Even if you're old enough to get your own package delivered, your parents may not like the product delivered. This can happen for personal, moral, or social reasons, but if you're looking to get a certain item in the mail, there are several ways to get it without parental interference. Remember, hiding things from your parents can be difficult for you in the future. Bad guys can keep tabs on your PO Box and you could get in serious trouble if you try to order illegal items. Your safety and security should be your top priority. After ensuring the safety and legality of the goods ordered, you need creativity, effort, and the help of friends to hide it from your parents.
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Method 1 of 3: Delivering Items to PO Box
Step 1. Choose the post office that suits your situation
You can choose the nearest post office from your home and rent a PO Box there to receive your packages, but this runs the risk of accidentally seeing your friends, neighbors, or even your own parents. This can raise questions that you need to avoid. The safest option is to send the order through a remote post office, such as a post office in the next town or a post office on the opposite side of town.
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Most national postal services have an online tracker to help you find the nearest branch. You can use the internet to search for “post office locations”, or use a post office locator service in each country, such as:
United States Post:
UK Post:
Pos Indonesia:
Step 2. Prepare the necessary information and forms to take to the post office
You have to fill out a special form to rent a PO Box. You'll also need to provide your home address, phone number, and a list of minors allowed to receive parcels. You also need to provide two types of identity, one of which must be accompanied by a photo of yourself.
- Print the required form before registering to the PO Box. This will make it easier for you to fill in the required information. That way, you won't be confused when filling out the form at the post office.
- Accepted types of identity with a photo of yourself are: a valid driving license, KTP, TNI membership card, government card, student card, passport, passport card, or Seasonal Resident Identity Card.
- Accepted types of identity without a photo of yourself are: proof of installment payments, mortgage, deed of sale, voter card or motor vehicle ownership card, and home or vehicle insurance letter.
- Setting up an ID to rent a PO Box can be tricky at times, but a child aged 16 to 17 can apply for a passport without parental consent as long as the documents are complete. The second identity can be in the form of a government-issued identity card. In the United States, this card can be issued indefinitely as long as the documents are complete.
Step 3. Choose the appropriate PO Box size
Some PO Boxes, especially those intended for commercial use, are quite large. However, you usually need to pay more to rent a large box. A small box should suffice for your needs; even if the package that arrives is larger than the box, the package will be stored safely by the post office clerk.
Large packages that do not fit in the rental PO Box will be replaced with proof of delivery which is placed in the PO Box by the postal officer. Just show the proof to the officer at the post office and the package will be given to you
Step 4. Explain your reasons
Explaining why you need a PO Box usually makes the officer want to help you rent it. There are many good reasons to rent a PO Box; Explaining your personal reasons can make the officer in charge understand your condition. Some reasons to rent a PO Box are:
- "I'm a collector who buys a lot of things through online vendors. My parents were afraid something might be stolen so they told me to come to the post office and rent a PO Box."
- "This is part of a school assignment. I'm making a small business as a business class final project."
- The postal officer has the duty to contact or write to your parents to verify the purchase of the PO Box. Even if you give a good reason, they may still need confirmation from their parents.
Step 5. Calm yourself
You may feel nervous when renting a PO Box. However, some countries such as the United States allow minors to have a PO Box unless the parent sends a written prohibition to the post office. Acting suspiciously or being too nervous when registering ownership of a PO Box can make the officer call the number you provided or send a notification to your home address.
Sometimes, practicing saying what you're trying to say will make you feel more comfortable. You can even write a rough draft based on what to say when renting a PO Box
Step 6. Pay the PO Box rental fee
Cash can prevent parents from suspecting charges that appear in the history of bank or credit card transactions. Most post offices require you to rent a PO Box for six months to a year. The fee depends on the post office policy and the size of the box rented. In Indonesia, the post office charges IDR 25,000, - up to IDR 100,000, - for the cost of renting a PO Box for six months.
Make sure you get a copy of the PO Box rental receipt. The receipt serves as proof that you have paid the rent. In addition, a receipt may be required when you want to cancel your rental and request a refund
Step 7. Use the PO Box to receive the package
Use the information included in the PO Box to receive all packages that you want to hide from your parents. Don't forget, you have to renew the PO Box rental. This is usually done every 6 to 12 months. To avoid suspicion, use cash to make payments.
Method 2 of 3: Delivering a Package to a Friend or Relative's House
Step 1. Choose a trusted friend or relative
Your parents may disapprove of your decision to buy something, but a friend or relative, such as an aunt, uncle, or grandmother, may understand. After getting the approval of a friend or relative, you can send the package to his house instead of his own house.
- The person being questioned may refuse your request. Make a short list of people who might be willing to help you, then sort the list according to the likelihood. This way, you have a "backup" of people who are willing to help just in case.
- You have to be careful when choosing people. Sometimes, the person you ask for help can actually report it to your parents. Asking other people for help can actually get you into trouble with your parents.
