Stealth account and physical addresses

[dharmok]

Hi, I am wondering if I can use a friend's address(not their name) for returns etc. for Ebay and Paypal, I know they have signed up for an account before, but their listed address is not their current one, and have not ordered any product from the site since moving. Thanks.

[JamesNorth101]

Its best to try to keep friends out of things like this.

Lots of other great options available, mail boxes for example

[dharmok]

I understand, though I am looking to get around the costs of the mailboxes and getting a DBA. This person lives in another city about 30 miles away. They had an ebay account at an address in my city, moved, then have not updated their ebay info to include their current address. Will this work?

[dharmok]

Originally Posted by dharmok

I understand, though I am looking to get around the costs of the mailboxes and getting a DBA. This person lives in another city about 30 miles away. They had an ebay account at an address in my city, moved, then have not updated their ebay info to include their current address. Will this work?

I should add that I had some items I purchased on eBay sent to his address, in his name, for his use, and stored as an alternate mailing address when purchasing items. My RETURN address for items sold was my own. Would it be possible to use MY name and HIS address together? As if he had moved and I live there now? To clarify, the man is my father, and yes he is ok with me doing this.

[plumsake2]

The reason why it's not a good idea to use your friend's address is if you have a problem with your account, eBay and Paypal could very well link both your and his accounts together and suspend them both, especially since you mentioned he didn't update his eBay account with his new address.

Like James mentioned, there are many options available and they aren't even that expensive. I completely understand wanting to keep costs low, but when people try to cut corners, the problems start.

PO Boxes are extremely cheap - it works out to $3-5 a month for a small one. It's really not a lot of money for one, and it's a lot better than getting your friend involved.

You can also print labels outside of Paypal - like using Stamps.com, and have one central return address on that label.

[GhostOfAmazon]

You're better off just getting a PO Box. Just because his address hasn't been updated as of today, doesn't mean he won't want to update it tomorrow.

[yaBeh8ater]

i use real asdresses on all my accounts that are in no way connected to me. i can claim to be selling from anywhere in the us and have a real address associated with whatever zip code i choose. its really really easy.

[jrandleww]

Originally Posted by yaBeh8ater

i use real asdresses on all my accounts that are in no way connected to me. i can claim to be selling from anywhere in the us and have a real address associated with whatever zip code i choose. its really really easy.

Do you have access to these addresses for receiving returns?

[dharmok]

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

You're better off just getting a PO Box. Just because his address hasn't been updated as of today, doesn't mean he won't want to update it tomorrow.

I hear what you're saying, I went with a mailbox. I know for a fact he loathes ebay and wants nothing to do with them, so I'm not worried about the latter.

[dharmok]

Originally Posted by plumsake2

The reason why it's not a good idea to use your friend's address is if you have a problem with your account, eBay and Paypal could very well link both your and his accounts together and suspend them both, especially since you mentioned he didn't update his eBay account with his new address.

Like James mentioned, there are many options available and they aren't even that expensive. I completely understand wanting to keep costs low, but when people try to cut corners, the problems start.

PO Boxes are extremely cheap - it works out to $3-5 a month for a small one. It's really not a lot of money for one, and it's a lot better than getting your friend involved.

You can also print labels outside of Paypal - like using Stamps.com, and have one central return address on that label.

I was not allowed to omit the "P.O. Box" portion of my address at the post office, and as the guide says it would raise a big red flag, I went elsewhere.

[GhostOfAmazon]

Originally Posted by dharmok

I was not allowed to omit the "P.O. Box" portion of my address at the post office, and as the guide says it would raise a big red flag, I went elsewhere.

You could check with other Post Offices in town, or use UPS---they always allow the street address to be used.

[yaBeh8ater]

Originally Posted by jrandleww

Do you have access to these addresses for receiving returns?

no but if a buyer decides to do a return i just update my return address.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by yaBeh8ater

no but if a buyer decides to do a return i just update my return address.

I give a separate professional return address as well - allows me to control where things go