If you have outgrown your mailbox, this article is for you. The sheer number of post offices in the country has reduced drastically; thus, it makes no sense to have a PO Box anymore.
Besides, many remote places still don’t have a post office, and one has to travel a long distance to reach a location that does.
But thankfully, there are many UPS stores at every block in small and mid-sized cities. And there are many reasons why you should consider UPS mailboxes instead of post offices. In this article, we will explore all that.
Contents
What is a UPS Mailbox?
The UPS Store is one of the most popular shipping companies globally, and they offer mailbox services that individuals can rent for personal and business use.
A private mailbox is very similar to a PO Box. However, it allows one to get packages delivered from all carriers. Unlike PO boxes, UPS mailboxes come with an actual street address which makes this option way better than the regular POs. You can choose any UPS Store at your convenience and have the mailbox inside that selected store.
In a few ways, UPS mailboxes are similar to PO boxes. Having a larger PO Box makes sense if you receive a higher mail volume. The solution is ideal for a business looking for a professional address. Besides, there is the added convenience to pick up the mail from any local UPS Store.
Ups Mailbox Cost: All You Need to Know
A few things determine the cost of UPS mailboxes besides size.
A small UPS mailbox can cost between $10 to $30 a month. Medium-sized mailboxes cost somewhere between $20 to $40 a month, and finally, the large mailboxes are between $30 to $50 a month.
The location of the UPS Store also plays a significant role. Depending on the town, city, or municipality it is situated in, the cost of the mailboxes varies.
But you can always call the UPS Store you want to set your mailbox in and ask for an estimated quote and take advantage of the same. They will be able to provide you with better input about the prices and detail you about the specifics.
Deposits and fees also impact the cost of UPS mailboxes. However, most stores charge somewhere between $10 to $50 for a key to your mailbox provided upfront. But if you lose the key and request a replacement, you may have to pay something extra on top of the $50 charge.
UPS stores in some locations also charge an overflow fee of three dollars or more if your mailbox spills constantly or you build up a large amount of mail in your box before collecting them.
The same fee also applies to large packages left unclaimed for a long time. Besides, late payments are also common if you have missed paying your monthly charges. However, you can save some money by opting for a subscription payment model for three, six, or twelve months. These discounts are often substantial; however, it’s advisable to ask them about it before you make a move.
Checkout step-by-step guide on installing mailbox.
Benefits of using UPS Mailbox:
The popularity of UPS Mailbox has been for some reasons. Below, we have listed a few advantages that might tilt the tables in favor of UPS mailboxes.
Since a UPS mailbox does not require your home address and mailing address, it comes with an additional security layer. This facility comes in handy, especially while online shopping or for business mail. With a UPS mailbox, you need not share your address with your vendors, customers, or partners.
The UPS Store provides committed service and has 24*7 operating hours at multiple locations. Thus you can get your mail checked at any time. If you are running short of time, you can use their Call-In MailCheck service to see if you have new mail and save yourself the time to go to the store.
UPS also forwards a text or mail notification if you have a new mail. As mentioned earlier, the stores work 24* 7, and many of them are operative during holidays, weekends, and evenings.
Unlike PO boxes, you need not worry about address change with UPS if you move to a new place. Since you will be using the UPS assigned mailbox address, extra effort is needed.
Even if you use your physical mailing address, your package can be delivered from all carriers, including UPS. This will allow you to stop shuffling between two addresses finally. Additionally, some online stores use only private shipping services, making it very easy to operate with a private mailbox.
Package return is a thing of the past with UPS mailboxes. While you may not be there at home to sign for your package, thereby starting the process of rerun and redelivery, there will always be someone at your UPS mailbox to sign for your package. They will even hold the package till you return and pick it up.
Disadvantages of UPS mailboxes:
While there are tons of advantages of owning a UPS mailbox, there are some glaring disadvantages too.
A UPS mailbox is a physical entity. That means you will have to visit the UPS stores personally to pick up your mail. This might be an issue if you are out of town or don’t have the time to visit the store.
In many ways, a UPS mailbox is like a traditional mailbox. There are a limited number of activities you can do with these mailboxes. Unlike virtual mailboxes, you don’t have the option to request Open & Scan, Shred, Recycle, or Forward.
While you can use this UPS mailbox as your mailing address, using it as your business address is not an option. This is because multiple state agencies and organizations will view it as a mailbox store address and thus may not accept it.
Finally, the cost estimates of the UPS mailboxes are a tad bit higher than POs of similar size. It is important to bear in mind that, unlike the government-run PO boxes, UPS mailboxes are a for-profit service that impacts the quality it provides and the price it claims for the same.
Mailbox sizes:
Before determining the cost of the UPS mailbox for your personal use, you need to figure out its size.
The UPS Store offers three standard sizes-small, medium, and large.
Small mailboxes are ideal for people who generally do not receive a lot of mail. Medium boxes are perfect for businesses with decent mail inflow to their mailbox. Large boxes are for mid to small-sized businesses that get heavy mail traffic.
There are also some specific custom mailboxes available that you can pick and choose depending on the UPS outlet you are doing business with. If the standard sizes are not working for you, it’s advisable to contact someone at the local outlet to discuss a more suitable option for your needs.
How to opt for a UPS mailbox:
Firstly, you need to contact your closest UPS store and then contact them asking about the mailbox size and price. This is important as not all UPS Stores have the same price or sizes.
Once it’s confirmed, you need to go to the UPS Store along with two ID proofs; one of them must be a photo ID. Following this, you will be given an agreement to sign, and finally, you get your mailbox key.
Is there an alternative to the UPS mailbox?
Though UPS mailboxes have some edge over traditional PO boxes, they still lack the benefits offered by virtual mailboxes. A virtual mailbox will allow you to manage all your mail delivered online. You have some time-saving options like the open & scan option, forward mail, or even recycle and shred the mails you don’t require. All this you can do without going to the UPS mailbox.
Your virtual mailbox can also function as an online system where you can store a copy of all your scanned images of the items put in your mailbox, sort and organize them and download them whenever you want.
Indeed a UPS mailbox has multiple perks and is a far better option than a traditional mailbox. From convenient to quality service, you have a lot of facilities with a UPS mailbox. However, before choosing the service, it’s advisable to go through its details to ensure it fits your needs.
