Just got a P.O box, Have a few questions.

So today I finally stopped being a lazy ass and got a P.O. box. The lady at the post office seemed caught off guard that you could go in and get one in person. (I prefer to do things in person instead of online) So I got my keys and found my box which is a size 2.

I was pretty disapointed to see the size as it will not hold a priority envelope. She also asked me if I planned on recieving packages there. On to the questions.

  1. Why did she ask if I was going to recieve packages? can I not now since I said no?
  2. What will happen if I order something thst won't fit? Will they keep it up front? I think I would be nervous asking for it.
  3. If you don't mind sharing, what is the proper way to format a P.O. box address.
  4. Should I get mail forwarding? Did you?

I am also going to send a test pack or two to make sure its activated. If I think of anything else, I will add it. I just want to be safe and have never had a P.O. box or knew anyone with one.

Thank you in advance!


Comments


[7 Points] dnmisfortune:

  1. Because your box probably wouldn't fit a decent sized package. She probably asked so she could suggest a larger box.
  2. If it doesn't fit they'll just leave a slip in your box & hold it for you to pick up. Just play it cool, they handle a lot of packages every day and they have no idea what's in there. It's business as usual.
  3. Depends on your country, usually:
    NAME
    PO BOX #, RPO
    CITY, STATE/PROV, POSTAL CODE
    COUNTRY
  4. Don't bother.


[3 Points] LargeCockHiker:

you don't need to think that hard on this.

and why would you be nervous? it's not like they're handing you a box full of drugs ;)


[3 Points] Intothekhole:

One of mine doesn't look like it would hold a priority envelope but they normally just fold it up or shove it in


[1 Points] cashadava:

Considering I just got a PO box my self (for legitimate reasons. What.... you don't believe me?) When a package doesn't fit inside the box they will leave a key in it for you to get your package out of a larger box. (I'm not sure if they'll do this where your at).

As far as the format, if you're ordering domestic the the aforementioned format is correct. However, if you're ordering that's anything outside the US, then you need to use the post offices address, like so:

Name

Post office street address #(box)

City, state, zip

Country

This also applies for UPS and other shipping services that don't ship to PO boxes. They do ship to them, but will not if your address is formatted the other way.

Really you shouldn't be nervous about setting one up. They're legal to have, although I can understand being nervous about it. When I set mine up I made sure to ask the person at the desk about all of these things. I literally made him explain it like 4 times just to make sure I fully understood. Do be sure to order some legal packs there too, it might give you some relief as well as a better understanding of how it will work.

If you signed up for alerts with the myusps, or paper you fill out, they have told me that sometimes a package will be "delivered", but it may still take a day before it's actually in your box. This is somewhat due to the sorting facility, and may not be an issue for you.

Edit for formatting, it's fucking horrible to do formatting on my phone sometimes.


[1 Points] diclazpg:

I have the #2 as well. It'll actually hold larger stuff than you think they can fold it a little. If it won't fit, they'll give you a key that'll open another, larger box where they will have put the package. I bet most have those, mine is pretty small town.


[1 Points] noonehear:

You cant get a PO box online as you have to show a photo ID and some other form of lesser ID such as a credit card or utility bill, lease agreement, etc....

When I got my first PO box it was 1.5 hours away from where my DL address is. With an attitude she asked me where "XXXX" was and I responded its "1.5 hours south of here out in the middle of nowhere." This was followed up with "Why are you getting a PO BOX so far away? I don't think we can do this..." I responded "I'm up here for work for a few months on a project and need my mail delivered up here." She then went and got her supervisor. Her supervisor apologized for her actions and told her to give me the PO Box keys.

Also online they clearly list the dimensions of a PO Box. Different areas charge different rates. Next time do some research on this as I pay $200 for 6 months on the largest box they offer... while just a few miles away the same box is $340 for 6 months.

The USPS website will let you type in your PO BOX #, city, and state and give you the proper way to format it.


[1 Points] SecondChanceUsername:

Most vendors, will specify their preferred format. Just spell correctly and and listen to your vendor. Don't blow up you drop with Hot packs(use dilution). You can get whatever sent to you , the size of the item depends on what fits in your size box. For example some letter are priority and fix in letter boxes but are still posted priority. And don't be sketched out by the employees. Trust me, they're not always on their toes for suspicious mail-retrievers! Its just you're home-grown DN paranoia...welcome to the club tho! You've stepped up and gone to the next level of DNM member.


[1 Points] ventrue05:

i have the smallest and all they do is place a key inside it to a large box and i pick up there. you pay for that space/address. but you cant leave you shit there for days on end. just pick up on the day off or just start a pattern of just checking the mail. check it even if you know its to early. just walk in n out quickly when picking up.


[1 Points] momsbasement420:

OP what type of post office did you go to? Little one in a strip mall or something or a USPS building? I'd get one at a large one because they have parcel boxes instead of waiting at the front desk to pick up. They just put a key in mine and direct me to another box where my package is. I don't ever have to deal with anyone


[1 Points] poorer_but_wiser:

LE alert! LE alert! Don't "suggest" anything to this person.


[-1 Points] None:

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