I’m setting up a shopify right now and ran into the issue of having my home address displayed to any potential customers which was very concerning and I wasn’t sure what to do. This video was very helpful and you did a great job of outlining the pros and cons of each option in an honest way. Thank you so much for this video, I feel a lot less overwhelmed.
@ElizabethPW
11 ай бұрын
Great to hear!!
@worldaroundyounearyou
9 ай бұрын
I use to have shoppyfy and they close my store when someone spend more than 300$ never gave me a reason why they close my account
@stinkydanlucas
6 ай бұрын
same here...Which service did you decide on?
@spraycandy01
6 ай бұрын
@@stinkydanlucas I went for the UPS mailbox and started with the three month plan to try it out and just updated to the 6 month plan which I paid about $125 for. It’s pricier for sure but I feel it comes off more professional to have a street address.
@stinkydanlucas
5 ай бұрын
@@spraycandy01 I ended up going with Ipostal. I got a local street address and nearby office. It has app access too
@robtxrealtor
2 ай бұрын
All i need is an address that doesn't look like a PO box for my new real estae buisiness. I won't be getting much mail at all. Maybe once or twice a year Thx!
@thanoviceinvestor
Жыл бұрын
Hi! Thanks for the awesome content. I started a new LLC and used a vurtual addresss. I intend to sell on Amazon so my biz will be completely online. Question: Can I use a virtual address for a business license and application for reseller permit? My virtual address is in a different city from my home.
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
It depends on the city where you are getting the biz license. For the sellers permit they sometimes look up the address so they might reject a virtual one
@thanoviceinvestor
Жыл бұрын
@@ElizabethPW thank you! How about the business license. Are you saying that if the City is ok with it I can use a virtual address (in a different city than my residence) for an online business license?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
Some cities are okay with it yes because they are more concerned about taxes versus zoning / permitting certain business activities
@natalieschannel4508
6 ай бұрын
I would like to know if I can use the virtual address, which will be my business address to ship products? Also, can I mail off my shipments to my customers by taking the packages to the U.S. post office and mailing them using the virtual address?
@ElizabethPW
6 ай бұрын
Well you can use a virtual address as the return address, in theory, but you have to check with the virtual address company to see what happens to returned mail -- they may charge a lot for it
@natalieschannel4508
6 ай бұрын
@ElizabethPW OK thanks.
@TeedyASMR
7 ай бұрын
man i'm so glad there's videos for nearly everything these days. thank you for making this comparison vid!!
@nakicarey
28 күн бұрын
Hi, Would a a virtual mailbox be good if you actually have products that could be returned by customers.
@rogerfarley3300
7 ай бұрын
An added value to UPS is... you can also use their physical delivery access for your local address, which I need for Shopify returns... many business services will not accept a PO Box as an address. Great video!
@ElizabethPW
7 ай бұрын
Good point about UPS stores!
@amberzappotta6668
5 ай бұрын
UPS stores are terrible, they only offer UPS. Go to an independent mailing store that offers all of the carriers and services plus more at a discounted price. Lol, this must be someone paid by UPS to make think you are getting great service. Most independent ship & pack locations offer these services at a discounted price.
@Xiosoranox
5 ай бұрын
@@amberzappotta6668 UPS IS an independent mailing store. It's not that anyone's getting paid, it's that most USPS locations don't have a physical address associated with P.O. Boxes. Banks, insurance companies and many other businesses will not accept P.O. Boxes as a mailing option so you literally have to go with UPS because your mailbox is listed as a physical address with them.
@dujuanjohnson5025
4 ай бұрын
@@amberzappotta6668 UPS STORE IS BETTER!
@Darkness-ie2yl
2 ай бұрын
prices bro. prices
@N-SS
7 ай бұрын
Finally, a video that was helpful, informative, detailed and easy to understand. I was already aware of the differences, but you gave much more clarity. Thank you Elizabeth!
@ElizabethPW
6 ай бұрын
Great to hear!
@kyrareneeLOA
4 ай бұрын
What was not talked about is the independent mail box rental stores... To me they are the best, if your city has some. I had 4 independent stores, never lost mail. always a great owner... but it depends
@ElizabethPW
3 ай бұрын
I did multiple videos about this topic, and do talk about them in other videos. But yes in certain situations they can be a great solution
@isactucker3788
7 ай бұрын
Don't forget about independent mail stores with boxes :).
