Getting in an RV and traveling the country may be one of the most appealing activities for American drivers. But regardless of whether you are sustaining your trip with a part-time job, traveling to a warmer state during winter, or have made an RV your permanent home, you still need to receive your physical mail, like notices from the IRS, bank cards, DMV, social security, etcetera
Common RV Users’ Methods of Getting Their Mail
Personal mail, bills, and even government paperwork won’t magically appear in your hands while on the road. You need a reliable way to receive your mail safely and on time. Let’s take a look at the most common methods RV users employ to stay connected.
a) Family or Friends:
One of the simplest ways to keep your mail flowing is to ask a person you trust to regularly check your mail and send it to you. A common issue with this option, though, is that your friend or relative might not always have the time to pick up or send your mail on time. Another issue is that they may not send it to the right address, as you might be moving often, from city to city. Finally, there’s the issue of safety and privacy. In other words, how sure are you that the mail will be recovered on time and kept in a place where strangers won’t be able to grab and open your envelopes and packages.
To avoid such issues, sometimes it’s better to hire a professional.
b) USPS Mail Forwarding:
USPS offers a surprisingly effective method to make sure you receive your mail if you are not at home. Their mail forwarding services redirect any mail from the original address to a new location of your choice. They even have the Informed Delivery service, which allows you to preview the exterior of your envelopes online.
Their services might not be enough for RV travellers, though. USPS, for example, will only forward your physical mail to a single address, so if you suddenly move to another city, you would have to travel all the way back to pick up any important mail. In addition, any packages from private carriers like FedEx or UPS are not included, so they will be left behind.
Luckily, there are private companies that offer services tailored to the particular needs of RV drivers.
c) Virtual Mailboxes:
A virtual mailbox is a service that allows you to preview your mail, request scans, and receive your physical mail wherever you want. Virtual Mailbox services do this by hiring professionals to pick up your mail, scan its interior (and exterior if requested) in a safe location, and send it to wherever you are. You can also order specific items to be stored or shredded.
Advantages of Using a Virtual Mailbox
Many companies use virtual mailboxes to accelerate their mail management process, but it is also frequently used by expats and, you guessed it, RV owners, the main reason being its flexibility. Imagine that you are using a Virtual Mailbox service to redirect your original address in Texas, but you are in the middle of traveling to Arizona. In such a case, the client can request their mail to be delivered to their new destination with just a few clicks.
The good news doesn’t end there. Here are some of the main benefits of using a Virtual Mailbox:
- 24/7 Mail Access: Log in to your secure account and check your physical mail from any laptop. All you need is internet access.
- Privacy and Security: Your physical mail is picked up, scanned, and sent or stored by professionals who specialize in managing sensitive information for companies all around the country.
- Time and Cost Savings: Receive your physical mail in the location closest to you or, even better, set it up so you can get it at your next location. No more extra detours to get a bill or an urgent government form.
- Package Management and Consolidation: Expecting multiple packages at different times during the week? Request a consolidation to wait for the last package to arrive and bundle them up so you don’t have to stress about multiple deliveries.
Set Up Your Virtual Mailbox in 3 Easy Steps:
1. Sign Up:
Most Virtual Mailbox services feature their plans in a concise and clear manner on their sites. Just choose the one that matches your RV mail forwarding needs, create an account, and you’re literally ready to go. Given the nature of the service, a government-issued ID might be needed to finish the process, as well as USPS Form 1583, which gives the service provider permission to handle your mail.
2. Set Up Your Preferences:
Once your account is active, it’s important to choose which type of service you need. This usually involves telling the service what they should do with the different types of mail: Should bank statements be scanned only externally, and then stored? What type of mail should be scanned internally and sent immediately? Would you prefer to decide on a case-by-case basis or get all mail scanned automatically so you don’t have to manage it constantly and wait for interior scans?
3. Manage Your Mail from Your RV:
As long as you have a device (computer or phone) with access to the internet, you will be able to check your physical mail. This will take the form of a list of scans of envelopes and their contents, together with a summary. Some services even label mail so you can immediately see if it’s a bill or a notice and surface deadlines from within the mail. This helps you immediately see what’s important and might need action Is US Global Mail the Right Mail Forwarding Service for You?
Why People Use Our Virtual Mailbox
Different travelers have different needs. Having said that, here are the most common reasons people choose our virtual mailbox service:
- Feature rich service: From auto scanning, auto shipping to ability to see AI summaries of all mail along with ability to auto sort into folders and see urgent items that need action (think bill deadline or an urgent notice), managing mail is super easy and efficient.
- Safe Scanning and Storage: If there’s a feeling our clients associate with US Global Mail, it is safety. They know we have experienced professionals handling their mail, who are trained in safety protocols to handle mail.
- Remote check deposit: US Global Mail doesn’t charge any fees for scanning or depositing a check on your behalf. In fact, we discovered that it is one of our clients’ favorite features. Especially for non-profits and businesses.
- Junk Mail Filtering: We auto-detect and shred those annoying promotional mails so they never even make it into your mailbox.
- Affordable Plans: From occasional travelers to businesses opening new branches, US Global Mail has a plan for everyone, priced according to your specific needs. No extra costs or hidden fees.
Ready to stop worrying about mail and start enjoying your RV lifestyle?
Click here, and learn how we can make your life easier:
https://www.usglobalmail.com/pricing/
