Shipping to a PO Box?

[dingos1677]

I have seen a few videos saying not to ship to a PO Box. Is that true or is that false. Does anybody have any insight?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Please don't believe everything you see on the internet. There is no reason not to ship to a PO Box, if you are shipping via USPS. Many sellers prefer it, because you know that your package won't be left on somebody's front steps to be rained-on or stolen.

[soh.maryl]

A PO box is about the very safest delivery destination.  Think about it:  a locked box in a Federal facility.  Only people who have access are PO employees and box  owner.  Package too large for box? A card is inserted, owner takes card to window, sometimes has to provide ID, gets package, package is not wet.  

It seems like not shipping to a PO box is somewhat of an infectious disease on eBay.  New seller sees that another seller does not ship to a PO box, so he thinks that must be the way to go.  

[ebooksdiva]

Shipping to a PO Box is the best and safest place to have USPS shipments delivered. 
Whatever your seeing on the internet is usually false information. 

[pickermall]

Super safe. I have a PO Box...

My in-laws recently visited from out of state and my father-in-law forgot to bring his driver's license and credit cards (how he got on the plane was a miracle)

My sister-in-law overnighted everything to my PO Box, rather than Fed Ex to my physical address.  So much more secure.

I don't understand why people DON'T ship to a PO Box.

[soh.maryl]

As mentioned, it takes just one new kid seeing an experienced seller who doesn't ship to PO boxes, so he thinks that's the way to go.  

[postcardcountry]

There was a time, long, long ago when you could not tell the difference between an address with a Post Office Box (at the real PO) or a Box Number at a private place (independent shipping places with mail boxes).  So sellers started banning shipping to 'PO Boxes).

If you see an address as PMV Box XXX - that is now the designation for private mail boxes (not at the Post Office)  They must use the PMV.

So the day and age of selling to scammers using private mail boxes thinking they were real PO Boxes has come and gone. 

Remember this....some small towns do not have carrier delivery.  They have to go to the PO to get their mail.  For some people, after having their home destroyed by a storm, a PO Box is a necessity.  Some people have a constant problem with mail box theft. ...the reasons are endless.

There is no reason to not ship to a PO Box.  (unless it's UPS or FedEx handling the package)

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

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@dingos1677 wrote:

I have seen a few videos saying not to ship to a PO Box. Is that true or is that false. Does anybody have any insight?

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Because it's such an odd thing to recommend, can you tell us the reasons the people in these videos suggested not shipping to PO boxes @dingos1677?

You got solid advice above on why shipping to PO boxes is a really safe option.

The only reason to not ship to PO boxes is if you're using a shipping service (UPS/FedEx) that does not deliver to PO boxes.

[ms.rodriguez*]

FALSE. FALSE.   I got my po box BEFORE I registered for Ebay in 1998.  Security is a must for me. No buyer knows where I live. I have never gotten a wet package. I never got a threat from a buyer that they were coming over. I never had a package blown off my doorstep.   I will not buy from a seller that only uses UPS.   When I get an item that needs to be signed for, the clerk leaves a note in my po box and I go inside, make the line and sign for the package.    If the entire country had a po box,  there would be LESS losses.   Sure, the clerk can still make a mistake and put your item in the box below or above.   So far,  I have not had a box missing.  I have had my po box since 1998.    I have gotten other people's mail and I always return it to the counter and let them know that it's not my item.

[dirk12955]

My family lived for many years in a small town with no home mail delivery.    Everybody 

had a box and everybody went to the PO to pick up their mail.

2023 and it's still the same.     Nothing has changed.

No porch theft,   No wet packages,   No mail delivered to a neighbor, or the house on the 

next street with the same number.  

Nothing safer than a PO box.    

[92958steph]

Out here in Cow Country where I live, some areas don't have USPS home delivery.  Everyone has a PO Box.  That is their only way to get their mail.  

[danyait0]

PO box/forwarding center in Oregon and  

at first glance buyer must live in CA - sales tax evasion?

[nobody*s_perfect]

I don't know what you glanced at, but forwarding centers are mostly used by customers outside the US.  I would just ship the item.

[kh-stanley1]

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.