3 Things to consider before buying a shipping scale

If you operate a business that relies on mail services, you can’t do without a quality shipping scale. Accurately weighing your outgoing packages is crucial. To determine which bench scale is right for your shipping needs, you’ll have to take the following things into consideration.

1- Your shipping partners Familiarize yourself with your shipping company’s services, as each company has different measuring, pricing and labelling procedures. Adapting your packaging practices to these procedures will allow you to increase efficiency and save money. Alternatively, you may want to choose your shipping partner on the basis of their pricing system. Because these factors may affect the size and weight of the packages you send, it’s important to clarify have a good understanding of them before purchasing your scale. 2- The size of packages you ship Having a scale that’s too small or too large for your shipping needs isn’t ideal. Too small a scale won’t accurately weigh oversized packages. On the other hand, too large a scale will cost you more than you need to pay and take up more space than necessary. That said, it’s better to be on the large side, especially if you anticipate that your business will ship larger items in the future. Of course, you’ll need to choose a scale that can handle the weight of the packages you’re sending. Inaccurate weightings could end up costing you a lot of money and could reduce customer confidence. 3- The features you need Depending on your needs, you might need some of the following features:

• Automatic tare

• A large, bright display with clear lettering

• A label printer

• Ability to measure in kilograms, ounces and pounds for international shipping

• Rechargeable battery for portability

• RS-232 or USB port to connect to a computer or printer

If you’re not sure about which features you need, speak to a certified scale technician. They can also certify your scale as legal for trade per Measurement Canada requirements. Alberta’s scale experts At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer a range of precision bench scales. Our expert scale technicians can help you determine which one is right for your shipping needs. For more information about our scales or our installation, inspection and repair services, contact us today.