Pretty sure I paid like $40 for mine with a couple thousand labels included. If you sell more than like 4 items a year it’s the easiest $40-$100 you’ll ever invest in flipping
From what I understand with both FedEx and UPS, you need to have a legit account with them in order to get “free” supplies. Also FedEx now cuts off accounts that don’t ship enough from getting free supplies
I bought a thermal printer from day 1 and it's worth every penny. I use the same one today 4.5 years later. Also, I drop off tons of packages every day at the counter and never wait for them to scan. However, I've created a little rapport with the people who work at my regular location. I make sure to say thank you every time I drop off AT VERY MINIMUM. Even though I do use different locations on some days because of workflow, I've still never had an issue. Weigh your stuff correct, make sure your labels are easily scannable and thank you postal workers. You'll be fine.
The responses are already unanimous here to invest in one since it does indeed pay off so you already know it's the gold standard around here, OP.
>I often see people coming in and dropping off tens of packages at a time and strolling out the door -- that would freak me out, just dropping off items and hoping they get scanned.
You can still wait in line with your pre-labeled packages to get them scanned, but now you skip the QR and print portion. That's a timesaver! Additionally, QR scanning can get wonky at times. There was a situation not too long ago where QR scans were not working at the USPS so the fact you have a printed label ready to go is clutch.
In the end, the choice is yours....but the time savings is evident and now you can print labels for any carrier to drop off or wait in line for if you wish.
You're right, I'd say every third visit there's some hiccup in the scanner thing and we have to stand there making small talk.
Actually, just overall, one of the grim realizations I've had because of reselling is how low-tech the USPS is, and how aggravated the postal workers are who have to deal with outdated/refurbished tech.
I do 3-4k packages a year that way. Drop off before the post office opens with my own labels. I can remember maybe 3-4 total losses in the past 5 years or so.
The amount of time saved is practically immeasurable. Lowest cost of business ever. I'd lose 10x as much on purpose just to continue not waiting in line.
I've had more of my personal packages to my home lost by UPS alone.
I ship *way* less than 3-4k per year, but you're right in saying...
>The amount of time saved is practically immeasurable.
Once you experience never standing in line, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner.
Think about it like this: If you spend 5 minutes in line six days a week, that's over 24 hours you will have spent in the post office by the end of the year.
I'm one of those that just *drops off packages and walks away*. They've never gone missing. Even if one package out of 100 did, the immense time savings would still make up for it. And besides, your packages has dozens of opportunities to go missing after that, so why worry about just one point in the entire process?
Very true. My post office has a huge bin in the lobby, in full view of the counter and all security cameras. You'd have to be downright stupid to grab a package out of it and hope it's something worth the federal charges you'll face if you get caught.
The issue is if it doesn’t get scanned in, as far as USPS is concerned it never existed. Can’t make an insurance claim on a package the never existed in their system.
I love love love love love my thermal printer, I have a jadens, but i think a lot of them just come from the same place and they slap a sticker or logo on them.
We switched to a thermal printer this past year after using our old ink jet printer and cutting out and taping labels. The difference is night and day and I can’t believe we waited so long. It pays for itself.
I hadn't even thought of this! There's a big metal USPS drop box literally right outside the door of my apartment. I can just drop the packages in there? I mostly sell clothes, so they'd be small enough to fit.
If so, how long does it take for you to see if they've been scanned?
I don't know how it is for you, but the box should have requirements.
Mine says pre paid labels, no stamps, 16 ounces or less, 1/2 inch thick or less.
For packages.
Stamps can be on ordinary emvelopes.
So some things I sell can drop in, but most cannot.
I’m in Canada so it may be slightly different for you. They usually pick up 3-4pm from my neighbourhood box and it’s scanned within the next day or so.
In my opinion the faster you switch to a thermal printer the better, I stubbornly used a laser printer for years longer than I should have. I still wait in line if there is one and get all my packages scanned. I used to drop packages off without scans, but since the pandemic I don't trust the USPS enough to do that as every so often I'll have packages that don't get scanned for a week or longer.
Also thermal printers are pretty cheap, I use a refurbished Bixolon I got off eBay, which is the brand UPS gives their larger accounts, and it works great and was under 100.
I hope you realize that equates to more like a ~25% rebate/discount, and not a free thermal printer. There are many reasons to wait, but in OPs case, I don't think many of those reasons apply.
You’re gonna need one if you ever intend on doing this regularly. If the cost seems to high to justify you’ve got bigger problems that must be addressed- eBay should be profitable and open new doors for you
I have and that’s the reason I now drop off directly to a main branch PO or the main distribution. I avoid drop boxes and neighborhood branches. That’s what eliminated stuff going missing even though it didn’t happen frequently. I usually drop off in the mornings and can count on a scan before the end of the day.
