Must you have a local address to get a PO Box? (UPDATE at bottom post 9/7)

airplanenut · September 3, 2005 6:29AM

I've been getting a major run-around to get a box in Cambridge, and I wanted to know if it is a real rule that you need a local address, even if it's not your permanent address, to open a PO Box... I have ID with a Maryland address, but they want a Cambridge address only, for which I have no proof

tmot99 · September 3, 2005 6:35AM

I don't think so at my PO. I actually have a box at a different PO than my city. It is more convenient for me to go to the next city over during the day to get registered mail, etc.

joeyuk · September 3, 2005 6:36AM

From the USPS website.

Use it instead of a permanent address
If you move around a lot and need to establish one place where you pick up your mail, get a Post Office Box.

JrGMan2004 · September 3, 2005 6:37AM

Hmm... I don't know... that's a good question... I would kinda think so though... do you have a lease agreement or something like that for your dorm room that might have the building's address on it?

LanLord · September 3, 2005 6:37AM

USPS site

Looks to me like you shouldn't need a local address, one of the benefits are if you move around a lot!

Cameonut · September 3, 2005 6:38AM

You would think that the Cambridge PO would cut you a break since you are a college student and would not be a permanent local resident.

If they don't accomodate you, go to one of the independent providers like UPS/Kinkos - that's what I use.

koynekwest · September 3, 2005 6:41AM

You do NOT need a local address to get a PO box. But, you WILL need proof of your address.

topstuf · September 3, 2005 7:13AM

Ndugu M'bwgani
Station Wagon
Left rear seat
Lagos, Nigeria.

topstuf · September 3, 2005 7:16AM

<< go to one of the independent providers like UPS/Kinkos - that's what I use >>

What's the policy there on REGISTERED mail? Do they have the same protection as a US post office when the items must be in constant "custody" until delivery? Or do they have a dollar limit on liability?

Cameonut · September 3, 2005 7:33AM

<< What's the policy there on REGISTERED mail? >>

Excellent question! Smoe providers will accept Registered Mail for you - you sign a waiver so they are not resonsible, but they can sign for you as your agent. Others will not accept Registered under any circumstances.

billboat · September 3, 2005 7:40AM

<< You would think that the Cambridge PO would cut you a break since you are a college student and would not be a permanent local resident.

>>

Actually the reverse may be true--the PO should rent him a box (if available) but the clerk/whoever might not like students from MIT. I've seen this sort of thing happen--Jeremy needs to go back and ask the supervisor. A dorm assignment letter, meal card, MIT library card, etc. might suffice as proof.

AC7DX · September 3, 2005 7:55AM

Go to his supervisor.
Da#* federal worker!

streeter · September 3, 2005 7:56AM

JEREMY, this is your first test.

NEVER and I mean NEVER take no for an answer.

"May I please speak with the POSTMASTER".....said while taking notes on a yellow legal pad.

Robgetty · September 3, 2005 8:08AM

I know that some post offices have limited amounts of boxes and establish a waiting list sometimes.

Maybe this post office has run out with students asking for boxes and have had to turn away local residents of the town. They might have felt it was a valid solution, even if it doesn't match up with USPS policy. My bet is that they will back down if you stick to your guns.

topstuf · September 3, 2005 8:19AM

To rent a PO Box you MUST provide verifiable residence address.

Link to reg

As it SHOULD be.

Edited to add: Doubt it has to be LOCAL....but verifiable

airplanenut · September 3, 2005 8:24AM

Let me clarify... this is the MIT post office in the MIT student's center (it's a full-service US Post Office). My driver's license has my MD address on it, which they won't take. They decided to mail the form back to me at my dorm, so that can suffice as proof of my living in the dorm. However, I have things I need mailed to me, and would have liked them mailed early this week, as opposed to next week.

Jeremy

Barry · September 3, 2005 11:01AM

If you got the run-around from the postmaster, call USPS's 800 number and talk to someone there. I did that once, and it was amazing how quick the local Postmaster moved to make things right.

JSsson · September 3, 2005 11:06AM

You don't need a local address. I know someone who live in California and has a PO Box address in Oregon

FullStrike · September 3, 2005 11:49AM

<< My bet is that they will back down if you stick to your guns. >>

It's probably not good to speak of guns and Post Offices at the same time.

