How do you get your mail?

[melodyall]

Hello again. Newbie Melody here again. We're getting ready to head out for a few months and we're wondering how folks are getting thier mail? We also do a lot of ordering on the internet & typically use UPS for package delivery.:cool:

[nohome46]

If you have someone watching you house then have them send your mail to General Delivery where you'll be at for a few days. Or to a campground you'll be at.

[utmtman]

We use the good old fashioned US mail since we dont want to change our address. It works great for us.

[snowbird2]

If you have someone watching you house then have them send your mail to General Delivery where you'll be at for a few days. Or to a campground you'll be at.
The best way to forward mail is to the General Delivery PO nearest to where you will be. Have whoever is looking after your house send it to where you will be at least a week before you get there as sometimes it takes a while. Many campgrounds don't accept delivery to people camping there or they may charge for mail /piece. They say it takes time to handle mail so sometimes charge. happy travels!

Snowbird2

[melodyall]

Thanks Everyone!! I hadn't expected such quick responses. I kinda like this site.

[clayl]

One thing to consider when you use general delivery. In an urban area there may be only one post office - usually the main one - that will accept GD.
You need to make sure that the one you intend to use will accept it.

In some places the Postmaster will place a limit on how long they will accept it.
Quartzsite AZ I understand has a 30 or 60 day limit now.

I have never had a RV park charge me for accepting mail but I have seen a few that would not accept it at all.

Many RV parks will accept UPS and at some of them UPS will deliver to the site you are in. I haven't seen too many of those though. Most deliver to the RV park office.

If you are going to be at one place long enough there is a premium USPO mail forwarding service that will send your mail weekly for a fee. It is usually used by snowbirds that are seasonal because I don't think you can change the address easily a second time. It also is expensive about $10 or $12 a week as I recall.
The info can be seen at this site (http://www.usps.com/receive/premiumforwarding/welcome.htm)

Although many of us full timers use a mail forwarding service, that is not suitable for you.
After you submit an address change to the USPO for a mail forwarding service, you can't just submit another change of address form to have it go back to your old address. That would cause all the mail going to the mail forwarding service to go your old address.
You have to send your new (old) address to everyone that sends you mail. The mail service assigns you a PMB (personal mail box number). The USPO does not know anything about your PMB number and just delivers all mail to the service.

[melodyall]

One thing to consider when you use general delivery. In an urban area there may be only one post office - usually the main one - that will accept GD.
You need to make sure that the one you intend to use will accept it.

In some places the Postmaster will place a limit on how long they will accept it.
Quartzsite AZ I understand has a 30 or 60 day limit now.

I have never had a RV park charge me for accepting mail but I have seen a few that would not accept it at all.

Many RV parks will accept UPS and at some of them UPS will deliver to the site you are in. I haven't seen too many of those though. Most deliver to the RV park office.

If you are going to be at one place long enough there is a premium USPO mail forwarding service that will send your mail weekly for a fee. It is usually used by snowbirds that are seasonal because I don't think you can change the address easily a second time. It also is expensive about $10 or $12 a week as I recall.
The info can be seen at this site (http://www.usps.com/receive/premiumforwarding/welcome.htm)

Although many of us full timers use a mail forwarding service, that is not suitable for you.
After you submit an address change to the USPO for a mail forwarding service, you can't just submit another change of address form to have it go back to your old address. That would cause all the mail going to the mail forwarding service to go your old address.
You have to send your new (old) address to everyone that sends you mail. The mail service assigns you a PMB (personal mail box number). The USPO does not know anything about your PMB number and just delivers all mail to the service.
Thank you.... that's most helpful

[dutchdi]

Melody, The responses about general delivery are good BUT your post mentioned you want to have internet packages shipped UPS not USPO. The post office does not accept general delivery. When we need UPS or FedEx packages sent this is what I do.
I figure out where we'll be about the time the package is due to arrive. I call UPS and get their customer counter address. I don't recommend using the local UPS Store as most don't accept packages. I use the UPS address as a ship to address when ordering and I list it this way.
My Name
c/o UPS Customer Counter
Their Address
Their City, State and Zip
You will need to have the company shipping the item mark "HOLD FOR CUSTOMER PICKUP". If that is not on the package, they may not pick up on the fact that I don't live there. It may be possible to put the Hold for PU after your name if there is enough room.
Another option is to call or e-mail the RV park when you'll be staying and ask if they will hold a UPS package for you in the office. Most won't accept mail but will accept a UPS package.
Hope this helps:) , Diana

[melodyall]

Melody, The responses about general delivery are good BUT your post mentioned you want to have internet packages shipped UPS not USPO. The post office does not accept general delivery. When we need UPS or FedEx packages sent this is what I do.
I figure out where we'll be about the time the package is due to arrive. I call UPS and get their customer counter address. I don't recommend using the local UPS Store as most don't accept packages. I use the UPS address as a ship to address when ordering and I list it this way.
My Name
c/o UPS Customer Counter
Their Address
Their City, State and Zip
You will need to have the company shipping the item mark "HOLD FOR CUSTOMER PICKUP". If that is not on the package, they may not pick up on the fact that I don't live there. It may be possible to put the Hold for PU after your name if there is enough room.
Another option is to call or e-mail the RV park when you'll be staying and ask if they will hold a UPS package for you in the office. Most won't accept mail but will accept a UPS package.
Hope this helps:) , Diana
Thank you dutchdi... That is most helpful.

[murffdog]

Thanks Everyone!! I hadn't expected such quick responses. I kinda like this site.

What do you mean, "kinda like" this site? :)
I don't want to change our address so my daughter checks ours at home and if anything looks pressing, she'll call. I'm sure you know where the "junk" mail goes.

[dxsmac]

Although many of us full timers use a mail forwarding service, that is not suitable for you.
After you submit an address change to the USPO for a mail forwarding service, you can't just submit another change of address form to have it go back to your old address. That would cause all the mail going to the mail forwarding service to go your old address.
You have to send your new (old) address to everyone that sends you mail. The mail service assigns you a PMB (personal mail box number). The USPO does not know anything about your PMB number and just delivers all mail to the service.

I don't understand this. Your post says you can't submit another change of address to have it go back to your old address, because it would cause all the mail going to mail forwarding to go to your old address. Well, isn't that the point? Or are you saying that it will get stuck in a "loop" (where it will "forward back and forth" and not really "land" anywhere.....)?

JJ

[utmtman]

I think clay is a little lost. I have a mail box back home and I put in a change thru there all the time and pay to have my mail sent to where ever I am for the time I am there. Once the time I have set up stops than the mail will go back to my mail box. I used to have them forward everything to general delivery but the problem with that is they wont forward mail that said do not forward which in some cases are major billings. Thus they are sent back to the sender and are missed. That can tend to be a real pain in the butt.

[dxsmac]

Ok, to summarize for the OP (let me know if I'm wrong):

If you are just going to "snow bird" it and stay in one place for X months:

- you could do a "temporary" forwarding from your old address no cost
- You could use Premium mail forwarding, but this will cost

If you are full-timing, then a mail forwarding service would be your best bet.

However, if you are going from place to place to place, but you are not a "full-timer" yet you are just going to be gone for X months..... Well, would you use a mail forwarding service then?

JJ

[murffdog]

How about simply enjoy life and don't tell anybody where you are.