quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
What are y'all getting by mail in 2022 that would need a secure mailbox? All I see in mine is junk and the occasional AMZN package (which won't fit in that slot....).

Yup. My regular mailbox never has anything in it of value, except for the occasional item from my 85 year old mother, who still thinks it is 1980. I have stuff like driver's licenses and voter registration sent to my office where the mailman brings it inside.

But I'd also get a PO Box if I thought I'd get any meaningful mail.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
What are y'all getting by mail in 2022 that would need a secure mailbox? All I see in mine is junk and the occasional AMZN package (which won't fit in that slot....).

Car registration and tags, handicapped hang tag, driver's license renewal, passport renewal, gun parts and more.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Question on locking mailboxes. I am assuming they all utilize one universal key?

No the Key is for the owner, the USPS doesn't get a key, also on that Ft Knox the web page states they have multiple types of locks, you choose which type, regular key, barrel key.

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
A couple of things: The mailbox that is pictured will not work because your mail carrier is not required to carry a key for your private mailbox. They won't deliver to it.

Look closer, on the first one there is a mail slot above the door for the USPS to put mail into the locked box so no reason they can't deliver the mail to that box.

The second one looks JMO to be a better option as it will accept smaller packages.

I pay and receive every bill I can using online banking. Yes, it could still be hacked but it's far more secure and reliable than mail.
Since I've been using that method, I've had zero problems with theft or fraud.
I have a PO Box for things I must get by mail and only things via UPS/FedEx come to my business address (my own small business).

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I'm with ZSMICHAEL. Get a box at UPS. I wouldn't get a USPS PO Box as then you can't receive FedEX or UPS. ...

I've received both FedEx and UPS at my USPS PO Box.

I guess the answer is more involved. My information came from before USPS started delivering for FedEx and UPS (I'm assuming that's the timing).

Below is what I copy/pasted from this Link.

Can I ship via FedEx or UPS to a PO box?
Short answer:

Yes, if you use a "hybrid service" like FedEx SmartPost or UPS SurePost.

Otherwise, no, if the address has the words "PO BOX" in it. If you want to use FedEx or UPS, ask the customer for a physical street address, like "123 Main St" instead of "PO BOX 500".

Long answer:

No, except maybe if the customer has signed up for something called "Street-Style Addressing" and writes the address in a different format.

First, let's talk about the hybrid services: these are services like UPS SurePost and FedEx SmartPost, where UPS or FedEx takes the package most of the way, and then hands it to the USPS for the final delivery. It's totally fine to ship to PO boxes with these services, but that's probably not why you're looking at this page.

FedEx and UPS can't deliver to PO boxes because the USPS won't let them. It's as simple as that, or at least, it was that simple for many years.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
I pay and receive every bill I can using online banking. Yes, it could still be hacked but it's far more secure and reliable than mail.
Since I've been using that method, I've had zero problems with theft or fraud.
I have a PO Box for things I must get by mail and only things via UPS/FedEx come to my business address (my own small business).

I love paper and used physical filing systems. Sometimes, this has led to paper bills being buried and missed. In 2017, I was going to not work anymore and move overseas for a while, I switched all my bills and payments via their website / app. I converted my paper files to electronic files. I have a monthly tickler file as to when to expect bills, credit card statements, and bank statements and I just download them. I also have everything on autopay.

It's much more efficient.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Question on locking mailboxes. I am assuming they all utilize one universal key?

No the Key is for the owner, the USPS doesn't get a key, also on that Ft Knox the web page states they have multiple types of locks, you choose which type, regular key, barrel key.

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
A couple of things: The mailbox that is pictured will not work because your mail carrier is not required to carry a key for your private mailbox. They won't deliver to it.

Look closer, on the first one there is a mail slot above the door for the USPS to put mail into the locked box so no reason they can't deliver the mail to that box.

The second one looks JMO to be a better option as it will accept smaller packages.

If that is indeed a mail slot, I missed it the first time I looked, then that would work except that you would be going to the Post Office to pick up anything that doesn't fit in the slot, and that can be quite a bit.

quote:

Otherwise, no, if the address has the words "PO BOX" in it.

Uh, yeah, that's what I stated in a previous post.

You can't go to the UPS Store and mail a package to a P.O. Box.

