RVwiki for vanfolk and others who live in vehicles

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====== Receiving packages ======

You can receive packages through your [[lifestyle:mail_forwarding|mail forwarding service]], although this results in paying two shipping fees.

===== Amazon shipping lockers =====

With some restrictions, [[http://amzn.to/2kGs1zp|Amazon]] will ship to [[http://amzn.to/2jDXmB0|an Amazon locker]]((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-shipping-address?pid=259146#pid259146)) or Hub (a business that will receive them for you).

Leros has built [[https://lockermap.com/|a locker map]] to help find lockers and counters.  

Google searches may also be used to find Amazon lockers.  See sticky-bit's post [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/b8zrc9/google_maps_is_a_better_interface_for_the_nomad/reddit|google maps is a better interface for the nomad]] reddit post.
===== ship to store =====

Many [[https://encrypted.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ship%20to%20store|chain retail stores offer "free ship to store"]] (transfer, actually) to a branch near you. It may be also be called order pickup, in-store pickup, free pickup, etc.  Payment is done on the website and the customer shows ID (Drivers License, credit card used in the order) to pick up the bundle when they arrive.

Examples:  
  * Bass Pro((http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&pageID=4988&cm_ven=redirect&cm_cat=mktg&cm_pla=bps&cm_ite=pickup?hvarAID=vantage))
  * Home Depot((http://www.homedepot.com/c/Featured_At_Home_Depot#shipStore))
  * Sears((http://www.sears.com/en_us/dap/In-Vehicle-Pick-Up.html))
  * Staples((http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/shipstorepopup))
  * Target((http://help.target.com/help/subcategoryarticle?lnk=OrderPickupFAQs&childcat=Order+Pickup&parentcat=Delivery+Options&searchQuery=search+help))
  * Tractor Supply((http://www.tractorsupply.com/policies-information_customer-solutions_buy-online-pick-up-in-store-faq))
  * True Value hardware((http://www.truevalue.com/content.jsp?pageName=ship_to_store))
  * Walgreen's((http://news.walgreens.com/press-releases/general-news/walgreens-introduces-ship-to-store-offering-with-free-shipping-for-online-and-mobile-orders.htm))
  * Walmart((http://help.walmart.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/281/~/picking-up-orders-with-store-pickup))

===== USPS General Delivery =====

{{ :lifestyle:poservices-annotated.jpg?direct&125|}}

If the local Post Office offers the service (ask the postmaster or [[https://tools.usps.com/locations/home.htm|look up the services the PO provides]]), you can send your USPS delivered mail/packages there as General Delivery.  USPS offers GD as a service to transients.((https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2013/pb22375/html/updt_006.htm)).

Once received, the mail/package will not be held longer than 30 days((http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2010/pb22280/html/updt_002.htm)), and 14 days is a common limit.

The mailing address will be something like:

<code>
Joe Walkabout
General Delivery
Sometown, ID 12345-9999
</code>

with the -9999 suffix indicating General Delivery.((http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/sending-receiving-mail-road))   Be sure to ask if the postmaster has any special address or other instructions.  

==== how to pick up your mail ====

At the counter give the clerk your ID and ask if there is any General Delivery mail for you.  Since the items will be held on a shelf in the back it might help to say "it's a manila envelope" or "a letter" or "a package about //this big//" to help them find it easily.  Easy for them is fast for you.

  * If they find it they will scan the tracking (if applicable) and hand the mail and your ID back to you.    
  * If they //don't// find it may not have arrived yet, or has arrived but hasn't been unloaded from the mailbags, etc.    Give it another day or two and check again.  You might ask if there's a best time of day to check again, since the clerks generally know when new mail is sorted. 

==== caveats ====


  * you //will// need photo ID like a DL to pick up the mail.  
  * if the PO has a sign specifying hours for GD pickup then honor those hours.  This is usually the case only in nomad-heavy areas like [[camping:snowbirding:quartzsite|Quartzsite]].
  * call or look [[https://tools.usps.com/locations/home.htm|online]] first to see if the PO in question accepts General Delivery.  Some cities with multiple POs only accept Gen. Delivery at one location (typically the main PO). 
  * Postal clerks in urban areas might be unaware of how to put GD addresses into their system.  In that case, [[https://www.reddit.com/r/USPS/comments/19du8ty/q_how_to_enter_general_delivery_address_into_the/kj889f0/|this post]] suggests:  "Just tell them to skip the street number on the computer by pressing the enter button. Then typing ''G'' and the general delivery address should show up on the screen provided that the zip code is correct. It's not something clerks would know because we're trained to put the street number on mail"
  * UPS/FedEx/etc //might// deliver to the USPS if the post office's street address is included.  This is highly variable and depends on local relationships between the entities.  Don't count on it without talking to the Postmaster.
  * tracking may not be complete -- general delivery shipments may show "out for delivery" in the post office's city as the last step until acually picked up. 
  * pick up your mail in a timely manner, especially if it's a large package.  The PO may have limited space, and some will return packages to the sender before the required holding period expires.((https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/looking-to-repair-or-upgrade-your-van.46479/post-574161))

===== local mail services =====
Local services like UPS stores may accept packages for a fee.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-shipping-address?pid=259088#pid259088))


===== hold for pickup =====

[[https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/tracking-support/change-delivery-options.page|UPS]] and [[https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/hold-at-location.html|FedEx]] hubs may be able to hold packages for you to pick up (bring ID).
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