What's the cheapest business address one can buy?

BlackLion · #1 11-26-2016

I need to create a business PayPal account as a sole proprietor (not for eBay). Are there any cheaper alternative to UPS for a cheap monthly fee?

Does the address, phone number need to be in the same area for business accounts?

For title does that mean I put "Mr"?

phaz0rz · #2 11-26-2016

PO Boxes are the only alternative I know of but I don't know if that's going to fly with Paypal. Why do you need an accessible address? I don't have accessible addresses on any of my 3 business Paypals, and I DO very actively sell on Ebay.

Paypal isn't going to automatically check your address and phone number to make sure they're from the same area, so that's not a huge concern. One of my accounts has a phone number several hundred miles from the address attached to the account. It's never been a problem. I guess if you were ever limited and Paypal did a manual review of your account, it would probably be helpful for your address to be in close proximity of your phone number.

Your third paragraph needs a bit more context for an accurate answer. "Mr." would be an applicable answer if Paypal is asking for your personal title. If they are asking for the name of your business though, "Mr." is not going to be a good answer.

wordman72 · #3 11-26-2016

I use a local mom and pop mail store for my PO Box. I pay $10 a month (prepaying for a year I get 2 months free) and that gets me one box. Then I am able to add as many boxes after that which will be delivered to the main box for only $2.00 each month. I can use ANY name and different variations of the address that I want for each separate box. So I think that is a pretty good deal.

BlackLion · #4 11-26-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

PO Boxes are the only alternative I know of but I don't know if that's going to fly with Paypal. Why do you need an accessible address? I don't have accessible addresses on any of my 3 business Paypals, and I DO very actively sell on Ebay.

Paypal isn't going to automatically check your address and phone number to make sure they're from the same area, so that's not a huge concern. One of my accounts has a phone number several hundred miles from the address attached to the account. It's never been a problem. I guess if you were ever limited and Paypal did a manual review of your account, it would probably be helpful for your address to be in close proximity of your phone number.

Your third paragraph needs a bit more context for an accurate answer. "Mr." would be an applicable answer if Paypal is asking for your personal title. If they are asking for the name of your business though, "Mr." is not going to be a good answer.

Yeah, I'm weary of P.O. Boxes. I'm thinking about going with a mail forwarding company from another state. I think having access to address would be best just to be on the safe side since this will be a business account. I'm hoping PP doesn't have a problem with that. I haven't used pp in 7+ years, so I'm relearning everything.

As a sole proprietor, I think my real name with first name variation should be fine for "title", mail forwarding as business address, new number, ip, email, and I'll be good to go. Will only log in on mobile device (not using app), new browser, along with regular checking account (cap one 360 should work if my name is real). Again, none of this will be used for eb. Now all I need is a VCC, and I'll be good to go.

rsot · #5 11-27-2016

Mail forwarding services are still usually not cheaper than the mom/pop po boxes

phaz0rz · #6 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordman72

I use a local mom and pop mail store for my PO Box. I pay $10 a month (prepaying for a year I get 2 months free) and that gets me one box. Then I am able to add as many boxes after that which will be delivered to the main box for only $2.00 each month. I can use ANY name and different variations of the address that I want for each separate box. So I think that is a pretty good deal.

I'm seriously surprised they let you do that after reading that nonsense about the Patriot Act a few weeks ago. I guess they are slipping by because they are small.

Good luck BL. I wouldn't be surprised if P/P has a database of forwarding addresses since they are so frequently used for fraud. I ship to forwarding addresses daily so I know Paypal will allow users to add a forwarding address as their "confirmed" Paypal address, but I'm not sure how they'd feel about that being the primary address for a business.

In regards to your name, do what you think is best but you could get away with using your actual first and last name as long as you won't be attaching your SSN. Paypal links by SSN when they issue 1099s so you would be fine as long as you're using an EIN.

BlackLion · #7 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

Mail forwarding services are still usually not cheaper than the mom/pop po boxes

We don't have mom & pop boxes here

yankee · #8 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLion

We don't have mom & pop boxes here

I bet you do just they are hard to find.

