Why Package Delivery Falls Apart During Relocation ? How to Take Control and And What to Do Instead

Relocating to a new city is full of excitement, but it also brings a hidden headache: missed deliveries or stolen packages. Amid between-address chaos, deliveries can go awry, leaving you without essentials at the worst times.

Having a stable, secure place to receive packages, independent of your current housing situation can be the key to avoiding this headache entirely.

Relocation doesn’t have to mean lost packages. Keep your deliveries safe the easy way with Stowfly’s package receiving services. Get your first month free — limited-time offer, sign up today!.

Why Moving Messes With Your Mail: The Delivery Dilemma

1 The New-City Delivery Disruption

Moving often involves renting temporary apartments, staying with friends, or juggling between places. Your living situation may be in constant flux for weeks (or even months). In this transition phase, keeping your mail and packages safe becomes a serious challenge.

This quote comes from a real Reddit user expressing concern over managing deliveries during a complicated move:

“I’ll be moving… temporary housing… then moving to a new apartment all in the span of a month… I’m not sure the best way to make sure I’m able to get all my mail.”

This isn't just a case of forgetting to update your address. When you're juggling three different locations in the span of a few weeks, package delivery becomes a moving target. Even the most organized individuals struggle to keep up with forwarding services, address changes, or relying on others to grab their mail.

Add to that the unpredictability of shipping times, delayed deliveries, and package theft, and you’re left with a recipe for lost packages or stolen items—right when you may be relying on them the most.

2 Porch Piracy & Package Theft

In 2021, the U.S. saw 26 billion e-commerce orders, with 210 million packages stolen—nearly 1 in 10 packages lost to theft or failed delivery. With no fixed address or secure delivery spot, people in transitional housing or short-term rentals become prime porch pirate targets.

3 The Urban Delivery Trap: Missed Packages, Delays, and Costs

The “last mile” is a logistics headache in cities:

• Around 53% of logistics costs stem from last-mile delivery.
• Delivery drivers spend 30%+ of their time just finding parking in urban areas, causing delivery service delays and missed attempts.
• About 20% of last-mile deliveries fail,often forcing returns or delays.

Combine fragmented moving addresses with urban delivery hurdles, and you have a perfect storm for lost packages.

Stolen packages clearly surpassed both missed deliveries and packages lost during relocation in 2024–25, cementing theft as the most significant delivery challenge faced by movers.

Why Common Fixes Like PO Boxes and Package Lockers Just Don’t Cut It

1 Mail Forwarding & PO Boxes

USPS offers temporary mail forwarding, which can help with letters, but it:

• Doesn’t cover packages.
• Requires weekly monitoring of mail.
• Demands reliable tracking addresses, not easy during rapid relocations.

PO boxes or mailboxes for rent (via UPS, FedEx, USPS) help, but are often not ideal for large parcels, and can involve long waits or fee parsing.

2 Package Locker Services

• Package lockers, Amazon Lockers, USPS parcel lockers, or FedEx/UPS Access Points can be useful, but:
• May only accept specific carriers.
• Have size constraints.
• Limited operating hours don’t match unpredictable moving schedules.

3 Relying on Neighbors

Asking neighbors to accept packages is common, but it:

• May inconvenience them.
• Isn’t feasible if you don’t know or trust them.
• Is unreliable for irregular shipments.

Package Receiving Services: A Reliable Delivery Solution When You're Between Addresses

A growing alternative: package receiving services, a smart address substitute for package delivery. Stowfly is a network of package storage services that offers a smarter, more flexible way to manage deliveries by acting as alternate addresses in the form of your neighborhood cafe or convenience store to receive and hold packages on your behalf. You can collect your packages from these stores at a time that is suitable for you.

What They Do:

• Provide a unique street address (not just a P.O. box).
• Accept parcels from any courier (Amazon, USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and more), thereby preventing instances of Amazon missing packages, FedEx lost packages, USPS missing packages or UPS stolen packages during relocation
• Use secure handling: staff verify recipients, record pickups, and send notifications.
• Are insured, offer flexible pickup hours, and sometimes provide extras like consolidation.

Why Package Receiving Services Are a Lifesaver for Movers

• Reliability: Always staffed during business hours, no missed deliveries.
• Flexibility: Secure storage until you're ready to pick up your packages.
• Security: Zero risk of theft due to staff oversight and PIN-controlled pickup.
• Convenience: One address works despite multiple relocations.

Moving Made Easy with Stowfly

Stowfly is a standout among package receiving services, especially tuned for movers.

 Network of Verified Retail Locations

• Works with local shops, cafés, convenience stores.
• Each vetted, insured; trained staff oversees pickups.
• Currently active in major U.S. cities and expanding fast.

