A question for the readership.
Do you have experience with not just P.O. Box services but also Virtual Mailing Address?
My P.O. Box store/service is discontinuing mail box service. I need quickly to find an alternative.
I called the UPS Store. They didn’t have prices on their site and I think I know why. The prices were gobsmackingly high (e.g. small = $300/year). I felt like I was being sucked dry by leeches just listening to what they told me.
USPS, gosh what an amazing job they do these days. They were pretty steep too (sm=$192/yr), and they can’t accept certain kinds of packages.
I found a service which is called iPostal1, which is intriguing (lowest plan=$100 or monthly $10). They can hold or forward mail. They can discard junk. They can receive all manner of packages.
In any event, I’ve learned over the year that the readership here is an amazing resource of practical information.
Discuss.
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I did a quick Google search and found a virtual one via LegalZoom. Unfortunately physical seems to be in short supply.
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[UGH! Huge links!]
Anytimemailbox.com is excellent.
Very reliable and not expensive with many locations worldwide.
They do opening and scanning of mail so you can read it online. They also do forwarding of mail and packages, even to foreign addresses.
Hi Father Z! I have used USPS PO Boxes for years and overall have had great experiences. What I’ve learned is that it is worth shopping several of the small towns or post offices around you on the USPS website to determine what services are available (and prices). I find they vary widely on hours and services. I always get the smallest box and find it wonderful to get a “Premium Services Available” one where “Street Addressing” is offered and if possible one with 24/7 lobby (lockers for packages are sometimes helpful but I like Street Addressing and open lobby better). Even in tiny towns you’d be surprised what you can find, well worth a drive to a not-as-close location if the services meet your needs while you’re busy or traveling. If you get one with street addressing you can have packages delivered to you from Amazon, Fedex, UPS and DHL just like you might’ve had at your other post box service.
I’ve been looking into this too, and here’s what I’ve found so far:
•USPS P.O. Box ? Cheapest if you just need letters, but limited since they can’t accept all carriers.
•UPS Store / Local Shops ? Real street address and they’ll take packages from anywhere, but prices are steep (and fees add up).
•Virtual Mailbox (iPostal1, Traveling Mailbox, etc.) ? Real addresses, online access, and they’ll forward or scan your mail. iPostal1 starts around $10/month, while Traveling Mailbox costs a bit more but is more transparent (scanning/shredding included).
TL;DR version:
•If you just need something simple and cheap ? USPS.
•If you want digital flexibility and packages from all carriers ? Virtual mailbox is the sweet spot.
•If you want everything included, no nickel-and-diming ? Traveling Mailbox.
I wish I had a good referral for you Fr Z.
There is a service that we Expats use in Miami Fla. But it is screaming expensive as well. So as an expat what do I do? I use my oldest sons address for all my mail. I have found that this is the best way for me. Of course you do not have children but I think that maybe there is a family you know who you trust who could allow you to use their address? I would certainly ask your close members if they could help you and I am sure they will come through. Let me know if you need help. Jim in Chile
Pakmail has mailbox services.
Texas Home Base in Wichita Falls, TX
Many folks who travel and live in RVs, for example, use mail forwarding services. There are many good ones. This one comes highly recommended by a YouTube RV star.
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I use an independent local pack and ship store that offers physical boxes and is a drop point for USPS/UPS/FedEx/DHL. They’re $120 a year, but no idea how many of these types of businesses still survive.
I have kept a phone number and mailbox for my business in London, after we closed an office there. The phone number has been the hard part, ironically, but the forwarding mailbox is terrific. It’s a great service, inexpensive, helps us comply with UK law, forwards mail to our NY office, and theoretically would even accept legal service on our behalf if we were to be sued in England, which thankfully has never happened and isn’t too likely. https://ghostmail.london/ I realize you’re not asking about this scenario, but I’m a fan of a good services like this. I know you travel enough to rack up some membership perks. Sometimes those club memberships come with perks of occasional office providers where you can book a conference room or day-use offices, and those companies often offer these services with a prestige mailing address. Good luck.