Mail Forwarding like it's 1999

dreamingat30fps · 10-24-2023, 06:08 PM

So since we go back and forth from NC to FL I will have the mail forwarded to either location. I have found this to be an infuriating, horrific, outdated, pos process.

They let you setup the forwarding online, but you HAVE to set an end date, even if I don't know exactly when we will return. Then half the time they claim they need to "verify" my identity so I'm forced to go to the post office and show them my ID. Then when I try to change the forwarding to go the other way it just doesn't happen half the time and I don't get the mail at the proper house.

Honestly with all the snow birds in FL I don't understand why this is soo fucking difficult. Have one fucking button, forward on, forward off, that's it!

Anyone have any experience with this and know a better way or maybe some trick I'm missing?

RickFLM4 · 10-24-2023, 06:11 PM

Only solution I am aware of is to get all important mail delivered electronically and skip USPS.

dreamingat30fps · 10-24-2023, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Only solution I am aware of is to get all important mail delivered electronically and skip USPS.

I do get most things electronically, but there are still some things that get sent by mail. Like my HOA, the IRS, old clients that insist on mailing me a fucking check via pony express...

2000cs · 10-24-2023, 06:29 PM

I use the usps app on my iPad. Their website is better. I signed up for the service that tells me what is being delivered daily and what packages are “coming soon”. Large mailbox and mostly junk mail so I don’t have mail held when gone a couple of days.

Nice thing about that service is for the bills that can’t be sent electronically, most have web pages where i can view the bill. Local water bill is an example. So once i see the usps notification i can use my bank’s app to pay it.

We just got home from a two week trip. Had the mail held using the web site but set the return/deliver date too far out. Was pretty easy to change that once we knew our return.

I’ve only used forwarding when we moved so don’t have the OP’s issue.

tturedraider · 10-24-2023, 07:21 PM

I’ve been pretty successful managing forwarding using the website. You could set your end date a little earlier than you expect and then extend it. If I remember correctly there is a limit to how many times you can extend the end of the forwarding date. You should absolutely signup for Informed Delivery and get a daily email with actual scans of the envelopes that are coming.

RickFLM4 · 10-24-2023, 08:02 PM

I have Informed Delivery too but it doesn’t actually capture every piece of mail. There are sometimes things that arrive that were not pictured. Better than nothing but not perfect.

RickFLM4 · 10-24-2023, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I do get most things electronically, but there are still some things that get sent by mail. Like my HOA, the IRS, old clients that insist on mailing me a fucking check via pony express...

Isn’t HOA just a fixed payment?

I just got my last client off checks and onto ACH, so I get that. IRS too I guess but I rarely ever get anything from them (thankfully).

Any family or friends who might be willing to check the mail and forward on anything important? (A big ask.)

chassis · 10-24-2023, 09:10 PM

Sell the Florida house.

dreamingat30fps · 10-24-2023, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I use the usps app on my iPad. Their website is better. I signed up for the service that tells me what is being delivered daily and what packages are “coming soon”. Large mailbox and mostly junk mail so I don’t have mail held when gone a couple of days.

Nice thing about that service is for the bills that can’t be sent electronically, most have web pages where i can view the bill. Local water bill is an example. So once i see the usps notification i can use my bank’s app to pay it.

We just got home from a two week trip. Had the mail held using the web site but set the return/deliver date too far out. Was pretty easy to change that once we knew our return.

I’ve only used forwarding when we moved so don’t have the OP’s issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’ve been pretty successful managing forwarding using the website. You could set your end date a little earlier than you expect and then extend it. If I remember correctly there is a limit to how many times you can extend the end of the forwarding date. You should absolutely signup for Informed Delivery and get a daily email with actual scans of the envelopes that are coming.

I do have informed delivery, but all that does is show me all the mail I'm not getting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Isn’t HOA just a fixed payment?

I just got my last client off checks and onto ACH, so I get that. IRS too I guess but I rarely ever get anything from them (thankfully).

Any family or friends who might be willing to check the mail and forward on anything important? (A big ask.)

It's not the HOA payment I have that sent automatically, but violations and stuff like that. The main thing is checks, unfortunately one of my biggest client refuses to send my money any other way and it's enough money to put up with their prehistoric practices.

dreamingat30fps · 10-24-2023, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

Sell the Florida house.

If it wasn't for all our family being in FL... and their refusal to move... we would probably live in NC full time or at least most of the time.

10-24-2023, 06:08 PM	#1
dreamingat30fps Lieutenant Colonel 6122 Rep 1,950 Posts Drives: Miata, ES350, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	Mail Forwarding like it's 1999 So since we go back and forth from NC to FL I will have the mail forwarded to either location. I have found this to be an infuriating, horrific, outdated, pos process. They let you setup the forwarding online, but you HAVE to set an end date, even if I don't know exactly when we will return. Then half the time they claim they need to "verify" my identity so I'm forced to go to the post office and show them my ID. Then when I try to change the forwarding to go the other way it just doesn't happen half the time and I don't get the mail at the proper house. Honestly with all the snow birds in FL I don't understand why this is soo fucking difficult. Have one fucking button, forward on, forward off, that's it! Anyone have any experience with this and know a better way or maybe some trick I'm missing?
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10-24-2023, 06:11 PM	#2
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 12020 Rep 4,880 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Only solution I am aware of is to get all important mail delivered electronically and skip USPS. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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10-24-2023, 06:29 PM	#4
2000cs Captain 4081 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: Potato Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	I use the usps app on my iPad. Their website is better. I signed up for the service that tells me what is being delivered daily and what packages are “coming soon”. Large mailbox and mostly junk mail so I don’t have mail held when gone a couple of days. Nice thing about that service is for the bills that can’t be sent electronically, most have web pages where i can view the bill. Local water bill is an example. So once i see the usps notification i can use my bank’s app to pay it. We just got home from a two week trip. Had the mail held using the web site but set the return/deliver date too far out. Was pretty easy to change that once we knew our return. I’ve only used forwarding when we moved so don’t have the OP’s issue.
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10-24-2023, 07:21 PM	#5
tturedraider Major General 6008 Rep 6,746 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.89] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [9.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [6.60] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.83] 2000 BMW 328i [6.17]	I’ve been pretty successful managing forwarding using the website. You could set your end date a little earlier than you expect and then extend it. If I remember correctly there is a limit to how many times you can extend the end of the forwarding date. You should absolutely signup for Informed Delivery and get a daily email with actual scans of the envelopes that are coming. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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10-24-2023, 08:02 PM	#6
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 12020 Rep 4,880 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	I have Informed Delivery too but it doesn’t actually capture every piece of mail. There are sometimes things that arrive that were not pictured. Better than nothing but not perfect. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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10-24-2023, 09:10 PM	#8
chassis Colonel 8441 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Sell the Florida house.
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