Photostamps….

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As a followup to yesterday’s story, the Mercury News has a story with more details today. According to yesterday’s story, it wasn’t at all clear that a contractor was selected yet. It now seems that Stamps.com is the company that is being allowed to do this new test. It appears that the new test will begin May 17 and will last for 1 year this time, instead of the paltry 7 weeks it lasted last time. It’s just my opinion, but I truly hope that this will drive the market out from under shysters like that Henry Gitner that is trying to sell the Haley’s Comet photostamps at truly outrageous prices. Furthermore, I hope that Scott does not decide to give numbers to these labels or meters or whatever they are. Certainly, they are NOT stamps!

Update: According to Lloyd de Vries over at VSC, who heard it from USPS VP for Product Development Nicholas F. Barranca there are two more companies participating in this test, Pitney-Bowes and Indicia. I’ve never heard of Indicia, so if anyone knows anything about them, drop me a line at allen.bohart at gmail.com.

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Dean

Comment by Dean | 2005/04/27 at 09:46:13

I have had various thoughts on photostamps for some time now and have finally come to a conclusion. Avery Labels has it right. They have been offering labels with postage on them for a while. These are no different, although I believe the USPS is looking to see if they can have control of the idea and make a buck.
These are not stamps, merely labels with postage affixed. Looking at the example you have on your blog, you will notice the postage is on the right…the label is on the left.
Why would anyone pay a lot of money for a label with postage? Heck, I can print labels of myself, mom, dad, bozo the clown if I like and leave room to the right of the label for a nice postage STAMP.
And it won’t cost me a dollar either. Why can’t we just be happy with a custom address label? And is it misleading to say these are stamps, instead of labels?
Here’s a thought…The true test of whether or not this is a stamp: Cut the picture off and use it for postage by itself. If the USPS doesn’t accept that or their machines won’t process it then is it realy a stamp?
Allen Bohart

Comment by Allen Bohart | 2005/04/28 at 07:49:10

If the previous test is any indication, there are millions of people ready to line up and throw away $16.00 for the novelty of putting a picture of their dog, cat, son, daughter, or the Unabomber. Go figure!!
joe

Comment by joe | 2005/05/23 at 06:56:48

Hi,

You asked about “endicia”, here’s a link to their site: “http://www.endicia.com”

Pictureitpostage is their new name for the picture stamps. There is a link on the front page of the site.

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            In an update to this story from last month, apparently Avery-Dennison will also jump into the fire in producing photostamp [...]

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Photostamps….

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