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secure package deliveries... po box?

AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin KoopantinoRegistered User regular
edited April 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
I recently moved, and unfortunately the mail isn't terribly secure at my apartment building. If something doesn't fit in your mail box, it gets left sitting out where anyone can nab it... and the mail area is not secure, so any passer-by could poke in the door and grab a package that would be sitting out.

This sucks pretty bad because I order stuff from internetland pretty often and this situation seems to have neutered my ability to do so. But then I had an idea... what about a po box? I've looked into it and one can be had for pretty cheap (smallest runs about 20 bucks for 6 mos).. but I can't find any information about package deliveries. I really don't want to have to pay for a box big enough to house whatever package I may have coming.

Does anyone use a po box to get their packages without worry of some assclown stealing them? Is it a good solution? Can you get packages that wouldn't physically fit inside your po box? Can you get packages from UPS or FedEx?

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AbsoluteZero on

Posts

  • Santa ClaustrophobiaSanta Claustrophobia Ho Ho Ho Disconnecting from Xbox LIVERegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    AbsoluteZero wrote: »
    I recently moved, and unfortunately the mail isn't terribly secure at my apartment building. If something doesn't fit in your mail box, it gets left sitting out where anyone can nab it... and the mail area is not secure, so any passer-by could poke in the door and grab a package that would be sitting out.

    This sucks pretty bad because I order stuff from internetland pretty often and this situation seems to have neutered my ability to do so. But then I had an idea... what about a po box? I've looked into it and one can be had for pretty cheap (smallest runs about 20 bucks for 6 mos).. but I can't find any information about package deliveries. I really don't want to have to pay for a box big enough to house whatever package I may have coming.

    Does anyone use a po box to get their packages without worry of some assclown stealing them? Is it a good solution? Can you get packages that wouldn't physically fit inside your po box? Can you get packages from UPS or FedEx?

    Demand signature confirmation? Special note to deliver to landlord/property management office?

    Santa Claustrophobia on
    You're muckin' with a G!

    Do not engage the Watermelons.
  • VisionOfClarityVisionOfClarity Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    UPS and FedEx won't deliver to PO boxes.

    VisionOfClarity on
  • BetelgeuseBetelgeuse Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    If you get a package that is too large to fit in your PO box, they will put a notice in your box and hold the package in the back for you. But like VisionOfClarity said, UPS and FedEx won't deliver to PO boxes.

    Betelgeuse on
    Mr. McMittens
  • AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin Koopantino Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Santa Claustrophobia wrote: »
    AbsoluteZero wrote: »
    I recently moved, and unfortunately the mail isn't terribly secure at my apartment building. If something doesn't fit in your mail box, it gets left sitting out where anyone can nab it... and the mail area is not secure, so any passer-by could poke in the door and grab a package that would be sitting out.

    This sucks pretty bad because I order stuff from internetland pretty often and this situation seems to have neutered my ability to do so. But then I had an idea... what about a po box? I've looked into it and one can be had for pretty cheap (smallest runs about 20 bucks for 6 mos).. but I can't find any information about package deliveries. I really don't want to have to pay for a box big enough to house whatever package I may have coming.

    Does anyone use a po box to get their packages without worry of some assclown stealing them? Is it a good solution? Can you get packages that wouldn't physically fit inside your po box? Can you get packages from UPS or FedEx?

    Demand signature confirmation? Special note to deliver to landlord/property management office?

    There is no management office of any sort in my building. It sucks.

    AbsoluteZero on
    cs6f034fsffl.jpg
  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    UPS and Fed Ex should leave a sticker saying "pick this up at our warehouse here or sign for it and we'll leave it tomorrow"

    As for USPS, you might have to go to your local Post Office and ask for them to just leave a note in your mailbox to pick it up at the PO.

    Those are your only options save telling the landlord to make the mailbox area more secure. But the apartment is worth it to deal with this inconvenience, right?......right?

    TexiKen on
  • AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin Koopantino Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Hmm... What about a UPS Mailbox? I hear they are pretty pricey but you can get deliveries from any carrier apparently? I can't find any pricing on the bastards.

    AbsoluteZero on
    cs6f034fsffl.jpg
  • locopostallocopostal Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    the thing to do is to get a PMB (personal mail box) at a small store like a UPS Store or PostalAnnex or whatever you have in your area. Their rates are usually about the same as the post office, they recieve packages from all carriers in addition to getting regular mail, and if you find the right one, some DO have mailbox access after business hours.
    Hmm... What about a UPS Mailbox? I hear they are pretty pricey but you can get deliveries from any carrier apparently? I can't find any pricing on the bastards.

    hah how about that. Ok, so as far as I know all UPS stores are independently owned/operated. Mailboxes are one of the things they're allowed to set their own rates on. It would be a good idea to check around!

    locopostal on
  • Santa ClaustrophobiaSanta Claustrophobia Ho Ho Ho Disconnecting from Xbox LIVERegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    AbsoluteZero wrote: »
    There is no management office of any sort in my building. It sucks.

