I'm selling my shirts under a company name, as our most of you. Since I will be using my residential address as my place of business, is it legal to send out USPS packages with the return address only being the name of the business?
Could I slap a sticker on there that says "COMPANY NAME HERE" and call it a day?
To answer your question you do not need a return address to ship a package but in a post 911 world your packages may be subject to inspections from the postal service.
You may want to get a P.O. box from a local UPS store that way you can use the physical address
Also what address do you have on your invoices and business cards?
To answer your question you do not need a return address to ship a package but in a post 911 world your packages may be subject to inspections from the postal service.
You may want to get a P.O. box from a local UPS store that way you can use the physical address
Also what address do you have on your invoices and business cards?
I hope this helps.
Michael
Hi Michael,
I've looked into P.O. boxes from my local store, but they are far too expensive to justify. Though you made a very good point, my information would be placed on my invoices anyway, so why not just have it on the box.
Though I'm planning on keeping it off of the website for now. If the business develops to the point where I need a P.O. box (or rather it becomes an affordable option) I will do so. Thanks!
How much do PO boxes cost where you are at. Ours are only 30 a year If I remember correctly. Of course that for a small one but I dont plan on having packages returned to me!!! Also what about going to another local town with cheaper pricing, one where you can go once or just twice a week to pick stuff up. Also most PO boxes will hold packages that are to big for a couple of days.
How much do PO boxes cost where you are at. Ours are only 30 a year If I remember correctly. Of course that for a small one but I dont plan on having packages returned to me!!! Also what about going to another local town with cheaper pricing, one where you can go once or just twice a week to pick stuff up. Also most PO boxes will hold packages that are to big for a couple of days.
My local USPS wanted $125 a year for something the size of a small envelope (USPS envelope). Big enough to hold 1 to 2 return packages at best. It's not that it's a HUGE expense by any means, but I'd like to wait till I start receiving revenue to purchase one.
My local USPS wanted $125 a year for something the size of a small envelope (USPS envelope). Big enough to hold 1 to 2 return packages at best. It's not that it's a HUGE expense by any means, but I'd like to wait till I start receiving revenue to purchase one.
What I did was purchase a small P.O Box for I think $25 a year. If I get any large packages they just place them in back or they put them in the large lock boxes and put the key in your small P.O Box. They are very cheap and looks a little more professional than placing your residential street address on everything. I understand your position though.
We've shipped out a few thousand packages over the past year through USPS. I'd estimate that we've only gotten 7 back - most cases were because we had the wrong ship to address.
I've never had an issue with putting our business name/address on the return address.
For International orders, we've always just put our business name/address on the packages also. If you were to put your name instead of your business name, our USPS guys say that you MUST include your middle name on the return address label. Why - I have no idea. They just said that they'd gotten 1 package back from Canada 'cause they wouldn't accept it through customs.
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I'd be reluctant to leave off the return address and miss out on return to sender packages... although I can't remember the last time I had anything returned to sender, so maybe that's a needless concern.
We've shipped out a few thousand packages over the past year through USPS. I'd estimate that we've only gotten 7 back - most cases were because we had the wrong ship to address.
I've never had an issue with putting our business name/address on the return address.
For International orders, we've always just put our business name/address on the packages also. If you were to put your name instead of your business name, our USPS guys say that you MUST include your middle name on the return address label. Why - I have no idea. They just said that they'd gotten 1 package back from Canada 'cause they wouldn't accept it through customs.
So if I use my company name I should be fine? But if I use my name I should include my middle?
My local USPS wanted $125 a year for something the size of a small envelope (USPS envelope). Big enough to hold 1 to 2 return packages at best. It's not that it's a HUGE expense by any means, but I'd like to wait till I start receiving revenue to purchase one.
I'd either shop around or make that small investment in your business.
Shipping from your home is no problem, but putting your home address on business packages isn't a good idea in my opinion.
This is a discussion about Return address... does it have to be there? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
Return address... does it have to be there? 
