If you’re looking to save on your franking machine, a second-hand or preowned franking machine can be the way to go. Often, used franking machines sell for 30-70% less than the new price, allowing you to slash the total cost of ownership.
At the same time, preowned franking machines aren’t always a great idea. Most have an expected lifespan of about 5 years. After that, you can expect more repairs, which can be costly. In addition, licensing and registration hassles can add more issues than you’d like.
What else? Every franking machine has to be registered and licensed with the Royal Mail. If your machine has been blacklisted, stollen, or uses the old crown frank mark instead of the Mailmark, you won’t be able to use it.
Still, buying a pre-owned franking machine can save you 30% or more on your machine, so it can be well worth the extra hassle. Let’s take a look at prices, considerations, and when to buy or not to buy a used franking machine.
Preowned Franking Machine Costs
Used franking machine costs will change depending on the manufacturer, the supplier, and where you’re getting them. You’ll also want to consider the state of the machine. For example, you can buy a manufacturer refinished Pitney Bowes direct from the manufacturer, for about £1,000 cheaper than their flagship entry-level model new. That’s quite good savings.
- Low-volume – 30% savings
- Mid-volume – 50%+ savings
- High-volume – Up to 70% savings
However, you might see even better savings if you’re shopping around on online marketplaces or buying direct from business auctions.
| Item | Low-Volume | Mid-Volume | High-Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-hand Purchase Cost | £600-£2,000 | £1,500-£12,000 | £4,000-£18,000 |
| Supplies (Ink/Labels) | £10-£140 per refill | £30-£210 per refill | £90-£480 per refill |
| Annual Inspection + Maintenance | £50-£150 | £100-£250 | £250+ |
Keep in mind that if you’re buying a franking machine through an online marketplace, you might pay re-registration fees from a minimum of £116 from an authorised supplier or manufacturer.
Because most of them don’t work with machines that you already have or which may be acquired outside of an authorised supplier, you’re best off sourcing your franking machine from the same organisation you want to register it.
Some suppliers will also charge an initial setup fee, which can range from £50 to £900+, especially if you’re buying the machine outright.
Where To Lease Or Buy Second-Hand Franking Machines
You can also expect rates to vary a lot depending on how you buy:
- Manufacturer refinished – These are not usually more than about 30% discounted but can be up to 50% off new price. Older refurbished models will be cheaper.
- Third-party supplier – Rates depend on the supplier and your total contract and package. Look for doorbuster deal with all-inclusive ink and supply for the best bargains.
- Third-party reseller – These can cost 70% or more less than new but might come with hefty hidden fees for licensing and registration. Or, you might be unable to use it at all.
The best way to get an idea of what your second-hand franking machine will cost is to request quotes from authorised suppliers. That means one of the three licensed manufacturers in the UK or one of the 27 licensed independent suppliers and resellers.
What To Consider When Buying A Used Franking Machine
A preowned franking machine can save you thousands. At the same time, it can be a lot of headache and hassle that ends up costing more than a new one would.
Being aware of extra complications when you go to buy can save you all of that, so you get a great deal.
Licensing and Registration
If you’re buying a used franking machine from one of the 27 authorised suppliers or manufacturers in the UK, don’t worry about this. Your supplier will provide your franking machine and will register it for you as part of the cost.
A franking machine license is valid for one year. You’ll renew it every year during the annual mandatory inspection.
What is a franking machine license for? Royal Mail doesn’t offer franking machines itself. Instead, it issues a license that allows you to buy credit and frank mail from the machine.
The inspection and license certify that your machine is set up properly and is franking mail in accordance with the law. Franking without a license is fraudulent and illegal.
The Royal Mail franking license includes:
- Business name and address
- Franking machine serial
- Model name and number of specific franking machine
- A unique DIE number
- A number assigned by the Royal Mail Franking Administration for records keeping
Registering your machine allows you to re-credit or top up the machine.
Checking a License on a Second-hand Franking Machine
1. Get the meter/serial number from the franking machine. The serial number is comprised of a PCN and a 7-digit numeral code, such as HZOO 0012345 or PB1234567, but the codes will vary per manufacturer.
- Pitney Bowes – 08444 992 992
- Quadient – 1.800.636.7678
- FP – +44 1322 424890
2. Call the manufacturer to request information about the franking machine. For example, they’ll be able to let you know if they can transfer the licensing and registration, if the machine is blacklisted, etc.
3. The manufacturer or authorised supplier is the only party that can apply for a franking license. You cannot do so on your own. Costs also vary per supplier. For example, Pitney Bowes handles the annual inspection and license renewal for £116 to £2,065 with a contract. Without a contract, you can normally expect to pay much more.
Blacklisting
If your machine has been stollen, used fraudulently, or left the market, it might be blacklisted by the Royal Mail.
This means that the serial number can no longer be registered or used with Royal Mail, and you will not qualify for a Royal Mail license, even through the manufacturer.
Mailmark
On 01 January 2023, Royal Mail switched exclusively to Mailmark machines. These use a 2D barcode instead of the old crown mark. Mailmark machines were available before this date. However, any machine that isn’t already a Mailmark machine should be retired.
In some cases, you will be able to update your machine by updating the software. On the other hand, that can be more expensive than simply buying a newer model. Therefore, you’ll want to buy your machine from an authorised supplier that is guaranteed to sell you a Mailmark machine.
Repairs and Maintenance
Most franking machines are rated for about 5 years of service, but they can last 10 years or more with good care and maintenance. However, the older the machine when you buy it, the more likely it is to have recurring (and costly) maintenance problems.
Consider looking at the service log to see how often the machine has been serviced. The logbook should also include any replaced parts. A recent overhaul or repair isn’t a bad thing. However, a lot of small repairs might be indicative of a larger undiagnosed problem or failure.
What’s the verdict? Try to stick to an authorised supplier when you choose your used franking machine, and you’ll skip most of the possible issues.
Getting The Best Rate On Your Used Franking Machine
Used and second-hand franking machines can be a great way to source a high quality but budget franking machine. There are plenty of variables to pay attention to, like machine service history, status, and supplier. However, if you’re buying from an authorised supplier, you should be able to easily update the machine and start using it with no more hassle than you would from a new machine.
With that in mind, you can still shop around, compare quotes from different suppliers, and make sure you’re getting the best deal on your second-hand franking machine. That means looking at multiple rates, comparing actual costs like ink supply and licensing, and seeing what you get for the money.
Use the form below and we’ll contact top suppliers in your area, request a competitive quote, and pass the savings on to you.