    Then making sure the packages are delivered with signature confirmation may be your only course of action. Though it's probably not a common choice for most internet vendors... I'd call FedEx and UPS (and anybody else you might be likely to use) and see what they have to say about their policies. They may be able to arrange for your packages to be delivered at a specific time regardless of the day (like after 5p or something convenient).

    Santa Claustrophobia on
    You're muckin' with a G!

    Do not engage the Watermelons.
  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    The UPS mailbox at a local UPS Store would work. I don't know about price but you have to go to your local location to get price info it seems.

    TexiKen on
  • VisionOfClarityVisionOfClarity Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Santa Claustrophobia wrote: »
    AbsoluteZero wrote: »
    There is no management office of any sort in my building. It sucks.

    Then making sure the packages are delivered with signature confirmation may be your only course of action. Though it's probably not a common choice for most internet vendors... I'd call FedEx and UPS (and anybody else you might be likely to use) and see what they have to say about their policies. They may be able to arrange for your packages to be delivered at a specific time regardless of the day (like after 5p or something convenient).

    Typically they won't do this simply because packages get delivered as they land on the route.

    VisionOfClarity on
  • Santa ClaustrophobiaSanta Claustrophobia Ho Ho Ho Disconnecting from Xbox LIVERegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    VisionOfClarity wrote: »
    Santa Claustrophobia wrote: »
    AbsoluteZero wrote: »
    There is no management office of any sort in my building. It sucks.

    Then making sure the packages are delivered with signature confirmation may be your only course of action. Though it's probably not a common choice for most internet vendors... I'd call FedEx and UPS (and anybody else you might be likely to use) and see what they have to say about their policies. They may be able to arrange for your packages to be delivered at a specific time regardless of the day (like after 5p or something convenient).

    Typically they won't do this simply because packages get delivered as they land on the route.

    I did say 'may'. It sure wouldn't hurt to call and ask about the possibility. Though it would appear a UPS Store box would be the better bet all around.

    Santa Claustrophobia on
    You're muckin' with a G!

    Do not engage the Watermelons.
  • BushiBushi Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Yeah, UPS boxes also allow you to get around all of the various "doesn't ship to PO boxes" restrictions. I pay about $180 a year for mine, though a lot of times you can get a bonus three months tacked on for free.

    Bushi on
  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Call each courier and have them flag you as "Do not safe drop" or equivalent.

    They'll attempt delivery, and if it fails they will leave a pickup slip and a date to pick it up.

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
    Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
  • Blake TBlake T Do you have enemies then? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Why don't you get your packages dropped off at work then?

    Blake T on
    nzDA7PA.png

    Satans..... hints.....
  • MrDelishMrDelish Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    PeregrineFalcon wrote: »
    Call each courier and have them flag you as "Do not safe drop" or equivalent.

    They'll attempt delivery, and if it fails they will leave a pickup slip and a date to pick it up.

    unless the OP's Post Office is kind enough to do this, it won't happen with USPS

    Don't call the 1-800-ASK-USPS number about this, since we can't do anything about it. Just go to your Post Office in person if you want to ask about this

    MrDelish on
  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    MrDelish wrote: »
    PeregrineFalcon wrote: »
    Call each courier and have them flag you as "Do not safe drop" or equivalent.

    They'll attempt delivery, and if it fails they will leave a pickup slip and a date to pick it up.

    unless the OP's Post Office is kind enough to do this, it won't happen with USPS

    Don't call the 1-800-ASK-USPS number about this, since we can't do anything about it. Just go to your Post Office in person if you want to ask about this

    Alternatively, move to a country that gives a shit about its mail system.

    lolUSPS

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
    Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
  • AbsoluteZeroAbsoluteZero The new film by Quentin Koopantino Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    After reading all your comments and suggestions, I think I'm gonna go the UPS Mailbox route. I seen a couple horror stories on the web about them continuing to forward you junk mail and charge you out the ass for it after you close your mailbox with them, but considering the stores are independently owned and operated, I'm guessing it's a YMMV thing. I'll give it a go for a couple months.

    Thanks peoples!

    AbsoluteZero on
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