Is Your Mail Safe At Your Home Office?
 By Amanda C. Garrett

Just because you work from a home doesn’t mean your business mail has to arrive at your doorstep.

In fact a private mailbox, with either the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial mail center, could be a business benefit worth exploring.

For example: If you operate a home business, having a mailbox at the post office or at a commercial mail company allows you to keep your home address private. The mailbox becomes the address you use on all business collateral and correspondence.

And there are other benefits.

Theft Prevention
Chances are, the mailbox at your house is not secure. Sneaky thieves can lift your mail and be gone with the goods before you know it. They can get their hands on checks from your clients, bank and credit card statements, documents from your accountant and more.

Likewise, packages left on your doorstep can be ripped off by the bad guys before you know it.

They’ll have no such luck at a private mailbox where your mail and packages will be held securely until you arrive to pick them up.

Convenience
Who wants to wait around for the UPS guy to make a delivery? You don’t have to if you have a private mailbox.

Private mail companies such as The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. will accept packages for you during regular business hours. And they’ll accept packages from all delivery companies, including the U.S. Postal Service.

The post office, on the other hand, will only accept packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service. It won’t accept deliveries from private carriers such as UPS, DHL and others.

Peace Of Mind
For frequent business travelers, having a private mailbox can be a lifesaver.

Your mail and packages can be safely held while you’re out of town on a business trip. Or, you can have your mail forwarded to you on the road.

Consider the alternatives: Your mail piles up unattended while you’re away, making easy pickings for thieves. Or you depend on a neighbor (who might not be so dependable) to pick up your mail.

Changing Addresses
Businesses move. Even home business move. And when it happens, it starts a domino effect.

Every piece of marketing material bearing the old address must be scrapped and replaced with materials touting the new address. Business cards, envelopes, letterhead, brochures and the list goes on. It isn’t an inexpensive change.

But, if you have a private mailbox, you simply pack your stuff and go. Your mailing address remains the same. Less hassle. Less cost.

Choosing Your Box
You have the option of renting a box at the post office or renting one at a private mail center.

A post office box won’t give you an actual street address. Instead you’ll get a P.O Box number. A box at a private mail company gives you an actual street address, followed by a number. For example, 1234 Main Street, #111. For small-business owners who think a street address adds credibility to their company, a private mail company is the way to go.

And remember that the post office won’t accept delivery of packages from private mail carriers. So if you expect to haul in deliveries from DHL, FedEx and others, opt for a box with a commercial mail center.

Here’s another consideration: If you frequently ship items by private carrier, having a mailbox at a private mail center comes in handy. You can pick up packages and ship them all in the same trip. Plus, most private mail centers have shipping boxes and packing supplies on site that you can purchase. The post office only ships packages through the U.S. Postal Service.

You’ll find a wide variety of mailbox sizes and costs. In general, a post office box will be the least expensive option. But, don’t choose a box based on cost alone.

Look for locations that are convenient for you. After all, you’ll have to drive (or walk) there daily to retrieve your mail. Also consider the sizes of the boxes themselves. Be sure to get one that will handle all of your mail.



(Posted July 2008)

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