Do you have a physical mailbox at your house for receiving mail? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:29:01 am
content: I know this seems like an odd question, but in the 7-8 years of living at my current house, I've never installed a letterbox. My reasoning for this is that 95% of correspondence I receive from the various companies I deal with comes via email and I prefer the security of a PO Box for physical items.Only on rare occasions do I actually receive letters, the PO Box is mostly used for receiving parcels which I can collect from the post office any day of the week (including weekends). Whilst crime is extremely low in my neighborhood, it eliminates the risk of anything being damaged due to weather, or stolen, particularly in cases where I am not home for days at a time (which is fairly often). Another advantage is that I never receive junk mail or advertising, plus it's one less thing I need to check everyday (if I get mail to the PO Box, I automatically get an email notification).Today however, I'm told by my bank that "initial" cards are sent to physical addresses and require "management approval" otherwise. This was never an issue when I first opened my account with this particular bank (which have actually been pretty good to deal with in the past, so I don't want to name and shame them at this time). I personally think this is a rather stupid decision.I honestly don't see the point of a letterbox these days? To me it's equally useless as a cheque book or purchasing newspapers to read the latest news and weather. I see having a letterbox in front of my house as something for spiders to live in and dogs to pee on.EDIT: I've included a poll for shits and giggles.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:34:11 am
content: The answer to your question for me is yes I do have a mailbox at the street. It's a security mailbox so the letters and boxes drop down and can't be removed unless you have the key to the bottom back door.There is no real reason not to have it out there even if you want most of your mail to go to a PO Box.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:34:57 am
content: I do but we've seen a clear increase in stolen goods in mailboxes in the past 2 years. So I have practically stopped receiving anything in my mailbox. I could as well get rid of it, although over here I think you're supposed to have one, if just to be able to receive administrative mail, even if most of it these days is also by e-mail.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:48:13 am
content: The new piss-off for me as far as postage goes is on-line sellers who are unwilling to send to a po-box in Australia, not understanding that despite the size of the box, it's available space and indeed the size of the parcel, the post office will deal with it accordingly. Unlike other countries.As a result, I have to nominate the house as the address and now I watch on the camera the idiot mailman drive up the mailbox and even if all the auths-to-leave stuff is ticked, he 'cards' the thing and takes it back to the local post office.Here's the rub. He does this to anyone receiving anything bigger than a business sized envelope. And the card he leaves in the letterbox says you can pickup after 4pm. That's because he has driven around all day with everyone's stuff and not dropped it off, and then returns to the post office, and they have to deal with it. For items that have tracking, this guy drives the whole system nuts.Fucking madness.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:51:39 am
content: fairly standard in the uk to have a hole in the front door with a flap over,we call em letter boxes,not big enough to get large stuff or burglars through,but big enough for leaflets and junk mail.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:03:14 am
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on March 07, 2023, 02:48:13 amYears ago I remember if you weren't home UPS, FEDEX, and USPS would leave a note to get your ass down to the post office or, if UPS or FEDEX, we'll try again tomorrow. No more. It's all left at the door and Amazon takes pics of it to prove they left your shit. If it ain't there when you look out I suppose the thieves grabbed it.QuoteYep.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:05:26 am
content: Up until around 10 years ago I had a regular mailbox on the street, now I have a section in locking cluster mailbox. I don't get a lot of mail, but I do get packets of various things on a somewhat regular basis, and stuff like tax documents and replacement credit cards. Anything that I order online that ships via postal mail arrives in the box or the attached parcel locker unless it's too large in which case it gets left on my porch.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:07:06 am
content: Quote from: themadhippy on March 07, 2023, 02:51:39 amMy aunt's house (in the USA) has one of those, but I don't think it gets used anymore. They worked fine when it was a postman on foot but now it's usually a mail truck driving around (right-hand drive incidentally) from box to box on the curb.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:29:41 am
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on March 07, 2023, 02:48:13 amRegister for a "Parcel Collect" address for free via the Australia Post portal. It's a "virtual address" but linked to the physical street address of your desired post office. They will also accept some non-AP courier deliveries. It's great for pesky sellers who refuse PO Boxes.But you're right, regardless of the size of the PO Box and the package, if it can be delivered by Australia Post, it can be delivered to a PO Box address, they just leave a card for you to go into the post office to pick it up (which is usually at the same location as you are already at).https://auspost.com.au/receiving/collection-points/choose-a-post-office-for-deliveries

