Post Office Box (PO Box) versus a Private Mailbox (PMB):

Post Office Box (PO Box) versus a Private Mailbox (PMB):

A Post Office Box (PO Box) is the simplest mailbox available, which is provided by the Post Office at a low rate.  This type of mailbox provides the renter with the security and knowledge that not only will they receive their mail, but that no one else will  be able to access it.  The major drawback, however, is that a PO Box will only except US Postal Mail.  This means that you will not be able to receive any packages or items that have been sent to you via UPS or FedEx.  In addition, the PO Box is often not able to be used as an actual address for your business or personal paperwork.

A Private Mailbox (PMB) works just like a PO Box, however it gives you a physical address that you can use for your identification and business or personal paperwork.  In addition to the physical location, when you order an item online or have someone send you a package, the shipper does not matter.  A PMB can sign for your FedEx, UPS or DHL package just as if it were you, and hold them until you are ready to pick them up.  Most Small Office/Home Office businesses do not want to use their home address for their business address, so the physical address of the PMB offers a more professional appearance than a PO Box.

How do you know when you have mail?  At the Post Office, you need to go in every day to check your box.  With a Private Mailbox, there are a variety of ways to check to see if you have mail:

1. Drive in.  If you are out and about, pop in to see if you have mail;
2. Email notifications:  Most PMB operators tend to have an email notification system in place, either daily or once a week, that lets you know if you have mail so you don’t need to spend the time or gas to check;
3. Call-In:  This is the simplest method to  check your mail, as it saves you time and you can check whenever it crosses your mind, without needing you to be by your computer.

Mail forwarding is another service offered by PMB operators that the Post Office does not offer.  If you are going to be on vacation for a week or two, you can arrange to have your mail sent to you.  How often, or what mail pieces you want, as well as the cost, are set between you and the operator.  You can receive your important mail pieces when you are away from home and not miss that bill or package.

While the key decision in a PO Box or PMB is the price, the extra that you pay for what you receive far outweighs the overall cost.