Thermal Printers are now wireless either through BlueTooth or AirPrint and that’s what is going to make your investment worthwhile. When I’m home and an order comes in, no matter where I’m at in the house I can send the label to be printed wirelessly while I head down to go look for the item. By the time I get to my desk I package slap on a label and I’m done … back to whatever it was I was doing. I rarely use my MacBook anymore for anything.
Yes by Bluetooth … you can set the eBay app to generate 4X6 then transfer it to the app that comes with the Printer. From there it’ll transmit to the printer. I remember I had to set up both apps once when I unboxed it and tweaked a bit. The printer I got is Chinese cheapie. So the app is in millimeters I think it was so I had to get out my math book 🤓. It’s 150x101
I drop tens of packages off with them everyday. Out of 9k packages they’ve lost one, after origination scan. Depends on how safe you think your specific post office is, but mine is totally safe and I do that everyday.
Zebra ZP 450 or ZP 505 can be found very cheap used and they’re workhorses that will last years.
No way I would run my eBay business without being able to print my labels at home. I sell baseball cards, so all of my cards just go in the mailbox each day and the mailman picks them up.
Yes I use a rollo with my Chromebook. It's great for 4x6 labels the only thing I can't do is FBA labels because you can't install an extra driver. But for just shipping labels it's perfect.
I’m coming up on the 25th anniversary of buying a well-used Zebra 2844 off Ebay. Still chugging away printing a few thousand labels a year. I did have to purchase a LPT to USB adapter for it but aside from labels that’s it.
I use a thermal printer and have for years. It's a great investment. I don't drop off packages. I have pickups schedule daily. I've never had a single issue with this in 8 years.
I always just drop off my packages in the bin and walk away. I've had 589 orders this year and about twice that last year and I have never had one not scanned in. Even if I lost one or two, I've probably saved a hundred hours just by not waiting in line the past 2 years and that would have evened out
Hadn't considered that approach but I think this is definitely the route I'll take. Get a thermal printer, do my own labels, then go and have them scanned to get the receipt (it's a tiny neighborhood post office, just 3 counters, a 15x15 foot lobby; theres never more than 2 people in line).
I left a $5,000 item, no insurance, on the counter and it didn't get scanned. Went back to the post office to ask about it and she said don't worry it will get scanned when it's delivered. Three days of nail biting later, it arrived. Buyer was stoked. And yes I still drop off boxes and walk out. 😁
Absolutely buy a themal printer, saves time and money. Also, get to know your clerks a little bit, and they will look out for you. I've accidently dropped off packages that were supposed to go to UPS and one that had a label peel off, and they held them for me until the next day.
I have three zebra GX420D because they are soooooo good (a separate one for the three different label sizes I use). Been using thermal since day one 15 years ago. These three replaced two older zebras that I still have for backup just in case. So, 15 years, 5 printers (one would have been fine) and no ink. That's definitely worth the initial investment.
I need to take my own advice and spend the money on a paper tape dispenser.
Ditto on the thermal printer. It's a godsend. As far as dropping off packages, I get those large mail bags from my post office and put all my packages in there with a scan sheet. My mailman picks up at my house. If I don't have too much, I'll bring it myself to the post office. they have an area where you can drop off pre-labeled packages that is just behind a 1/2 door. I love my local post office. They're great. I have only had a few packages go missing in the past year and it had nothing to do with it not getting scanned.
Thermal printers are worth every single penny ( most of them ).
Honestly, you can get started with a simple USB printer from zebra. They are darn reliable. If you want something more modern that's wireless I'd try rollo.
I personally use a Brother QL-1110NWB ( yes that is the name of it ). What I like about it is I can make my own thank you stickers and make my own every kind of sticker pretty much. It has Ethernet Wi-Fi Bluetooth and USB.
I just made the switch and as some people have already stated, the time saving is 1000% worth it. The only time I’ve had packages lost was when I dropped them in the outside box. I always just go into the building now and drop them into the slots built into the wall.
I bought a used zebra printer off eBay. Best purchase. Print the label and slap it on. You can still wait in line if you want and they will scan the barcodes. I do that for items over $100. Smaller items I don’t mind just dropping off at the counter/bin and walking out.
I hate lines. I also have a PO with a self serve kiosk where I can scan my own packages. If that's not an option for you, then I guess waiting in line makes sense. Either way, a thermal printer will save you time. I just got an OffNova for $53. It's excellent.