@ElizabethPW
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for the reminder!
@ianfung503
Жыл бұрын
Hi Elizabeth! Another great package of info you’ve presented here. I was just wondering if one can use a Virtual Mailbox to setup an LLC for privacy.
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
You can use the virtual mailbox for the mailing address. For the registered agent and the physical location address, they want a street address where someone is located -- but you can hire a registered agent for that
@brianmallut5759
18 күн бұрын
Thank you for this video, however I'm still a little confused. We are opening a small business in California and I'm just starting to do the submissions for things like DBA and EIN forms and it asks for address. My wife is going to be a trainer at a studio and she's basically treated as a private trainer where she's renting out the studio. The studio will pay her thru her business and thus we need to start her sole proprietorship/DBA and need a business address. We don't want to use our home address, and was going to do a P.O. Box but came to find out that's not allowed for California or maybe LA County businesses. I see a lot of negative things about virtual mailboxes where those are not accepted either, for instance some are inside a Staples store. It also appears you have to get a notary to sign when you sign up for these addresses, I had no idea it was such a difficult thing to set up a business address. Would appreciate any recommendations you have.
@Flipping_Assets
26 күн бұрын
How do I get government mail, bank mail, dmv mail without a physical address?
@PostalMateTraining
5 ай бұрын
You can also get a Private Mailbox from your local Mom and Pop pack and ship store! You can receive any type of package from these stores, even Amazon and you can support small businesses in your area! Some are even as inexpensive as the US Postal Boxes and A lot of these stores also have virtual mailbox services that they offer as well!
@ElizabethPW
4 ай бұрын
Yep, most of the places on anytimemailbox and ipostal1 are little mom and pop shops
@Rae-sy6tx
Ай бұрын
Thank you so much! This video has answered my question I needed answered. UPS mail box will be the best fit for my business.
@mmitra72
7 ай бұрын
Very well explained. Super Informative.
@marcfruchtman9473
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video! I didn't know about all the different services other than PO Box. Re: PO Boxes, as you mentioned, a PO Box is not considered a "physical street address", and one of the downsides of that is certain companies will not allow delivering packages to PO Boxes. Another example is when something requires a signature, the mail cannot be sent to a PO Box. I don't quite understand the utility of the "Virtual" mailing address with regard to packages or mail that I want to have forwarded to me. Wouldn't that markedly increase the cost over PO Box and UPS since I would have to pay again to have it delivered?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
There are some PO Boxes that have a street address, but not all of them. But yes if you are getting lots of non-USPS packages then I'd guess a UPS Store would work best (but you'd need to pick up in person).
@LocLifeChronicles
9 ай бұрын
Hello, I’m considering getting an llc and adding to my TikTok shop. I don’t want customers having my personal address. Would UPS be the best option since I can get a real address instead of a P.O. Box?
@ElizabethPW
9 ай бұрын
For an LLC you'd need a registered agent address (where a person is there) for the RA address. You could us a PO Box or UPS Store for your mailing address but the RA needs to be a human person there. Typically best idea is a service like www.northwestregisteredagent.com/
@financialfreedomseed_com
8 ай бұрын
This was very helpful. Such an integral part of small businesses that doesn't get talked about enough IMO
@jstl7957
6 ай бұрын
I am sorry but I disagree when you said a PO Box is the cheapest way to get a mailing address. I have had my PO Box for decades and they keep raising the prices. For six months they used to charge about $48. However within the past few years their rates had been steadily rising. Now, March 9, 2024, they want $91 for that same box. That is certainly not cheap. Especially so when they are drop the ball on their service. For example: forgetting to put a yellow card in my box informing me a package has arrived, that will not fit in the box and that I need to go to the counter to pick it up. That is extremely annoying. What do they say? Short staffed. Well, I understand but that is not what I am paying for. Searching for an alternative.
@ElizabethPW
6 ай бұрын
Sorry you had troubles with them! Yes their fees are going up, but they may still be the least expensive compared to other solutions.
@jstl7957
6 ай бұрын
Staples (office supply) will setup a box for someone and only charge $10/month vs. USPS whose rates come out to $15.17/month. For packages they may charge you $1 for each package. With your account you can logon see your mail and what you don't want they will shred for you no charge. Still checking alternatives. @@ElizabethPW
@nukestrom5719
21 күн бұрын
As the name implies, what you get (sign up) is a virtual mail address (PMB) for your business so you can receive business mails and perhaps register your business with the state. But it is NOT a business address. You will learn this when you file your USPS 1583 form (box 7).
