I originally started a threat here
and I think I opened pandora’s box. I had no idea of all the options.
So, now I need to decide what service to use…
from the three I looked into, mailboxes etc, usps, and ups, they are all about the same distance from me.
So now it comes down to price, service, accessibility and my needs. I often get packages, some big, some small, some require signatures and some require signatures that are over 21 yrs old (healthcare insurance company). I have a job in which I’m usually gone during the day so I often have odd hours.
I would say most importantly, The signature issue is going to be the defining factor for me but I need opinions before I set one up tomorrow.
So which service should I pick? Why that one over the others?
Well, I am never at home during UPS or Fed Ex’s delivery hours, and they won’t leave packages here, because it’s a multi-unit building (I suppose I could have packages delivered to the office, but the office is never open, even during scheduled office hours), so I always have to have everything shipped to an alternate address. I use my mother’s address, because she has an enclosed porch that they can leave packages in when no one is home. Any way you can do the same*? It’s a lot cheaper, too**.
*I’m sure my mother wouldn’t mind.
**except that if you get packages from Amazon.com, she threatens to open them and read the books.
More seriously, how familiar are you with the service of your local post office and your local UPS hub? I love my local post office, for example. The building here has tiny little mailboxes for each unit, so if you get a package and you’re not home, they leave a package slip for you to pick it up at the post office. If your local post office has convenient hours and the people there are friendly (like at mine), I’d recommend using them, because I hate UPS, and could never recommend them–partly because the local UPS hub here, despite having decent hours, is in a crappy location, partly because to pick up a package at my post office, I just have to bring in the package slip and ID (which I might not even need to show, depending on who is working that day), and it takes 5 minutes for them to get the package–whereas to pick up a package at the UPS hub, you have to call the number on the package slip, argue with 67 million people about whether they’ll let you pick it up that day or not, and then bring in the package slip and ID and then wait around a half hour or so while they try to find the package.
woo! months of lurking and finally a thread I can say something in.
As an employee of a The UPS Store, I can tell you that what you are asking for is a private mailbox. The UPS Store and MBE are the same thing, basically, though UPS Stores are usually newer and nicer. I would go to each one and talk to the managers/owners (they’re a franchise) and see who you like better. I know my boss is always working to help our customers and make them happy. You’re not as likely to get that service at the post office. (But hey, YMMV)
At my store a small box is $144 for a year, more than the PO, but you make it up in service. All the major carriers leave stuff with us, even if its 21+ signature. (and I’m only 19 ;)) Your store should offer you 24-hour access to your box and your packages.
So with UPS/MBE you’ll be covered on the signatures, can (read: should) pick up mail/parcels at any time, and the owner should work with you to address any other needs. Oh and make sure they have friendly employees like me!
Oh! I forgot to add–and please forgive the double post–if you do go with another option, you can always have your packages delived to The UPS Store, even if you don’t have a box there. You may be charged a small fee, however. But if you have high volume I’m sure you could negotiate a deal with them.