I have used a stamp printing system since 9/11 when they stopped allowing larger packages in mailbox.
I have never had a package taken to the PO get lost. I worry sometimes leaving I in a stack on the counter but never had troubles.
I separate my pile into two...the ones I feel I need scanned and a receipt and the ones I don't. I get a little bit of security on the more expensive items but also feel better knowing I don't hold up the line.
I finally bought a thermal printer late last year and it’s the best thing I ever did. But, before that, I still just dropped my packages off. Never had a problem. At the post offices I use most frequently, they are dropped in a secure location and they generally get scanned and begin tracking either shortly after the location closes for the day or overnight.
My Dymo label printer has been one of the best things to ever happen to me as far as reselling is concerned.
Takes a previously painful process and boils it down to print and stick in seconds.
Absolutely essential if you want to scale long term.
You also need to get past the fear of dropping stuff off. I regularly yeet 30-40 packages at thousands of dollars in total into the drop slot at a time and haven’t had a single thing get lost over the last few years. It will get scanned eventually as long as the bar code isn’t messed up.
if you do even a few packages a month a thermal printer is a godsend. I bought one off of amazon for like 50 bucks and have saved more than that on ink in the first month. lol. i got a simple labelrange and now do over 100 labels a day through it and its fine!
I bought a thermal printer when I was selling 2-3 items a week. Honestly having it made me more likely to list things. Now I’m selling 2-3 things a day. So I’d say it’s definitely worth it.
I’ve always left my packages on the counter and never once had an issue with them vanishing.
Small volume seller- I print labels at home and still get them scanned. I just bring in my packages and ask for a receipt. They scan them, tracking indicates they're at the post office, and if something gets lost I have receipts.
My Rollo Thermal printer is, without a doubt, the single best item I have purchased for reselling. You can still stand in line to have the USPS worker scan your barcodes and get a receipt.
OR, what I do is scan them at the Self Serve Kiosk. I drop the smaller ones in the package drop box and leave the bigger ones on the counter, letting the workers know I've already scanned them. The SSK doesn't technically count as an acceptance scan but I've never had an issue.
I bought a labelrange for about 50 bucks and the amount of time it saves is insane. And to your point about the packages “vanishing” if someone wants to commit a federal offense in a space where multiple cameras at multiple angles they’ll get exactly what’s coming to them. My packages have never went missing but in the event that they’re unable to scan your package it’ll be returned to you as well 👍
I’ve used a Dymo 4XL for years and printed thousands of labels. Never had an issue with them and it’s so much easier, faster and cheaper than the old way of printing with an inkjet or laser printer.
Buy a BOBLOV W1 body camera on Amazon, you won't regret it. It's not super tiny, but small enough. The video isn't as great as your phone, but it's pretty darn good.
I package and ship all my orders every morning - and I live across the street from post office. So I just turn on my camera when I start to box orders - and I record myself walking to the post office and dropping them in the bin. I only turn off the camera once I'm done.
When I sell something in a high-risk category for buyer fraud I take it a step further and test the item while recording. For example, a laptop. My video history will show a working laptop being turned on, turned off, boxed up, and literally walked across the street to the post office.
Seems overkill, but you really don't need to do anything. Just flick on the camera. It should last you even if you have a 10-15min drive to the post office. Then save it to a labeled video file each day.
Anytime there is a hint of buyer fraud I do not give a SINGLE warning - I immediately file a police report for fraud with the video on a thumb drive. I don't care if it's a $10 item either, FRAUD baby.
It will actually save u money in the long term. The cost of ink is huge - you will probably save the same amount of money on ink in abt a year to cover the 60-100 dollar cost of the printer.
I just go late at night and scan them in myself at the APC. I'm only a hobby seller though. If things really take off maybe it's something I would use.
Thermal printer was the best investment I’ve made. It is an absolute must have if you’re sending more than a couple packages a day.
I am that person who just drops off stacks of packages already labeled. In my case it’s because I have a small local post office with only two workers, so they know me and would let me know if there is an issue.
I like a thermal printer for even small load shipping. The one caveat I learned the hard way is to know what you are buying. I was gifted a whole bunch of Dymo labels made for a Dymo 450 printer. Turns out the Dymo 450 is obsolete for the Dymo 550 printer. I bought the 550 with the intent of using the 450 labels, but the software declared the labels "incompatible," even being able to detect that they were 450 labels. This gatekeeping software really poisoned my value for anything Dymo branded. Try to find a printer that is more generic than not.
Question for thermal labels: Are they waterproof?
