shipping printer ever made, the Zebra 2844. True work horse, and we purchased ours on eBay as a totally refurbished unit (1 year warranty) for $96. Uses cheap 4x6" labels.

• Need more postage? Click a button, choose how much ($25-500), and 5 seconds later, it's there.


If you're reading this, have a business, and are looking for a shipping system, I highly recommend Endicia. After a full year, it still makes me grin each time I use it.

Scott
Owner, Brain Toniq
http://www.braintoniq.com

With Endicia, you can print labels for First Class, Media Mail, Parcel Post and Priority Mail in addition to some (if not most) international countries. The USPS website "Click-N-Ship" allows you to print labels only for Priority Mail, no first class or media mail. Paypal allows you to print labels for First Class and Media Mail in addition to Priority Mail, but only for items paid for through Paypal. With Endicia, you can mail out to anyone, without these limitations. I use it mostly for shipping of my eBay auction items.

The software works so well it's a joy to use. I can even add a picture or company logo next to my return addres! The labels print out exceedingly well and there are several different options for printers to use (including an existing laser/inkjet). I purchased the 25lb digital scale from Endicia and it's great! Just click on 'weigh' in the software and it automatically calculates and fills in the postage for you.

Although I wish the service fee was a bit less, on the other hand, for less than the cost of one pizza per month, you get full a featured shipping solution right on your Mac.

With this latest version, Endicia has added the ability to print postage directly on envelopes. It works well.

been using this program fora while now. I never used the tracking feature until today. The reason that i never used it was because I thought it was going to cost the same as when I go in and track a package at the post office. TODAY I discovered that it costs very little (see smwweb's note). NOW I will use it to track all of my packages. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars!!!!!!!!!! A couple of features: I wish there was an option for "bound/printed material" (i.e. books). Can one track those sorts of packages? ALSO I would like to be able to NOT track packages. Just print the lable. I do that now but have to cut off the bar code.

"can't live without it" program that I can't believe is free. It works flawlessly and makes posting packages a breeze for small/home-based businesses or any frequent (or even infrequnet) mailers. I use it daily and estimate it's saved me a couple hundred bucks in USPS "Delivery Confirmation" fees. (With electronic filing, which Swordfish provides, confirmation is FREE on priority mail packages and a mere 13 cents, versus 55 cents retail, on first class or media mail.) It also prints professional, and postal-approved, labels quickly and easily. What more could you want? The USPS has been promising Mac users will be able to access their online postage and labeling system for a full year now. With Swordfish Express, the wait is over. (And, no, I'm not affiliated with this product/company in any way. I just don't think I've ever found a utility I was as excited about.)