I have previously written an article about my disappointment with Pitney Bowes and their mailing systems. I signed up for the program as a solution for my companies mailing issues after reading about it on the Realtor's Partners. The previous blog was not favorable and that certainly has not changed.
Since the last blog I have found out that when I orignially signed up that I am now obligated for a year. I will admit I did not read every line of fine print but I did read a lot of it and I listened carefully as the rep explained the program. I never heard or read anything about a 1 year contract.
Also, as I used the system, I began to notice that my monthly bill was increasing. When I contacted PB to inquire about the increase I was told there was a surcharge to refill the postage on the meter. Let me get this straight. I pay a monthly fee to rent a postage meter that is supposed to save me time and money by not having to go to the post office to buy postage. Now on top of the monthly fee I must now pay a surcharge to put postage on the postage meter? Outrageous.
It gets even better. Our offices moved due to expansion. We have a very sophisticated data and phone system that is very secure and reliable. When we plugged up the postage meter it wouldn't work. I called to get assistance and after a lengthy phone call with several people I discover that the machine will not work with my new data and phone lines because I have to have a single dedicated phone line for only the machine. I told them it was out of the question and the expense to have an additional phone line installed just for a postage meter was a little absurd. I was told I could buy out my contract and pay an early termination fee and send the machine back.
I hope after you read this you will keep in mind this is a recommended Preferred PArtenr of the NAtional Association of Realtors. Are they crazy??!! If the National Association of Realtors is going to publish an Approved Partners list they should spend a little time to investigate the programs and the vendors themselves. They should also have a forum where Realtors can post complaints about the vendors and if they receive enough complaints remove these vendors as Preferred Partners. I fully understand that these companies probably pay fees to be listed as a preferred partner but I think we all pay fees as well. Who is the National Association of Realtors loyal to? Their Preferred Partners or their members.
In conclusion... Don't use Pitney Bowes and don't think just because you see a company is a Preferred Partner of the National Association of Realtors that they can be trusted. It is all about the almighty dollar.
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