Introduction
When you get banned from Ebay, Kohl’s, Bloomingdale’s, etc and it’s a hard address ban (you know, when creating a new account using a differnet name but same address doesn’t get orders processed), you’ll need to get a new address. One of the best ways to do that is to get a mailbox number (NOT A USPS PO BOX NUMBER).
Where to get one
The best place to get one would be a UPS store. Or just Google search ‘mailbox location’ in Google maps. You can also try storage facilities that have mailboxes as well.
Costs
It depends on where you are and the location itself. Most charge a monthly fee (here in Seattle, it could range from $13-$16 a month). Usually if you prepay for a year, you’ll get it for a cheaper monthly rate. You want the smallest box, and you should also ask them if they charge for packages. The one I currently have don’t, and they will text me when I get a box. I used one in the past that charged $1 per package that didn’t fit in my box. So shop around. I suggest you find one that doesn’t charge for packages! If possible, try to get one in a different zip code too and add your significant other or your dog to the mailbox.
Benefits
Like I said, this helps with:
- Reseller bans
- Ebay/Paypal bans
- Mail in rebates (hey it’s a new household)
- If you want to go ‘off-grid’
- You think of other benefits
On the 4th point, I can tell you that I had a mailbox number on my driver’s license for 5 years; I had my credit cards sent there as well. For all intents and purposes, I lived at that mailbox number (and it’s an address on my credit reports.) You probably won’t want to do this, but hey, it’s an option.
How about billing/shipping addresses?
I actually haven’t tested this out yet. What I mean is that if a retailer accepts all GC’s for an order, you’ll be fine using the mailbox as both your billing and shipping address. I’m not sure what happens if you pay with your home billing address / credit card, but you ship to the mailbox (if that circumvents the address ban), but I’m sure it’s retailer YMMV, so try it yourself.
I’ve also considered putting the mailbox address as my business address for my business credit cards. This way, I could have the same shipping/billing address to my mailbox. Once again, I have not tried.
Conclusion
Having a mailbox will help you get around reseller bans, just make sure you get one that doesn’t charge for packages.
I was thinking about getting a mailbox. I just got 3 packages stolen off my front door.
Sorry to hear. But you can just drop off boxes at staples or Office Depot. No need for a mailbox to fix that problem.
$13??? lolz.. closest one to me is quoting $28/mo, and $1 for small packages, $2 for large =X
What’s your reason for not using USPS? You can use your USPS PO BOX as a street address and not just in the standard “PO BOX 1234” format. Half the cost of UPS too.
The reason is because some retailers won’t ship to usps PO boxes. That’s my biggest concern and the fact that I’d have to wait in line to pick up big packages.