Author Topic: Postal Service Sneaks Away Sidewalk Boxes (Read 511 times)

Halo · « **on:** August 22, 2007, 10:47:08 PM »

With only two weeks notice posted only on the doomed sidewalk mailboxs, during the August doldrums when much of government is on vacation, the Postal Service eliminated 33 of the 75 sidewalk mail boxes in our area.

I reported it to the local newspaper which hadn't known about it, made a quick check and then ran it as lead story front page one day before the eliminations were to begin. Today, two days later, I verified that four mailboxes in and nearest the largest shopping mall in Virginia have been taken away.

Seems unwarranted to me. I wrote a letter to the editor and sent copies to my county supervisor, state delegate, congressman and both senators. Ironically, the senators' e-mail said don't expect any responses until next Tuesday (i.e., because of summer vacation).

How's the sidewalk mailbox situation in your area? I think it's important to have sidewalk mailboxes because (1) saves increasing traffic of everyone driving farther and congesting the main post offices, (2) many security sources discourage ever sending mail from residence mail boxes because of potential theft, (3) it's only logical to have pickup boxes at the main places where the public congregates, e.g., large shopping centers with grocery and hardware stores.

rpm · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:34:45 AM »

Postmen walking up to your door daily too much of an inconvienence?

Halo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:38:27 AM »

Ever get mail stolen from your residence mailbox? Friend of mine in California had all kinds of problems with stolen account numbers and $1500 in credit card fraud.

I've seen many security sources over the years advise to never put mail out for pickup in residential boxes. Thieves are much more likely to steal that than bust into official Postal Service boxes.

culero · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:43:28 AM »

'round here there's a gazillion independent mail center/box stores that rent mailboxes and also accept US Mail for pickup. I find those more convenient than anything, great service.

LePaul · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:34:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm
Postmen walking up to your door daily too much of an inconvienence?

Well RPM, most postmen make deliveries while we're away at work.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2007, 09:25:13 AM »

As we drive more now than ever, people find it easy to stop by post offices in person. Email has also changed how we use regular mail. I’m OK with the post office scrapping many mailboxes. I’m still ticked, however, that they took away the pony express.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2007, 09:27:20 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
Well RPM, most postmen make deliveries while we're away at work.

You’ve been working on your R2D2 for years and it can’t even accept a delivery yet?

Halo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2007, 11:09:39 AM »

(QUOTE) As we drive more now than ever, people find it easy to stop by post offices in person. (UNQUOTE)

In this area, with about 150,000 people for one large post office and three small ones, most post offices are small and have terrible congestion with limited parking. Even the largest post office often is a major traffic clot.

In makes no sense whatsoever to take away dispersed collection points that can easily be serviced by existing mail carriers in favor of increasing traffic by 10 to 50 times or more into jammed post offices.

Ironically, the Postal Service sends out periodic mailings encouraging people NOT to come to the post office, to instead buy postage and labels on the internet. And then the mail still has to be picked up. So, duh, let's take away many sidewalk mail boxes and make more people come to the post office!

Sox62 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2007, 11:29:01 AM »

I honestly can't remember the last time I dropped a letter into a collection box.

rpm · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2007, 11:57:33 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sox62
I honestly can't remember the last time I dropped a letter into a collection box.

1972

chase4 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:15:47 PM »

I don't know if you have letterboxes (little flaps in ur door) that the postie slides the letters through it certainly solves the problem of having to get woken up at 7:30 to receive a gas bill

LePaul · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2007, 01:28:28 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
You’ve been working on your R2D2 for years and it can’t even accept a delivery yet?

LOL, nope...he's a mess of wires, fuses and motor controllers right now. Someday he'll do more than eat money and space in the basement

Halo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2007, 02:54:17 PM »

It's apparent people have a considerable variation in their experiences with and use of the Postal Service. I like the Postal Service. It has always been a bulwark service of a free society, and our home delivery has always been exemplary.

Although I think the Postal Service needs to continue a large number of carefully dispersed sidewalk mail boxes convenient to all the neighborhoods it serves, I remain confident that in the long run the Postal Service will do the right thing for all its customers.

ozrocker · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:18:25 PM »

As a mailmanfor over 10 years, I can give you several reasons why Post Offices remove boxes. #1 is actual usage of the box. If volume is consistently low at a box, it's not economically feasable to leave the box there. #2 Is security. Since 911 a lot of mail security measures have taken place. Stand boxes are the #1 target for a person to attempt to mail a device. We have now what's called "Target Mail" Any package weighing a pound or more, with stamps(not metered), must be handed to a clerk at a Post Office window. We, as Carrriers, are no longer allowed to pick up these types of mailings, even if it's from a "known" customer. A 3rd reason is if the box is on a Private Property(ie edge of yard on corner). The owner can have the box removed.
BTW, usually it won't help to even write your Congress about these issues, since it directly relates to Internal Operations of the Postal Service.
One thing you should be concerned about is the attempt of the Postal Service to "Contract Out" delivery of mail to your homes. The would utilize "lowest bidders' who in turn hire "work today-get paid today" workers, with no background checks. Do you want these people delivering to your home? That's even if you got your mail.
Write your Congress ppl about that one!
Oz
PS We do pick your letters up from your home boxes

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2007, 09:00:55 PM »

"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from my appointed rounds."
not including parcels over 1 lb, drop boxes in dangerous or little used ares, federal holidays, leaking packages, less than full postage, (including the dumb little 1 or 2¢ stamps that we require when we raise the price of postage to some price that is not a multiple of a nickel (but now you can finally get forever stamps (Only took 200 years for the postal service to come up with that one))) and we are not responsible for the delivery of letters to the same street number but wrong street.