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:56:00 am
content: When we bought a new front door, we had a mail slot installed that met USPS regulations (basically, minimum height above base for ease of letter carrier access).This works for everything smaller than parcels, and is common in city locations for single-family houses.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 04:32:53 am
content: Every house I've lived in has had a mailbox at the end of the driveway or a slot in the door. Now that we buy everything except groceries online, the thing is crammed full half the time. Larger boxes get left on our doorstep.Fortunately I live in quiet neighborhood that's got no through streets (it's a web of streets that go nowhere - one way in, one way out) and I haven't heard of anyone around here having their mailboxes looted. First I hear of it, I'm getting one of those security mailboxes. I probably should do that proactively, but I'm nothing if not a world-class procrastinator.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 05:54:17 am
content: The poll is missing a "yes, I receive mail once a week or so"I voted the "Yes, I receive mail to it all the time." but the only frequent thing that we receive is flyers from local shops. For the rest it is a package once in a while when I order something online, and some correspondence from the state, banks or friends and family sending post cards.And stupidly enough mail for a previous owner, that no matter the actions we take keeps on coming even after us owning the house and living in it for more then 14 years. This once a year from a bank, that sends an overview of the empty account. We have been to that bank stating the person does not live at our address any more and they said to take care of it, but obviously did not.The only problem I had with a package gone missing was due to stupid google maps and a delivery guy leaving the package at another address and signing for it himself. Took me over a month to get my money back, after a lot of back and forth between the different parties involved.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 06:34:24 am
content: Over here regular post is still the standard way of getting bills.Most large corporate entities have switched to some sort of digital delivery, because it saves them money on the massive amount of mail they send out. But the digital delivery method is usually trough some website that you have to log in to see things, not just simply getting an email with all the info.But anyone else still sticks to the classical method of sending that standardized payment form in the mail that you can pay at the bank or post office or whatever. Or more commonly these days scan the QR code on the payment form using your mobile banking app.When it comes to package delivery, they don't tend to fit trough the narrow slot on the mailbox (all mailboxes here are the secure type where getting the post back out requires a key to open its door) so you either meet the mailman at the front door or convince them over the phone to leave it at the door, as otherwise it gets taken to the post office and a note is left. They are not supposed to just leave it at the door, but if your property looks secure enough they will (fence, front door not too exposed etc)

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 07:14:33 am
content: Utility companies send paper bills, insurance renewals papers come, banks send credit cards statements, the government sends tax correspondence, all to the home address. I am not sure how it is possible to not have a physical mailbox.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 08:13:30 am
content: Quote from: Bud on March 07, 2023, 07:14:33 amIn Australia, all of this is electronic (if you decide it to be). Even fines (if you get pulled over for a traffic offence) can be emailed to you.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 08:17:55 am
content: Quote from: Berni on March 07, 2023, 06:34:24 amHere in France, or at least the region I live in, the mailbox is also a secure type with a key, but the mailman has a master key that opens all the mailboxes, so this way they can put even small enough packages in the mailbox.Have not have had problems with this setup yet.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 08:19:16 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on March 07, 2023, 08:13:30 amSame here in France.