@MohammadNaeemkanyar
10 ай бұрын
Thank you for ur helpful information, but could you inform me about, can I use a CA virtual address for my Delaware LLC and EIN formation?? Or is there any tax issue from CA state??
@ElizabethPW
10 ай бұрын
Whether you'd need to pay taxes in CA isn't about just using a virtual address there -- you'd need other physical apsects for "nexus" like employees, inventory, an office, etc.
@definecoco27
7 ай бұрын
I'm a small business owner so what would you prefer? I trying to kick start on esty. So I want to do some price difference and check with them.
@ElizabethPW
7 ай бұрын
If you need to be able to accept returns, look at either the PO Box or UPS Store
@definecoco27
7 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW Thank you mam! I will take a look at USPS And also register with them.
@erkle93
11 ай бұрын
Hi Elizabeth - THANK YOU! This was super helpful for me - especially as I'm starting a new online business. I'd like the option for a PO Box/virtual mailbox to simply to attach a return address to my shipping labels and anonymize my actual address from customers - I don't plan on receiving mail (aside from returns) to that address. Does a virtual mailbox give you the flexibility to ship/send from that address while still receiving mail from my home address?
@ElizabethPW
11 ай бұрын
Some virtual mailboxes charge you extra for receiving boxes. So it really depends. I'd say that usually a PO Box or a UPS Store box is best for returns (until you are big enough to use a fulfillment service)
@Laylasflow
5 ай бұрын
This was very helpful! Thank you!
@ElizabethPW
5 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@jenniferc2030
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video, Elizabeth. Can I use a UPS mailbox address to register on trademark application as my mailing address?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
Yes you can use the UPS mailbox address as the mailing address
@Whocasperrantz
4 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW so does this mean that I am able to use a ups mailbox for all of my website and business info? I’m just now starting my business and I want to use an ups store but I do not know the limitations of using ups instead of virtual.
@leoking_88
Ай бұрын
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for the informative videos! I’m thinking about getting a Private Mailbox from the UPS Store to use as the address for opening a bank account with BoA. In your experience, would this be more likely to be accepted at a BoA branch compared to a PO Box or virtual addresses from services like AnytimeMailbox, EarthClassMail, or iPostal1?
@ElizabethPW
Ай бұрын
Hm they will not accept a PO Box but yes they might for a UPS store or other virtual mailbox - if anyone looks it up (even on Google maps), it’s very easy to tell it’s not a real location, though
@shawnagustafson1628
11 ай бұрын
My local PO box costs over $90 every 6 months for the smallest option. Is that normal?
@shawnagustafson1628
11 ай бұрын
I sell on etsy and am just looking for a way to have my return address me something other than my home. It would be very rare for me to get mail, but still need to have a return address in case something gets lost or someone needs to make a return.
@ElizabethPW
10 ай бұрын
Typically a PO Box is the cheapest, and yes that sounds typical
@PatienceMelissa
8 ай бұрын
Mine costs $222/year!
@gorkyd7912
8 ай бұрын
Yes, they costed $100 every 6 months for me and then they lie to me saying they closed my box because I didn't pay. There are tons of cheaper virtual mailbox services in the $99 - $150/year range that will forward mail, scan contents, deposit checks, etc. PO boxes will do none of these things and frankly I think they're a scam.
@kelleebethel3284
3 ай бұрын
😢ty for this information. My question is I need to get my business license but I can't use a PO box, will a UPS mailbox work?
@ElizabethPW
3 ай бұрын
Depends on the city -- some look it up (and see that it is a UPS store) and some do not.
@andrecarvalho3376
11 ай бұрын
Hello Elizabeth, thanks for the video! I'm not from the USA, and I'll be there on vacation in November. I’ll be for very few days, and one day I'll pass nearby Delaware, which doesn’t have taxes, so I'm planning to buy some stuff online (Amazon, Best Buy, New Egg) and send it to one place like P.O. Box, UPS Store, or Virtual Mailbox. It looks like the size of the products does not fit the Amazon locker. Which service would you recommend to send the packages and local pickup (since I'm using a lot of AIRBNB on this trip, I won't have the hotel to receive the packages)?
