Hello, We are planning to put our home on the market and begin our FT RV life next spring. We have been doing research on models and have our favorite brand of 5th wheel picked out. Yea. My question is whether anyone has experience with different mail forwarding companies. Have you had good or bad experience with Americas Mailbox in SD?
Thanks Jeanne and Keith
Terry and Jo said
09:12 PM Aug 6, 2013
Keith and Jeanne,
Use the "Search" function in the blue bar at the top of the forum pages and type in "america's mailbox" as the search term. You will get a bunch of different threads that way, many of which will be related to America's Mailbox as well as others.
Terry
Dog Folks said
10:53 PM Aug 6, 2013
We have used MY RV MAIL in Crestview, Florida for 6 years now. They are part of Passport America.
Great service and we are totally happy with them.
cherylbrv said
11:20 PM Aug 6, 2013
In your responses, can you also indicate whether these places are equipped to provide the kind of mailing address you can use to establish your domicile?
Thanks!
2riker2go said
11:49 PM Aug 6, 2013
We use Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD. They have been great to work with...helped us with our vehicle registrations and getting our drivers licenses - made the whole process very simple. Actually, we couldn't believe how easy it was.
NWescapee said
02:10 AM Aug 7, 2013
Ask me this question again next week!! Seriously, we will be there, getting our DL's and vehicles registered. We've been using Americas Mailbox for about 6 weeks now, so far it's been really easy to get our mail forwarded to us and we haven't had any issues.
Fergizmo said
04:10 AM Aug 7, 2013
We also use Americas Mailbox. Had it for 9 months. We like it and have no problems. If you go with them...tell them PMB 4481 sent you..he he
WestWardHo said
03:01 PM Aug 7, 2013
We've used Americas Mailbox in Box Elder, SD since April. They've been very helpful advising us & handling registration of vehicles and thru the residency process. Simple mostly. Their paperwork and emails tend to be very wordy and I'd personally like to see them keep it short and sweet. They send weekly (if that's how you have your forwarding set up) emails with tracing numbers on it. A little annoyance is they send a an email telling you they've sent mail but the mail is just a postcard and telling you that you have no mail. It's automatic and you can't change it.
It's very easy online to change mailing addresses. Their county does not have a wheel tax. We recommend them.
Sherry
Loretta said
07:14 PM Aug 7, 2013
We also use Americas mailbox and have for the past year. We have had no problems. They take care of your registration etc. The only thing is that you need to be here to get your license. Now, as I understand it, you can also renew your license through the mail so you will not have to come here after the 5 years. You just need to have a receipt for staying somewhere one night, in each of your names, to qualify for residency.
Workinrvers said
12:06 AM Aug 8, 2013
We also use America's Mailbox and they have met my expectations in forwarding my mail but have not exceeded them to any extent. We are work camping nearby their office and figured we could just pick up our mail occasionally when we came into the city for a Wal Mart run. We have done this twice after calling the night before to let them know we would be there. The first time no problem, second time I was scolded by the lady manning the front desk that we are supposed to give 24 hour notice if picking up our mail. I apologized that I was not aware of that rule but had called the evening before (it was now 1:00 pm the following day). I guess she was having a bad day because she seemed pretty put off that she had to reach behind her and hand me my envelope of mail that was sitting there waiting for me. A few days later I checked my account on line and there was a $1.00 charge for "unscheduled pick up". I was not at all happy with this but did find their "rule" stating they need 24 hours notice if you are coming inside to pick up your mail so I didn't press the issue but felt like them billing me $1.00 was petty on their part. I have been into their office 4 separate times now and each time I came away feeling like I was more of a bother to them then an actual paying customer. I now just have my mail forwarded to me here at work, less aggravation that way and I don't have to deal with the older lady at the front desk. They have "welcome home" in big letters over the front desk but I have yet to feel welcome in their office.
Sorry for the long story but if all you need is mail forwarding they do a good job and they have good printed instructions on getting your plates and drivers license transferred. If personal service is what you need then I would not be able to recommend them.
Phil
-- Edited by Workinrvers on Thursday 8th of August 2013 12:08:02 AM
RVKevi said
12:06 AM Aug 8, 2013
We use Your Best Address in Sioux Falls, SD. We can choose how often we want to get mail. If there is mail, we get an email telling us it has been sent. If there is no mail, we don't get anything. We also found getting our licenses and vehicle registrations extremely easy. We walked into the building where the licensing office, etc, was a few minutes before their 8:00am opening time and walked out before 9:30am with our driver's licenses, vehicle registrations and voter registrations! We have heard that you want to be careful not to be doing that at the end of the month, as they are MUCH more busy then. But we were doing it early in the month, so they weren't at all busy.
From what I've heard, all three mail services - America's Mailbox, Alternative Resources and Your Best Address - are good. It just depends on what you want, what specific services you need.
