Since Gulf Power closed operations as of December 2017, we have been VERY busy here at Mail Box Plus, since we are one of the few walk-in locations for Gulf Power payments in the area. As a result, I have not been able to post for a VERY long time. My apologies.
We have had to make changes and adjustments in Mail Box Plus operations in order to keep up with the fees and charges we incur as a result of doing business with Gulf Power payments, and a few other things. For example, the fee for taking Gulf Power payments has ping-ponged around a bit, finally settling in at $3. We expect it to stay at $3 for the foreseeable future. However, it is subject to change without notice, to you, or to us, for that matter. Also, in order to keep taking Gulf Power payments it has become necessary for us to charge a $1.50 cash fee if you pay your Gulf Power bill via Western Union. This fee applies whether you pay with cash or with a debit card (since Western Union is the only service for which we can take a debit card) and will be added accordingly to your total.
There are a couple of other incidental changes as well. We are no longer taking Avon orders, there were not enough orders coming in and Avon charges us for every little thing. We had also noticed people asking for a brochure every month but never ordering from us. I did even overhear a conversation between a couple of customers (one of whom I had just handed a brochure) to that effect. I'm sorry, but that it really a sorry way to treat someone. We have to pay for those brochures, and they are relatively expensive. Plus, they charge us for shipping. In order to keep up with the fees, we would have had to tack on a $5 or so shipping charge to each order, which I'm sure customers would not have appreciated. Consequently, Avon is now a thing of the past for us. Another small change to our overall operations is that FedEx now requires that we obtain the address, phone number, and photo identification of everyone who ships with us via our Ship Manager Software (when you come in and pay us to ship for you). This is some new security feature that FedEx has put in place. It was sprung on us a couple months ago and we have no control over it at all. We are required to keep the info on file for 30 days in case FedEx asks us to provide it to them. Please also note that if you are shipping international, and you are paying us to ship, you must provide your social security number. This is not optional. We don't keep a record of it, it is typed into the FedEx software and it is printed on the customs documents.
I guess that it is about it for changes at Mail Box Plus. As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to give us a call during our business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
We have had to make changes and adjustments in Mail Box Plus operations in order to keep up with the fees and charges we incur as a result of doing business with Gulf Power payments, and a few other things. For example, the fee for taking Gulf Power payments has ping-ponged around a bit, finally settling in at $3. We expect it to stay at $3 for the foreseeable future. However, it is subject to change without notice, to you, or to us, for that matter. Also, in order to keep taking Gulf Power payments it has become necessary for us to charge a $1.50 cash fee if you pay your Gulf Power bill via Western Union. This fee applies whether you pay with cash or with a debit card (since Western Union is the only service for which we can take a debit card) and will be added accordingly to your total.
There are a couple of other incidental changes as well. We are no longer taking Avon orders, there were not enough orders coming in and Avon charges us for every little thing. We had also noticed people asking for a brochure every month but never ordering from us. I did even overhear a conversation between a couple of customers (one of whom I had just handed a brochure) to that effect. I'm sorry, but that it really a sorry way to treat someone. We have to pay for those brochures, and they are relatively expensive. Plus, they charge us for shipping. In order to keep up with the fees, we would have had to tack on a $5 or so shipping charge to each order, which I'm sure customers would not have appreciated. Consequently, Avon is now a thing of the past for us. Another small change to our overall operations is that FedEx now requires that we obtain the address, phone number, and photo identification of everyone who ships with us via our Ship Manager Software (when you come in and pay us to ship for you). This is some new security feature that FedEx has put in place. It was sprung on us a couple months ago and we have no control over it at all. We are required to keep the info on file for 30 days in case FedEx asks us to provide it to them. Please also note that if you are shipping international, and you are paying us to ship, you must provide your social security number. This is not optional. We don't keep a record of it, it is typed into the FedEx software and it is printed on the customs documents.
I guess that it is about it for changes at Mail Box Plus. As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to give us a call during our business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.