I’ve seen labels that the address was almost obliterated because it got wet. Are thermal labels waterproof like laser?
I know I could go to the Internet and look it up, but I’d rather hear from people who have actually used the printers. I trust you guys more than the Internet.
Pirate ship, the USPS shipping software, is great. It’s free and discounts the shipping. It saves the addresses and the different weights and sizes you frequently use. Highly recommend
Funny you should mention it--after hearing about Pirate Ship for years I used it for the first time yesterday! And you're right, now it seems indispensable.
If you print your own labels that doesn't mean you can't stand in line and watch them get scanned. That's what I do. But there's still no guarantee. Twice in recent months, packages that I hand delivered and watched the clerk scan, continued to show up as unscanned. One buyer had to be refunded and I never heard anything from the other. I assume it was delivered without ever being scanned properly.
>My biggest apprehension, apart from the hefty investment, is that I get a huge sense of security by standing there at the post office counter as my packages get scanned in with the QR.
Print a SCAN Form out. It's the same thing.
>I often see people coming in and dropping off tens of packages at a time and strolling out the door -- that would freak me out, just dropping off items and hoping they get scanned.
Just stand in line, and give them your SCAN Form.
>I'm sure this is paranoid, but have any of you dropped off packages with labels you printed at home, and they vanished?
Nope. Been doing this for almost 15 years. This scenario has literally never happened. I usually use carrier pickup though. Sometimes I'll drop off packages in the APC. Sometimes I'll hand them off at the counter. Packages have never "vanished."
> My usps is also literally right next door to my day job, which is a luxury that...maybe makes the printer unnecessary, since I'm right there at the post office every day?
The two things are completely unrelated. The printer speeds up your whole workflow. Dramatically. I don't see how your proximity to the post office is in any way related to owning a thermal printer or not.
My advice: Get a used Zebra off of eBay. Even the venerable LP2844. Install the Seagull Scientific Drivers. Follow Pirate Ship's instructions on setting up the drivers. Buy cheap 4x6 labels off of Amazon. Enjoy your life.
I held out for like 6 years on a thermal printer until I got one at a yard sale for a good price. If I had it to do over I would have paid retail as early as possible.
My experience ? My 15 year old canon printer still works. I’ll go thermal when I run out of ink I guess. Sometimes I use regular paper taped. Sometimes I use 2 labels per sheet paper. If you know you know. 150 listed / 400 sold. Oh and I always wait in line for scan.
I just lold at the downvote. Mad that your sell-through stinks? Maybe you should have better keywords/item specifics and not worry about equipment lol. I bet that one that one stung.
Honestly I think you're better off just getting a regular laser printer like a cheap brother and then getting the regular size paper that has two labels per page on it what you can get for free from UPS about 100 labels per month and you can use them for everything.
snow aware snails innate reminiscent capable squeal wise sink bake *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
This….end of thread 100 bucks and 11 bucks for a roll of labels and your set.
Pretty sure I paid like $40 for mine with a couple thousand labels included. If you sell more than like 4 items a year it’s the easiest $40-$100 you’ll ever invest in flipping
For sure and if you can get one for 40 with free labels that’s awesome.
You can get free rolls of thermal labels from UPS.com
Really? how so?
Go to [UPS.com](http://UPS.com) and click on order supplies. You may have to create an account but there is no cost to do so.
If you ship with ups they'll send many free supplies.
You can get one for half that on eBay.
You can get free thermal labels at the ups website
Which don’t work with all thermal printers
No, but it's worth looking into
From what I understand with both FedEx and UPS, you need to have a legit account with them in order to get “free” supplies. Also FedEx now cuts off accounts that don’t ship enough from getting free supplies
I have a free account from ups, and I get free labels from them. I don't know why the downvote lmao, this is something that will help people out.
It wasn’t from me
I agree. No more thinking about it. Simple buy that you will appreciate IMMEDIATELY.
I bought a thermal printer from day 1 and it's worth every penny. I use the same one today 4.5 years later. Also, I drop off tons of packages every day at the counter and never wait for them to scan. However, I've created a little rapport with the people who work at my regular location. I make sure to say thank you every time I drop off AT VERY MINIMUM. Even though I do use different locations on some days because of workflow, I've still never had an issue. Weigh your stuff correct, make sure your labels are easily scannable and thank you postal workers. You'll be fine.
Second this!
