PO Box

[pf9000]

Buyer has a PO Box Address. I thought this was not allowed. I just sent an item to a PO Box and the Post Office Received it and indicated that it is ready for pickup. Is that good enough for ebay to accept it as delivery complete?

[a_c_green]

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@pf9000 wrote:

Buyer has a PO Box Address. I thought this was not allowed.

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Absolutely it is allowed. In fact it's better than a porch drop in terms of keeping it out of rain and away from porch pirates.

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@pf9000 wrote:

I just sent an item to a PO Box and the Post Office Received it and indicated that it is ready for pickup. Is that good enough for ebay to accept it as delivery complete?

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Yes.

[nanniestreasurechest]

I have a returning customer who has a PO Box who I've shipped to about 4 times in the past couple of months and so far no problems at all.  

[lepke1979]

I believe it won't be considered delivered until they pick it up, but you should be good.

PO Boxes are only a problem (or not allowed) if not going USPS (usually).

If they have a PO Box and you are sending UPS or FedEx. You will need them to give you the street address for the PO Box.

For instance, if my PO Box address is:

PO Box 123

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

They'll give you:

456 Fake Street #123 (or unit)

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

UPS and FedEx will deliver to that. USPS post boxes should have this as an option. Although the page I linked below says it might not be available everywhere. I assume Mailboxes Etc. or UPS Stores and the like already go by the street address so shouldn't have to worry about that aspect.

https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm

https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm#streetaddress

[hurryagain]

I have a PO box and I don't go every day to pick up my mail.  I prefer PO Box customers b/c I know that porch pirates and the like can't steal the package... and then to have to deal with an unhappy customer who got their package stolen from their residence...

PO boxes are great!  I have only had 1 item that mysteriously disappeared out of the tens of thousands of items that I have gotten in the over 20 years.  😀

[soh.maryl]

Are you unaware of what a PO box actually is? It's a locked box in a Federal building, accessible only by the owner on the lobby side and by a Federal employee on the inside.

Some folks who actually do have a street address will have a PO box for security reasons.

And there are some folks, especially in smaller towns, where the only choice is a PO box.

Why would you believe it's "not allowed"? 

[hurryagain]

USPS has what is called street addressing which does allow both FEDEX and UPS to drop off my packages at my PO Box.

So instead of:

PO Box 123

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

It would be:

456 (the street name that your PO is on) unit #123

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

It is an awesome thing and I have never had any problems getting my UPS or FEDEX mail delivered there either.  😊

[axiombody]

It snows in my mountainous area town, so PO boxes are the only option so the mail will be delivered every day.

[dirk12955]

I grew up in a small town that to this day has no home delivery by the USPS.    If you want 

your mail,   go to the PO and pick it up from your box.

Safe,  secure,  waterproof,  No fuss and no muss.  

[lepke1979]

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@hurryagain wrote:

USPS has what is called street addressing which does allow both FEDEX and UPS to drop off my packages at my PO Box.

So instead of:

PO Box 123

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

It would be:

456 (the street name that your PO is on) unit #123

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

It is an awesome thing and I have never had any problems getting my UPS or FEDEX mail delivered there either.  😊

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Yeah, got one nearly two decades ago because where I lived, another street looks/sounds just like ours (123 Faded vs 123 Fated as an example). Was no problem. Would just swap mail or packages with each other once in a while. Well, I guess the daughter went to college so the mom would deliver the mail instead and put it on top of the box instead of in. After a few times of our mail blowing down the street we figured out what was happening and go the PO Box. Worked great when I had it. Recommend one to everyone.

Where I'm at now, porch pirates are not a concern. But got one for the business. Don't use it much outside of labels. But is nice to have.

[a_c_green]

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@lepke1979 wrote:

I believe it won't be considered delivered until they pick it up, but you should be good.

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It is indeed considered Delivered as soon as the status shows delivery to the PO Box, available for pickup. There are no further scans beyond that point since the buyer can simply open his PO Box and take the package at any time.

Where there might be a bit of a gray area is if the item won't fit and an oversize-box key can't be left instead, so a notice is left for the buyer to collect the package from the Front Counter during normal business hours, but I think that Notice Left is also considered a Delivered status in eBay's eyes.

[dnasilver]

We have had a PO Box for over 40 years. Never a stolen item. Most secure since every US Post Office has cameras that capture visitors and Postal employees' actions. The US Mint uses them exclusively since they ship items worth tens of thousands.

[dnasilver]

" There are no further scans beyond that point since the buyer can simply open his PO Box and take the package at any time." Partially correct

Items requiring signature confirmation cannot just be pick up out of the box. They must go to front desk and registered items require ID proof even if they know you.

[johnrj1226]

That is an old wives tale.  Some people live places that a secure deliver can't be maid  like an highrise apartment or where porch pirates are every where.  a PO Box is much safer..  But some sellers will not ship to PO Boxes for some "unique" reason or reasoning.

[johnrj1226]

How do I have my FedEx package delivered to Walgreens?

Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Enter your tracking number here and select “Manage Delivery”.
2. Select “Hold at Location” and choose a nearby Walgreens.
3. When your package arrives, FedEx will notify you, and you can pick it up at a Walgreens near you.