author: JohanH
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 08:51:13 am
content: We have unlocked mail boxes (at least in less densely populated areas) and it's years since I've heard anything being stolen. Usually only small untracked packages and letters are put in the mail box plus an annoying amount of advertisements, if you allow it. Some institutions/companies are still sending paper letters, but usually you can opt in for electronic ones. I receive almost no paper bills or letters any more, most are electronic.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 09:20:16 am
content: I very rarely use or even bother to check emails any more and I prefer that all important correspondence be by post. There are good and bad points for each medium, I despise marketing material in the letterbox as much as I hate spam in my inbox but the "No Junk" sign only works for one. Emails are much faster but only if you check them regularly which I don't.I'm currently in an ongoing dispute with council and have asked that all future correspondence be signed, dated and posted as I am sick of their conflicting and contradictory verbal bullshit. I've also reported them to a higher authority so want documented evidence of their questionable conduct for others to hold them to account.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 10:25:23 am
content: We have a possibility to have everything possible only in electrical form.Obviously not all senders are supporting it and yes, I have a physical box also, not locked, the whole row of boxes is mainly not locked.Down side of all electrical only is that when taxman send bills it's also electrical only, usually bills go directly to the bank electrically but taxman is one of exceptions.Same goes with all reminders and it wont end well if you've forgotten you ticked that box of no official papers in paper when starting the service.So finally a court sent a real letter of hey dude, call a repoman and pay your taxes.It's not a real court order but since the court is an employer of repomen it doesn't diminish the effect if only general sender is stated.Original problem here was that the service receive all kinds of "junk" that have no real meaning, like some info of this or that has happened but you don't need to do anything.It can also be indirect, where one service is echoing, but only partially, what other service is doing.Then when once in a blue moon something important happens you have a good possibility to miss it.Yes, I'm not going to miss anything anymore, but still don't know exactly what all of those infos are stating.One nuance, insurance.I've mandated electrical bills but that is not all.Before they sent letters with many papers.Now when paper bills are no more the letter is still many papers but without the bill and world is saved.

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 11:16:22 am
content: I'd have one, but the postal carrier doesn't have 4 wheel drive to get to my residence in the woods

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 01:21:04 pm
content: There's a central mail room accessible from outside the gated area. All residences have a locked box about big enough to fit a single shoe. Packages that don't fit are taken to the residence at left at the door. Apparently this is considered a safe area to do that. I'm retired now and at home most of the time so it doesn't bother me.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:27:35 pm
content: Most governments are 10..30 years slow to adopt new technology.France and USA, official notices, taxes, immigration, property are sent solely by post.Thus every édifice or apartment or house must have a post box or door slot.For privacy or transient situations one can rent a post office box or have post Foward to another adress.Without a post adress, You cannot obtain a passport, drivers license or residence cardBon SoiréeJon

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:15:11 pm
content: Quotebut i bet the buggers can find a way to tax you

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 03:31:27 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on March 07, 2023, 03:15:11 pmI thought the question was regarding a post address at your physical residence... I do not, but the combination of a box receptacle at the Post Office itselfandmy physical address are sufficient for any legal requirement. Occasionally I need a utility bill to prove the physical address.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 05:59:08 pm
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on March 07, 2023, 02:48:13 amHere only USPS can deliver to PO boxes, even curbside mailboxes which by some odd quirk are legally property of the postal service even though they are typically homeowner purchased and installed. UPS, Fedex, etc are legally forbidden to deliver to a PO box or mailbox.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 06:58:47 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on March 07, 2023, 05:59:08 pmYes, it's similar over here.Oddly enough (given the amount of goods we now buy online), there aren't that many services yet, widely available everywhere, to act as more general "PO boxes" where people can have their orders shipped to, for all carriers, and that are secure enough. I think the market is definitely there.What has exploded though are local shops providing this service, but I don't find that very secure. Many even don't ask for an ID when you go get your parcels.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 07:14:27 pm
content: This must be very location specific.I have a box, about 3/4 kilometer (notice the clever use of fraction units in the metric system) down the road on a stand with all the other neighbors boxes. The USPS provides email notification of first class letters upon request. There are a couple of larger lockers adjacent and the postman places larger packages there and leaves the key in our box. If the box doesn't fit the lockers, or if there are more large deliveries than lockers the postman will usually drive to our house and leave the package on the doorstep (along with the days letter mail). All of this service is free. There has been an upturn in mail theft in this area, so ours is a locking type that allows insertion of letters and small packages but requires a key for removal. About two years ago all of the non locking boxes on our stand were pilfered, and whoever it was left a fine clear fingerprint on ours as he/she attempted unsuccessfully to get ours. Once upon a time mail theft was so seriously pursued by the postal police that it was a rare crime. Apparently not so much anymore.I see no benefit to using a PO box. I would have to pay the fees for the PO box, and periodically have to make a 10 km trip to the location for the box. Or use a closer one (about 3 km) that has a very sketchy reputation on social media for reliability. In this country a PO box is not a defense against junk mail. While junk mail will not be forwarded to a PO box, it takes the purveyors of this trash very little time to find out where to find you, as I discovered when using a PO box during a temporary relocation. I am sure this is one of the "benefits" of big data.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2023, 12:30:09 pm
content: Our system is now quite a bit different than it used to be.Actual post offices are gone and agents are now the norm.My case is now better since agent is 24/7 major Shell.They will also collect all leftover packets of their system.Postal services are not 24/7 though, they do few hours of system updates some time after midnight or so.(beer is also not available from 21 to 09, it should go so that what you're carrying when the bell rings is legit but cash registers are what do the real counting)Other systems have packet automates and door to door deliveries, the Post also of course.All this means that giving a phone number to sender is a must.Later you'll get a text with an automat code, or a packet ID if agent has it.I'm not sure but I think the packet card is history, so no phone no delivery.Customs is also texting so real number is better.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2023, 11:51:29 pm
content: Yes I have a mailbox on my house, I get a lot of mail, mostly junk but odd more important thing too. At one point our government was trying to end door to door delivery and you'd have to go get your mail at a community mailbox but they backed out of that decision. They were not accounting for elderly or disabled people who may not be able to trek through snow to get to these mailboxes, and theft is also a very bad issue so these would get damaged all the time from people stealing mail etc.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 12:37:23 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on March 07, 2023, 07:14:27 pmWho provides and maintains the extra lockers/boxes with keys? "free" is a wobbly term.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 02:46:50 am
content: Quote from: Someone on March 09, 2023, 12:37:23 amI agree, and I don't know. They were here when I moved in. I can think of a couple possibilities but don't have any facts. As there are about twenty mail boxes it would have been a moderate cost for a collective of the patrons. On par with a year of PO box charges.