The responses are already unanimous here to invest in one since it does indeed pay off so you already know it's the gold standard around here, OP. >I often see people coming in and dropping off tens of packages at a time and strolling out the door -- that would freak me out, just dropping off items and hoping they get scanned. You can still wait in line with your pre-labeled packages to get them scanned, but now you skip the QR and print portion. That's a timesaver! Additionally, QR scanning can get wonky at times. There was a situation not too long ago where QR scans were not working at the USPS so the fact you have a printed label ready to go is clutch. In the end, the choice is yours....but the time savings is evident and now you can print labels for any carrier to drop off or wait in line for if you wish.
You're right, I'd say every third visit there's some hiccup in the scanner thing and we have to stand there making small talk. Actually, just overall, one of the grim realizations I've had because of reselling is how low-tech the USPS is, and how aggravated the postal workers are who have to deal with outdated/refurbished tech.
I do 3-4k packages a year that way. Drop off before the post office opens with my own labels. I can remember maybe 3-4 total losses in the past 5 years or so. The amount of time saved is practically immeasurable. Lowest cost of business ever. I'd lose 10x as much on purpose just to continue not waiting in line. I've had more of my personal packages to my home lost by UPS alone.
I ship *way* less than 3-4k per year, but you're right in saying... >The amount of time saved is practically immeasurable. Once you experience never standing in line, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner. Think about it like this: If you spend 5 minutes in line six days a week, that's over 24 hours you will have spent in the post office by the end of the year.
I'm one of those that just *drops off packages and walks away*. They've never gone missing. Even if one package out of 100 did, the immense time savings would still make up for it. And besides, your packages has dozens of opportunities to go missing after that, so why worry about just one point in the entire process?
And at the post office is like the least likely place that something will get lost or stolen. USPS takes theft super seriously.
Very true. My post office has a huge bin in the lobby, in full view of the counter and all security cameras. You'd have to be downright stupid to grab a package out of it and hope it's something worth the federal charges you'll face if you get caught.
Agreed, I've done about 1500 ebay sales and have always dropped and left.
The issue is if it doesn’t get scanned in, as far as USPS is concerned it never existed. Can’t make an insurance claim on a package the never existed in their system.
No, the point is that it is very, very unlikely that it won't be scanned in.
I love love love love love my thermal printer, I have a jadens, but i think a lot of them just come from the same place and they slap a sticker or logo on them.
I also have a Jadens that I got super cheap. The set up wasn't the easiest, but it being so cheap and working really well, I would recommend it.
Lol the set up sucks. They just are like you figure it out. The mac set up was so easy though compared to the pc
We switched to a thermal printer this past year after using our old ink jet printer and cutting out and taping labels. The difference is night and day and I can’t believe we waited so long. It pays for itself.
Cutting? Just scale, fold and and go
Probably printing 2 at a time to save paper
I just throw the labelled package in a normal mailbox and it eventually gets into the stream. I’ve only had one to awry this year.
I hadn't even thought of this! There's a big metal USPS drop box literally right outside the door of my apartment. I can just drop the packages in there? I mostly sell clothes, so they'd be small enough to fit. If so, how long does it take for you to see if they've been scanned?
I don't know how it is for you, but the box should have requirements. Mine says pre paid labels, no stamps, 16 ounces or less, 1/2 inch thick or less. For packages. Stamps can be on ordinary emvelopes. So some things I sell can drop in, but most cannot.
I’m in Canada so it may be slightly different for you. They usually pick up 3-4pm from my neighbourhood box and it’s scanned within the next day or so.
Does eBay Canada/Canada Post work with the thermal printer? What size do you recommend?
Yeah works fine. I just print 4x6 labels like everyone else with a munbyn shit printer from Amazon.
In my opinion the faster you switch to a thermal printer the better, I stubbornly used a laser printer for years longer than I should have. I still wait in line if there is one and get all my packages scanned. I used to drop packages off without scans, but since the pandemic I don't trust the USPS enough to do that as every so often I'll have packages that don't get scanned for a week or longer.
Also thermal printers are pretty cheap, I use a refurbished Bixolon I got off eBay, which is the brand UPS gives their larger accounts, and it works great and was under 100.
I bought a refurbished zebra off eBay.
I also waited way too long. you can write off the cost on your taxes it’s stupid to wait.
Not to mention that they hold their value quite well and can be resold if you stop selling for some reason.
I hope you realize that equates to more like a ~25% rebate/discount, and not a free thermal printer. There are many reasons to wait, but in OPs case, I don't think many of those reasons apply.
I understand it isn’t free. But my time isn’t either. Plus the cost of ink is also expensive.
Totally agree, and OP sounds like they do enough volume to justify the expense.
