UPS Store "real street address, not PO Box"

[MK7]

Just saw this at the UPS Store. They have a bunch of PO Boxes in the front and the sign says that you get a "real street address" and not a PO box. Looks like they're catering to people without a physical address which should solve problems such as Motor Vehicle registrations, etc.

 

[caseyc]

I've been using my UPS address as a physical address for many years. I also have a PO box as well. The one major potential obstacle with the UPS mailbox service is that they require you to show 2 forms of documents that show you in fact have an alternate physical street address. I seem to recall that I showed them my utility bill and Comcast bill (showing my actual home address) which satisfied their requirement. Heck, I even give my UPS mailbox address to my employers, and nobody has ever questioned it.

The only time that I have EVER had a problem with using my UPS address was trying to open a Fidelity Investment account. They would NOT accept the UPS mailbox address, and they have a system that is able to find out that the address is in fact a UPS mailbox service as opposed to a residential address. I don't know why Fidelity Investments is so strict when even major banks accept my UPS address without question.

The reason other reason I use UPS mailbox service is because they accept all my packages and deliveries, which is very helpful when I'm ordering stuff from Amazon, etc. They even send me email notification that I received a package along with tracking number info. Yes, the UPS mailbox service is a bit expensive but I consider it necessary. A small box costs something like $112 for 6 months, it may be a different price in your particular area. I also have a PO Box for all regular mail, other than for receiving packages.

 

[Ladywolfe]

Casey,
Are you parked/settled in one specific area or region? Is that how you can use your UPS address? Is it local to where you are?

Right now I have a physical address...come Feb 5th (or sooner) I will not as I will be traveling/living in my car.

If I get a UPS address here where I live, and get mail/packages delivered there---how do I get them sent to me if I'm in another state? I've read about mail places that will scan your envelopes for your, and then (for a fee) they will open/scan the contents of the envelopes to your email.

I need to get this taken care of while I can still prove that I have a physical address.
Any suggestions would be welcome. If there is a particular post on the forum that has this info, feel free to direct me to it. I did a search on 'mailboxes' and it threw me to this posting.

Thanks in advance and take care!

 

[caseyc]

Yes the ups mailbox services is located nearby me. I don't need any forwarding service.

I recall reading about other companies that will scan and forward your mail, but I have no idea if ups will do this.

You should make copies of your bills showing your home address before you move out in case you need this later.

 

[akrvbob]

You need a mail forwarder who receives your mail and then will forward it to whatever address you give to them. UPS will do that, but they are expensive. Family or friends is best, but not all of us have that. You are better off to find another commercial mail forwarder if possible.

If you will be traveling, your best option is to get a mail forwarder in a state with no income tax and become a resident of that state. The most common chocies are

South Dakota
Texas
Florida
Nevada.

Each of them have many forwarders who will do a great job for you. I am in Nevada and my forwarder costs $100 a year and does an outstanding job!!

If you are not traveling, you will have to settle for whoever you can find like UPS Stores.
Bob

 

[Ladywolfe]

Bob,
(more questions) - to become a resident of one of the states you listed, don't I need an address?:-/

To become a resident of the state I am currently in, and get a driver's license-- (and all states are different) I had to bring in something showing my address--a lease or a utility bill, plus other documents (birth certificate (yep), old license, etc).

Let's say Nevada - what do I need to get one of the mail forwarding services there - besides the per year fee? Do I need to have a Nevada driver's license?
Can I keep my current license, which I have my auto insurance and car registration under ---or do I need to change all of that?

Sorry if these questions sound goofy, but I don't want to screw anything up with my mail or driver's license, etc.

Thank you (and anyone else) for your help with this.

 

[akrvbob]

In Nevada you don't need to bring in any proof of location, just two forms of ID and your Social Security card--which you should have any way.

My mail forwarder is an older retired woman and she works out of her home, so her home address is my address. A computer search shows it as a residence and not a commercial plae.

Your address can be anywhere, so no problem getting a mail box in Nevada. But if you are a resident of another state, you must have an address in that state. How are you going to do that?
Bob

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

These questions get discussed a lot by full-timers in the mainstream rv forums.

SD makes it insanely easy to become a SD resident. Check out MyDakotaAddress.com for more info.

For info on becoming a TX resident (Ye-Hah!) Google the escapees club.

Regards
John

 

[Ladywolfe]

Thank you for the information on Nevada, Bob.
John - I appreciate the info and will search more thru the RV forums to see what other van dwellers have done about getting mail, etc.
Enjoy your Saturday!