author: bw2341
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 06:15:02 am
content: Maybe your mailbox is owned by USPS?https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-a-Cluster-BoxWe have the same thing in Canada. Community mailboxes (AKA super mailboxes) are deployed in new housing developments instead of door-to-door delivery. They're less expensive to operate due to reduced labour. Of course, they are less convenient for the residents.Canada Post started to convertalladdresses to community mailboxes, but public outcry turned into an election promise which halted the program. My home address was converted. They did not convert it back.From google image search, it looks like USPS and Canada Post use the same mailbox hardware. In addition to the individual mailboxes and lockers, there is an outgoing mail slot. If you have a parcel, you will find a key for the locker in your own mailbox. After retrieving the parcel, you return the key by putting it in the outgoing mail slot.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 07:26:42 am
content: That kind of mailbox set up is the same as what is used at this apartment complex. Except they stopped using the separate large parcel boxes about 10 years ago (where they would leave the key in your box) and just started leaving them at your door.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 02:30:53 pm
content: just an idea-in 2012 I did look at the typical physical mailbox for receiving mail.the problems- mail theft, wet or soggy mail , lost mail , over size mail. stuffed into a narrow insertion slot.concluded this can be resolved with the same typical technology as used in other household appliances.a physical manual use mailbox can be made automatic by adding motorized rollers top and bottom of the mail insertion slot.giving the insertion slot added width , opening like jaws. the bottom spring loaded motorized roller jaw drops down.working like a shoe box sized wall safe, all mail inserted into the slot would be automatically pulled 100% into the physical mailbox.avoiding wet or soggy mail ,or theft. provides you with mail notification on phone or sound inside your home.in addition an automated physical mailbox can display the house number and have a CCTV added if needed.solar powered if you have a long driveway. installed on the back of a door UK style , or anywhere in a wall.face plate would be 15 x 15 cm - 10 x 10 " and can be any style you like from stainless steel to artificial brick.did experiment with an old computer case , some cut-down used printer rubber rollers, some DC motors back in 2012.idea was shelved. as this was a rental property.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 08:06:37 pm
content: Just a hole in the front door. The postman managed to use it this morning to deliver a tax bill, a payment advice and a small parcel.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 04:34:43 am
content: I have one at home AND a PO Box. The PO box is going at the end of this month - Australia Post is charging too much for stuff-all benefit to me. A waste of money. There is a paradigm that anyone who needs PO Box must have something to hide.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 06:00:08 am
content: Quote from: bw2341 on March 09, 2023, 06:15:02 amIn my case it is a hybrid. The locker is a community box at the end of a row of privately owned boxes. My box is one of the privately owned ones, but I get parcels delivered in the community box.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 08:35:02 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on March 11, 2023, 04:34:43 amI had a PO Box for many years primarily for business correspondence and even though I was able to claim it on the business it was becoming way too expensive, and also hassle to check every few days. The only thing it was handy for was when I moved houses but stayed in the same area, this meant I didn't need to notify many customers, suppliers or government agencies about a change of postal arrangements.A funny and true story about our previous postman.A few years ago I was standing in the kitchen looking out the window and noticed the postman off his bike and kneeling down in front of our letterbox, he was there for quite some time so I went and opened the front door and yelled "is everything okay", he replied " I think I put the wrong letter in your letterbox".I grabbed my keys and went out and asked him "why didn't you just knock on the door and ask for it back", he then stood up and gave me a puzzled look and I noticed in his right hand a bent coat hanger with a blob of Blu-Tack stuck to the end.At that point I was thinking to myself....really?, is this standard Australia Post issue?....I then realised that this explains why my mail keeps going missing and why I keep receiving mail from different streets, he has just confirmed my suspicions that he is a complete moron and probably illiterate to boot.He then replied whilst proudly showing off his poorly engineered recovery implement "once we put it in the letterbox it is illegal for us to get it back out". Anyway, I opened the letterbox and gave him back next doors letter and then gave him an ear full about concerns for my mail going elsewhere.He apologised and I felt a bit sorry for him but later that day changed my view and reported the incident to Australia Post, they confirmed that he was commiting an offence by attempting to recover the letter in that manner. I never saw him again, but I did see more mail in our box from then on, addressed junk mail mostly.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 09:08:42 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on March 11, 2023, 04:34:43 amSure. Protecting your privacy is having something to hide.If you have any kind of public exposure (such as a YT channel, a blog, whatever) and must publicly give a mail address for receiving parcels, a PO Box (or equivalent) is pretty much the only sane way of approaching it.But just start a YT channel and give your personal address in the description box of all your videos. Let's see what happens!Anyway, "Si vous n'avez rien à cacher, il ne faut pas avoir peur!"

