Is it worth it to have a PO Box for returns?

[bluewin_45]

I'm concerned about people knowing my home address.  Especially some buyer who turns out to be a crazy person. 

How many of you keep a PO Box for returns?

How big is it?

Ongoing costs are another concern, and this would be one, but maybe if I just picked the smallest size PO Box it wouldn't be too bad.

[wesk_36]

If the return package is bigger than the PO Box, the PO will leave a notice in your box to pick up at the counter, or put your package into a large temporary box and leave a key in your box, to access larger holding box.

I can't speak for all PO's, but that is what ours does.

[bbravo65 · Accepted solution]

...got a PO box from your local USPS Post Office, not from those postal stores (Postal Annex, UPS Postal Store, Mailbox ETC...)

...rent a smallest size as to save the cost of rental as it's always increase every year...and pay the whole year in advance, not 6 months because the increase occurs in September...

...if you have a large package delivers to your PO box, they will leave you the pink slip, form 3849, to pick it up at the front window...or if the package can fit into the parcel locker then you will get a key to open that parcel box to retrieve your package, but make sure you don't try to remove the key as it can't be without the master key from USPS, and such a the attempt can damage the parcel lock box...

...also if you open your box as a business's box, you will get early service either from 7AM or 8AM depends on what locations before the real business hours start...

...I have had my PO box from USPS since 2004...no issues either minor or major...

...the only matter is FedEx does not ship to PO box, but UPS does...and you can use the real address of the USPS location where your PO box belongs for certain shipping situations...

[bluewin_45]

Nice -- that is good advice.  I think that is what I'll do, then, just get the smallest size, pay annually, and it won't be too much of a cost.  Hopefully I won't get too many returns anyway.

[stylishbeauty]

I opened a PO box a few months ago for this same reason.  You have the option of using the PO box address or Post Office physical address.  I use the address on all my shipping labels and any eBay forced returns.  The peace of mind is 100% worth the cost of the box rental!

[bbravo65]

...keep in mind that if you ever cancel your PO box early, any remaining payment will be credited back to you, no penalty at all as some postal stores usually charge...

...and the cost to rent a box at USPS Post Office is always lower than those stores...

...check out more information directly at the USPS location where you want to open your box...although you can look up these information @usps.com, every particular Post Office slightly has some different rules...

...on behalf of the USPS, I thank you in advance for your concerning in giving us an opportunity in serving you as our beloved customer...

[nobody*s_perfect]

Why are you specifically concerned about returns?  Your address is on the shipping label for every package you send out.

[kensgiftshop]

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@bluewin_45 

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I was looking at getting a PO box around 20 years ago when I started selling online.

I don't know if they still do it, but when I was talking to the PO, they told me I could use the PO box address and still have those packages delivered to my house just like normal.

[bluewin_45]

@nobody's perfect:  I probably should have just said that I am concerned about my business address being my home address, rather than mentioning returns specifically.  When I get this PO Box, I will change my business address to that, so it will be the return address shown on my shipping labels.

[yuzuha]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Why are you specifically concerned about returns?  Your address is on the shipping label for every package you send out.

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Not to mention that all anyone needs to look up your address on the internet is your name and the city in which you live.

[luckythewinner]

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How many of you keep a PO Box for returns?

I have a PO box that I use for *everything* related to eBay, not just for returns. The only thing I can't use it for is to mail my withdrawal checks from PayPal.

Is it worth it to have a PO Box for returns?

Only you can answer that. You say you are "concerned" ... how much would that peace of mind be worth?

[bbravo65]

...just to some certain limited levels, not completely in details due to security purposes...

...there are several website will trace personal records but it demands upfront fees and for sure it's costly...

...a simple example for this is "credit check" when someone applies for rental properties...

[inhawaii]

If having a PO box suits your needs, that's fine.

I don't have one. I don't feel the need for one. 

I'm not concerned if customers know my home address. I've never ripped anybody off in 20+ years on ebay and never will. 

Are there crazy people out there who may want to kill me?  Perhaps.  But those crazy are everywhere, not just ebay customers. 

[bluewin_45]

Well, they would not have access to either. Just a business name and a PO box.

[sin-n-dex]

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@bluewin_45 wrote:

I'm concerned about people knowing my home address.  Especially some buyer who turns out to be a crazy person. 

How many of you keep a PO Box for returns?

How big is it?

Ongoing costs are another concern, and this would be one, but maybe if I just picked the smallest size PO Box it wouldn't be too bad.

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I rent a box for everything except utility bills (and I get my amazon stuff delivered to home if it will fit in my box, just so I can have it right away).

I use the PO Box on the return address label (for Canadian it's on the package, for a USA package it's Chit Chat's address being used, but my return label is inside).

I do this basically to keep people from trying to drop by to see stuff in person. I found at my last house there were lots of people who wanted to meet. My PO Box is near my work. I tell buyers it's not convenient for me to hang around the city to complete a transaction (with that kind of hassle, I'd almost consider free shipping if it was a big enough order). I also don't like to have any kind of schedule to be doing things, so it's best that buyers don't know where I live.

C.