Buying Stamps On Amazon (Is It Legit, Prices, Types + More)
Amazon is the go-to site for convenient online shopping of almost any household item or product you can think of. But when it comes to something like postage stamps, you may be wondering if Amazon is a good source for buying stamps online.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about purchasing stamps through Amazon, including:
- Is it legitimate to buy stamps on Amazon?
- What types of stamps are available?
- How do the prices compare to the Post Office and other retailers?
- What are the pros and cons of using Amazon for stamps?
- Step-by-step instructions for ordering stamps on Amazon
- How to spot fake or fraudulent stamps
- Alternative places to buy stamps online
- Shipping times and delivery expectations
Let‘s dive in!
Can You Buy Real Stamps on Amazon?
The short answer is yes – you can absolutely purchase legitimate postage stamps on Amazon. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind.
Amazon has had some issues in the past with fraudulent stamp sellers inflating prices or shipping counterfeit stamps to customers. Because of this, Amazon restricts which sellers can actually list stamps for sale on the site.
As long as you stick to buying from reputable, verified sellers with mostly positive reviews, you should be able to get authentic stamps through Amazon without any problems. But there‘s always a slight risk of getting fake stamps when ordering on Amazon, more so than directly from the post office.
To reduce your risk, carefully check seller reviews, product images, and pricing – we‘ll go over how to spot fake stamps from Amazon later in this article.
What Types of Stamps Does Amazon Sell?
The main type of stamps available on Amazon are the forever stamps issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Forever stamps are valid for sending 1st class letter mail regardless of when you purchased them – the value never expires.
Stamps sold on Amazon are only available in larger quantities, not as single stamps. The main options are:
Sheets of 20 or 30 stamps: These sheets contain 20 or 30 identical forever stamps. This is the most common quantity.
Coils of 100 stamps: For high volume needs, you can purchase a continuous coil roll of 100 forever stamps.
Sheets of 10 personalized stamps: Amazon offers some personalized postage options where you can customize a sheet with your own photos and images.
As for design options, Amazon has a wide selection including American flag stamps, floral designs, holiday themes like Christmas or Valentine‘s Day, and more. You can find novelty/special edition stamps as well.
If you need a single stamp for a one-off letter or card, unfortunately Amazon does not offer stamps individually – you‘ll have to visit the Post Office or another retailer for those.
Are Stamps More Expensive on Amazon?
When comparing Amazon stamp prices versus buying directly from the post office, Amazon is generally a little more expensive per stamp.
Here are some typical prices for forever stamps:
On Amazon: A sheet of 20 forever stamps typically costs $18 – $22.
At the Post Office: A sheet of 20 forever stamps costs $12.
So at the Post Office, a forever stamp averages about $0.60 each. On Amazon, expect to pay $0.90 – $1.10 per stamp.
The main reasons for the higher Amazon prices are 1) third-party sellers adding on their own margins, and 2) extra fees from buying through Amazon.
However, Prime members may be able to find stamps for close to USPS prices during sales or promotions on Amazon. Overall though, the Post Office is still the cheapest direct source for stamps.
Pros and Cons of Buying Stamps on Amazon
Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind when buying postage stamps on Amazon:
Pros
- Convenience: Order stamps quickly anytime, combine with other purchases
- Selection: Many different forever stamp designs and themes
- Fast shipping: Get stamps as fast as next day with Prime membership
- Trusted retailer: Reputable source compared to random online stamp sellers
Cons
- Higher prices: Stamps cost more than directly from the Post Office
- Minimum quantities: No individual stamps, only sheets of 20+
- Fakes: Small risk of fraudulent/counterfeit stamps from untrusted sellers
- Can‘t personalize: No customizing stamp design or denominations
So while less ideal for single stamps or the absolute lowest prices, Amazon offers unbeatable convenience. For most casual stamp buyers, Amazon represents an easy way to add postage to a general merchandise order.
Where Else Can You Buy Stamps Online?
Amazon is far from your only option when it comes to purchasing stamps on the internet. Here are some other trusted sources for getting stamps delivered to your home:
USPS Online: The Post Office website has the best selection and cheapest prices when bought directly. Plus free shipping.
Stamps.com: Create an account to access deals and discounts on all mailing services. Reliable stamp source but requires membership.
Walmart, Target, Staples: Major retailers sell USPS-approved stamps in store and online. Useful if you have other errands or purchases there.