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 09:41:10 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on March 07, 2023, 07:14:27 pmI absolutely agree with your last paragraph.In Florida, ALL of the newer communities (the past 25? years) are being forced to use those community mail boxes. Legally, the USPS is supposed to deliver mail directly the door of elderly and disabled people but in many places they won't. My mother (in her 80s) and my mother in law (in her 90s) both had community mail boxes in their area and the service absolutely SUCKED! The mail carrier constantly stuff the boxes full of junk mail but then left notices that they were too full to handle their regular mail and the owner would have to make a trip to the local post office (and stand in line for 45 minutes) to get their mail. The mail carrier also paid NO attention to who's box they stuffed the mail into and nearly everyday, my mother and MIL had to make the rounds of their neighborhood to deliver mail that had been stuffed in their box and to try and find out where their own mail went to!To me, a community mail box and/or an HOA are two reasons that I would NEVER live in a certain communities. I live in an older neighborhood that still has mail delivery to an on the street mail box but the service here is still poor. From some reason, our route always seems to get the substitute delivery person and at least a couple of times per week they put the wrong mail in the wrong box. They're usually one house number off but they're almost always consistent, they mis-deliver the mail to EVERY house on the street!My neighbors and I all seem to receive a lot of packages and the package delivery people have all been good about putting our packages right in front of our front doors. And there is NO package theft in my neighborhood, most of the people including most of the women in this neighborhood are gun owners & carriers and the local hoodlums stay well away from this neighborhood!One of my friends lives in one of the smaller towns in Florida and he is quickly going completely blind, and the USPS has been very accommodating for him. One of his family installed a mail box right onto on the back door of his house and his USPS person brings his mail down his driveway and around back of his house and walks it up a ramp and deposits it right into his backdoor mail box.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 09:54:24 pm
content: Quote from: Someone on March 09, 2023, 12:37:23 amAround here, the "lockers"LOL!are below the regular community mailboxes. IIRC there are six or eight of the "lockers". When they leave a package in one, the mail carrier is supposed to leave the key to that locker in the mailbox of the person receiving the package. That way the person can open the "locker" to get their package. They leave the key in the locker and the mail carrier has a 2nd key so they can retrieve the first key later. But 9 times out of 10, they leave the wrong key in the box! Also locker is a completely ridiculous terms for the cubbyholes that they use. The "locker" is about the same size as a shoe box but only about half the length. I doubt that anything larger than about 6 inches in any axis would fit. My mother and mother in law had to make trips to the post office to collect their packages MOST of the time. I get a lot of packages at my home so I installed the largest mailbox that is USPS Approved and it is considerably larger than the cubbyholes on the community mail boxes.Speaking for my part of the world, most of the neighborhoods are now PUDs. PuD is supposed to mean Planned Urban Development but it's really just a Do-What-You-Want blank check to the developer. They're usually built by one commercial developer and they put in the community mail boxes but then "give" them and the property that they're sitting on to the USPS. The USPS is supposed to maintain them. They provide each resident a key to their particular box, just like if you got a box at the post office itself. If you lose the key then they replace it but they charge you a fee for.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 10:17:40 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on March 11, 2023, 04:34:43 amSeveral of my friends and several family members are in law enforcement and they all use PO boxes exclusively. Even things like their power bill are not in their own name and are sent to a PO box. The reason is probably obvious. Even their outgoing mail is taken to the PO and put directly into the mail drop there instead of using the mail drop offs around town. YMMV.When I was living and working in Canada, I keep a PO box in northern New York state and I drove down and checked it a couple of times per week. The Canadian Post was delivered by snails!