@ElizabethPW
11 ай бұрын
Hm to accept a bunch of packages, UPS Store is best. But you may have trouble opening it online vs anytime mailbox
@MyVoiceWorksManagement
10 ай бұрын
Elizabeth, so glad I found your YT channel. I am at the point where I am frustrated and have switched back and forth from USPS and UPS. I was looking at the Virtual Mailbox option. But I just need a physical address for my business (IRS and Banks, etc) hence I got the UPS box, but it is 4 times more $$$ than PO Box. My question is, I get checks so I need an inperson box. But can I get a virtual box and have them forward to my PO BOX? Thank you in advance and I have subscribed to your channel its very helpful!
@ElizabethPW
10 ай бұрын
Hm it depends on the virtual mailbox. Some only forward to your actual address and some forward to anywhere you want. You may need to ask them to find out
@Rick-gv7uk
8 ай бұрын
Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for the video! Do you know if the city of San Francisco and the California Secretary of State will generally accept the use of a virtual mailbox from Anytime mailbox or Ipostal1 as a physical address for foreign qualification e registration? In theory they are a real physical address with a # number at the end, right? Thanks!
@ElizabethPW
8 ай бұрын
answered in your other comment
@goodnatured3925
3 ай бұрын
People can track you through Amazon if I order something for the business or personal?
@ElizabethPW
3 ай бұрын
Not sure what you mean
@judykristensen6113
10 ай бұрын
So I’m a micro I fluencer and get packages sent to me from fans and have to have my address fully private. Would you recommend a virtual box and if so which one that completely hides my address. I just want a fake address I can give to my viewers but have the box show up at my house.
@ElizabethPW
10 ай бұрын
Hm I don't know of one where they automatically forward boxes to your house. If you get UPS Store or USPS they will accept the boxes but you have to pick it up. If you use a virtual they will forward boxes but it is really expensive (you are paying for that shipping)
@Darkness-ie2yl
2 ай бұрын
I like the Amazon box in the back
@antoinette-mays
9 ай бұрын
When you have the mail at a virtual address “forwarded” so you can open it, is there generally a fee involved? I know there’s a fee to pickup.
@ElizabethPW
8 ай бұрын
Typically yes, you pay for shipping and sometimes another fee (but sometimes the first x number is no fee)
@kingdomimage
6 ай бұрын
hello, do you know if a PO Box can be used as a principal business address in Georgia?
@ElizabethPW
5 ай бұрын
I don't know about Georgia, but usually a PO Box is a mailing address, not a principal place of business (which is a location)
@sam10818
3 ай бұрын
Can government lookup the UPS mailbox address and figure out if it's not a physical/residence address?
@ElizabethPW
2 ай бұрын
Yep!!! And they do.
@sam10818
2 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW so we shouldn't file our taxes on those addresses like not to use them as residential address? I'm asking because I'm thinking to live out of my car in the future, so just wondering. Please let me know
@123itsmejosh
Жыл бұрын
can i use the address of my Virtual Mailbox as the main address on my LLC so i don't have to use my home address?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
You can for sure use it as your mailing address. For location/domicile address, it depends on who you are giving to, some places don't accept virtual for that
@meatykins
7 ай бұрын
Super informative, thank you!
@ThComedy_
8 ай бұрын
Hello, which virtual box do you use? Thank you!
@ThComedy_
8 ай бұрын
Oop! I see you have another video for this!
@varun25p
10 ай бұрын
Hi EliZabeth, I am planning to open a LLC and have below questions. I don't want to use my Home address for LLC formation. Please clarify on the below. 1. Can i use UPS Mail Box street address for my Business Physical Address, Mailing Address and for EIN filing with IRS? 2. Can i use Registered agent by myself with my Home address? By using home address for Registered agent show up in the public? 3. Does Banks allow using UPS Mail Box street address for opening Business Bank Accounts?
@ElizabethPW
10 ай бұрын
You can use a UPS store box for mailing address, but registered agent address and physical location address needs to be a physical location where you are actually located. The bank will accept the UPS mailbox for your mailing address but will likely want the real location address for the owners/officers who are signing on the account
@rafraf715
8 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW to clarify on this we cannot use a UPS physical address as the business address? how come there are conflicting answers from lawyers regarding this physical address for the business? Even though our place of business will be technically at home since we will only be selling online and amazon will handle returns as well. i called secretary of state and i spoke with someone at their corporate line and they mentioned just as long as UPS has a physical address and is NOT a P.O. box then they will accept and process this as business address and mailing address...
