Question for sellers - Do you exclude PO Boxes?

[Anonymous]

If so, other than only offering UPS or Fedex, why?

I've never checked the box but should I be? I think I've had a handful of PO Box sales since 2001...clearly none that I can remember.

[nobody*s_perfect]

There is no reason for you to exclude PO Boxes if you ship via USPS. It's actually the safest address to ship to; you know that your buyer's package won't be left on their front steps to be rained-on or stolen.

[whattheactualfox]

Now this is a good question. As a seller I don't mind shipping to PO boxes as they are actually the safest places to ship to. It's in a postal office and I doubt anyone is going to rob one.

Besides, depending on where they live, some people may be forced with having one for any reason (housing, legal, safety, etc.) All you are just doing is shipping to the post office themselves.

Now I get that people may not want to ship to a post box and I understand that.

[postingid7659]

There really is no reason why FedEx and UPS can't deliver to PO boxes either.  Both have their own deal, Smartpost or Surepost, where they hand off packages to the local post office for final delivery.  If they can drop a box for the USPS to deliver, why can't they drop the box for the same USPS to give you as a PO Box delivery?  

[nobody*s_perfect]

Why not? Because if the package wasn't sent through one of the collaborative services (Smartpost etc.) then USPS isn't getting any of the $$ that the sender paid to UPS or FedEx for that package.

Most PO's participate in USPS's "Street addressing" program: The PO Box holder fills out a form and then can use the PO's street address as a shipping destination for their UPS and FedEx packages.

https://www.usps.com/pobox/customer-agreement-for-premium-po-box-service-enhancements.pdf

[lamber9347]

Quick answer- nope, never....

[whattheactualfox]

Adding on to the conversation in general, I feel like @nobody*s_perfect gives a good point. In that situation, I would do the street addressing program, I don't know if it is free, but if it is, or is reasonably priced, It would be worth it

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the answers. I see no reason to stop allowing PO Boxes and will continue to leave the box unchecked.

[blackboxbrigade]

Yes, thre is a reason not to ship to P.O. Box addresses:  Sometimes it is an extra hassle and/or expense.

I don't pre-weigh my packages and just estimate with a flat-rate delivery fee.

Recent example:  I charge $40 for said package to ship anywhere in the contiguous US.

FedEx or UPS will get it there for between $35 and $45.

USPS Priority Mail for the same package to a P.O. Box is $105!

I state in all of my listings "PO Box addresses for items over 7lbs or over 5" cubed, usually incur additional shipping expense."

I currently have a customer asking me to just ship it and leave off the P.O. Box portion.  Doing so would void my seller protection.  "I ship to your Confirmed Paypal address only."

[nobody*s_perfect]

The OP clearly said, "other than only offering UPS or Fedex, why?"

Many sellers and PO Box holders are not aware of the USPS "Street addressing" option that is available to most box holders.  Just fill out a form, and the box holder can receive mail delivered by UPS and FedEx: "if a Post Office is located at 500 Main Street and your PO Box is“PO Box 59”, with Street Addressing Service your mail may be addressed to you at “500 Main Street #59”."  If a buyer has their shipping address set up in "street addressing" format, they will not be blocked by the "no PO Boxes" bock , and most sellers wouldn't even notice that they're shipping to a Post Office address.

https://www.usps.com/pobox/customer-agreement-for-premium-po-box-service-enhancements.pdf

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.