If there is a problem with the local P.O. you should probably discuss it with those people. I'm sure they have their reasons and they are probably rational ones. Don't get in the habit of stepping on other peoples toes and demanding your way all the time. Why do you think certain Lawyers are so despised?

Try to look at both sides of the problem and I'm sure you will come up with a solution.

topstuf · September 4, 2005 10:45AM

<< it was amazing how quick the local Postmaster moved to make things right. >>

OH yeah. I had problems with my annex and had the regs to back my position up. The clerks NOW behave and let my wife pick up my mail. They got a bee in their bonnet and kept telling her she couldn't have registered packages addressed to me.

WRONG!

On occasion numbah TWO when they did it AGAIN.....all hell broke loose. Transfers, letters of apology, letters of reprimand.

They now .....GROVEL...... when I come in.

And, Jeremy, if you have a verified address in another state, you got a REAL good fun time if you want to make their lives miserable. They are WRONG!

Are you sure that the MIT office is a POST OFFICE? It could be a "contract station" which is technically the same but the employees are not as well trained (?) as a regular post office. However all USPS rules still apply.
Take it higher.
You'll win.

Regulated · September 4, 2005 10:55AM

Sounds like a case of age discrimination to me. I think you should contact the Postmaster. You are a legitimate businessperson and should not be treated any differently than a 50 year old asking for the same service.

AlixTCat · September 4, 2005 11:06AM

<< Let me clarify... this is the MIT post office in the MIT student's center (it's a full-service US Post Office). My driver's license has my MD address on it, which they won't take. They decided to mail the form back to me at my dorm, so that can suffice as proof of my living in the dorm. However, I have things I need mailed to me, and would have liked them mailed early this week, as opposed to next week.

Jeremy >>

It sounds like it is not a USPS Post Office. MIT can make their own rules. I'd go to a "real" USPS Post Office and get my box. Since, as a student, you ALREADY have a box there at the "post office" I am not sure what exactly you are looking for. They don't deliver your mail to your dorm room, do they?

Jonathan

Sunnywood · September 4, 2005 11:15AM

Generalyl speaking, for security reasons after 9/11 and the anthrax scares, the USPS tightened the rules about post office boxholders. Even before 9/11, you did need a valid local residential address in order to have a P.O. box, but the rule wasn't enforced as strictly as it is now. The post office is not discriminating against you, nor are they being incompetent or difficult. They are doing their jobs. That having been said, I believe your local dormitory address on the MIT campus should be acceptable - after all you can and do receive mail and bills there.

I should know; I had a Cambridge P.O. box when I was an undergraduate at Harvard.

Best,
Sunnywood

morgannut2 · September 4, 2005 12:06PM

I can't believe MIT is so lacking in sufficient photo-image and computing ability, you don't already have a photo Mass driver's license and address at the dorm.

airplanenut · September 4, 2005 12:12PM

<< It sounds like it is not a USPS Post Office. MIT can make their own rules. I'd go to a "real" USPS Post Office and get my box. Since, as a student, you ALREADY have a box there at the "post office" I am not sure what exactly you are looking for. They don't deliver your mail to your dorm room, do they? >>

It is a post office--a fully-functioning US Post Office with US Post Office boxes. I don't have a box there. I have a box in my dorm. Two problems with it:

1- My roommate has a key to the dorm box (I trust him, but I'd rather keep things separate)
2- I will sign for packages. I don't need someone in the dorm seeing a registered come in for me

Jeremy

morgannut2 · September 4, 2005 12:24PM

The Registrar should have a Xerox of your record with your local address at the dorm. They should have an official looking seal to stamp it with, proving your paid residence at the University.

airplanenut · September 4, 2005 12:27PM

On Tuesday the PO Box registration form should be back, and that will be sufficient proof. I just have some stuff I need to get, and would have liked it sooner.

michael · September 4, 2005 11:43PM

YES YES

too many po box scammers scumbags ruin it for the honest ones

airplanenut · September 7, 2005 6:27AM

Well, after a trip to the main PO in Cambridge (I was going that way anyway, and was with friends, so it was a fun walk), I had a nice chat with the regional supervisor. He called the guy at the MIT PO. And I got my box today... and was greeted by name

Now don't all rush to PM me for my address so you can send me free stuff!

Jeremy

calgolddiver · September 7, 2005 6:35AM

your MIT address in your dorm is your local address

Must you have a local address to get a PO Box? (UPDATE at bottom post 9/7)

Comments

Leave a Comment