author: Jester
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 10:53:22 pm
content: We have a mailbox and use it daily. We are fortunate to have near zero crime in our neighborhood. Sometimes we are away at the cottage for a few days and if Amazon delivers something, it just sits on the front steps for a few days until we get home. We have never lost anything that I am aware of in the last 60+ years. We live in an old neighborhood 10 minutes from the city center (population 1M)

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 11:15:35 pm
content: Quote from: Jester on March 11, 2023, 10:53:22 pmWow. Do the same over here and I don't give the parcel a few hours before it disappears. And it's not Philly either!

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2023, 07:16:01 am
content: I've had one package get stolen ever in the ~18 years I've been in this house. Ironically the thing that got stolen was a package of USPS priority boxes which USPS will deliver to anyone free of charge (you pay when you use them). It was stealing from me that linked the thief to a pile of other thefts in two different areas.Sometimes I almost wish it happened more so I could set up a bait package with a shotgun blank or a glitter or paint bomb. Disperse glue followed by glitter using small pyrotechnic charges.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2023, 09:26:03 am
content: I once had a firearms licence go missing in the mail and when I contacted the Licensing & Regulation Division about it they wanted me to pay a $26 fee for a replacement. I protested about it and told them that I didn't lose the licence they did, and they really should require the license holded to attend at the local police station with additional identification so as to collect the firearms licence in person.I informed the staff member that when purchasing ammunition from a gun shop one only needs to show they are carrying a firearms licence as the staff never bother to closely inspect it unless a person is purchasing or collecting a firearm.The staff member at LRD then said that's a great suggestion and one which we should adopt, can you put that in writing and submit it as we could include that as part of the licensing and renewal process, I then said I'm not going to waste any more of my time assisting you lot with more rules and regulations. They posted out a replacement licence and waived the fee.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 01:01:23 pm
content: I know everyone complains about the post office. I always thought they did a pretty good job untill lately. In the last two years things have become worse. Last two months have been really bad. One bank has charged me twice for statements being returned because the post office thinks I don't live there, credit card company emailed me to provide new address, Insurance company says statements have been returned and hospital says I haven't responded to mail. I haven't moved in 40 years. I like paper statements but feel I'm being forced into electronic delivery.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 08:29:40 pm
content: Overall I've had a pretty good experience with USPS. For a while my mailman kept delivering me stuff that was addressed to the next street over and vice versa but that seems to have largely been solved after I complained repeatedly. FedEx is the one that is awful for me, if they bother to get a box all the way to my porch they never push it back under the eve, it's always right out in the open exposed to the weather. Sometimes they get lazy and dump it on the walkway, for larger stuff it's common they just drop it in the driveway right out in the open and leave. Oh and at least 75% of the time FedEx packages I receive are days late. The scheduled delivery date is a complete joke.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 08:36:22 pm
content: Almost always had pretty bad experiences with FedEx as well. DHL, meh. In my experience, UPS provides the best service overall. All UPS employees I've had to deal with were helpful and diligent.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 02:54:12 am
content: Quote from: james_s on March 07, 2023, 05:59:08 pmDuring the Vietnam war, I was a teenager, and a couple of friends decided that it was a good idea to drive around in the country side and do baseball practice on mailboxes with a bat while hanging out the window. This is a federal offense. They were caught and since the mailboxes are considered federal government property, they were given a choice: either go to prison and pay large fines or join the marines and go fight in the war. They chose Vietnam... they both survived and led a normal life.EDIT: I didn't mention that they had a bit of drink to help with their brilliant decision to slam mailboxes...