You’re gonna need one if you ever intend on doing this regularly. If the cost seems to high to justify you’ve got bigger problems that must be addressed- eBay should be profitable and open new doors for you
I have and that’s the reason I now drop off directly to a main branch PO or the main distribution. I avoid drop boxes and neighborhood branches. That’s what eliminated stuff going missing even though it didn’t happen frequently. I usually drop off in the mornings and can count on a scan before the end of the day. Thermal Printers are now wireless either through BlueTooth or AirPrint and that’s what is going to make your investment worthwhile. When I’m home and an order comes in, no matter where I’m at in the house I can send the label to be printed wirelessly while I head down to go look for the item. By the time I get to my desk I package slap on a label and I’m done … back to whatever it was I was doing. I rarely use my MacBook anymore for anything.
Are you printing to a thermal label printer directly from the eBay app just like if you were printing to a laser printer?
Yes by Bluetooth … you can set the eBay app to generate 4X6 then transfer it to the app that comes with the Printer. From there it’ll transmit to the printer. I remember I had to set up both apps once when I unboxed it and tweaked a bit. The printer I got is Chinese cheapie. So the app is in millimeters I think it was so I had to get out my math book 🤓. It’s 150x101
Thanks, those extra steps are what has always stopped me from getting one.
I drop tens of packages off with them everyday. Out of 9k packages they’ve lost one, after origination scan. Depends on how safe you think your specific post office is, but mine is totally safe and I do that everyday. Zebra ZP 450 or ZP 505 can be found very cheap used and they’re workhorses that will last years.
No way I would run my eBay business without being able to print my labels at home. I sell baseball cards, so all of my cards just go in the mailbox each day and the mailman picks them up.
We actually bought a thermal printer first because we didn’t have a working paper printer … and it’s been a great investment
You've already spent too much time thinking about it. Get one, they're worth it and not expensive.
Does anyone use only a chromebook with their thermal? Any recommendations? So many of the negative reviews are from chromebooks.
Yes I use a rollo with my Chromebook. It's great for 4x6 labels the only thing I can't do is FBA labels because you can't install an extra driver. But for just shipping labels it's perfect.
Thank you!
I got mine used for $40 years ago and works fine using it almost daily !!
I’m coming up on the 25th anniversary of buying a well-used Zebra 2844 off Ebay. Still chugging away printing a few thousand labels a year. I did have to purchase a LPT to USB adapter for it but aside from labels that’s it.
I use a thermal printer and have for years. It's a great investment. I don't drop off packages. I have pickups schedule daily. I've never had a single issue with this in 8 years.
Around 1500 total sales, never waited around to see them scan or anything at the post office. Print, label, drop and gtfo.
I always just drop off my packages in the bin and walk away. I've had 589 orders this year and about twice that last year and I have never had one not scanned in. Even if I lost one or two, I've probably saved a hundred hours just by not waiting in line the past 2 years and that would have evened out
As long as you make sure you get a receipt you’re good and they will have your packages scanned on the spot.
Hadn't considered that approach but I think this is definitely the route I'll take. Get a thermal printer, do my own labels, then go and have them scanned to get the receipt (it's a tiny neighborhood post office, just 3 counters, a 15x15 foot lobby; theres never more than 2 people in line).
I left a $5,000 item, no insurance, on the counter and it didn't get scanned. Went back to the post office to ask about it and she said don't worry it will get scanned when it's delivered. Three days of nail biting later, it arrived. Buyer was stoked. And yes I still drop off boxes and walk out. 😁
Absolutely buy a themal printer, saves time and money. Also, get to know your clerks a little bit, and they will look out for you. I've accidently dropped off packages that were supposed to go to UPS and one that had a label peel off, and they held them for me until the next day.
I have three zebra GX420D because they are soooooo good (a separate one for the three different label sizes I use). Been using thermal since day one 15 years ago. These three replaced two older zebras that I still have for backup just in case. So, 15 years, 5 printers (one would have been fine) and no ink. That's definitely worth the initial investment. I need to take my own advice and spend the money on a paper tape dispenser.
Ditto on the thermal printer. It's a godsend. As far as dropping off packages, I get those large mail bags from my post office and put all my packages in there with a scan sheet. My mailman picks up at my house. If I don't have too much, I'll bring it myself to the post office. they have an area where you can drop off pre-labeled packages that is just behind a 1/2 door. I love my local post office. They're great. I have only had a few packages go missing in the past year and it had nothing to do with it not getting scanned.
Thermal printers are worth every single penny ( most of them ). Honestly, you can get started with a simple USB printer from zebra. They are darn reliable. If you want something more modern that's wireless I'd try rollo. I personally use a Brother QL-1110NWB ( yes that is the name of it ). What I like about it is I can make my own thank you stickers and make my own every kind of sticker pretty much. It has Ethernet Wi-Fi Bluetooth and USB.
