Is the Stamps.com Trial a Smart Start for New Amazon, eBay, or Etsy Resellers?
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If you’re dreaming of launching a side hustle or full-time business reselling on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, shipping is one of the biggest hurdles you’ll face right out of the gate. Accurate labels, reliable carriers, and cost control can make or break your early profits. That’s why offers like the Stamps.com 30-day free trial catch a lot of attention—promising perks like waived monthly fees ($20.99 value), extra free postage, supplies, a digital scale, and free pickups, with no contracts and easy cancellation.
But is this deal truly a “good offer” for beginners? Let’s break it down honestly, based on how reselling works in 2025.
The Perks: What’s Actually on the Table?
The highlighted trial includes:
- 30-day free trial (covers the usual ~$20/month subscription).
- $10 monthly free postage for up to three months (potentially $30 total extra credit).
- Free mailing supplies (~$5 value, like labels or envelopes).
- Free digital scale (~$50 value—a 5-lb USB scale for precise weighing).
- Free USPS and UPS pickups (super convenient—no post office runs).
- Cancel anytime (no long-term lock-in).
These sound great for testing the waters. The scale alone is handy for weighing packages accurately (avoiding over/under-payment on postage), and free pickups save time when you’re shipping from home. If you’re starting small—say, a few sales per week on Etsy handmade items or eBay flips—the trial lets you print professional USPS/UPS labels without upfront costs.
The Reality for New Resellers
Here’s where it gets nuanced: This might not be the best starting point in 2025, especially for low-volume beginners.
- Ongoing Costs Add Up Quickly: After the trial (and any bonus months), you’re looking at ~$20/month just for access. For many resellers shipping via USPS Priority Mail or UPS, free alternatives like Pirate Ship offer the same deep commercial discounts with no monthly fee. Pirate Ship is wildly popular among eBay and Etsy sellers for its simplicity, batch labeling, and zero subscription—pay only for postage.
- Better Free/Cheap Options Exist:
- Pirate Ship: No fees, excellent USPS/UPS rates, easy integrations with eBay/Etsy. Many resellers swear by it for starting out.
- Platform-built tools: eBay and Etsy have direct USPS label printing (with discounts), and Amazon provides Buy Shipping for seamless labels.
- Other low-cost contenders: ShipStation, ShippingEasy, or Veeqo (free for basics) often beat Stamps.com on integrations and multi-channel support.
- When Stamps.com Shines: If you need advanced features like printing actual postage stamps (NetStamps), heavy international shipping, or multi-carrier comparisons in one dashboard, it could be worth keeping post-trial. The free scale and pickups are nice bonuses you keep even if you cancel.
Verdict: Good for Testing, But Not Necessarily the Best Long-Term Deal
For someone just starting an Amazon, eBay, or Etsy reselling business:
- Yes, try the trial—it’s low-risk. Use it to ship your first orders, snag the scale (yours to keep), test free pickups, and burn through that bonus postage. Cancel before billing kicks in if it doesn’t wow you.
- But don’t commit long-term without comparing. Most beginners save more (and stress less) with free tools like Pirate Ship. In 2025, with shipping costs rising, every dollar counts—prioritize no-fee options first.
Shipping is the backbone of reselling success. Start smart: Test this offer if it fits your flow, but shop around for what scales with your growth. Your future profits will thank you!
Note: Offers can change—always check Stamps.com directly for current details. This isn’t sponsored; just real talk for fellow entrepreneurs.
If you’re on Grounded in Thyme and love herbal tips alongside business hacks, pair your new venture with some stress-busting thyme tea. You’ve got this! 🌿