Hinkle Hut RV said
02:52 PM Aug 8, 2013
We have used MY RVMAIL out of Crestview, FL for over 2 years now and been nothing but pleased with our service. We've also stopped in the office a few different times while in the area and never had any problems with picking up our mail in person. They were more than happy to see us and no additional charges were incurred. They do offer information on their website regarding vehicle registration in FL, etc. Go to: https://www.myrvmail.com/ I also really enjoy the "online feature" to view all our mail in our "online mailbox" as well. You can also call and have them open any mail you like, and scan or fax any documents if needed also. They have always been very friendly and professional every time I've called. Mail has always been shipped out promptly as well. Very happy with our choice in using MY RVMAIL! :) Also, you will get a 10% discount if you are PASSPORT AMERICA member. Good Luck!!!
2 KOZs said
04:07 PM Aug 8, 2013
Thanks so much for all your replies --- and I did read the old threads also. We will be changing our domicle to SD this fall - decided on that state as we will both be on Medicare by Jan 2014. This has been a long wait and thorough research for 4yrs. I have been diagnosed with a complicated health issue but we have decided not to let that stop our dream. I will need medical care while we travel and will be looking for specialists to work with my WI docs a good part of the year. Glad to hear almost all good things about the SD mail forwarding services.
Dranoel said
04:35 PM Aug 11, 2013
+1 on Alternative Resources
laurly said
04:41 PM Aug 11, 2013
Another thumbs up on Alternative Resources. I'm sure their services are similar in price and all other comparisons, but their customer service has been the best. When we first went full-time we had lots of questions, and didn't hesitate to pick up the phone and ask them. The day we got into Sioux Falls to finish up our domicile by getting our drivers' licenses, we stopped in to meet them, and they were just as friendly. It's been almost a year and we would not change a thing.
Neil and Connie said
07:10 PM Aug 11, 2013
America's Mailbox is fine. If you are going to change your domicile for RVing then get a service in the state you're going to domicile in. SD, FL, and TX are the usual candidates but research and make sure you pick the one that is best for you.
Terry and Jo said
10:51 PM Aug 11, 2013
Just for everyone's information, the original poster did specify that they were looking at services in South Dakota. Locations in other places are of no value to the OP's questions.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 11th of August 2013 10:52:09 PM
Jim01 said
01:07 PM Aug 12, 2013
We've used Alternative Resources in SD for more than 12 years and have never had a problem with them. They have helped us multiple times with registrations, getting dealer's screw-ups with paperwork straightened out, and are very helpful with any domicile issue.
Give them a call, they're great people and will answer all your questions.
Jim
RandM Adventures said
10:43 PM Aug 17, 2013
I am a few days behind on some topics but this one is still timely! We just signed up with Americas mailbox and will be visiting them in September when we go to get our DLs and take care of other legal & personal business. We have family which lives in Rapid City but felt this alternative was best for us and our families. So far the staff has been very helpful at America's Mailbox through our communications via email, phone and written correspondence. We hope to report the personal service just as helpful when we return from our visit.
RJ & Melinda
10 weeks and counting until we are FT!
2 KOZs said
02:22 AM Aug 18, 2013
How exciting! 10 wks away! We plan to go to one of them in SD in late November and want our domicile there before 2014. I hope you post how it goes with them.
LibertyLinda said
03:10 AM Aug 18, 2013
2KOZs
It looks like we are on the same timeline as you!
What wonderful resources everyone has suggested, I have bookmarked 3 mail forwarding services in SD so far, and will drill down on that more when the time gets closer. We will put our house on the market around March-April next year. Our plan was if it sells quickly, we can get to SD to complete the domicile process first, then head south for the winter. We are coming from upstate NY, so if we can go to Sioux City, that would be better than Rapid City for us - so I guess your route plan may make a difference in choice too.
Also, at this point we are wanting to bank at a federal credit union (FCU) and would not probably go with the bank Alternative Resources is suggesting, but we will keep our options open.
We will 'see you' on the road!
2 KOZs said
02:47 PM Aug 18, 2013
We are now looking into ones in Souix City rather than Rapid City as you suggested, the distance to drive. Good luck to you! We don't own a 5th wheel yet and will be doing some traveling after hubbie retires Jan 3 in attempt to buy a 1-2 yr old RV. Thanks for your info.
NWescapee said
04:31 PM Aug 18, 2013
Last Tuesday we went into Americas Mailbox, they were able to very quickly deal with the vehicle registrations, we even had the actual plates for 2 out of our 3 vehicles by Friday. The title for our trailer finally came through when we picked up the mail Friday so we should have those plates before we leave the state. Everyone seemed really nice while we were there.
One surprise we did have when I looked at our online account was the packages we had shipped there as we were enroute to SD, we were charged a "storage and handling" fee. It was in our agreement, there were no rates stated in the agreement and I was a bit surprised that for 4 packages they charged us $18, as they considered 2 of the packages oversized. Live and learn, the packages we have coming this week are being shipped straight to the campground we are staying at for another week.
2 KOZs said
05:22 PM Aug 18, 2013
thanks for that info. We are comparing Alternative Resources in Sioux City. Best luck to you.