CVS, Walgreens: Convenient for picking up a quick book of stamps when you‘re already getting pharmacy or convenience items.
The United States Postal Service website tends to have the most options in terms of quantity, design, and theme. The prices when buying online are the same as what you would pay at the Post Office location directly. So if you want the biggest selection and lowest cost, USPS is your best bet.
How Long Does Amazon Stamp Delivery Take?
One big perk of ordering through Amazon is the fast Prime shipping, which gets you stamps in just 1-2 days typically. Here are the average USPS stamp delivery times on Amazon:
- With Prime membership: 1-2 days
- Without Prime: 2 days up to 2 weeks depending on location
The product listing page will give you a more precise delivery estimate based on your address. In some cases, Amazon offers same-day and next day delivery for stamps even without Prime.
This is much faster than delivery direct from other online stamp sellers like USPS and Stamps.com, which can take 3-7+ days depending on shipping speed.
So if you need stamps ASAP, Amazon Prime is the way to go. For non-Prime members, retail stores like CVS or Walmart may be quicker if there‘s a location near you.
Step-by-Step: How To Buy Stamps on Amazon
Ordering stamps on Amazon only takes a few quick steps:
Search for "stamps": Type this into Amazon‘s search bar and hit enter.
Select your stamps: Browse the results and pick your preferred quantity, design and trusted seller.
Add to cart: Choose the quantity you need and add your stamps to the cart.
Checkout: Complete your purchase for the stamps alone, or with other items.
Select shipping: For fastest delivery, choose 1 or 2-day shipping if available in your area.
Wait for delivery: Track your order and look for your stamps in 1-2 days, or up to 2 weeks without Prime.
And that‘s it! Within a few minutes you can complete your stamp order. It‘s just as easy as buying anything else from Amazon.
Some shoppers like to add a permanent marker to their order so they can write the date of purchase on the stamps when they arrive. This can help avoid confusion or accidentally using outdated stamps.
How To Spot Fake Stamps on Amazon
While not overly common, fake stamps do pop up on Amazon from time to time. Here are some tips for identifying fraudulent or counterfeit postage stamps:
Blurry/pixelated images: Authentic stamps have very clear, detailed imagery without any blurriness.
Wrong colors: Counterfeit stamps often have colors that are off compared to the official USPS versions.
Odd dimensions: Real stamps measure 0.75 x 0.75 inches. Fake stamps may be sized incorrectly.
Missing security features: Genuine stamps have security features like watermarks. Fakes will lack these.
Too good to be true: Extremely discounted prices well below face value are a red flag for fraudulent stamps.
Always check seller reviews and stick to purchasing from authorized, US-based sellers with a long history on Amazon. This will give you the highest chance of getting legitimate stamps. If you do receive fake stamps, report it to Amazon immediately.
Can You Buy Single Stamps on Amazon?
Unfortunately, Amazon does not currently offer single postage stamps for sale – only full sheets or coils containing multiple stamps.
If you just need to mail one letter or card, you have a couple options:
Buy a book of 10 or 20 stamps from a local pharmacy or big box store like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart etc. These usually cost a few dollars.
Go to the nearest post office location and buy a single stamp at the counter.
Set up a Stamps.com account and use their print-your-own postage feature for one-off stamp needs.
While not as speedy as Prime delivery, picking up a few extra stamps from a local retailer is your best bet if you just need a single stamp today.
Can You Personalize Stamps on Amazon?
Amazon doesn‘t currently provide custom printing or personalization of postage stamps. The only exception is they sell some sheets of 10 blank/printable stamps intended for customization.
For fully custom designed stamps with your own text, logo, or photo imagery, your best option is to use Stamps.com or another dedicated custom stamp provider.
USPS also offers some limited personalization of certain stamp designs directly through their website. But in general, Amazon does not offer full customization and personalization of postage stamps.
Final Thoughts
While buying stamps on Amazon may be a bit pricier than getting them directly from the Post Office, the convenience and fast Prime delivery make it an easy option for many shoppers.
As long as you stick to verified, highly rated sellers and watch out for fake stamps, purchasing postage through Amazon is a legitimate way to quickly get sheets of forever stamps delivered to your door.
Amazon carries an ample selection of stamp designs and quantities. Just don‘t expect to find single stamps or the absolute rock bottom prices like you would directly from USPS. For casual buyers of postage, Amazon provides reliable speed and convenience.
