Cheap US address for forwarding to overseas

[jeffmem]

I feel people on this site are creative and have lots of ideas and information and resources, so I figured I would give this a try.

I am an American, but live overseas, have so for many years. It has become difficult for me to get my mail. My family is quite tired of doing it, and understably so I am looking for a solution that will resolve them from having to forward my mail for me.

The services I have found online charge about $20 a month plus whatever it costs them to ship the mail to me overseas. Maybe you guys feel that is an ok price, but I don't. A year that will cost at least $240 before any shipping fees are applied. Some services I like are that some of them actually open the mail and scan it for you and you can choose to throw it away or have it sent over. I like this, but it's a service so it costs. And who runs these kinds of places also makes me wonder.

I would be very open to hearing what you guys think and if someone has another idea. Or maybe you know of other services where I can get a US address to use and have cheaper services for having it.

Thanks!

[jeffrey]

Have you thought about paying your family to do the work? They may not feel quite so tired if they are getting paid, they can scan your mail and while it will cost you money, at least you know where it's going.

[normaldude]

If I was living overseas, I'd probably use http://www.EarthClassMail.com . They scan your mail, post it online, where you can choose to read it, shred it, forward it, etc. Cost is about $10/month.

[jeffmem]

jeffrey, that's not the problem. They just don't want to deal with it at all, it's not really anything to do about money.

I will check out EarthClassMail, thank you normaldude.

If anyone else has suggestions let me know.

[evak44]

I've used BongoUS.com to fwd goods.. yes it can be pricey depending what you ship, how much it weighs, etc.. but for some people its worth it. Sometimes you still save $ compared to price in AU or NZ. Apple for instance won't ship overseas- there's electronics and such international consumers cannot have access to without mail forwarding.

[jeffmem]

99% of what is shipped is simply letters from credit card companies, new credit cards, bank statements, and thats about it. If I order something from the states it will be sent to me directly. If I do that with the credit cards then my address becomes international and then I am no longer a residence in their eyes, it causes all sorts of problems.

[cptacek]

Can you put a forward at the post office? I don't know if they will do that for international, but I know it only takes $1 to do it online and it lasts for 6 months.

Otherwise, you could probably put an ad on Craigslist and someone would do it for you. You could change your address to a P.O. Box at someone else's town and they could just pick up the mail when they go to the post office and stick it in an a large envelope and send it on. You would probably have to pay the postage, but you might get someone to do it for less than $20. Of course, you might not get it very timely. Don't know if that is a problem or not.

[jeffmem]

The post office will not forward to an overseas address. If they do I would be shocked, especailly with all the cutbacks they are making.

It is nice to know that it can be done online, but again I doubt they will do it.

I don't know that I would trust someone on cragilst going through my credit card billing mail and other personal stuff... Great opportunity for identity theft let me tell you. 1. wow this guy isnt even in the US, 2. i have all his bank information! I had thought about this before or asking a friend, but then I would be burdening them too. And everytime you change addresses you have to worry about the driver's license and banking stuff... it's a headache.

Great ideas, but risky! haha.

[cptacek]

I think it is unreasonable to have someone do this for an extended period of time without paying them for their service, family, friend or otherwise. Is $20 a month too much? I don't know. I was thinking about how much I would do it for, and if it was just picking up the mail, putting it in a big envelope and sending it, maybe $10 a month plus postage, but if you want someone to pick it up, scan it in, and send it to you, then I wouldn't do that for $20 a month.

I never would have thought of the identity theft thing...that is how honest I am

[jeffmem]

I think it is unreasonable to have someone do this for an extended period of time without paying them for their service, family, friend or otherwise. Is $20 a month too much? I don't know. I was thinking about how much I would do it for, and if it was just picking up the mail, putting it in a big envelope and sending it, maybe $10 a month plus postage, but if you want someone to pick it up, scan it in, and send it to you, then I wouldn't do that for $20 a month.

I never would have thought of the identity theft thing...that is how honest I am

I think because it is a service I should pay something, but how much is acceptable is the question. $10 a month would be reasonable if I was assured that I wouldn't need to move my addess again or worry the price will change.. I dont know... As for the identity theft thing, the issue is you don't really know the person who is helping you. Even with these companies who scan things for you, what is to stop them from doing the same.. Dishonest employees are everywhere.

[cptacek]

Well, you would have to sign a contract with the person; that would make the price-change moot. And, just like a year long house contract, you could contract with them for a certain time period, even putting in a "breaking" fee like the cell phone companies do.

[jeffmem]

Contracts don't really hold up well in a court though you know. hahaha. I will consider, but again not real comfortable with someone I don't know handling my mail... Will have to see.