PO Box Rental

Hudson1984

Hi all, after some advice regarding renting a PO Box.

my query really is, is it worth it? I've started an online store but work away for the day job at times, i'd like to be able to order items and not worry about them being delivered or left somewhere, ideally I can have them send to somewhere secure.

Any suggestions on this? Royal mail basically charge my profit away so looking for any other options available

Wywth

Hudson1984 wrote: »

Hi all, after some advice regarding renting a PO Box.

my query really is, is it worth it? I've started an online store but work away for the day job at times, i'd like to be able to order items and not worry about them being delivered or left somewhere, ideally I can have them send to somewhere secure.

Any suggestions on this? Royal mail basically charge my profit away so looking for any other options available

Royal Mail (and most other couriers for that matter) will store the item at their local depot for you to collect (usually for about 7 days, RM a bit longer if no signature is required) if you are not at home when delivery is attempted.

Other couriers (like Collect+) will allow you to have an item delivered to a local store where you can pick it up when you get home.

Why pay to allow it to be delivered somewhere else where you will have to go and collect it anyway???

Hudson1984

yeah this is true, was more a case of having a returns address that isn't my own. That was the main thing but yep point taken

custardy

is a large parcel box an option?

Wywth

Hudson1984 wrote: »

yeah this is true, was more a case of having a returns address that isn't my own. That was the main thing but yep point taken

Same applies to returns as well as things you order

Or did you mean you are looking not to disclose your address so those customers who are dissatisfied with the goods you sent can't then contact you directly?

Hudson1984

it's not so much having them contact me directly it's more disclosing my actual home address just seems a bit risky to me.

I'm probably just being daft there though. I do have my email and phone number on my website so customers are free to contact me I just wouldn't want them turning up at my door lol.

plus having

returns to:
*Business Name
PO BOX 123
Suffolk

looks more proffessional than

Hudson1984
street
town
postcode.

But maybe i'm just overthinking

custardy

Hudson1984 wrote: »

it's not so much having them contact me directly it's more disclosing my actual home address just seems a bit risky to me.

I'm probably just being daft there though. I do have my email and phone number on my website so customers are free to contact me I just wouldn't want them turning up at my door lol.

plus having

returns to:
*Business Name
PO BOX 123
Suffolk

looks more proffessional than

Hudson1984
street
town
postcode.

But maybe i'm just overthinking

loads of people use home addresses
outwith returns,I bet the majority of buyers dont even check

Hudson1984

no you're probably right cheers for the kick into reality

Wywth

Hudson1984 wrote: »

it's not so much having them contact me directly it's more disclosing my actual home address just seems a bit risky to me.

I'm probably just being daft there though. I do have my email and phone number on my website so customers are free to contact me I just wouldn't want them turning up at my door lol.

plus having

returns to:
*Business Name
PO BOX 123
Suffolk

looks more proffessional than

Hudson1984
street
town
postcode.

But maybe i'm just overthinking

In your opinion

Perhaps you should ask your prospective customers because to me it looks decidedly dodgy. At best it looks like you are probably just a dropshipping agent.

And you should give your actual contact address anyway (even if not for returns) - a PO box is not acceptable.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft913.pdf
(top of page 6)