Startup - Leasing a business/postal address cheap?

[InsaneBoarder234]

Hello there, I'm currently doing some research into setting up a mobile phone repair company. I'm a bit weary of investing a lot of money especially as I have very little capital and I'd have to find finance etc, so instead I'd like to test the water by using an online business model.

The technical side of websites, designing, hosting etc is all ironed out and ready. My next problem is that I want the business model such that my customers will provide me with details of their problem (for example a damaged screen) and send me the mobile phone handset, I'll then do the repairs and send the handset back. Obviously I don't want to put my home address all over the Internet and as mentioned I don't have the capital to lease an office or shop right now.

So my question is, what options do I have as far as getting an address where people can send packages to and I can collect them and do the work? I know of post office (P.O.) boxes, however I heard that anyone can discover the real address behind a P.O. box upon request which worries me. Also it seems that some people don't like the idea of sending things to P.O. boxes because of them being used for no good in the past.

Any advice on what options I have available to me would be much appreciated!

Thanks
-Nick

 

[Aspect Investments]

http://www.mbe.co.uk/

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I went to the free local business advice organisation in my area yesterday, we had a chat about my plans and they gave me a load of leaflets and forms etc.

Anyway, one thing I did notice is that they have a virtual office service which gives you a business address and they handle all your post, so you just go in to collect it. The basic service was £5/week.

Try and find something similar near you, for your business model to work I don't think you could rely on a mail forwarding virtual address so must be in easy collection range.

Matt