Sometimes, life can be complicated.
More and more of us are shopping online these days thanks to the greater convenience and selection of online retailers. But the obvious downside of online shopping is that you need to be able to receive packages at a physical address.
There are lots of reasons you may not want to receive packages at home. Perhaps you’re gift shopping and don’t want the people you live with to know what you’re ordering. Maybe there’s no one home during the day to safely receive the package. Maybe you live in a walk-up apartment that won’t hold deliveries for you. Or maybe it’s just more convenient for you to pick up your deliveries elsewhere and bring them home yourself.
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “where can I ship a package other than my house?”, this article is for you. Here are some alternatives to home delivery to consider if you can’t - or don’t want to - receive packages at home.
Package receiving service
A package receiving service is a great way to get items delivered without using your home address. Did you know that Bounce partners with local businesses in cities all across the world to help you do just that? If you’ve ever asked yourself “where can I ship a package other than my house?”, this is your answer.
Package receiving services can accept your deliveries and hold on to them until you’re ready to pick them up. This provides a way to keep your packages safe from thieves and weather damage, and means they’ll be ready for you to collect when it’s most convenient to you. Package receiving services can even sign for your parcels, adding an extra level of security to your shipments.
Package receiving services are an excellent solution to the problem of getting deliveries somewhere other than your home address. They’re also useful if you’re wondering how to get something delivered secretly. Package delivery services can hold your items outside your house so that your surprises won’t be ruined before you can give them.
One of the big advantages of a package receiving service is that it gives you an actual street address to deliver packages to. This is helpful because many online retailers won’t ship to PO boxes or anything other than a real street address.
Package receiving services can also be helpful for cross-border shopping or if you're staying in a different location to normal - for example, if you're on a work trip or living as a digital nomad. Many online retailers won’t ship across state or national borders. Using a package acceptance service can allow you to have packages delivered in a nearby state and cross the border yourself to pick them up.
Is there a package receiving service near me?
If a package receiving service is for you, then you’re in the right place. Bounce offers three different kinds of package receiving plans and has partner stores across the US - whether you’re looking to use an alternative delivery address for a one-off online purchase or you need a more regular package receiving address, there’s a plan and a ship-to address for you.
Package locker systems
What if I don’t want a package delivered to my house? Package lockers are another good solution if you don’t want your packages to come to your door. Some package lockers are completely contact-free. You can arrange for the delivery driver to drop off the package inside a locker that’s convenient for you, then retrieve your package once delivery has been made.
Alternatively, you can use a package delivery service that is staffed for added security. But remember if you choose that option that you’ll have to be conscious of the business hours of the service so that you don’t try to pick up your package after the service is closed.
Sign up for a PO Box
A PO Box, or post office box, operates in a similar way to a package locker, but is more generally for both mail and packages. The mailperson drops your mail into a box and locks it up after them. Then you can let yourself into the box once your mail has arrived. PO Boxes aren’t just for mail, either. Some are big enough to receive even large parcels.
Like a package locker, a PO Box is completely contactless and often has better hours for you to pick up your stuff at a more convenient time. However, it’s a good idea to check with your shipping company before using one. While a PO Box can be great if you need a service that will receive mail and packages for you, some companies won’t deliver to a PO box and instead require a street address.
Get your parcel delivered to a friend (or your office)
“What if I don't want a package delivered to my house,” you may be saying, “but I can’t find a package acceptance service near me?” Well, in that case, your best option may be to see if a friend can receive your packages for you. If you know someone who is at home during the day, this can be the easiest way to receive packages. A friend will probably be more flexible about when you can pick your packages up. And it may not cost you anything, although it could be a good idea to get your friend a little something for helping you out.
If you don’t have a friend who can help, see if you can have your packages delivered to your workplace. This can be a very convenient solution if you’re already at work anyway and it can save you from having to make a special trip.
Of course, this depends on your workplace. Not every business allows its employees to do this. Your office may not have the space to store packages. It’s always a good idea to check with your employer first.
Additionally, you may not want your co-workers to know what you’re buying online. In that case, your best bet for receiving packages without using your home address is to use a package acceptance service to keep your online orders safe.
