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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about our services.

Returns & QR Codes

No โ€” UPS Store QR codes are proprietary to UPS Store locations only. Their software is not available to independent shipping centers.

Here's how to get a printable label instead:

1.

Log into your Amazon account and go to your orders

2.

Cancel the existing QR code return

3.

Resubmit the return โ€” select "Wrong Item" and "Package not opened" (less likely to be charged for a label)

4.

Choose "UPS Drop Off" โ€” not "UPS Store Drop Off"

5.

Print your label or bring it to us โ€” we'll print it for you

Not at this time. Due to FedEx contractual requirements, we're currently unable to process FedEx QR code returns. We're actively working on a solution. In the meantime, request a printable label from the retailer or contact us and we'll help you find a workaround.

Yes! We accept USPS QR codes for broker return labels โ€” the kind you commonly get from platforms like Shein, Poshmark, Depop, Mercari, and other online marketplaces. Bring your QR code in and we'll get it scanned, labeled, and shipped.

Absolutely. If you already have a printed return label from any carrier โ€” FedEx, UPS, USPS, or DHL โ€” just drop it off with us. No charge for drop-offs.

Oversized packages

We reserve the right to decline oversized or excessively heavy packages due to floor space limitations โ€” the same policy you'll find at CVS, Walgreens, and other FedEx/UPS drop-off locations.

USPS drop-off limit: 5 packages per visit

This is standard across all independent shipping stores โ€” not just us. Regular letter mail is always fine with no limit. The 5-package cap exists because our USPS carrier has limited truck space and too many packages means multiple trips.

Most retailers let you switch. Log into your account, go to your order, select return, and look for a 'print label' option. If you're stuck, bring your phone in and we'll walk you through it.

Shipping & Carriers

FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL โ€” all under one roof. We also have freight and hotshot driver partners for LTL and oversized shipments.

Yes โ€” walk in with your item or dimensions and we'll quote you on the spot. Please note that quotes are estimates. Final pricing is determined by the carrier based on actual weight, dimensions, and destination, and may differ from the Bill of Lading or carrier invoice.

Get your package in before the cutoff and it ships same day.

Carrier
Pickup
Days
USPS
10:30 AM
Mon โ€“ Sat
FedEx
3:30 PM
Mon โ€“ Fri
UPS
3:00 PM
Mon โ€“ Fri
DHL
2:00 PM
Mon โ€“ Fri

โš ๏ธ DHL note: due to limited drivers in the NW Houston area, pickups may occasionally roll to the next business day. This is a known Houston-wide DHL issue, not specific to our store.

Yes โ€” and we go beyond just slapping a label on it.

Real-Time Country Tracking

Our system flags countries with active shipping issues โ€” delays, customs holds, carrier restrictions โ€” updated in real time.

Accurate Carrier Pathways

Some countries accept FedEx but not DHL on the final leg, and vice versa. We route through the carrier that actually delivers โ€” not the one that gets stuck at a handoff.

Customs Help

We help with customs forms and find the best rate for your destination.

That's our specialty. We professionally pack fragile, valuable, oversized, and sentimental items. We pack it, we ship it.

Yes. We partner with freight carriers and hotshot drivers for LTL, palletized, and oversized shipments. Note: 25% of total freight cost is non-refundable โ€” this is standard across the industry.

No. We are not licensed to ship alcohol or tobacco products, and lithium batteries have strict carrier restrictions. Ask us about specific items if you're unsure.

Mailbox Rental

No โ€” it's better. You get a real street address, not a P.O. Box number. Think of it like owning a small home or condo inside our store. All carriers deliver here, and it looks professional on your business cards and Google listing.

Yes. USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, and private couriers โ€” all included free with your rental.

Yes โ€” overnight, weekly, monthly, or on-demand. We'll consolidate items into one package when possible to save you money.

Yes, as an add-on service. We can scan your mail and email it to you so you can view everything from anywhere without coming in.

Up to three names at no extra charge. Additional names may incur a small fee.

No โ€” walk in during business hours. You'll need a valid photo ID and we'll get you set up on the spot.

Printing & EDDM

Color and B&W copies, documents from USB/email/cloud, photos, fax, scanning, and laminating. Same-day turnaround on most jobs.

We work with local print partners to get you great rates on banners, posters, business cards, flyers, brochures, stickers, letterhead, EDDM mailers, and more. Usually delivered in just a few business days.

Every Door Direct Mail โ€” you pick the zip codes and USPS delivers your mailer to every single household. No mailing list needed. We handle design, printing, and USPS prep.

Notary & Other Services

No โ€” walk in during business hours. The signer must be present with a valid, unexpired photo ID. Do not sign your document beforehand if you're unsure whether the notary needs to witness it.

Per Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง121.005, we accept:

Valid (unexpired) U.S. state driver's license or ID card
U.S. passport or passport card
U.S. military ID
Permanent resident card (green card)

All must be current, government-issued, and contain both a photo and signature.

