Amazon Delivery while on the road

[ColonelAirst]

Wondering what is the most efficient way to receive packages from Amazon (or other companies) while on the road. I know that in my area, most of the Amazon Locker locations have shuttered. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks!

[karenjude]

They can deliver directly to you in some campgrounds. Call the campground you'll be at when your order is expected to arrive ( before you order) and ask about their process. ( some campgrounds prefer that it be delivered to your site, some prefer delivery to the office where you pick up.)

[Hittenstiehl]

Amazon is trying out safe delivery boxes in some cities. Outside of 7Eleven is a bank of yellow mail box looking items with kiosk.

Amazon delivers your package, secures it inside the metal yellow storage locker box and sends you a delivery notice. You go and use a password on the kiosk and your storage box open up.

Might curb the rash of package thefts (for a while)

[BoldAdventure]

We use Mailing Centers and UPS stores. Call ahead, as some charge to receive packages. some don't. Sometimes it's something like a $1 a package. With prime, I don't mind this. But some places, like Jackson, WY the UPS Store wanted $15 per package and $5 for holding it. I didn't order anything there.

I prefer mom & pop mailing centers first though. As I like to support local businesses in the places I am visiting before going to a franchise.

General Delivery for me has been a $__t show. It depends on the post office. So I have stopped using the USPS because of their horrible competency levels.

We've been full-time coming up on a year now, and we do a lot of Amazon still.

Good luck, and as always, YMMV.

[PKI]

Like to see more information on how folks handle their mail. Post office limits holds to 30 days, but will extend on special request, at least that was our experience. But on our last trip it took two trips to the local office to get our mail. Was a significant hassle and we continue to look for a better solution.

We tend to just not order large packages except when we expect to be home to receive. Got some wine the other day and had to sign for it, because it could only be delivered to someone of drinking age. Logical, but a surprise as we don't normally ship wine.

Understand there are services that forward mail. Seems like a solution for folks that are gone for long periods of time. For those of us who are gone for short periods, it seems like a lot of trouble, but info from those experienced with these services would help understand their utility.

Thank you for your input and info. Pat

[Hittenstiehl]

This is the Amazon delivery option they are trying out in target locations.

[ColonelAirst]

Thanks All!

[Tincampers]

We have used UPS Stores and other mailing service stores. I always call ahead to make sure they will accept a delivery and if they charge. If you are near a UPS distribution center, you can have your package held there.

General delivery has been hit and miss. Nothing lost but sometimes it might take an extra day depending on how far out in the boonies you are.

You can force Amazon to ship via USPS by setting up an address in your profile for the closest town. Choose P.O. Box and General Delivery for the box number.

[A W Warn]

The last three items I purchased through Amazon were delivered to me at a campgrounds. I used the campground's physical address. Each package was shipped by UPS, but the final leg of the delivery was by US Postal Service. Two were late by a day or two, only one was on time.

[paiceman]

Amazon Prime delivered right to our campsite, did not even stop at the office.

[Photobum]

I am currently boondocking in Borrego Springs. Amazon has made three deliveries to me.

No problem!!!!

[Jammer]

My experience has been that the situation varies by location. No easy answer.

Sometimes it all works out.

Some delivery companies subcontract out their deliveries in remote areas. Sometimes these subcontractors are individuals and sometimes they get paid by the package, not by the mile. I have run into problems in the past where due to the lengthy drive and lack of profit potential the subcontractor wouldn't bring it out, just kept checking the box on it that there was a big dog on the loose and turning the package back in.

U S Mail used to deliver to one campground where I stayed for several weeks in a row every year, but they have stopped. To what extent the problem was with the postal service and what extent it was the campground operator I don't know.

UPS and Fedex will hold packages at a distribution center for you but there's no guarantee that the closest one is within a reasonable distance.

Sometimes a local business will hold things for you if you know them and ask nice.