Boils down to the larger the mail box the more likely a parcel will be put in it.

As for box thieves they exist in neighborhoods that aren't porch delivery and which don't have an age diverse population constantly circulating in it. IE Suburbs where both working adults leave from 8 to 5 and it's abandoned for blocks.

It's a targeted neighborhood where the value of the mail box contents is high. Not to mention the fake contractors or yard guys circulating to case the better equipped homes.

Goes to - lower it. No checks outgoing at the box, drop them in the curbside or use online banking. Incoming parcels need a lock box at the front porch - like the larger armored job boxes bolted down on concrete. Some even look like a padded front porch bench, UPS/USPS/FedEx are familiar with them. Not having a large box at the street means the larger parcels should be left on the porch box.

Small town it's not nearly a problem as the larger developements in metros are more lucrative.

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Get a PO Box. It ranges from $60 - $140 year but well worth it in my opinion.

Costs may be much higher. Post office raises rent significantly yearly. Drop important items off inside the Post Office. Thieves are fishing envelopes out of the drop boxed using glue traps.

You may have to just suck it up and buy the least expensive P.O. Box available. You may also be able to sign up for mail notification which will email you photos of what mail(some) is headed to your box

Changing addresses is a PITA

quote:

You may also be able to sign up for mail notification which will email you photos of what mail(some) is headed to your box

Yes, it is called "informed delivery" and it is quite handy. It also lets you know if you will be receiving a parcel that requires a scan. It doesn't do any flat sized mail, magazines, etc. but it does do most letter size mail.

I pay $120 year for a PO Box. (up from $60 year in 2012)

Changing addresses is a PIA - but with a PO Box you do it at your leisure. You still have your physical address where mail can be received until the transition is complete.

Lowes up here carries a couple secure mailboxes. They use a "paddle tray" and then drop the mail to a lower compartment with a keyed door.

We use this at our gun club, 1 for the size it can store a week's worth of mail with no issues, and 2 being secure enough to receive checks for our annual dues without fear of theft.

The door is big enough for a small box (checks, prescriptions) so that's a plus as well.

As I recall, they are under $150.
Here's a link to one of them...

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:

quote:

You may also be able to sign up for mail notification which will email you photos of what mail(some) is headed to your box

Yes, it is called "informed delivery" and it is quite handy. It also lets you know if you will be receiving a parcel that requires a scan. It doesn't do any flat sized mail, magazines, etc. but it does do most letter size mail.

I've had that for quite a while. Sometimes the scanned mail never shows up, sometimes a neighbor delivers the scanned mail to me, sometimes the scanned mail is delivered a day or two later and...sometimes it's actually in my mailbox.

quote:

I've had that for quite a while. Sometimes the scanned mail never shows up, sometimes a neighbor delivers the scanned mail to me, sometimes the scanned mail is delivered a day or two later and...sometimes it's actually in my mailbox.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep kind of like their valued Tracking System.

Another bonus is that your mail is usually dry. If it is a larger package you just pick it up at the desk. If you go there daily you get to know the Postal employees and you get better service.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:

quote:

You may also be able to sign up for mail notification which will email you photos of what mail(some) is headed to your box

Yes, it is called "informed delivery" and it is quite handy. It also lets you know if you will be receiving a parcel that requires a scan. It doesn't do any flat sized mail, magazines, etc. but it does do most letter size mail.

I've had that for quite a while. Sometimes the scanned mail never shows up, sometimes a neighbor delivers the scanned mail to me, sometimes the scanned mail is delivered a day or two later and...sometimes it's actually in my mailbox.

Around here it is almost always in the mailbox when it is supposed to be there. I can remember only twice in the last few years that the mail showed up the next day. That most likely meant that the carrier missed it. Nevertheless, the system works about 99% of the time. The people that constantly disparage the Postal Service would get a rude awakening if it ever went away.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I've had that for quite a while. Sometimes the scanned mail never shows up, sometimes a neighbor delivers the scanned mail to me, sometimes the scanned mail is delivered a day or two later and...sometimes it's actually in my mailbox.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep kind of like their valued Tracking System.

Which, believe it or not, is actually better than the tracking FedEx has these days.

Hard to believe but true based on my experiences.