Only in limited cases. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง121.005(a)(3), a current foreign passport is acceptable only for deeds or instruments related to residential real estate transactions โ€” not for general notarizations. Additionally, the foreign passport must contain a valid U.S. port of entry stamp from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to verify lawful presence. No port of entry stamp, no notarization โ€” no exceptions.

Texas law requires a current government-issued photo ID โ€” no exceptions. We cannot accept:

Paper temporary driver's licenses (no photo or security features)
Expired IDs of any kind
School or employee IDs
Consular IDs
Any ID without both a photo and signature

No โ€” under Texas law, the signer must be physically present in front of the notary at the time of signing. Notarizing a document for someone who is not physically present is a felony. No exceptions, no workarounds. Please don't ask โ€” we take this seriously.

Read your document carefully โ€” many say 'notary OR witness,' meaning you may only need one or the other. However, if your document does require witnesses, please bring them with you. We cannot provide witnesses for your signing.

Yes. Quick passport and visa photos taken on-site. Walk in, walk out ready. We can also help with foreign country photo specifications. Tip: doing photos for a passport that is eligible for online renewal is much easier โ€” check if yours qualifies here: travel.state.gov/renew-online

Yes โ€” and here's a tip: many people can renew their passport online, but the State Department is notoriously picky about the uploaded photo. We'll take your photo in-store and upload it to travel.state.gov as many times as it takes until it's accepted โ€” no extra charge for retakes. Check if you're eligible for online renewal here: travel.state.gov/renew-online

In-Store Computer Rental

Need to print a document, check email, or browse? Computer available for in-store use.

Windows 11 Reinstall

Old computer running slow? We'll wipe it and reinstall Windows 11 for a small fee. Fresh start.

Free Linux Install ๐Ÿง

Got an old computer collecting dust? We'll put Linux on it for free. Breathe new life into old hardware โ€” no license fees, ever.

Hardware Limitations

We can swap out a hard drive or RAM โ€” that's the extent of hardware work. No major upgrades. We are not liable for any damage that may occur during the process.

Yes! We carry handmade jewelry, candles, soaps, and hand-painted artisan greeting cards โ€” all from local Magnolia vendors. Gift wrapping available too.

YES! We have our own pup who usually hangs out in the back break area โ€” the kiddos love giving her treats (don't worry, she's safely behind the doggy gate). Your pup is always welcome in the store too. We keep freeze-dried beef treats on hand โ€” the good stuff.

Major credit cards, debit cards, and cash.

No โ€” everything is walk-in during business hours. Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 10-4.

Website Builds & SEO

Mark โ€” a former Amazon programmer and the owner of The Shipping Place. Not outsourced, not offshore. Built right here in Magnolia by someone you can talk to face-to-face.

It depends on the build. A full e-commerce site with a product database, payment processing, and inventory management takes more hours and more programming โ€” so it costs more. A clean landing page or local business site? Much more affordable.

Here's what we can tell you: our pricing is consistently half or less than what a typical web agency charges โ€” and those agencies are usually building error-prone WordPress sites with an overseas team in another timezone, while their "SEO expert" is just reading click reports from a WordPress plugin.

Ours are faster, more secure, rank higher on Google, and are built right here in Magnolia by a former Amazon programmer. No contest.

See the Lighthouse scores for yourself โ†’ or call 936-444-9711 for a free quote.

Yes โ€” 100%. You get the full source code. Host it yourself, take it anywhere, no lock-in. Or if you prefer, we can maintain and host it for you as a turnkey monthly service.

Yes. Unlike Shopify, Wix, or WordPress plugins that lock you into their ecosystem, your site works with any payment processor โ€” Stripe, Square, PayPal, whatever you want.

Our sites consistently score 95+ on Google Lighthouse across Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO. Most local business sites on Shopify, WordPress, or Wix score between 28-72. Speed directly impacts your Google ranking.

Every build includes local SEO from day one โ€” schema markup, geo-targeting, meta tags, and proper content structure. For ongoing SEO campaigns, we partner with a USA-based agency (same timezone, Texas and Louisiana) whose specialty is driving real foot traffic to local businesses.

Their bread and butter is filling doctor and dentist offices with real, verified patients โ€” not bot traffic or inflated dashboards. We convinced them to bring that same playbook to all local businesses in the NW Houston area.

Absolutely โ€” and you actually get a discount. Since your site already exists, we can see what's working well and what's not, which means less guesswork and a faster build. We'll rebuild it from scratch, show you a Google Lighthouse comparison before and after, and you'll see the difference in black and white.

Most local business sites are live within 1-2 weeks. More complex builds may take longer. We'll give you a timeline upfront.

Yes โ€” if you want us to handle updates, hosting, and content changes, we offer a monthly turnkey service. Or you can take the keys and run it yourself. Your call.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help. Give us a call or stop by during business hours.