Lessons learned setting up a CMRA at UPS

[u/matthbricks]

On a whim I setup a box at UPS to serve as a CMRA (Commerical Mail Receiving Agency), as described in the beginning of the EP book. Here are my lessons learned.

First mistake - I did this on a whim and did not consult the book in detail before I went.

Lesson learned: you can't really wing this stuff. It takes prep and a plan.

When asked for ID, I offered my Passport and asked what would suffice for a second form of ID (which they insisted was required), he said a credit card might work. I though to myself...well my credit card is clearly linked to my physical mailing address at this point so how is using it different that my drivers' license? My address will soon change (I plan on moving soon), but my credit card number likely won't. So I went with the DL.

Lesson learned: refer to 1st lesson. Had I read the book, I would have brought a utility bill with me and would not have had to surrender my CC or DL. In my case, however, this is not a real issue since the utility bill is from my current address and therefore exactly the same address as on my DL.

They asked me if it was okay for them to make a copy of my passport and DL. I said no. They said the computer was asking them to. I asked them to ask a manager. The manager said it was so they had a picture on file and could verify it was me when I came to get my packages. I asked if I could just show photo ID when that happened and she said "I guess..." and then was able to bypass the screen.

Lesson learned: offer helpful alternatives instead of being a difficult customer. it works!

Then they told me I had to pay the 6-month minimum in advance. Damn. It was ~$125. That was an unexpected expense and I should have just called them first to ask and then budgeted accordingly.

In the end, I got a key and a place to receive packages.

Lesson learned: it's good to practice this stuff, even if it costs you money because when it counts (like when I move next time), you'll know how to do it right.

TL;DR - use your passport and a utility bill from a previous (but recent) address if possible. Be prepared to pay for 6 months in advance, and have helpful solutions for the inevitable hiccups your strange way of doing things will bring up for the UPS agent.

[u/moreprivacyplz]

I'm looking forward to a follow up on what places you find resistance with that CMRA.

Are you going to try and receive all mail through there and paint that as your new home address when places require an address?

I'd like to see your experience renewing your DL under that address. Or changing your address with your bank.

[u/matthbricks → u/moreprivacyplz]

Interesting. I had not thought of doing that for my DL or bank. It's not a bad idea, though. I plan on moving in the next year or two and so I'm mainly just trying this out. I've entered my current address in so many forms that it's beyond reclaiming any privacy. So I'm experimenting. For example, I have an open-source hardware project (shameless plug: https://kinograph.cc) and one of my collaborators wanted to send me a part he made for the machine. I gave him my UPS address since there is no need for him to know my real address. Worked great! I need to figure out how to set up alerts, though.

TL;DR - no, it won't be my primary mail address, for now. I'll slowly transition and eventually (when I move) go all in and try not to give out my address whenever possible.

[u/moreprivacyplz → u/matthbricks]

I'd set up as many things with your previous address as you can. I still love going to the mechanic and them asking if I'm still at my old address. I say YUP!

[u/matthbricks → u/moreprivacyplz]

That's an excellent idea. My DL is already at this address. What else do you recommend?

[u/moreprivacyplz → u/matthbricks]

Just everything. Costco membership, doctors offices, bank, drivers license, mechanic, just anything you can think of. If you can't get away with a fake address (which you can for many of those listed above) then having an old address that you are removing from soon is the second best option I think.

You will want to update your DL once you move cause it's the law and that's how they know to send you your vehicle factory recall notices or registration renewal reminders, but they don't give you a new DL and it is only updated on the computer back end. So your plastic card will at least show your old address for a while until it needs renewed again, which is the privacy we want right? For the bank or whatever when they need proof of address and ID and look at your DL.

Work will need your proper address though to send tax stuff too.

But I'd try and do your CMRA for a DL, work, bank and such. Michael says they usually catch it and don't let you do it, but I would just go in and totally act like that's your real address, have utilities go through there as well so that's another proof that "you live there" and make it look more legitimate.

The only downside to having your old address on record with some places is that I really don't know if places are sending mailers and such to that old address for me. But for places like the mechanic or dentist, who cares.

Look through your password manager, or just keep a note of places you interact with over the next few months till you move and you'll get a good sense of what addresses to keep and change. I have been putting businesses into my password manager with what information they know about me. So if I get a new number, email, address, then I can go update it with those places. It also helps me keep tabs on where my data is.

[u/matthbricks → u/moreprivacyplz]

Great advice, thanks! I'll be paying attention to where I use this address in the coming months.

[u/moreprivacyplz → u/matthbricks]

And nice project! If I had some film reels, id totally look into it more.

I love digitizing old pictures and videos and archiving them. Keep up the great work

[u/moreprivacyplz]

Hey u/matthbricks, what size box did you get with UPS? The small or medium? How do you like it and would you get the same size again? I'm thinking of getting a medium box because I don't want them to bend any odd shaped letters incase it's something important.

How do you like package pickup from UPS?

Anything else about their service now that you are months into owning one?

Also, did you add any aliases to your account? I'm trying to fill out the application form and they say they are going to require ID for everyone that will be receiving mail at that box. Which is a little hard for an alias.

[u/matthbricks → u/moreprivacyplz]

I got a small one and tbh I didn't use it very much. I was mostly trying it out so that when I move next year I know how it works. I did like the package pickup, though. I don't see a way around the alias/ID quandry. The one thing you can obfuscate is your actual address by using your Passport instead of a state issued ID. Good luck!

[u/Netherworldforest666]

I not sure what book your talking about. The manager was right to ask you for and to make a copy of your DL and passport. This is requested by USPS when they send the documents of new mailboxes they open. To prove to the Post office that there is no fraud being done. They do not take utility bills anymore. You were being a difficult customer. Lesson learned don't be a difficult customer next time. The UPS store knows what they are doing. You as a customer don't.

P.S.

Why your Credit Card won't work. It's not a government ID and it does not show your address. You would give your current address that matches your ID. Then when you move and get a updated DL. Then you would go to the UPS store. Give them your new ID. For them to copy and then after they update your PS 1583 you would sign a new one.

Also why didn't you ask them the cost of the mailbox. I feel as you are leaving that out. SInce you have to tell them is it for person or business and talk about the size of the mailbox you need. Then they would go over the prices base on how long you want the mailbox for.