I have been using a local mailbox place for several months and it is working out really great.  I know that there are some great USPS employees.........we have several, but it seems I kept getting the one that had a chip on his shoulder everytime I went in.  And then, the line at my post office is always about 10 deep so when I went in with packages I had to wait.  When it was my turn, I always felt like all eyes were on me and folks were wondering why I had to come with so many packages.  Anyway, I found this little independent mailbox place and the folks are delighted to serve me.  If I am in a hurry, they take my stuff and say, "We'll bill you. I don't even have to make out the labels.  I give them the address and they make them for me.  It is definitely worth the extra that I have to pay, which isn't much.  I can also park close to the door, they loan me their cart to get my packages AND give me custom forms it I need them.  Ya can't beat that!

that is cool! glad you found a shipping center that you can rely on.

Meili

Actually, they have not been charging me any extra at all on my FRB.  YIPPEE

Feel free and post the company's name and address!!!  They deserve the recognition!

I think it would be nice if the USPS would pick the packages up for us like UPS picks up my online store returns.

Can AnySoldier make some deal with some shipping company--any shipping company--that can pick up my many boxes and custom forms and cart them off for me? I would be happy to be billed to a credit card.

It's true what Krewe Captain writes about people staring at you and getting aggravated. Today I wheeled in my packages in a large wheeled suitcase. It took forever to stamp all the paperwork and put the customs forms in their little plastic jackets. I wanted to die! When I went in, there was only one person ahead of me, but when I turned around, there was a line out the door!

Also, some shipping companies allow you to print an address on your computer and a mailing label complete with bar code spits out of your printer. How about that, AnySoldier?

 Anything to get more boxes out!

The Boston Blonde 

Go to the USPS site and your wish will come true!!!!

I have a feeling that you completely missed the point of what Any Soldier Inc. is and does.

We are not some government agency with control of the USPS.

However, there IS a way to get the USPS to pick up your packages!!

All you have to do is build a LOT of packages, all the time, which makes it cost-effective for the USPS to drive to your house and get the stuff.  Works for us, but then again, TreatAnySoldier.com creates a huge amount of work for the USPS.

So, order your packages from TreatAnySoldier.com and then you don't have to buy the stuff for the boxes, fill the boxes, tape the boxes, label the boxes, fill out the stupid customs form, stand in line at the friendly USPS office, deal with the friendly USPS people, then drive home.......

Just an idea.............  :)

Marty, I have not completely missed the point of Any Soldier nor do I believe that you are a government agency with special powers.

However, lots of nonprofits make deals for discounts and/or other services with many agencies, including mailing services. DHL, FEDEX, UPS and the USPS all want business. I used to work for a nonprofit myself and now as a college professor, have formed a service learning program to provide technical services to other nonprofits, and I have found a bounty of free stuff from companies who want their name out there.

I do send out a lot of packages and was delighted by VickiV's suggestion to check out the USPS postal site, which I had never used since I am within walking distance of two post offices. (It's www.usps.com BTW for those reading). They do allow you to print labels and the postman will pick up my packages, any number, when he delivers my mail.

I did send two packages from TreatAnySoldier.com but decided that I would rather personalize my packages. I buy many items in bulk and break them up. I have a little assembly line on a table with rows of like items. I enjoy filling whatever shape or size boxes I can find, writing a personal note, and sending them off. It feels like Christmas to me, so I can just imagine what it feels like to the soldiers.

BB 

Mailbox Etc.

Pinhook Rd.

Lafayette, LA

Jan and Judy take care of their customers the old fashioned way.  Since they have gotten to know me, they let me drop off the boxes and customs forms and they do the labels, etc. for me at no extra charge and send me a monthly bill.  I usually stop by later before the billing goes out and settle up with them.

Thanks, Marty for letting me give them recognition.

Hello, Im new here, coming from, the SoldiersAngels with soldiers I adopted, which I wont be leaving anyone behind, no soldier, no commarade left behind ! I followed the links and....eeerrrrtt! Finding this site was like,  finding home. Yes, one was correct, you laugh, you cry, your emotions run wild, your purpose for being here is validated and become a Junkie,  to the ArmySoldier.com, a sence of wonderment, fulfilment can grow, natural instinct kicks in, your accepted and respected, here, I came here with strong motivation, no one is challenged, all band together as one, for the soul purpose of ...getting deeds done, its truely been, a Gods Angel Send the short time Ive been here.All the necessary info. is here and folks are more than willing to provide information, to one another which makes it much easier to get questions answered. Iwas concerned about,

 mail shipping, the U.P.S. that info. was greatly apperciated!!!!I I worried someone in country would be getting, what was intended to go to OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMAN. Thanks for the info.I have letters and boxes to send out.  Letters..... pray they get there.But the boxes must get into the proper hands ASAP! So, in closeing Il say,  DALE !!!!!..... DRIVE THE BIG BROWN TRUCK, WERE GOING.... U.P.S. THANKS FOR INFO. lnl,   Dorothy Roush,Moonwolfe          

If you know the weight of your boxes and calculate the postage, you can print the postage stickers from your computer through the www.usps.com website.  The United States Post Office offers a service where they will pick up your boxes - but at least one of the boxes has to be sent Priority Mail.  I always send the smallest package by Priority.  There is a 70 lb. limit to the boxes.