Who has time to run out and buy stamps all of the time? In many areas, the post office is located miles away, making it inconvenient to dash in for a quick visit to purchase postage. Once we get to the Post Office we have to stand in a crowded line. What choice does one have? Thanks to the wonders of technology, one can purchase stamps and postage online.

There are a couple of ways to do this. The first is to purchase actual rolls or sheets of stamps from the U.S. Postal Service's web site. In addition to postage, you can also buy mailing envelopes and boxes. A shipping fee will be incurred and you will receive your postage within a week.

The other way to get stamps online is to conveniently print them out from the comfort of your own home. It's quite really quite simple. If you own a computer with a printer, you can print stamps. In most cases, you can place money into an account. Every time you need to print postage, the amount is deducted from your account. Instead of the postage meter mark you're used to seeing, your computer prints a bar code called an "Information-Based Indicium's," Encrypted in this bar code is the amount of postage purchased and the destination zip code. This secure process is approved by the Postal System.

Keep in mind that you'll have to pay a monthly fee to purchase stamps online. If you prefer convenience over cost, this service is certainly for you. For many folks it's worth it not to have to stand in a long line. Something else to keep in mind however, is being properly credited after experiencing misprints or other technical difficulties. What happens if your envelope jams in the printer or the stamp doesn't print? Is it easy to get credit? In many cases you can file your refund request online or through the regular mail, within about 30 days of misprinting the postage. You'll need to fill out a form and provide proof of a misprint. After receiving your claim, the company in which you purchased your online stamps will submit your request to the US Postal Service on your behalf.

Is it worth it to purchase online postage? If convenience is a factor, it's something you may want to look into.