Using P.O.Box for Address

[ScottieBoi]

Is there a reason why people don't seem to use P.O. Boxes? You can get them as a regular street address, so this seems like the simple way to do it

[plumsake2]

I use them. They're a cheap and effective way to get a new address.

There are lots of posts about people using PO boxes. Not sure why you think people don't use them.

[skyline]

Originally Posted by Speeder33

There are lots of posts about people using PO boxes. Not sure why you think people don't use them.

I think it's a good question to ask(I was also thinking the same thing) since reading the guide Aspkin makes it seem as if it's something you should avoid doing, but reading the forums says otherwise.

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by ScottieBoi

Is there a reason why people don't seem to use P.O. Boxes? You can get them as a regular street address, so this seems like the simple way to do it

I got a second Box in Jan they gave me my box as PO box then secondly like a street address (I should have asked more questions). I don't know if this is new because I know it use to be frowned upon.

On accounts you definitely want a street address eBay/PP does not like P.O. Box as the registration address. That is for sure.

Possibly someone else for US members can give us a little more info.

[fbueller]

I think the key is that you don't want an address with 'PO BOX' in the name. That means no US Postal Service post office boxes. But an independent post office box with a normal street address followed by #101 or whatever is fine. That looks like a regular apartment address.

The only downside is if some other stealth user used that address in the past and got popped. Then your address is the same as the other user, which is very bad. But those are longshot odds, I would think.

[plumsake2]

Originally Posted by vogeltron

I got a second Box in Jan they gave me my box as PO box then secondly like a street address (I should have asked more questions). I don't know if this is new because I know it use to be frowned upon.

On accounts you definitely want a street address eBay/PP does not like P.O. Box as the registration address. That is for sure.

Possibly someone else for US members can give us a little more info.

Yeah it's called Street Addressing - it's a program the USPS started a few years ago to be competitive (more info on their website: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mtcsa).

You have to specifically sign up for this or they'll likely reject any mail not following the PO Box format. There's a PDF you can print and fill out here: https://ribbs.usps.gov/mtcsa/documen...rAgreement.pdf

I don't think all post offices participate in this program, but a large amount of them do. It's a great way to either turn one PO Box into two addresses, or to make it not seem less like a PO Box and more like a suite.

[Twocoolt]

To get a real Street address I rent boxes at The UPS Store. I would stay away from US Postal service boxes as UPS and FedEx do not deliver there but all of them do at UPS Store boxes.

[plumsake2]

That used to be true, but actually all private carriers can and will deliver to PO Boxes as long as you have and use the Street Addressing feature. I use it all the time with one of my stealths that I used to buy things with. I have my PO Box with the Street Addressing format listed as the shipping address and often receive packages from Fedex, UPS, and even a local private carrier as well.

One downside (and this is likely just a thing with my post office) is that there's a delay of a day or two between the time tracking says delivered vs the time when I actually get notified by my post office that I have a package from a private carrier, but I'm guessing that just is something dealing with extra time needed to sort the packages. For what I pay per month ($6) compared to what the UPS store quoted me ($300+ per year), I'm not complaining.

[Twocoolt]

Most post offices, like ones in my city, do not offer street addressing. That is why I use the ups store box. The pricing you mentioned is double what I pay a year at locations in my area.

[plumsake2]

Ah that's a shame. I didn't expect mine to either since I don't really live near a major city, but surprisingly all of my nearest ones do.

For anyone wondering, here is a ridiculously long (and horribly formatted) text document from the USPS that lists the post offices participating in that program. Use ctl+f or whatever the search feature is on your computer to look for your post office's address: https://ribbs.usps.gov/mtcsa/documen...ides/mtcsa.txt

[pokerpro]

I've used PO boxes for all of my 17 years on eBay....never had an issue.

[ScottieBoi]

I got one from my local PO. They are having me use the address of the PO along with the PO Box number after the street. Example- 215 Donelson pik #100293

Will it not link if all of my addresses start with the same street name and number? I wouldn't think so, considering apartments and trailer parks often use a lot # or apartment #

[skyline]

Do you have to get one that has the same number and name?

[ScottieBoi]

If you're referring to the street number and name, yes. This is the post office's address

[skyline]

Probably not if they are not exactly the same

[rsot]

You can also modify the street address with creativity

[sax4]

Originally Posted by rsot

You can also modify the street address with creativity

Yes, "30 Stealth Avenue" becomes "30a Stealth Avenue" just get a pen and add the A on the door

[ScottieBoi]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were saying to take a marker and writs an A on the door! Since I do know better, I'm thinking that you are recommending to add an A to your home address and use that. THis doesn't seem like a great idea, either

[sax4]

Originally Posted by ScottieBoi

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were saying to take a marker and writs an A on the door! Since I do know better, I'm thinking that you are recommending to add an A to your home address and use that. THis doesn't seem like a great idea, either

You can put a sign on your dog's kennel saying "River Cottage" and give that to EBay.A good relationship with the postman is crucial

[ScottieBoi]

Right, but I wouldn't think it would be good to have multiple accounts with the only difference in the address being an 'A' or 'B' or 'C'