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 04:29:04 am
content: Just put this up a few weeks ago.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 04:36:43 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on March 17, 2023, 04:29:04 amVery cute. Love the bird artwork. Did you make this yourself?

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 07:32:12 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on March 16, 2023, 08:36:22 pmI have always had great experience with whoever is doing the "last mile" delivery to my home, but the overall service (from origin to my house) differs. From worst to best is:- DHL: always a crap shoot (except for the two times I've ordered from welectron.com, which went amazingly well)- FedEx Ground- UPS Ground- USPSPretty much any 1 or 2 day service has been great, with only the occasional hiccup (often weather related)

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 07:52:32 pm
content: Here in the UK it would be impossible to live without a letterbox! Government departments will not send mail to a PO box, same for ebay, amazon and all other online sellers I've dealt with. The only other option with online sellers is parcel shops or pickup points, non of which are ever convenient for me. And if like me you are a knife collector, UK sellers will not send to any other address but your registered address.Also, PO boxes aren't cheap here. You can redirect mail for limited times, and mail can be held for time away on holiday, also limited.The downside to a letterbox is junk mail! So I've started to return junk mail, with a twist! I send one junk offenders mail to another in their post paid envelopes! Just a bit of their own medicine.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2023, 10:28:52 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on March 17, 2023, 07:52:32 pmNational Geographic and the like used to include a postage-paid envelope for you to send a cheque. Because postage paid was ambiguous, you could get a cardboard box, put a house brick in it and affix the postage-paid envelope to the box.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2023, 03:01:49 am
content: Quote from: mwb1100 on March 17, 2023, 07:32:12 pmHere in the US, in my area at least, the big shippers (DHL, FedEx, Amazon) have contracted with the USPS for last mile services. UPS seems to still do all of their own, and next day deliveries are usually handled internally, but I get a huge percentage of my packages from USPS regardless of the carrier.One interesting side effect of this-the USPS does not do Sunday delivery their own mail except on the very highest priced urgent delivery services. But they do at least some of their contracted last mile services on Sunday.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2023, 03:43:04 am
content: QuoteMore fun to put in a business looking envelope with a nice printed address,not to the companys po box,but there real address,and forget to put a stamp on it.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2023, 11:05:41 pm
content: Yeah made it myself, with the help of a laser cutter.My sister inlaw did the artwork, there is a bandicoot picture on the other side.Unfortunately I only seem to get bills delivered in it.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2023, 01:59:22 pm
content: I guess changing the picture to Ned Kelly is not going to help.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 02:14:46 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on March 23, 2023, 11:05:41 pmI made mine also. .. but this was in the 80's, long before laser cutters. The design was to accept my electronics magazine subscriptions, keeping them flat, protected from rain and thieving fingers. Working well. Needs a little TLC, but still standing tall.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 05:42:50 pm
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on March 17, 2023, 02:54:12 amThat doesn't seem to be enforced anymore. Locking mailboxes are getting broken into all the time, people occasionally get caught with a pile of stolen mail in their vehicle and they're let off with a slap on the wrist if they are prosecuted at all.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 08:42:14 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on March 26, 2023, 05:42:50 pmYep. Over here there are several laws that would apply to this and cumulated could yield a pretty severe sentence, but in practice it never happens and nobody seems to really care.(Mailboxes are considered private property, so that would be at least: 1/ damaging private property, 2/ violating the secrecy of correspondance, 3/ theft.)