As an avid online shopper and self-proclaimed retail expert, I‘m always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier by purchasing everyday essentials with just a few clicks. One item that may not immediately come to mind when you think of Amazon is postage stamps. But believe it or not, the e-commerce giant does indeed sell a variety of stamps alongside its vast array of other products.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about buying stamps on Amazon, including pricing, available types and designs, shipping times, how to spot potential counterfeits, and more. By the end, you‘ll be armed with the knowledge to confidently purchase stamps online from Amazon or decide if buying elsewhere is a better fit for your needs.
Can You Actually Buy Stamps on Amazon?
The short answer is yes, Amazon does sell valid U.S. postage stamps that can be used to mail letters and packages. However, there are a few important things to note. First, you cannot buy single stamps on Amazon. Stamps are only sold in sheets of 20 or coils of 100. Second, purchasing stamps on Amazon is almost always more expensive compared to buying them from other sources like the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or stores such as Walmart and CVS.
I did a quick price comparison and found that a sheet of 20 Forever Stamps is currently selling for around $20 on Amazon, while the exact same sheet can be bought for about $12 directly from the USPS website. So why would anyone pay a premium to buy stamps on Amazon? The main advantages are convenience and fast shipping, which I‘ll discuss more later on.
Spotting Fake Stamps and Shady Sellers on Amazon
Before I get into the different stamp options available on Amazon, it‘s crucial to address the issue of counterfeit postage and unscrupulous sellers. In January 2020, Amazon began restricting the sale of some stamps on its platform after ongoing problems with fake stamps and wildly inflated prices from third-party merchants. Unfortunately, the risk of ending up with invalid stamps still exists when buying on Amazon today.
To avoid getting scammed, I highly recommend only purchasing stamps sold directly by Amazon or from verified sellers with a track record of positive reviews. Be very wary of any deals that seem too good to be true. In my experience, if a stamp price on Amazon looks significantly lower than normal retail cost, there‘s a good chance something suspicious is going on.
Some red flags to watch out for when browsing stamp listings on Amazon:
- Unfamiliar or generic brand names
- Lack of U.S. Postal Service logo or markings on stamps
- Prices that are less than face value of the stamps
- New sellers with zero or very few reviews
- Stamps that appear "perfect" without any imperfections
- Misspellings or grammatical errors in product titles and descriptions
If a stamp listing seems questionable for any reason, it‘s best to steer clear and find a more reputable source. You don‘t want to end up with a pile of useless stickers instead of real postage!
Types of Stamps Available on Amazon
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of buying stamps on Amazon and how to avoid getting duped, let‘s dive into the fun part – picking out your stamps! Some of the most common types of stamps available on Amazon include:
Forever Stamps: As the name implies, Forever Stamps can be used to mail 1 oz. First-Class letters no matter when you purchased the stamps or how much postage prices have increased. These are very popular and most cost-effective for everyday mailing needs. Amazon sells Forever Stamps in sheets of 20.
Postcard Stamps: Planning to send out postcards from your latest vacation or advertise an upcoming event? You‘ll need postcard stamps, which are specifically designed and priced for standard-size postcards up to 4.25" x 6". Postcard stamps on Amazon are also sold in sheets of 20.
Additional Ounce Stamps: These stamps are used in addition to one Forever Stamp to cover postage for mail weighing between 1-2 ounces. A good option if you frequently send heavier letters or bulkier greeting cards. You can find additional ounce stamps in sheets of 20 on Amazon.
Global Forever and Postcard Stamps: If you have friends or family abroad, global stamps are what you‘ll need to send postcards or 1 oz. letters to most countries. Amazon offers Global Forever and Postcard stamps in sheets of 10 or 20.
In terms of stamp designs, Amazon carries a decent variety but it doesn‘t come close to the vast selection on the U.S. Postal Service‘s own website. On Amazon you‘ll typically find more generic stamps like American Flag Forever and Forever Hearts, while the USPS site has stamps for pretty much every occasion and interest imaginable – from T. Rex stamps to Disney Villains!
