For those who use UPS Mailboxes...contract length Q:

[TermedPS]

I went around my area today and found a few UPS stores,
but they all charge about $30/month if you pick the shortest length plan.

So my question is, when you first sign up for a box, what length do you usually sign up for?

If the acct gets closed, obviously you now have a useless box.

So for those experienced, how long do you sign up for?

Thanks as usual.

[Lyda]

Try private mail services.. They are something between UPS and Post Office Box. I get full address with them but it is only $27 for six month. Those at $30 a month is too expensive.

[TGMT²]

Originally Posted by TermedPS

If the acct gets closed, obviously you now have a useless box.

Not necessarily true...

My UPS store let me switch to another box number, then with my new Ebay name I told the UPS store that was my room-mates name.

But I agree Lyda...way to expensive, unless you ship primarily with UPS and have a lot of returns.

[Lyda]

I am happy with my Goin' Postal Service.... When I signed up they asked me who's other name will be on there if any, so I said XYZ who is my "roommate"..lol. No problem! Plus, they do everything my regular UPS store did at $27 a month.. receive the package, ship it and all at bargain price. The guys at the Post Office are different story...Its like having the best of all worlds.. Not a PO Box, but a street address , plus all the service UPS does for waaaaay less.

[TermedPS]

Originally Posted by TheyGotMeToo

Not necessarily true...

My UPS store let me switch to another box number, then with my new Ebay name I told the UPS store that was my room-mates name.

But I agree Lyda...way to expensive, unless you ship primarily with UPS and have a lot of returns.

Hi,

Wouldn't registering with the same address (albeit diff box #) raise a flag?

My UPS store also allows that but I was worried about the same address.

[Lyda]

Yea, that's why I use Goin' Postal. There are two where I live, at least in my part of town. There may be even more close by, I will check. Than, every one will give you different address and even different zip code where I am. I have less than ten accounts, so this works great for me..
Plus, I don't ever worry about PayPal sending me letter with numbers etc. I am ready for it when it happens.....

[Stealthyman]

I just checked Goin' Postal web site. There are none by me. Im like Termedps woundering if I should use same UPS store different suite #?? Any other companies that do the same thing as goin postal? thanks

[TermedPS]

Originally Posted by Lyda

Yea, that's why I use Goin' Postal. There are two where I live, at least in my part of town. There may be even more close by, I will check. Than, every one will give you different address and even different zip code where I am. I have less than ten accounts, so this works great for me..

Good morning Lyda,

About how far are your Goin' Postal locations from you?

The reason I ask is because the closest one is about 18 miles from me.
Not that it's a problem in of itself, but when it comes time for shipping,
most Post Offices around me do NOT take mail that is from another city.

So say I live in ABC city, and my Goin' Postal box is in XYZ city, I would have to print out my labels with the "FROM" addy located in XYZ city. Then if I went to city ABC post office to ship them, they will refuse them and tell me to go to XYZ city to ship those. Turns out the USPS has a commission system for outbound packages so basically they don't want to take on work without getting credit for them.

Thanks again Lyda!

[upsidedown]

I just checked and goin' postal is in a different city for me as well- Can someone tell me a private mail service where I can get an actual address because you know how those PO boxes raise the red flags...

Thanks in advance!

[Lyda]

Originally Posted by TermedPS

Good morning Lyda,

About how far are your Goin' Postal locations from you?

The reason I ask is because the closest one is about 18 miles from me.
Not that it's a problem in of itself, but when it comes time for shipping,
most Post Offices around me do NOT take mail that is from another city.

So say I live in ABC city, and my Goin' Postal box is in XYZ city, I would have to print out my labels with the "FROM" addy located in XYZ city. Then if I went to city ABC post office to ship them, they will refuse them and tell me to go to XYZ city to ship those. Turns out the USPS has a commission system for outbound packages so basically they don't want to take on work without getting credit for them.

Thanks again Lyda!

I must be the lucky one. I have 2 Goin' Postals near me, 5 and 10 min away in different directions. It's probably best that if you get a box for address only for Ebay/PayPal, you still ship out your packages with any convenient to you 'From' address label and location..and than just say it's your drop-ship address if you get returns, plus they will get to you and you won't have to drive 18 miles.
For those who don't have Goin' Postal service, there may be something similar and unfortunately I can't help you much there as each needs to do their own research and due diligence for the area where you live. You are looking at about $300 a year savings renting a box there vs. UPS.

[TermedPS]

Originally Posted by Lyda

...you still ship out your packages with any convenient to you 'From' address label and location..and than just say it's your drop-ship address if you get returns, plus they will get to you and you won't have to drive 18 miles.

Would you use an address that has been suspended?

I would LOVE to put there my warehouse/office address (suspended), but was afraid somehow this will eventually get me in trouble. Buyers reporting to ebay, or ebay just finding out somehow....

Thanks again.

V

[TermedPS]

Originally Posted by Lyda

I must be the lucky one.

Yes, you are.

[Stealthyman]

Termed: DONT use an address that was suspended. I know for a fact , that is one of the first things they check, and lost probably 4 accounts because of it.

[TermedPS]

Originally Posted by Stealthyman

Termed: DONT use an address that was suspended. I know for a fact , that is one of the first things they check, and lost probably 4 accounts because of it.

I didn't convey my thoughts right or maybe you misunderstood.

There's no WAY I am giving eBay my suspended addy.
I was talking about the shipping label only.

Or is that in fact what you meant?

[lakeman]

Termed that is a little on the risky side. You would be fine if no one says anything but if you have a dispute and a buyer posts that address to paypal you will be suspended.

[TermedPS]

That's what I suspected, but wanted to make sure.

Still leaves me the dilemma of the "From" addy.

Will do some more brainstorming and reading the forums.

Thanks to all as usual.

[lasvegas68]

I was lucky and got 8 months for total of $68. My dilemma is that we only have 1 UPS store in my town. The next nearest is 30 + miles away. So, if my one and only stealth account goes down I will have to be searching for something new.

[nobody999]

Originally Posted by TermedPS

Good morning Lyda,

About how far are your Goin' Postal locations from you?

The reason I ask is because the closest one is about 18 miles from me.
Not that it's a problem in of itself, but when it comes time for shipping,
most Post Offices around me do NOT take mail that is from another city.

So say I live in ABC city, and my Goin' Postal box is in XYZ city, I would have to print out my labels with the "FROM" addy located in XYZ city. Then if I went to city ABC post office to ship them, they will refuse them and tell me to go to XYZ city to ship those. Turns out the USPS has a commission system for outbound packages so basically they don't want to take on work without getting credit for them.

Thanks again Lyda!

18 miles??? tooo far....
not worth the trip

[nobody999]

Originally Posted by TermedPS

I didn't convey my thoughts right or maybe you misunderstood.

There's no WAY I am giving eBay my suspended addy.
I was talking about the shipping label only.

Or is that in fact what you meant?

i doubt a buyer will report you....

[Lyda]

Yea, people doing this all the time -re address. If its seller's account and if you are good seller, you won't be getting many returns anyway.
Regarding Goin' Postal 18 miles away... I would do it if it was me.. What's that? 20 minute drive?..probably,depending on traffic...

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by nobody999

18 miles??? tooo far....
not worth the trip

I can drive a round trip of 80 miles to collect parcels when required. OK, mine are on a work route (company pays the gas ) but the addresses are safe as the Post Office cos they are a PO box .