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Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: dankology on February 03, 2012, 04:07 am

Title: Should I cycle through return addresses? If so, how often?
Post by: dankology on February 03, 2012, 04:07 am
So i've got a good return address, but i'm wondering if i should change them out every now and then.  I have some questions ill just number them out:

1.  How long do you suggest using a return address? (or how many packages, approximately)
2.  Should i change my package looks if i change my return address(I would think it would be suspicious to see the exact same packages but diff return address)
3.  Should I just keep sticking to business return addresses or are personal returns better?

Thanks guys, my shipping methods are pretty sound but we all need to ask questions and constantly learn and evolve.
Title: Re: Should I cycle through return addresses? If so, how often?
Post by: tripballseverynight on February 03, 2012, 02:30 pm
I'd change the return address every time I sent out a shipment.  Use the same one for a determined lot of orders and send them all at once.  Next time you drop off orders, use a different one.  Repeat process and don't use just 2 or 3 addresses, the less you repeat the same one the less susceptible you are to a counter attack from LEO, as they don't know where the fuck it's really coming from any of the times.
Title: Re: Should I cycle through return addresses? If so, how often?
Post by: p3nd8s on July 05, 2013, 04:00 am
You need to use a different return address for every letter/package due to the USPS mail cover program where they scan every piece of mail for later analysis.
Title: Re: Should I cycle through return addresses? If so, how often?
Post by: Lorimer on July 05, 2013, 10:56 am

So i've got a good return address, but i'm wondering if i should change them out every now and then.  I have some questions ill just number them out:

1.  How long do you suggest using a return address? (or how many packages, approximately)
2.  Should i change my package looks if i change my return address(I would think it would be suspicious to see the exact same packages but diff return address)
3.  Should I just keep sticking to business return addresses or are personal returns better?

Thanks guys, my shipping methods are pretty sound but we all need to ask questions and constantly learn and evolve.


1. Depends on the return addresses & the packaging & the amount of business (order size & frequency) you're doing. If your shipments look like care packages from a relative/friend, obv each one should use a different return address. If they look like bulk business mail or a small-time eBay seller it can be better to stretch your use some. Does your order size vary? If so you likely stealth the smaller orders differently than larger ones & it would make sense that the return addresses reflect this. Instead of using one return address at a time it might make more sense to use a few at once, so shipments of x amount get one address and y amount get another.

2. Yes, but again it depends on what your packaging looks like. If it's a customized mailing, definitely. If it's more generic there's less need to worry.

3. Again it depends on your overall strategy & needs. Is it easier for you to make your parcels look like something coming from a corporate office? A home business? Someone's mom? If you're using a local business return address, how closely do your mailings match theirs? What sort of mailing labels are you using, and how are you handling postage? What will happen when one of your shipments does get returned to the address on the label?

I don't mean to be difficult, but imo there's no single best method & it's hard to weigh in on a strategy w/out knowing more about your location & the size/frequency of mailings & other details (none of which it would be smart to post here!). Yes, change your return address regularly - it helps protect your customers. Yes, change the way your packaging looks when you do this. (Also take your customer's addresses into account when doing the business/residential thing. If someone gives you a PO box or suite number, a business return address might blend more than a residential one. If they're shipping to a college or suburban address, something that looks more personal might be appropriate.) And no matter if you choose to change the

If you're shipping frequently, be careful not to suddenly stop all activity with one return address and start full-throttle w/ another - the association will be too obvious. Instead do a nice crossfade - start using your new return address at the same time as the other. It makes it so the two are less obviously linked.

Title: Re: Should I cycle through return addresses? If so, how often?
Post by: bbbaac on July 05, 2013, 12:28 pm
i have a bunch of real business info like a rolidex just flip threw it everyday and find something sutable. you know ?