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PO Box Addresses

ichibantoysichibantoys
edited July 2013 in Closed Suggestions Vote Up1Vote Down
Can we add an option for US PO Boxes? The reason is because I send a lot of heavier packages via FedEx because it is cheaper (and can often be a very significant difference). However, PO Boxes requires USPS services only. I would rather keep shipping charges lower for street addresses and charge a reasonable amount extra on large orders going to PO Box addresses. If this is a similar issue for sellers in other countries, feel free to chime in. Thanks.

Chris

Comments

  • 8 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • DadsAfolDadsAfol
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    Brilliant idea, Chris!
  • LawrenceLawrence
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    So I understand, you want a way to say to buyers " Please use a real address, not a PO Box"?
  • DadsAfolDadsAfol
    edited July 2013 Vote Up0Vote Down
    I was thinking that you could parse or flag the buyer's input address as a PO box. If seller has a FedEx or other non-USPS shipping method, those non-USPS methods would be grayed out or hidden when the buyer checks out.
  • walstibwalstib
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    FYI if it matters, my address needs the street address as well as a "PO box" number.

    Some things come to the door, specific shipping methods, some go the the post office where I have a box, and the ability to pick up all non house delivery and other service parcels.

    I've run into sites before that flag me as undeliverable when my street is still there, if thinking automatic.

    Most often the import fees to have a fedex shipment outweigh the savings in postage to here, so a choice as a buyer to NOT be sent by courier if you have the option would be good, at least this clearly labeled as the intended service.

  • ichibantoysichibantoys
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    I was thinking that you could parse or flag the buyer's input address as a PO box. If seller has a FedEx or other non-USPS shipping method, those non-USPS methods would be grayed out or hidden when the buyer checks out.
    Perfectly worded. Same with APO/FPO/DPO (US military boxes as only the postal service can take care of delivery in this case, too).

    With this system, I would probably use a shipping method strictly for PO/APO/FPO/DPO Boxes and gray out my standard shipping setting. For my store, shipping price would be identical up to a certain point (something like $100 or 4lbs) and then PO box addresses would be quoted higher rates.

    But I would only need this for US addresses. Shipping to international PO Boxes is no problem because I (and I think it is safe to say all US sellers) use US Postal Service for the vast majority of international shipments.

    It might need to be handled slightly different for sellers in other countries but I don't know the details about how things operate outside the US in regards to PO Boxes and couriers.

    Chris

  • walstibwalstib
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    True on the majority Chris, I've never had one come that way from the US, only one German seller surprised me so far.

    I see different lots on e-bay with the "duty already paid deals" and wonder who delivers those. USPS? Anyone you want? May not have much to do with each other but got me wondering.
  • ichibantoysichibantoys
    Vote Up0Vote Down
    I see different lots on e-bay with the "duty already paid deals" and wonder who delivers those. USPS? Anyone you want? May not have much to do with each other but got me wondering.
    I haven't come across those myself so I don't know what that's about unless you are referring to eBay's "Global Shipping Program" which allows the buyer to see upfront and prepay all customs and taxes. I removed it from my listings because it was supposedly taxing my Canadian customers too much.

    Chris

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