Using your home address vs a PO Box

[twowhiteowls]

Just curious, do most sellers use their home address or a PO box when shipping items?

I've been using my home address since I started last year and I've been on the fence whether to get a PO Box or not. They are kinda expensive and I would only be using it for etsy really. But on the other hand I'm not sure I want customers to have my home address.

[Former_Member]

I have been wondering about he same thing. I had a PO Box but cancelled it. I wasn't making enough sales to justify the expense.

[Former_Member]

I use my home address and havent had an issue yet

[Former_Member]

That is good to know.

[Former_Member]

I have had a PO box for many years, which is great for security reasons, vacations, just being gone for days at a time and for business reasons.

I love knowing that not only are my mail and packages safe, but I am able to keep my personal address private....thst is worth the $6 per month to me.

[Former_Member]

I opened a PO box before I even officially started my business. It's part of my annual expenses. I've been cyber stalked, I've had close calls in the past, and I've learned my lessons. I don't want people having easy access to my home address so all business correspondence is through my PO box. Like Cocokate Barkley it's worth it for me.

[twowhiteowls]

Amy that's scary! I was also worried about vacations. When you put your shop on vacation mode everyone's going to know you're not home. Only $6 a month (I thought they were a lot more). Definitely worth it, I think it's time to get one.

[threestonebirds]

I've considered it before but discarded the idea. This thread made me reconsider it, though, and I just got back from buying some time at my local post office. I figure it can't hurt to try out for a while and the extra privacy will be nice.

Edited to add mine is more than $6 a month but the actual cost will vary on where you are and how long you're keep it for.

[Former_Member]

Mine's a little more than $6 a month, too; I pay about $40 for six months. But it's worth it to me. Big cities charge more for their PO Boxes because they're often in higher demand. And Jacky yeah, it helps with vacations as well as package deliveries. I live in Washington where it rains a LOT and if I have a package arrive on my doorstep when I'm not available it's likely to get wet and maybe ruined depending on the contents; if it arrives in my post office box it's safe from the elements and safe from theft.

[twowhiteowls]

That's a good point Amy, I didn't think about receiving packages. It's always raining here in Miami too :(