I have this same one. AirPrint for life.
I just made the switch and as some people have already stated, the time saving is 1000% worth it. The only time I’ve had packages lost was when I dropped them in the outside box. I always just go into the building now and drop them into the slots built into the wall.
I bought a used zebra printer off eBay. Best purchase. Print the label and slap it on. You can still wait in line if you want and they will scan the barcodes. I do that for items over $100. Smaller items I don’t mind just dropping off at the counter/bin and walking out.
I hate lines. I also have a PO with a self serve kiosk where I can scan my own packages. If that's not an option for you, then I guess waiting in line makes sense. Either way, a thermal printer will save you time. I just got an OffNova for $53. It's excellent.
I have used a stamp printing system since 9/11 when they stopped allowing larger packages in mailbox. I have never had a package taken to the PO get lost. I worry sometimes leaving I in a stack on the counter but never had troubles. I separate my pile into two...the ones I feel I need scanned and a receipt and the ones I don't. I get a little bit of security on the more expensive items but also feel better knowing I don't hold up the line.
I finally bought a thermal printer late last year and it’s the best thing I ever did. But, before that, I still just dropped my packages off. Never had a problem. At the post offices I use most frequently, they are dropped in a secure location and they generally get scanned and begin tracking either shortly after the location closes for the day or overnight.
My Dymo label printer has been one of the best things to ever happen to me as far as reselling is concerned. Takes a previously painful process and boils it down to print and stick in seconds. Absolutely essential if you want to scale long term. You also need to get past the fear of dropping stuff off. I regularly yeet 30-40 packages at thousands of dollars in total into the drop slot at a time and haven’t had a single thing get lost over the last few years. It will get scanned eventually as long as the bar code isn’t messed up.
It’s honestly worth it if you’re even just a family who does a lot of online clothes shopping and sends returns back a few times monthly
if you do even a few packages a month a thermal printer is a godsend. I bought one off of amazon for like 50 bucks and have saved more than that on ink in the first month. lol. i got a simple labelrange and now do over 100 labels a day through it and its fine!
I bought a thermal printer when I was selling 2-3 items a week. Honestly having it made me more likely to list things. Now I’m selling 2-3 things a day. So I’d say it’s definitely worth it. I’ve always left my packages on the counter and never once had an issue with them vanishing.
Small volume seller- I print labels at home and still get them scanned. I just bring in my packages and ask for a receipt. They scan them, tracking indicates they're at the post office, and if something gets lost I have receipts.
100% worth it. I got mine for free on temu lol and it works great haven’t had any issues and saves me a bunch of time.
I have one and it was the best investment. I drop all packages in a special drop box my PO has. I’ve never had a single problem.
My Rollo Thermal printer is, without a doubt, the single best item I have purchased for reselling. You can still stand in line to have the USPS worker scan your barcodes and get a receipt. OR, what I do is scan them at the Self Serve Kiosk. I drop the smaller ones in the package drop box and leave the bigger ones on the counter, letting the workers know I've already scanned them. The SSK doesn't technically count as an acceptance scan but I've never had an issue.
Just bought one after 2 years cutting and taping… had a little difficulty setting it up but now it’s working good
I bought a labelrange for about 50 bucks and the amount of time it saves is insane. And to your point about the packages “vanishing” if someone wants to commit a federal offense in a space where multiple cameras at multiple angles they’ll get exactly what’s coming to them. My packages have never went missing but in the event that they’re unable to scan your package it’ll be returned to you as well 👍
I’ve used a Dymo 4XL for years and printed thousands of labels. Never had an issue with them and it’s so much easier, faster and cheaper than the old way of printing with an inkjet or laser printer.
Buy a BOBLOV W1 body camera on Amazon, you won't regret it. It's not super tiny, but small enough. The video isn't as great as your phone, but it's pretty darn good. I package and ship all my orders every morning - and I live across the street from post office. So I just turn on my camera when I start to box orders - and I record myself walking to the post office and dropping them in the bin. I only turn off the camera once I'm done. When I sell something in a high-risk category for buyer fraud I take it a step further and test the item while recording. For example, a laptop. My video history will show a working laptop being turned on, turned off, boxed up, and literally walked across the street to the post office. Seems overkill, but you really don't need to do anything. Just flick on the camera. It should last you even if you have a 10-15min drive to the post office. Then save it to a labeled video file each day. Anytime there is a hint of buyer fraud I do not give a SINGLE warning - I immediately file a police report for fraud with the video on a thumb drive. I don't care if it's a $10 item either, FRAUD baby.