I tend to use two-day delivery when traveling because it is so much more predictable, with a number of things ordered there's less trouble with stuff trickling in over multiple days.

[BoldAdventure]

Delivery to a campground usually depends on whether it is a developed private campground or not. I highly doubt that UPS is going to deliver to your Campsite at Devils Tower National Monument or to one of the many campgrounds in Yellowstone, NP or any other number of NF, BLM campgrounds.

Borrego Springs was kind of a rarity. But I suspect with places like it and Quartize, they may be the exceptions.

[Foiled Again]

I am an owner of two independent mail stores plus an answering service (welcome to masochism central!) - gonna retire THIS year

One reason some will not receive packages for you is that you might be getting goods with stolen credit card information and a stolen ID. The liability issues are horrendous. The sending company can (threaten?) to sue your manager for accepting the package and then giving it to someone without checking and verifying and recording their ID information. Mostly that's harassment, but boy it can ruin your week or month while you're arguing the issue... after all they sold it and shipped it to an address that isn't the cardholder's residence. We always knew it would cost more for them to pursue legal action than to eat the loss.... but that doesn't really help you relax.

I don't usually favor the UPS store's pricing but I would never again accept a package for a stranger for less than $15 - just for the potential hassle.

So real pragmatic advice, your campground is likely to be your best option.

[3wd67rg]

So far I know that my VA hospital will deliver my medications to another address besides my home address, and Amazon will send my stuff to another address. I haven't tried a campsite address yet, though I have been assured that it can be done with notice. I think if you can get someone on the phone to put notes in your order, it'll get done.

[kb0zke]

We've had some experience with this recently. When we were campground hosting in Missouri UPS and FedEx delivered directly to our campsite. UPSP delivered to the park office. We're now at a commercial campground with a group. We happen to be on Site 24, and the group has rented mailbox 24. Mailboxes here are not tied to specific sites, though, so it is good that our mailbox number matches one of the group's sites. Any mail that fits in the box goes there if delivered by USPS. Everything else is delivered to our coach and we give it to the right person. USPS often delivers about the same time that we're all sitting around outside anyway, so he has taken to just pulling up and handing us the box. Since we usually have goodies out, I wonder how long it will be before someone offers him something to stave off starvation.

[greghoro]

You should always call the campground and ask. Make sure you tell them how the package is being delivered. They may have some strange rules regarding US Mail and other delivery services.

I'm staying at John Pennekamp Coral Reef state park, called and told them I wanted a package delivered. They gave me their street address. What I also needed to tell them was that it was being delivered by US mail. They don't a accept mail delivery at their street address but they do accept UPS and Fedex delivered to their street address.

All US mail is to be addressed to their PO Box and the Post Office won't reroute any mail addressed to their street address to their PO Box. Returned to sender.

After I tried to escalate the issue with both the Post office and the park, the head ranger told me they really prefer that mail be sent General Delivery to the local post office.


Greg

[AWCHIEF]

Only used Amazon Prime one time while on the road. I checked with the park office before ordering for their recommendation. Order was delivered overnight to the office. They directed the driver to my campsite.

[Rich W]

We're in an RV park right now and they accept packages. I've had packages shipped from Bass Pro and Cabelas. I've had my mail sent from the UPS store mailbox to here as well. Anyone with a permanent address (owned park models) has a regular mailbox for their site but the office will accept packages for the resident if they aren't home. This Carefree park and another we stayed at has an on-site post office of sorts. They have their own system of sorted and unsorted mail, packages etc. You can get a key for after hours pickup too.

I did general delivery to a post office and it took them 2 days to find my forwarded mail. The UPS store near the PO said $5 per package to have them sent there so we opted for the general delivery.

Our UPS store is holding a couple of packages for us until we return at the end of March. I asked when I set up the account and they said it wasn't a problem, even if it was the fishing rods. But each store is different, be sure to ask. Also check at the post office, not all of them accept general delivery.