Buy Shipping vs USPS PO Boxes
I had a pretty interesting discussion with a Live Channel Specialist today regarding a case I previously submitted, which presents an interesting situation for Amazon customers. For MF orders that ship to a PO Box, using the standard "PO Box ####" format for an address, Amazon won't allow a USPS solution for a label because "USPS does not validate a PO Box so Buy Shipping labels are not available". Interestingly enough, the only carrier solution that is normally available is "Amazon Shipping" - we're not sure how they deliver to PO Boxes either.
I raised the question with her: "If Amazon doesn't allow shipping via any other carriers to PO Boxes, why do they allow buyers to enter PO Box addresses as a shipping address? Isn't this doing a disservice to their customers?"
We always ship via a 3rd party solution for these. I assume everyone else does the same?
Buy Shipping vs USPS PO Boxes
I had a pretty interesting discussion with a Live Channel Specialist today regarding a case I previously submitted, which presents an interesting situation for Amazon customers. For MF orders that ship to a PO Box, using the standard "PO Box ####" format for an address, Amazon won't allow a USPS solution for a label because "USPS does not validate a PO Box so Buy Shipping labels are not available". Interestingly enough, the only carrier solution that is normally available is "Amazon Shipping" - we're not sure how they deliver to PO Boxes either.
I raised the question with her: "If Amazon doesn't allow shipping via any other carriers to PO Boxes, why do they allow buyers to enter PO Box addresses as a shipping address? Isn't this doing a disservice to their customers?"
We always ship via a 3rd party solution for these. I assume everyone else does the same?
23 replies
KJ_Amazon
Thanks for that update @Seller_Fj8BGFk6ivq5u
USPS delivers to PO Boxes located in USPS post offices.
The most likely reason USPS can not be selected is that Buy Shipping does not support USPS shipping label purchase for selected zipcodes.
We have shared seller feedback about this issue with our partner team. Your best option for such cases is to purchase your preferred shipping service outside of Amazon Buy Shipping.
KJ_Amazon
Seller_4HsL3GZbyDLea
This happens all the time. Amazon refuses to fix their god awful worst in the world software. I just use Pirateship with these packages, Pirateship finds the addresses just fine and the packages get there without a problem.
Yes, I lose the Amazon "protection." But is there really such a thing anyways? Amazon plays fast and loose with the "protection" as it is since Amazon does not keep their promises anymore.
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
I don't know why Amazon lets customers add nicknames, and fake nonsense instead of First and Second name. Sometimes it's not even a nickname, it's an email address, or something like "thatdudeisgay" . No joke, once I had that one.
Also, why letting people buy for international shipping warehouses? 50% of the time it's a scam. They don't user their name, just something code, and sometimes the company itself steals the order, sometimes the buyer is the scammer...
All buyer should have a real name, and a real address.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
My old friend Biggus Dikkus would agree with you. ;-)
Seller_EGAYxdv2MmpO0
Pirateship dot com
Pirateship dot com
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Pirateship dot com
Anytime there is a shipping glitch, use pirateship. Get insurance. I am not a paid endorser.
Seller_Fp95QYJ6Hs9RU
It must be where you are shipping from or where it is going to. Or perhaps your shipping template is not right. Buy shipping to po boxes work fine for us.
Seller_08TZq9sOIaGvv
I just go off platform when there is an issue like that, but PO Boxes as long as a customer enters it in the correct format works perfectly fine for me. The sad thing is that there is ZERO pre-processing for customers addresses. They allow everyone to enter wildly invalid addresses without validation at all. The worst is when the name of the company includes so many characters that the font is super tiny on the label. I have to print another address label and stick it over the buy ship unreadable address,.
Seller_YvPJcV8cv0Kiu
Well, that is actually incorrect to be honest. There are differences between A PO BOX and a P.O Box! Ironically, for Amazon to tell you they do not deliver to Postal Boxes (ie) the Post Office, that would be correct, because their drivers only deliver to Addresses (within city limiits) - The Post office handles all of their (Amazons) last mile, packages. Sadly its very confusing but here are the main difference's
The main differences between a PO Box and a P.O. Box are
- Ownership and Providers: A PO Box is offered by the United States Post Office (USPS), while a P.O. Box may be a private mailbox (PMB) with a real street address.
- Address: A PO Box has a PO Box number: while a P.O. Box may have a street address
- (But always +4 zip = the PO Number) for example if the PostOffice Box number is 1119 (their confirmed zip code would be 12345-1119)
- Flexibility: P.O. Boxes are physically located at most Post Office locations, while PMBs are more flexible.
- Usually a Postal Mail Box also have the +4 as the actual P.O Box Number
It is very confusing, and they should have never allowed a PO Box vs P.O. Box to be so similiar. Its confusing to even the person who has them. Buyers have a hard enough time even writing their address out.
Seller_E8mL3eW2WFX39
I do not have PO boxes allowed. I ship from Houston. My shipping template does not have PO Boxes selected. Maybe Amazon still allows these orders but my warehouse is very good at complaining about everything and they haven't brought this up.