Buying Stamps on Amazon vs. Other Retailers
As I mentioned earlier, purchasing stamps on Amazon does come with a few notable benefits. First and foremost is the convenience of being able to buy stamps while you‘re already shopping for other household goods, gifts, or office supplies and having it all arrive in one consolidated package. For busy professionals or anyone who hates making extra trips to the store or post office, this one-stop-shopping element is a huge plus.
If you‘re an Amazon Prime member, you‘ll also enjoy free and fast shipping on stamps (and nearly everything else on Amazon). While standard shipping for stamps takes about 5-8 business days with other online retailers like the USPS, Prime members can get stamps delivered to their door within 2 days or even the next day depending on stock and location. I find this particularly handy if I realize at the last minute I‘m nearly out of stamps before bills are due or during the hectic holiday mailing season.
On the flip side, buying stamps on Amazon does require paying a premium over standard retail prices. How much extra you‘ll pay varies, but I‘ve found stamps on Amazon typically cost around 10-20% more compared to the exact same items at USPS and other big-box stores and pharmacies.
For example, earlier I noted that a sheet of 20 Forever Stamps goes for about $20 on Amazon whereas the USPS charges $12 for the same thing. Walmart sells Forever Stamps at face value of $12 per sheet too. So it really comes down to how much you value cost vs. convenience.
If saving money is your top priority, skip Amazon and buy stamps directly from the U.S. Postal Service online or at your local post office. You‘ll get the cheapest prices and by far the largest selection of stamp designs. But if you desire the convenience of buying stamps along with other items and want them delivered quickly, Amazon is a solid option. Just be prepared to pay a bit more compared to other stamp sellers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Stamps on Amazon
If you‘ve decided purchasing stamps on Amazon is right for you, here‘s a quick guide to the buying process:
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Go to Amazon.com and type "stamps" into the search bar at the top of the page. Press enter.
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You‘ll now see a page with various stamp options sold on Amazon. Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow down options by brand (e.g. USPS), sheet quantity, stamp type, and more to find the specific stamps you need.
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Click on a stamp listing that interests you to see more details, larger photos, price per stamp, shipping options, and estimated delivery dates. Be sure to read the full product description and check the seller name. I recommend looking for "ships from and sold by Amazon.com" or buying from a seller with a large quantity of positive reviews.
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If you‘re satisfied with the stamp choice and pricing, select "Add to Cart." You can now continue shopping for other items or click the cart icon to start the checkout process if you‘re done.
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To complete checkout, click "Proceed to Checkout," select your shipping address and payment method, then click "Place Your Order." You‘ll receive an email confirmation once the order is placed.
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That‘s it! Now just wait for your stamps to arrive. Most non-Prime shipping takes about 5-10 days depending on your location. For Prime members, free 2-day or next-day shipping will be applied.
Recap and Final Thoughts
To sum it all up, you can absolutely buy legit U.S. postage stamps on Amazon but it will cost you a premium compared to other retailers. Stamps sold on Amazon range from Forever and additional ounce to postcard and global stamps. They‘re available in sheets of 20 or coils of 100 – no single stamps here.
The main perks of purchasing stamps on Amazon are the convenience of buying them alongside other products and ultra-speedy delivery for Prime members. However, those benefits come with the tradeoff of higher prices. You‘ll need to weigh what you value more – cost or convenience.
My biggest piece of advice when stamp shopping on Amazon is to be vigilant about avoiding counterfeits and unreliable sellers. Stick to listings sold by Amazon directly or merchants with plenty of great reviews. If a deal looks too good to be true or you spot any other red flags, buy stamps elsewhere to be safe.
I hope this guide has been helpful for your stamp buying journey on Amazon! Feel free to save or share this article for easy reference down the road. Happy stamping!