Secure & Simple Process

• Book your preferred package storage location instantly using Stowfly’s mobile optimized website
• You ship items to your chosen Stowfly address.
• Receive real-time alerts with pickup PIN.
• Collect at your convenience during operating hours.

 Pricing & Trust

• Affordable subscription plans: $7.50 (up to 5 packages) or $15 (up to 15), with $1,000 insurance per booking.
• Package receiving locations by Stowfly can receive packages up to 2'x2'x2' and 50 lbs, with clear, upfront pricing and zero hidden costs.
• 4.8/5 rating, 95% recommend, with 94% on‑time delivery and 98% damage-free rate.

User Feedback

• Positive reviews highlight:
• “Quick and easy.”
• “Very safe and secure.”
• “Efficient, friendly, great communication”.

Reddit users like Jorge T. say:

 “I loved the service… With Stowfly I feel safe… Thank you.” 

Leveraging Stowfly During Your Move: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Step 1: Plan Your Delivery Strategy

• Anticipate essentials: toiletries, electronics, clothes, documents.
• Estimate volume of incoming packages (personal + family shipments).
• Choose Stowfly when anticipating >2 packages or time in temporary space.

Step 2: Create & Share Your Stowfly Address

• Deposit it for all your orders (online shopping, mailbox, service registrations, etc.).
• It's fixed, no need to change with each new temporary stay.

Step 3: Schedule & Sync Coordination

• Know your moving schedule.
• Order items in sync with your move-in times,queue on Stowfly.
• Receive alerts and plan pickups efficiently,bundle trips to reduce effort.

Step 4: Pickup & Wind Down

• Pick during convenient hours.
• Use PIN authentication to retrieve.
• Let Stowfly handle the rest.

Real People. Real Moves. Real Results with Stowfly

Scenario	Challenge	How Stowfly Helps
Short-term student housing	Not to rely on mailroom or neighbors	Stowfly ensures safe pickup with PIN and insurance
Traveler in Airbnb	Can’t risk missing or delayed packages	Deliver to Stowfly and collect when back
Frequent rentals	Mixed addresses make mail forwarding messy	One stable address through Stowfly
Work relocation	Too busy to track delivery	Automated alerts and staff handling save stress

The Shocking Delivery Stats Every Mover Should Know

• 20%+ of deliveries returned due to failed delivery.
• Last‑mile inefficiencies cost consumers $4.50+ per urban package.
• 210 million thefts in 2021—nearly 1 in 10 parcels lost.

Interpretation: activities like moving exponentially increase risk, each failed delivery or stolen parcel sets you back time and money. Having your online packages delivered to a Stowfly location removes these risks entirely.

How Stowfly Saves You Time, Money, and Sanity

For frequent movers:

• Missed delivery costs: Re‑delivery fees, self‑pickup trips, disrupted access to essentials.
• Stolen package costs: Financial loss, replacement hassles, emotional fallout.

Stowfly advantage:

• Predictable cost: $7.50–$15/month (vs. unknown chaos).
• Time-saving: Packages arrive while you're away, awaiting to be collected when you’re settled.
• Insurance: Up to $1,000 per package.

Beyond Packages: Added Benefits

Pick‑Up Notifications & Peace of Mind

Real-time alerts and unique pickup PIN entry provide stress relief during hectic moves to prevent unauthorized pickups and reduce delivery stress.

Local Community & Support

Using local businesses creates community interaction and supports small retailers,adding a human touch missing from delivered parcel lockers.

Environmental Benefits

Consolidated pick-ups and reduced rerouting lower carbon emissions compared to multiple failed delivery attempts.

What You Risk When You Don’t Plan for Package Deliveries

Moving without a reliable package plan can lead to:

• Lost mail: Unexpected delays in receiving essentials.
• Stolen goods: Porch pirates don’t care about temporary housing.
• Added stress: Scrambling for basics during a time best spent looking for homes or settling in.
• Unexpected costs: Replacement fees, reorders, or delivery fees.

Stowfly gives predictability, security, and control during uncertain times.

 Final Word: Smart Moving Starts with Smarter Deliveries

Temporary moves, whether for work, travel, or life transitions don’t have to include package chaos. As an affordable, secure, and flexible solution, Stowfly stands out as:

• A trustworthy network of verified pickup spots.
• A PIN-protected, insured system.
• A stable address anchor through relocation.
• A service that dramatically cuts risks of theft, delays, and frustration.

Take the guesswork out of your move, book Stowfly today and stay in control of your deliveries, no matter how many times your address does.

Learn more about how to receive your packages safely without giving an address in this blog.