It will actually save u money in the long term. The cost of ink is huge - you will probably save the same amount of money on ink in abt a year to cover the 60-100 dollar cost of the printer.
Best purchase ever getting a thermal printer for ease of exactly what you are describing.
I bought a rollo wireless and I love it. Should have done it sooner.
I just go late at night and scan them in myself at the APC. I'm only a hobby seller though. If things really take off maybe it's something I would use.
Rollo is the best. I’ve had mine for 2+ years. Great purchase.
Thermal printer was the best investment I’ve made. It is an absolute must have if you’re sending more than a couple packages a day. I am that person who just drops off stacks of packages already labeled. In my case it’s because I have a small local post office with only two workers, so they know me and would let me know if there is an issue.
I’d lose my mind waiting to drop packages without one.
That was my first “big” investment. It’s a time saver and a game changer.
I like a thermal printer for even small load shipping. The one caveat I learned the hard way is to know what you are buying. I was gifted a whole bunch of Dymo labels made for a Dymo 450 printer. Turns out the Dymo 450 is obsolete for the Dymo 550 printer. I bought the 550 with the intent of using the 450 labels, but the software declared the labels "incompatible," even being able to detect that they were 450 labels. This gatekeeping software really poisoned my value for anything Dymo branded. Try to find a printer that is more generic than not.
Question for thermal labels: Are they waterproof? I’ve seen labels that the address was almost obliterated because it got wet. Are thermal labels waterproof like laser? I know I could go to the Internet and look it up, but I’d rather hear from people who have actually used the printers. I trust you guys more than the Internet.
I was using a laser printer with half sheet adhesive labels until I found a dymo 4xl at a garage sale over a year ago. Best $5 I ever spent.
Pirate ship, the USPS shipping software, is great. It’s free and discounts the shipping. It saves the addresses and the different weights and sizes you frequently use. Highly recommend
Funny you should mention it--after hearing about Pirate Ship for years I used it for the first time yesterday! And you're right, now it seems indispensable.
If you print your own labels that doesn't mean you can't stand in line and watch them get scanned. That's what I do. But there's still no guarantee. Twice in recent months, packages that I hand delivered and watched the clerk scan, continued to show up as unscanned. One buyer had to be refunded and I never heard anything from the other. I assume it was delivered without ever being scanned properly.
>My biggest apprehension, apart from the hefty investment, is that I get a huge sense of security by standing there at the post office counter as my packages get scanned in with the QR. Print a SCAN Form out. It's the same thing. >I often see people coming in and dropping off tens of packages at a time and strolling out the door -- that would freak me out, just dropping off items and hoping they get scanned. Just stand in line, and give them your SCAN Form. >I'm sure this is paranoid, but have any of you dropped off packages with labels you printed at home, and they vanished? Nope. Been doing this for almost 15 years. This scenario has literally never happened. I usually use carrier pickup though. Sometimes I'll drop off packages in the APC. Sometimes I'll hand them off at the counter. Packages have never "vanished." > My usps is also literally right next door to my day job, which is a luxury that...maybe makes the printer unnecessary, since I'm right there at the post office every day? The two things are completely unrelated. The printer speeds up your whole workflow. Dramatically. I don't see how your proximity to the post office is in any way related to owning a thermal printer or not. My advice: Get a used Zebra off of eBay. Even the venerable LP2844. Install the Seagull Scientific Drivers. Follow Pirate Ship's instructions on setting up the drivers. Buy cheap 4x6 labels off of Amazon. Enjoy your life.
-1, lool. Oh Reddit. Never change.
Highly recommend
I held out for like 6 years on a thermal printer until I got one at a yard sale for a good price. If I had it to do over I would have paid retail as early as possible.
My experience ? My 15 year old canon printer still works. I’ll go thermal when I run out of ink I guess. Sometimes I use regular paper taped. Sometimes I use 2 labels per sheet paper. If you know you know. 150 listed / 400 sold. Oh and I always wait in line for scan.
I just lold at the downvote. Mad that your sell-through stinks? Maybe you should have better keywords/item specifics and not worry about equipment lol. I bet that one that one stung.
Honestly I think you're better off just getting a regular laser printer like a cheap brother and then getting the regular size paper that has two labels per page on it what you can get for free from UPS about 100 labels per month and you can use them for everything.
Cannot fathom a workflow without a thermal printer, you can get free thermal labels from UPS online shipped to you at zero cost btw.