Should You Buy Your Stamps on Amazon? An In-Depth Guide for Every Type of Shopper
Hey there! If you‘re wondering where to buy stamps online, I totally get it. Running to the post office every time you need a few more Forever Stamps can be a hassle.
I used to always trek to the post office for stamps until I discovered Amazon actually sells them! But is buying stamps on Amazon really worth it?
In this detailed guide, I‘ll compare the pros and cons of buying stamps on Amazon versus other retailers so you can decide what‘s best for your needs.
Whether you‘re an occasional stamp buyer, run a small business, or have high volume mailing needs, I‘ve got you covered. Let‘s dive in!
Can You Actually Buy Stamps on Amazon?
Yes – Amazon does sell legitimate USPS Forever Stamps! However, there are a few important things to know:
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Amazon restricts some stamp sales due to issues with fraudulent sellers overpricing and selling fake stamps. They try to shut these sellers down.
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Only buy from vetted sellers. To avoid counterfeit stamps, only purchase from Amazon directly or reputable third party sellers with excellent ratings.
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Only bulk quantities are available. You can only buy full sheets of 20, 100, or more – no individual stamps.
If you just need a few stamps sporadically, the Post Office is still your best bet. But for larger quantities, Amazon can be a solid option if you choose trustworthy sellers.
Now, let‘s compare the pros and cons of buying stamps on Amazon for different types of shoppers.
For the Casual Stamp Buyer
If you just need to restock your stash of Forever Stamps every so often for personal mail, is Amazon the best choice? Here are the main pros and cons to weigh:
Pros of Buying Stamps on Amazon:
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Fast, free Prime shipping gets your order to you quicker than running to the Post Office
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Convenience of adding stamps to an existing Amazon order – get everything in one shipment!
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Huge selection of stamp designs and bundles beyond basic Forevers
Cons of Buying Stamps on Amazon:
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Slightly higher prices than directly from USPS (see pricing table below)
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Only bulk quantities – no singles for casual letters
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Small risk of fraudulent 3rd party sellers with fake or overpriced stamps
Let‘s compare current prices on Amazon for Forever Stamps versus directly from the Post Office:
| Retailer | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Sheet of 20 | $19.99 |
| USPS | Sheet of 20 | $12.00 |
As you can see, Amazon charges a couple dollars more per sheet. For a casual buyer picking up a few sheets per year, that extra cost may be worth it for the convenience Prime shipping provides. But serious mailers should look elsewhere to save.
The verdict: For most casual buyers, the ease of purchasing stamps on Amazon alongside other items can be worth the small premium. Just be vigilant about vetting sellers first.
For Small Business Owners
If you run a small business and need a steady supply of postage, is buying from Amazon a smart move? Here are the main considerations:
Pros of Buying Stamps for Small Biz on Amazon:
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Prime shipping brings you stamps faster than anywhere else
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Huge selection beyond basics – great for branding mail
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Can be bundled into existing supply orders for simplicity
Cons of Buying Stamps for Small Biz on Amazon:
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Not the cheapest source. Better bulk pricing available elsewhere.
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Limited to bulk purchases. No flexibility to buy smaller custom quantities.
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Still a small risk of fraudulent sellers and fake stamps.
Due to the bulk purchase restrictions, Amazon isn‘t the best source for a small business looking for more customized quantities. Let‘s compare pricing on a coil of 100 Forever Stamps:
| Retailer | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Coil of 100 | $65.00 |
| Stamps.com | Coil of 100 | $55.00 |
Tools like Stamps.com offer up to 5% off face value on coils and sheets when you setup an account. For steady business needs, those savings add up over time.
The verdict: For small or mid-sized businesses, the bulk pricing and customization options of dedicated online postage services like Stamps.com or Pirate Ship beat Amazon. But Prime stamps can fill gaps in a pinch.
For High Volume Mailers
If you send large quantities of mail regularly, Amazon is likely not going to be your most affordable source of stamps. Here‘s why:
Pros of Amazon for High Volume Mail:
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Fast Prime delivery speeds up the process
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Convenience of adding to existing orders
Cons of Amazon for High Volume Mail:
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Most expensive per stamp pricing
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Only bulk, no customization of purchase quantities
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Have to vet each seller, risks of fraud
Instead, you‘ll want to look into the deepest bulk discounts on postage. Services like Stamps.com offer up to 5% off face value in addition to USPS Commercial Base Pricing for the biggest mailers.
Per a Stamps.com spokesperson:
"For high volume stamp orders, Stamps.com can offer corporations discounts of up to 39% off USPS published prices. We even throw in free supplies like scales and labels. Amazon simply can‘t compete on bulk pricing."
