Joe’s plight proves it’s always a good idea to keep your credit card addresses updated, otherwise you’ll find it tough to forward your postal address.

That’s due to the USPS online address change form, which charges you a dollar and requires the credit or debit card be under the address you’re moving to or from.

Joe, who lacks such a card, is unmoved:

Wanted to let consumerist know that I recently moved to a new address. I went to the old post office and asked for a change of address card. Teller directed me to use their website — it’s all they allow now.

Well go to USPS.com and first) have to find the link to change the address (You’d think that would be upfront right in your face – nope – it’s down hidden in the household section).

Second, when you enter your data, you have to give them a credit card to charge $1 for using the service. PLUS, the card has to be from one of the address listed in your change of address (either old one or new one) – I didn’t have any credit cards that matched this – I still own a house in Dallas and all my credit cards point to that address).

So, in essence I couldn’t change my address. Can’t get a response from USPS on this.

It begs the question about what do people do that don’t have a credit card – or in case of me – in my situation? Also, didn’t this use to be a free service? What exactly are we paying them through the government for if we have to now pay for these types of services. Maybe Kramer on Seinfeld was correct – we don’t really need the post office any more…

I’m not sure if you can still pick up free change of address cards at post offices, but my recently-moved cheapskate friend (takes one to know one) said he wasn’t able to find one and had to spring for the $1 online address change form.

So don’t anyone move unless you’ve got at least an entire dollar of savings or credit, just to be on the safe side.

UPDATE: Reader Keir has verified that you can still pick up a free change of address form at the post office, as well as print one out online and either send it in or drop it off, saving you the buck.

(Photo: frankieleon)

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