Mail and Package Delivery

April 13, 2006

	Visited: 158
	Not rated
	Rate:

For most businesses, mail and package delivery services are important business tools. If you plan to make use of such services, you'll want to consider both how you should receive deliveries (P.O. box or street address) and how you should send them (via U.S. Postal Service or private companies).

Choosing a P.O. box or street address. This first issue is of particular concern if you run your business out of your home. If you list your business address as a Post Office box, you make it impossible for your customers or suppliers to send packages to you using private carriers (such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc.) because such carriers are not allowed to deliver to a U.S. Postal Service box. Thus, it might be a good idea to list a street address even if you have a P.O. box.

Another reason to consider using a street address, even if you also list a P.O. box, relates to public perceptions. Because some unscrupulous people have run fraudulent mail order operations from P.O. box addresses, some people view a business that only lists a P.O box address with suspicion. If you give them a street address, they may have some measure of comfort that you actually can be found if they have a future problem with a product or service that you provided.

Work Smart

Another option is finding a commercial establishment whose mail box services include receiving shipments from private carriers. If you use a private company's "post office box" services, you should be aware that you are required to add the letters "PMB" to your mailing address, to signify use of a private mail box. As of April 26, 2000, the Post Office will no longer deliver mail to private boxes unless the address includes this designation.

Choosing the U.S. Postal Service or private package carriers. This choice relates to availability, speed, and cost. Delivery by the U.S. Postal Service is available to all P.O. boxes and to most street addresses. Private carriers can't deliver to a P.O. box, and may not offer all levels of service and delivery guarantees in all areas. However, for fees that generally exceed those charged by the Postal Service, they may be able to guarantee a faster delivery. Additionally, some people feel that some private carriers offer more reliable service than the U.S. Postal Service.