Buying Stuff Online...
By semicolonp
@semicolonp (518)
Philippines
July 19, 2010 7:43am CST
Is there any other way to GET what you bought without needing to say your home address? I want to buy this cheap book from an online store, but it's the kind of store wherein individuals (rather than corporations) sell their own stuff so that means I'll have to tell someone my home address.
And my paranoia's having a field day with it.
I really like that book and from what I know, it's been out of print for years (or if it's been reprinted, certainly not in my country). I was thinking I could send it to the City Hall post office but then I don't know if they'll let me know that a package has arrived for me. I mean, my city's population is quite large; they might not care that something arrived for this Person-They-Don't-Know.
So, does any of you have an idea? Is it even possible? I don't have a P.O. Box (a friend said those things need payment or something) and I don't know where else to send it to. Can anyone help, please?
1 person likes this
15 responses
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
I was planning that, actually, but when I asked, my friend told me that maybe I shouldn't do it since company policy discourages the staff to use company resources for personal uses. I was thinking I'd just make up an excuse to by-pass it (and, I mean, do they REALLY check the mail anyway?) but in case it doesn't go through, I thought I'd need a backup plan. I am quite embarrassed with the amount of time I've dedicated in trying to find an excuse for this, haha.
Then again what's the problem with people knowing where you live? :)
- Haha! Just personal preference, really. I'd really rather not be known by people I can't track back. ;P
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
Haha! Those small, almost-inconsequential things can really get to you, don't they? And I bet others are wondering about this question of mine because it could go away so easily if I just input my address, haha!
Do they? Because that would be really helpful. It's just that I was never sure if I could do that because I've only ever received packages from friends and family and of course, I don't get paranoid letting them know my home address.
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
19 Jul 10
Do you have a buisness address that it can be sent to?
Sending a package to City Hall probably will not work. They would more than likely refuse shipment/send it back because they do not know you.
If it would put your mind at ease, I have packages bought over the internet sent to my home all the time. I have never had any problems with it before.
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
Yep. And I've actually considered just sending it to the office but I'm trying to think of a backup plan because a friend of mine (who is also a co-worker) told me the company discourages the staff from using company resources for personal reasons. I figure, well, it's not like I'm USING any resources, just using the company address as a drop-off point. But just in case, I decided to ask for an alternative all the same. :D
Thanks for sharing your experiences, by the way! I've also had friends tell me it's not that big a deal (and the one I'll buy from has probably done it a million times before so I won't be special), but it's just one of those personal preferences that don't rely on logic, haha.
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
19 Jul 10
You also have to remember if someone is really looking for you, they will find you. Since most all information can be found on the internet in one form or fashion finding someone's address is not hard.
@mariarizza (4)
• Philippines
20 Jul 10
How about if you let them send it to the nearest post office in your place? That way you can pick it up yourself, and you don't have to give out your address. Anyway they're going to give you a tracking number of your shipment. You can just visit the post office and check if it has arrived..
@incus99 (1083)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
a PO box is easy to get in your local post office, you just need to be at least 18 years old and pay a little sum for your Post Office address.
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
Oh, wow, really? That's excellent! I didn't know it was that simple. xD
Thanks so much for the how-to! Okay, so I've got the 18 years old down, and if the payment is small, I think I can take that. And it'll really take care of this pesky feeling of unease that keeps cropping up with the thought of some stranger knowing my address.
Do you know how long that fee lasts? Is it something you need to pay monthly/yearly to keep the PO box? (well, it probably is, but you know)
Again, thanks so much! Makes this so simple. :D
@Blogger101 (139)
• United States
19 Jul 10
I don't know of a way you can do that. You are going to have to give your address, so they can send whatever you want to buy. I'm sorry my friend, but its is jsut the sad truth.
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
Ah, that is quite sad for me. Guess there really is no way around it, but thanks for posting your opinion about it all the same!
@mjsoriano (26)
• Philippines
20 Jul 10
why not get a P.O. box??? It does not really require a physical address right?
@shoesage29 (6)
• China
20 Jul 10
I dont think have any way that neednt provide your address,But if you wantnt leak your message,I suggest that you can provide destine address,for example:company\School\KFC\road and so on,but you must provide your phone number.
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
Well, you can try to create a PO box and have your stuff delivered there. Buying online is dangerous so you have to be a bit more careful and a step ahead. If that's not possible then you can have it delivered somewhere more public, although I can't think of anyway you can do that.
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
20 Jul 10
You can rent out a mailbox at a post office if you want to. They charge something or other but not much from what I recall. Best way to go. Especially if you order a lot online. I am not sure if they work like that up in the Phillipines but here in the US you can rent a mailbox and get things sent to it. It's the only real suggestion I would think of other then asking a friend or a local business owner you know to receive it.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
20 Jul 10
If you aren't comfortable by using a Post Office address..how about leaving a relative or a friend's address? (For those whom doesn't mind, that is).. I'm sure if you explain the situation, they would understand. After all, it's only for a book, and they will be glad to help, I'm sure. Sometimes, I feel a bit of a discomfort too, sharing my personal address to people whom I don't know. But for things that I might order, I think it'll be pretty alright for me, since the stuffs that I buy aren't valuable ones. Like a piece of CD and whatnot..
@Simon1223 (903)
• China
19 Jul 10
Just as some mylotters said, you could ask the seller to send the book to your office address. Some colleagues of mine often buy stuffs online and receive their goods in the office. In my view, it doesn't matter that you let the seller know your home address and let him send the book there. I don't think he will do harm to you after he knows your address.
@hanagi (390)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
I don't know if that is possible. Why not send it to your neighbor and talk to them about that thing? I am also afraid of giving my information in the internet that is why I seldom buy things online.
@elvieb02 (695)
• Philippines
19 Jul 10
hi!
i think your only choice is to have a P.O. Box. Just go to your post office and inquire about it. I think the rent is not that too high. If it is, then you can send it to your workplace or ask somebody if they would allow you to give their address instead.
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
20 Jul 10
Maybe you can keep searching until you find it in the form of an ebook. All the big book stores now have a selection of ebooks available for instant download... I've just bought one through PayPal! There are also a huge collection of old books available as free instant downloads. If you told us the title & author we could have a go at finding it for you :-)
@jaiper (7)
• Portugal
19 Jul 10
The delivery of a material object requires a real address, for obvious reasons. But it could be your job place, a friend you trust, maybe even an accomodating shop where you know someone?
