Audubon, PA, UPS Store Debunks Four Myths About Private Mailbox Services

 An Audubon, PA, private mailbox is a valuable asset for local small businesses. However, people who have never used a private mailbox in the past may have some misconceptions about how private mailbox services work. To help small business owners understand the benefits of a private mailbox, The UPS Store in Audubon, PA, is debunking myths that people may believe about private mailbox services.

Myth #1: Private mailbox services are the same as renting a PO box.

Without prior experience with private mailboxes or PO boxes, people may assume that a private mailbox and a PO box are virtually the same service. However, these two options vary widely in both the range and extent of services offered. Some main differences between a private mailbox and a PO box include:

• A PO box is provided by the United States Post Office (USPS), while a private mailbox is provided by a private company, such as The UPS Store.
• A PO box only accepts mail that has been delivered through the USPS, while a private mailbox accepts mail and packages from all carriers.
• A private mailbox offers a physical street address, which a PO box does not provide.
• A PO box must be checked regularly by the box owner. In contrast, a private mailbox service from The UPS Store of Audubon, PA, offers text and email notifications for mail and packages, as well as the ability to call the store to find out if any mail or parcels have arrived.

Myth #2: If people use a PO box, they no longer have to worry about package theft.

If a PO box holder has a package that is larger than his or her PO box and that was not shipped with USPS, the post office will not hold the package. Therefore, the individual will have to have larger packages delivered to his or her home address.

Package theft is a real threat to people and small businesses. Security.org offers the following statistics in its 2020 package theft survey:

• 38% of survey respondents — almost 4 in 10 people — believe that they have had packages “stolen from their homes after the packages were delivered.”
• In the Northeastern states, 16.8% of all larceny theft is theft from buildings. The Northeastern states, which include Pennsylvania, have the highest ratio of theft from buildings as a percentage of larceny theft.
• The article from Security.org also highlighted a survey from Shorr Packaging Corp in which 41% of survey respondents indicated that they have “avoided purchasing certain items online so that they can limit their exposure to package theft.”

A private mailbox service accepts packages from all carriers, and customers can have confidence that their packages will be stored securely until they are ready to pick up the shipment.

Myth #3: Private mailbox services are more expensive than renting a PO box.

While a PO box has an upfront cost that is generally cheaper than private mailbox services, customers may not realize all the services they are missing out on if they choose a PO box. The additional services offered by a private mailbox end up providing the customer with a better long-term value.

Because the USPS will not accept packages that do not fit into the PO box, PO box holders have to make plans for receiving packages at their home address. People need to be aware that the post office will not hold packages that were not shipped by the USPS. Packages shipped by UPS, FedEx, or another carrier will have to be delivered to the individual’s home. Neither will the post office hold a package that has to be signed for. Shipments of supplies, products, or office equipment are essential for small businesses. One vital package damaged by rain or stolen by a porch pirate can easily justify the extra upfront cost of private mailbox services.

A pair of small business owners wrote of their experience with a PO box, “...we thought based on the price we could live with the other limitations of the PO Box.” Within three months, the business canceled its PO box and moved to a UPS private mailbox instead. One of the key reasons for the switch was the PO box’s limited package acceptance options.

When comparing the costs of a private mailbox versus a PO box, the real question is, “What is the cost of not using a private mailbox?” In many cases, the cost can be very expensive.

Myth #4: A PO box is just as respectable as a private mailbox.

PO boxes have a history of being used by scammers who want to hide their personal information in order to defraud people. As a result, a PO box lacks the transparency and sense of legitimacy and professionalism that private mailbox services offer and customers expect. Furthermore, a PO box can not be used to formally register as an agent, LLC, or corporation. A small business that is just getting started with its operations can enhance credibility by investing in a private mailbox.

For more information signing up for private mailbox services in Audubon, PA, contact The UPS Store in Audubon, PA, by phone at (610) 650-8114 or by email at store2447@theupsstore.com.