Step 2. Describe the situation
If you feel comfortable or know that a friend/relative who is asked to help is willing to help, you can honestly tell us what item you ordered. People who help you may feel betrayed if you lie about the goods ordered. On the other hand, a small lie can help you hide orders that may be sensitive.
You could say something like “I ordered a gift for my mom's birthday. I wanted to make it a surprise. If he sees the package coming, he'll know my plan right away! Will you help me?"
Step 3. Develop a plan, if needed
Even if your friend agrees to accept your package, their parents may not like it. Even if your aunt agrees to help, your uncle may find it unkind. In a situation like this, you may have to make sure your partner can keep the package a secret so that other people don't get suspicious.
- You may need to wait until suspicious people (such as your friend's parents, or your uncle) are out of town or busy with other things outside the home. Thus, there is less risk of your package being discovered.
- You and the person who helps you must look for the same reason if the goods sent are discovered by others. That way, if the package is known by others, the difference between your story and that of your partner will not make others suspicious.
- Sending a package to an address without the homeowner's approval can get him into trouble. Make sure you have permission before sending something to someone else's address.
Step 4. Order the item you want and show your gratitude
Without the help of friends or relatives, you cannot buy these items. You can show your gratitude with a “thank you”, but you can also do other things to show it. Some ways to show gratitude are:
- Buy a thank you card and write a message. When picking up the items you ordered at a friend's/relative's house, you can give a thank you card to the person who helped you.
- You can treat a special dinner to a friend or relative who helps you. This can be done through a simple invitation, such as “Hey, I really appreciate your help. Want me to treat you to dinner next week?”
- Showing gratitude is not only useful for conveying good intentions. It also makes the person who helped you want to help again at a later time when needed.
Method 3 of 3: Retrieving Packages Secretly
Step 1. Use a package tracker service
Most items ordered online can be tracked via a tracking number. You can also receive notifications via email or text to know when your package will arrive. This way, you don't have to waste time waiting for the package at home while it's still in the delivery process.
Cheap shipping services usually don't provide the option to track a shipment. If this happens, you should pay extra to use a premium delivery service. These shipments usually include a package tracking number along with proof of order
Step 2. Find out the package delivery schedule
If you order something through the Pos Indonesia service, the package is usually delivered on a regular schedule. Delivery through private companies, such as JNE or J&T usually does not have a regular schedule. If you send a package through the services of a private company, chances are you will find it difficult to find a clear package delivery schedule.
- If you and your parents rarely receive packages, it's a good idea to make two orders and make sure the first message contains an item that is not prohibited by the parents. Arrange the order so that the two packages arrive on different days. After that, wait for the courier to come to guess the delivery schedule.
- To confirm the delivery schedule more precisely, you need to spend some time at home checking the arrival of the package. This means you have to pretend to be sick so you don't have to go to school.
- On the day your order is delivered, you can contact the courier to find out when the order will be delivered. Just say something like “I have other things to do today, but I have a package pending. When will the package be delivered? My address is at…”
Step 3. Verify your parents' schedule
Plans to hide the arrival of the package can be ruined if the parents decide to leave work early and meet the courier sooner. You should check your parents' schedule on the day the package arrives. Sometimes, you may need an excuse so that your parents don't suspect a question about their schedule.
- You could text your mom during the day saying something like “What time will mom and dad be home? I'm already hungry, let's eat dinner early okay?"
- You can have your package delivered when your parents are out of town to eliminate the risk of your parents arriving unexpectedly. When your parents suddenly have to go out of town for a day or two, you can use a one-day delivery service to pick up orders before they leave.
Step 4. Order the item you want and save it before anyone else finds out
Even if your parents are at home when the package is delivered, you can think quickly to save yourself. Of course, if the parents are out, they are very unlikely to know about the package coming to the house. However, if you meet the courier at your doorstep or pick it up earlier than your parents, you can hide your order somewhere until your parents are distracted. After that, you can take it into the house and put it in a safer hiding place.
- For example, if your mother is at home when the package arrives and you find it difficult to bring the package inside, you can hide it behind ornamental plant pots, bushes around the house, or other places. After that, you can go out with your backpack to keep the package hidden when you take it inside.
- You may find it easier to sneak packages into your house if you wear loose-fitting clothes. Hooded jackets are usually equipped with pockets or large storage areas that can be used to hide items. You can also tuck the package into your pants.
Tips
- Use someone else's name as the recipient of the package, such as a neighbor's name or a self-composed name. If the parent finds it, he will not open the package or scold you.
- Always prepare a reason to explain the package you ordered. Saying that you ordered a package containing a secret birthday or Christmas gift as a surprise can give you extra time to hide it and find something else to replace.
- Set an alarm so you don't forget to pick up the package.
- Often, the customer may provide special shipping instructions. In other words, you can ask the courier to put the package somewhere your parents don't know about, like behind a bush or on the side of the house. This method is much safer than placing it in an area that parents often see, such as a post box or patio.
- Amazon offers a service called "Amazon Locker" specifically for items purchased through Amazon.com. This service is similar to a temporary PO Box which can only be opened with a special code.