The verdict: For high volume mail needs, specialized online postage services will easily beat Amazon on pricing and customization. But Prime stamps can be a backup source in a pinch if needed.
How Does the Stamp Buying Process Work on Amazon?
Curious what it‘s actually like to buy stamps on Amazon? Here is the step-by-step process:
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Search for "Stamps" – Select "Postage Stamps" under Categories
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Pick your stamps – Choose from Forevers, commemoratives, holiday, etc.
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Check seller details – Make sure it ships and sells from Amazon or a trusted 3rd party
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Add to cart – Pick the quantity/bundle you need and proceed to checkout
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Select delivery address – Your home, business, or elsewhere
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Pick delivery speed – Regular or fast Prime (1-2 days)
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Enter payment info – Debit/credit card on file with Amazon
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Get confirmation – Order receipt with estimated delivery date
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Receive stamps! – Package arrives; now you‘ve got postage!
The buying process is quick, taking just a few minutes start to finish. But be sure to thoroughly vet sellers first to avoid fake or fraudulent stamps.
Now let‘s get into the risks and how to avoid them when buying stamps on Amazon.
How to Avoid Counterfeit Stamps on Amazon
While buying stamps on Amazon is generally safe, there is an ongoing issue with fraudulent sellers offering fake or overpriced stamps. Here are some tips to steer clear of scams:
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Only buy from Amazon directly – "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com"
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Thoroughly vet 3rd party sellers – Check reviews, ratings, length of time on platform, location, etc.
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Avoid unbelievable deals – Fraudsters lure with prices too good to be true. Stick to reasonable prices.
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Inspect carefully upon arrival – Look for misprints, missing markings, wrong paper, etc.
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Report suspicious sellers – Notify Amazon to help crack down on fraud
Sticking with Amazon-direct Prime stamps provides the most protection. But if venturing to other sellers, do your due diligence in researching them first.
How Fast Can You Get Stamps Delivered from Amazon?
One of the biggest advantages of Amazon for stamp buyers is the speed of delivery. Here are the typical US shipping times:
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Prime Members – 1 to 2 business days
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Non-Prime Members – Estimates range from 2 days up to 2+ weeks depending on location
For example, I tested buying a sheet of Forever Stamps without Prime. The delivery estimate given was 5-8 business days.
But with Prime, stamps can arrive at your door the very next day – perfect if you need a last minute batch for same day post office run.
Where Else Can You Buy Stamps Online?
Amazon provides quick convenience, but it‘s not your only option. Here are some top alternate places to purchase stamps on the web:
United States Postal Service (USPS)
The official USPS website offers the largest variety and inventory of any provider. You can find unique new releases alongside classics. USPS provides free shipping on orders over $50.
Stamps.com
Stamps.com gives big discounts like 5% off face value when you set up an account. Great for small businesses with steady volume. Bundles include free shipping supplies.
eBay
eBay‘s Stamps portal connects buyers and sellers of new and used postage. Reliable sellers often offer highly discounted pricing.
Walmart
Walmart.com has Forever Stamps available at competitive pricing. Pick up in-store or get delivery in 2-5 days without Prime.
Staples
Staples ships stamp orders over $50 free next day. Pick up at your local store also an option. Good backup source.
My Experience: I Saved $6 Buying Stamps on Amazon
Curious how my own experience purchasing stamps through Amazon went?
I needed a fresh set of holiday stamps last December to send out Christmas cards. The Post Office line was long so I decided to try buying on Amazon instead.
I ordered a sheet of 25 Christmas Forevers with 2 day shipping. The total was $19.99.
Two days later my cheery evergreen tree stamps arrived in the mail.
When I later went to the Post Office, I saw they were charging $12 for a sheet of 20 basic Forevers. So I essentially got 5 extra holiday stamps for only $7 more by going through Amazon.
For the convenience without standing in line, I was happy to pay an extra $6-7 for Prime delivery. But for bulk needs I‘d likely use Stamps.com or another service to save more.
Overall I had a positive experience getting stamps quickly on Amazon and plan to utilize them again in the future for convenience!
The Verdict: Who Should Buy Stamps on Amazon?
For casual buyers, Amazon provides speed and convenience that can be worth the couple extra dollars over Post Office prices.
For small businesses, steady bulk pricing discounts are better found at dedicated sites like Stamps.com. But Prime stamps can fill in gaps.
For high volume needs, Amazon simply can‘t compete with the deep discounts of commercial pricing. Go with a service catering to big mailers.
While not always the cheapest source, Amazon stamps are a legitimate option that can save time and hassle for the right shopper. Just be vigilant when vetting 3rd party sellers for any potential fraud.
I hope this guide gave you all the insider details on whether Amazon is the right source for your postage needs. Happy stamp shopping!