Hello, We are planning to put our home on the market and begin our FT RV life next spring. We have been doing research on models and have our favorite brand of 5th wheel picked out. Yea. My question is whether anyone has experience with different mail forwarding companies. Have you had good or bad experience with Americas Mailbox in SD?
Thanks Jeanne and Keith
Keith and Jeanne,
Use the "Search" function in the blue bar at the top of the forum pages and type in "america's mailbox" as the search term. You will get a bunch of different threads that way, many of which will be related to America's Mailbox as well as others.
Terry
Great service and we are totally happy with them.
Thanks!
It's very easy online to change mailing addresses. Their county does not have a wheel tax. We recommend them.
Sherry
We also use Americas mailbox and have for the past year. We have had no problems. They take care of your registration etc. The only thing is that you need to be here to get your license. Now, as I understand it, you can also renew your license through the mail so you will not have to come here after the 5 years. You just need to have a receipt for staying somewhere one night, in each of your names, to qualify for residency.
We also use America's Mailbox and they have met my expectations in forwarding my mail but have not exceeded them to any extent. We are work camping nearby their office and figured we could just pick up our mail occasionally when we came into the city for a Wal Mart run. We have done this twice after calling the night before to let them know we would be there. The first time no problem, second time I was scolded by the lady manning the front desk that we are supposed to give 24 hour notice if picking up our mail. I apologized that I was not aware of that rule but had called the evening before (it was now 1:00 pm the following day). I guess she was having a bad day because she seemed pretty put off that she had to reach behind her and hand me my envelope of mail that was sitting there waiting for me. A few days later I checked my account on line and there was a $1.00 charge for "unscheduled pick up". I was not at all happy with this but did find their "rule" stating they need 24 hours notice if you are coming inside to pick up your mail so I didn't press the issue but felt like them billing me $1.00 was petty on their part.
I have been into their office 4 separate times now and each time I came away feeling like I was more of a bother to them then an actual paying customer. I now just have my mail forwarded to me here at work, less aggravation that way and I don't have to deal with the older lady at the front desk. They have "welcome home" in big letters over the front desk but I have yet to feel welcome in their office.
Sorry for the long story but if all you need is mail forwarding they do a good job and they have good printed instructions on getting your plates and drivers license transferred.
If personal service is what you need then I would not be able to recommend them.
Phil
-- Edited by Workinrvers on Thursday 8th of August 2013 12:08:02 AM
From what I've heard, all three mail services - America's Mailbox, Alternative Resources and Your Best Address - are good. It just depends on what you want, what specific services you need.
We have used MY RVMAIL out of Crestview, FL for over 2 years now and been nothing but pleased with our service. We've also stopped in the office a few different times while in the area and never had any problems with picking up our mail in person. They were more than happy to see us and no additional charges were incurred. They do offer information on their website regarding vehicle registration in FL, etc. Go to: https://www.myrvmail.com/ I also really enjoy the "online feature" to view all our mail in our "online mailbox" as well. You can also call and have them open any mail you like, and scan or fax any documents if needed also. They have always been very friendly and professional every time I've called. Mail has always been shipped out promptly as well. Very happy with our choice in using MY RVMAIL! :) Also, you will get a 10% discount if you are PASSPORT AMERICA member. Good Luck!!!
America's Mailbox is fine. If you are going to change your domicile for RVing then get a service in the state you're going to domicile in. SD, FL, and TX are the usual candidates but research and make sure you pick the one that is best for you.
Just for everyone's information, the original poster did specify that they were looking at services in South Dakota. Locations in other places are of no value to the OP's questions.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 11th of August 2013 10:52:09 PM
We've used Alternative Resources in SD for more than 12 years and have never had a problem with them. They have helped us multiple times with registrations, getting dealer's screw-ups with paperwork straightened out, and are very helpful with any domicile issue.
Give them a call, they're great people and will answer all your questions.
Jim
RJ & Melinda
10 weeks and counting until we are FT!
It looks like we are on the same timeline as you!
What wonderful resources everyone has suggested, I have bookmarked 3 mail forwarding services in SD so far, and will drill down on that more when the time gets closer. We will put our house on the market around March-April next year. Our plan was if it sells quickly, we can get to SD to complete the domicile process first, then head south for the winter. We are coming from upstate NY, so if we can go to Sioux City, that would be better than Rapid City for us - so I guess your route plan may make a difference in choice too.
Also, at this point we are wanting to bank at a federal credit union (FCU) and would not probably go with the bank Alternative Resources is suggesting, but we will keep our options open.
We will 'see you' on the road!
One surprise we did have when I looked at our online account was the packages we had shipped there as we were enroute to SD, we were charged a "storage and handling" fee. It was in our agreement, there were no rates stated in the agreement and I was a bit surprised that for 4 packages they charged us $18, as they considered 2 of the packages oversized. Live and learn, the packages we have coming this week are being shipped straight to the campground we are staying at for another week.