Stamps.com is a licensed agent of the United States Postal Service
Stamps.com clearly identifies its software and additional items e.g. postage scale as "free" (plus shipping). Shipping for additional items cost $8.96, for the 5lb. scale package.
Stamps.com sent me two e-mails: (1) a welcome e-mail without any mention of a subscription service or associated fees (only reference to a trial period absent terms): and (2) a shipping invoice for the additional items.
After 4 weeks, my credit card was billed 15.99 for service. I received notice only by my credit card statement. Stamps.com did not sent any invoice regarding a subscription fee despite that they customarily sent e-mails for other events.
During a complaint call to stamps.com, I emphasized how it appears fraudulent to clearly indicate "free" software and "free" scale without clear mention of the actual cost of service. This point is compounded by invoices received for "free" items and none received for subscription based service. The agent conceded this fact and apologized. He explained that the "terms and conditions" were agreed to by clicking a check box and that such fees were sort forth there. I further explained that it is appalling that as a representative of the USPS that they conduct business this way: transparent regarding promotions yet elusive regarding actual fees. Again, I received a acknowledgment and apology. The agent had no authority to waive the charges, but offered to continue the service for two free months. This is not a cost effective solution for a customer that generates a mere 1-2 shipping labels per month. The account was canceled and charges disputed with credit card company.
Do not fall for stamps.com shady business practices. One shipping label cost me $25.09 ($8.96 for "free" items that are worthless without the stamps.com service, plus a 15.99 charge for service)
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
canceled account with them several times. refused to refund charges even though never once used their service. then after demanding a supervisor, they still had the gall to continue charging me. i refuted my charge with my credit card company. they still continued to charge me. now i have had to cancel my credit card number.
please beware.
Our company signed up for stamps.com because it was supposed to be "so easy" to use. Yuck! I have yet to get an envelope printed properly with proper stamp. Not only that, they automatically subtract the postage from your account once you've tried to print. I have wasted so much time on this and wasted so many stamps and envelopes, I'm done.
Don't blame your inability to use their software on them. I have been using their software to successfully print envelopes, packages and labels for years now. When I did have difficulty, I sent an email to their tech support, and they quickly gave me the instructions to get my envelope printed correctly. If you are losing postage because you're using live postage money to print test envelopes instead of using their built-in test function, then that's your own fault.
I just signed up for what I thought was a money back trial for one month, ordered something for a few dollars, was charged almost 10 for shipping, and then when sign up was complete, the window said it would be $17 plus a month, Never saw a mention of monthly charge for just getting started. Called Amex to cancel charges, and wonder what will happen later, after reading some of the complaints. I should think the USPS would clamp down on their tactics against dissatisfied customers. I can see a use for this service for people whose business is mail order, but not otherwise. There is a category of personal, which I didn't push, instead did home office, so I don't know what that would entail.
Very shady business practices, I have same issue
stamps.com ripped me off for $15.99 from my acct. and i was charged for something that i don't even know about, i have informed my bank and those so and so's won't get another penny from me . i have gotten a lawyer and i will be suing this company.
Cancelled stamps.com after I discovered what a rip off it was. Had to also cancel my credit card because of the relentless charges they were making every month. Thought all was well when the charges then stopeed. This was in 2004. Suddenly they are once again trying to charge my card: for $600+ dollars each time. In the process of hiring an attorney.
AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS
Hello,
I made the mistake of subscribing to this service a few years ago. WHen I wanted to cancel, it was nearly impossible, their number kept on ringing. and there is no way to cancel online. So I cancelled my credit card and now, years later, they are sending me emails of bills of 500-600 $! This is not a service I use, I think a sensible business owner should have canceled my account on the first or second non payment? Even today, I went to their website to "cancel" online but it won't do it unless you call and give an address to them to send the bills. Well, Im sorry but that's not happening!
I was sent a bill for stamp.com when I never enroled or even visited site. They tried to charge me to shut down the account.
Stamps.com will get you to sighn up for a free trial then when the trial has ended keeps billing you.
I called and they said that I still owed for charges and they would offer mr 5$ in stamps if I would continue the service. I said I would not and would not pay for something I didn't use. I said that The company I work for would never do anything dishonest and basicly dishonest and then the represenitive hung up on me.
According to the Ratefold Notice 123, when you purchase Priority Mail postage you are entitled to FREE delivery confirmation, yet Stamps.com charged me for this service. Anyone else have this problem or any other issues with stamps.com, please email me at indielabelreview@aol.com
Thanks.
Beware! I purchased photo stamps 4 months ago, a one time purchase for $159.99, I now noticed they have been deducting $15.99 out of my account every month? for what? I am dreading having to ask for my money back, rip off!
They did the same thing to me, now every month they are withdrawing the fee and they said that I had four weeks to cancel the trial (which they did not explain) otherwise I have to pay the remaining six months of fees because I am technically on a "lease" which was not explained to me. I am surprised the post office would deal with a company such as this!
And you will continue to have the amount deducted until they get a fulls year's "lease" from you, otherwise they'll bill you at one time for the remaining months. BOGUS!
Acker,
I am sorry to hear about the problems that you are experiencing with Stamps.com. I am unsure why you are being billed on a monthly basis for your purchase of PhotoStamps and I would like to investigate this for you.
PhotoStamps is a transactional product that is charged per order whereas a subscription to the Stamps.com software, which is used to print postage and shipping labels using a PC, is a monthly subscription service that can be canceled at any time.
If possible, can you please email me at social(at)stamps.com so I can investigate this for you? Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com
I purchased special UGA stamps from Stamps.com over $500 worth and they were stolen in the USPS mail system. I received the package open and empty. Stamps.com says they are not responsible and the USPS says they are not responsible. So, someone gets to steal stamps and gets away with it!
Signed up for the service - doesn't reveal that there is a 'monthly fee' - cheapest service advertised on the site is $15.99! Takes a lot of postage to make up for that fee! Called them to cancel and they refused to refund the $15.99. Doesn't make for good PR! I'll be sure to let everyone that I know that they better be prepared to pay!
www.stamps.com charged my acct. 17.80 for blank stickers. Now they asking for 59.00 And no stamps. the website sead 5.95 per month for stamps. I was looking for real stamps not a bill.
While some features of Stamps.com are nice to have, and it may well be worthwhile for a small business, the monthly fee is much higher than we would be willing to pay for personal use. In just a few days experience using Stamps.com, I've already seen several things that could be improved. Changing to odd envelope sizes is too cumbersome, for one. However, it does print stamps on pre-printed forms as well as printing postage on envelopes.
I canceled my account with stamps.com in Jan. 2012. It is now June 2012 and after 6 calls to Stamps.com I still have NOT received my refund for unused postage.
Avoid this company like the plague! They will steal your money, too!
Last I heard, this company was under investigation for fraud. We still are owed money for past transactions where they took the money and never delivered.
Could not get monthly charges cancelled. Husband signed up for free month trial and could not get them to cancel once they started charging. Had to cancel my credit card to get them to stop!
They expect everyone else not to have a life and read the fine print. Not that it matters because its all up for interpretation anyway. Like it depends on what the word "the" means. haha ei. "No Risk Trial" is different than "Free Trial". Like what could " No Risk" mean? They won't kill you if you cancel. Its stupid & annoying.
I had the same experience as Richard. These guys are not serious about business.
I mean, look at their website and icons. It feels like the windows 95 hello world experience all over again.
THERE BUSINESS PLAN IS TO SUCK OUT $15.99 WITH VAGUE WORDING AND TO MOVE ON!
I forgot that I couldn't live life trusting people. Thanks for reminding me stamps.com