Stamps.com RIP OFF LA, California

Stamps.com IS in fact an authorized internet postage provider, the same as another internet postage provider called, Endicia.  If you CAREFULLY READ what is shown on their website, you will note the service provided by them is a SUBSCRIPTION-BASED FEE FOR SERVICE program.  They specifically state this and also explain the 3 different levels of service to which a person can subscribe to.

The PRO plan is $15.99 a month, the PREMIER plan is $24.99 per month, and they have an ENTERPRISE plan for something like $34.99 a month.  The website also states you can try the service on a trial basis, but if you decide the service is not what you want, you must call and cancel within the 30 day time period.  They do not generally accept cancellations via email.

From your posting here, it sounds as if you were under the impression Stamps.com was simply a website where you could just purchase stamps as you needed them without making a trip to the post office.  This is not the case.  If you only want to purchase stamps in the aforementioned manner, then you need only log on to the U.S. Postal Service website at USPS.com, create an account for yourself, and order stamps directly from the postal service. 

Of course, you will be asked for payment info, such as, credit card #, etc so they can bill you for any purchases you make.  Then, you will wait for the stamps to arrive in the mail from the USPS.

There are no monthly subscription fees involved when using this service provided by the USPS.  Stamps.com simply provides a customer with the ability to print needed postage at home using their computer, the Stamps.com software (which is a free download), and an inkjet/laser printer.  You can either print postage directly on envelopes or on what are called Netstamps (which you can order for a fee from Stamps.com). 

There are a number of other features that are available with a Stamps.com subscription which are currently unavailable with the postal service's "Click & Ship" program, but I will merely suggest you check this out yourself.  Please note that in addition to the monthly subscription fee for Stamps.com's service, you DO have to pay for the postage you will use prior to using it. 

Like many businesses, when you call to cancel, they will try to get you to remain with them, but you must be insistent that you wish to cancel!  (I know this from personal experience when I needed to cancel my Stamps.com service for a period of time last year).  I have had an account with Stamps.com for some time now simply because I send a good deal of Priority Mail and Certified Mail which I can print here at home and with the Priority Mail, I can schedule a carrier pickup with the USPS for the mail carrier to just pick up the item(s) right here at my residence; no need to make a special trip to the post office.

For myself, the Stamps.com service meets my present needs.  But, only you can decide if the service is really right for you.

Hope this helps provide a little better insight to how Stamps.com works.