@vincenza2319
9 ай бұрын
Hi Elizabeth. I'm opening my own little business on Etsy and don't want to use home address as the return address for privacy purposes. Does having a P.O Box just to use solely as a return address only smart to have? My personal mail would come to my home address. Thank you!
@ElizabethPW
8 ай бұрын
Yes you can use a PO Box for returns but you typically have to input it as the street address for the PO Box (ask USPS about it)
@vincenza2319
8 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW Thank you!
@alansnyder8448
Жыл бұрын
Where can I learn more about virtual mailboxes? Thanks for this video. I'm right now facing this choice for the first time. I'm my case I have an LLC which is a holding company for my patents and software I write. I will get almost no mail, but when I do it would be a contract that might arrive by FedEx or UPS. I think for me this eliminates the P.O. Box. But still leaves the UPS Mailbox (which is a real address) and a virtual mailbox. Right now I know I have a UPS Store close by and convenient but it will be very expensive. I'm just today learning about the Virtual Mailbox, so need to do more research on that. What is the best way to figure out if the virtual mailbox is right for my case?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
Check out the local virtual mailbox addresses to make sure they have the features you want (such as getting fedex & ups) - they would be cheaper than UPS store but only are good if they have what you want
@alansnyder8448
Жыл бұрын
@@ElizabethPW Thanks. I've done some research on Thursday and Friday and right now, I'm trying to decide between (a) iPostal1 with a premium address which would be about 60ish, and using the address of a local workspace which would be a much better address if anyone were to google the address. I don't expect a lot of mail but want to work with some big companies and wonder if a better mail address might result in a few better leads. I'm not sure, but once you get an address it seems hard to change it.
@jdotcelis
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this video! Without much research I chose Virtual but you basically clarified it and im glad i chose it! Thank you! Can’t wait for the next video to see which virtual mailbox is best fit!
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
Glad it helped!
@SooperTrooper100
6 ай бұрын
I am considering a UPS Store box. The closest one asks for 2 forms of ID but doesn’t say what I need to bring with me to get set up. I did email them this afternoon and I hope to read their response tomorrow but thought I would ask here also. I do have my drivers license but wonder what the second form of ID needs to be.
@phototristan
6 ай бұрын
Passport or birth certificate
@ElizabethPW
6 ай бұрын
One photo ID and one can be a non-photo ID. Call them to ask to make sure, but the other one should be something that has your address, like a utility bill, car insurance card, etc.
@SOPEACEBESTILL
9 ай бұрын
I HEARD YOU NEED NOTORIZED FORMS TO OPEN A UPS BOX ACCOUNT.
@ElizabethPW
8 ай бұрын
At the UPS Store they can help you with the forms
@rafraf715
8 ай бұрын
hi elizabeth. we are wondering if you can use a UPS address as both the business address and mailing address here in california to form an LLC? privacy wise we are not comfortable putting our homes as the place of business.. we will be planning on just selling online through amazon FBA..
@ElizabethPW
8 ай бұрын
So you might be able to do that with the current bizfile system, but the registeted agent needs to be an address that is a physical location where an agent of the company can accept legal documents (like be served with a lawsuit), so a UPS store won't work for that.
@maia-33300
22 күн бұрын
@@ElizabethPW wow. Great point thank you so much for this!
@JoE-fi6vv
7 ай бұрын
Which of these services, if any, require an adult to sign up?
@ElizabethPW
7 ай бұрын
Hm for all of them you must have a document notarized. That requires ID so the minor has to at least have a driver's license or other state ID. Or a passport. The USPS specifically says a minor can get a PO Box but you have to get it in person. Of course each virtual mailbox company can make their own rules so they could not allow until someone is 18.
@JoE-fi6vv
7 ай бұрын
@@ElizabethPW thanks for the help
@Tiffany-RemoteOfficeGirl
5 ай бұрын
Thanks!🖥
@wreckgirl
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Very much appreciate the concise info.
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@abelvaldivia6132
Ай бұрын
Amazing Explanation!
@ElizabethPW
Ай бұрын
Glad you think so!
@shermekagordon6890
Жыл бұрын
Whats best for business accounts?
@ElizabethPW
Жыл бұрын
I'd have the same answer for a business account as I said in the video -- the answer is to pick which one satisfies your needs
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