Oftentimes campgrounds, trailer parks and office buildings can offer a cheap address and box.

BlackLion · #9 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

I'm seriously surprised they let you do that after reading that nonsense about the Patriot Act a few weeks ago. I guess they are slipping by because they are small.

Good luck BL. I wouldn't be surprised if P/P has a database of forwarding addresses since they are so frequently used for fraud. I ship to forwarding addresses daily so I know Paypal will allow users to add a forwarding address as their "confirmed" Paypal address, but I'm not sure how they'd feel about that being the primary address for a business.

In regards to your name, do what you think is best but you could get away with using your actual first and last name as long as you won't be attaching your SSN. Paypal links by SSN when they issue 1099s so you would be fine as long as you're using an EIN.

Alright, I'll stick with UPS, and will obtain EIN

As time goes on when I feel I am becoming too big I'll get an LLC.

BlackLion · #10 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankee

I bet you do just they are hard to find.

Oftentimes campgrounds, trailer parks and office buildings can offer a cheap address and box.

Hmmm, I'll see if I can locate them, but don't know where to start.

phaz0rz · #11 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLion

Hmmm, I'll see if I can locate them, but don't know where to start.

I start at Google for locating anything. Local yellow pages might also help, but who knows.

I think changing to an LLC down the road would be a hassle. Sure it would shield you from being sued. But it would mean getting a new EIN, filing articles of incorporation, and trying to explain to Paypal why you want to change your EIN after however much time.

Personally I would just start with an LLC.

BlackLion · #12 11-27-2016

The LLC process is 10x more complicated than obtaining an EIN as s sole proprietor. It mentions involving attorneys,etc.

yankee · #13 11-27-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLion

The LLC process is 10x more complicated than obtaining an EIN as s sole proprietor. It mentions involving attorneys,etc.

It does not involve an attorney at all ever unless you are creating Trusts for asset protection or privacy.

It is super easy. Nothing complicated really.

phaz0rz · #14 11-27-2016

Yeah it's really not hard. To file articles of incorporation in my state, I fill out an online form which takes ten minutes then at the end I'll have to print out and scan a signature page. Pay $110 then the next business day I officially have an LLC.

BlackLion · #15 11-28-2016

Question, while applying it's asking for my physical address, so should i put my home address, or UPS address I intend to use for business?

phaz0rz · #16 11-28-2016

As a rule of thumb I NEVER give any BS info to the IRS. Just not worth the potential problems down the road IMO.

rsot · #17 11-28-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

As a rule of thumb I NEVER give any BS info to the IRS. Just not worth the potential problems down the road IMO.

D*mn straight.

BlackLion · #18 11-28-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

As a rule of thumb I NEVER give any BS info to the IRS. Just not worth the potential problems down the road IMO.

I didn't think the UPS address would be a problem

I figured by physical address they wanted the address i'd be using for business and not home location. If home is needed i'll use that instead, good thing i exited the application before proceeding.

Jackery · #19 11-28-2016

Check craigslist in your area

yankee · #20 11-28-2016

I use whatever address the business is registered in. So if I have a Nevada Corp, of course I use whatever my Nevada address is...

BlackLion · #21 11-29-2016

I used "UPS" as my physical address, but they didn't accept "#" so I replaced hashtag with "NUM".

I was hoping to open business checking today but I haven't received an email providing proof and it's been hours. Hopefully by the time I arrive home I'll see an update.

*impatient*

yankee · #22 11-29-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLion

I used "UPS" as my physical address, but they didn't accept "#" so I replaced hashtag with "NUM".

I was hoping to open business checking today but I haven't received an email providing proof and it's been hours. Hopefully by the time I arrive home I'll see an update.

*impatient*

In order to open a business checking account you will have to register your business with the state and pay a filing fee. At least in all states I am aware of.
Oftentimes it takes weeks or even months for the state to update the database but some states offer an express option for a fee of course.

Maybe this is not accurate for a proprietor. Let us know what happens.