Mailboxes - From a City Carrier Perspective

     Mail carriers in the city face more obstacles than carriers in the rural areas.  Understanding how the mail is carried, the proper type of mailbox, and where to place it, can make your mail carrier's job easier and more efficient. 

Mailboxes

One of the biggest problems I see is trying to put too much mail into too small a mailbox.    Many houses that were built more than 30 years ago still have their original mailboxes.  Unfortunately, the mailboxes above, designed around the time of World War Two, were designed to hold the type and volume of mail that was normal 70 years ago.  However, we are now in the 21st Century.  You need a mailbox that will hold 21st Century mail!

 

     The picture at left shows what commonly happens when you put one day's worth of mail in an old mailbox.  I commonly see mailboxes which are older than 50 years, and frequently have to stuff the mail into the box, possibly leading to folded or torn mail.  In some cases, the mail simply won't fit in the box, and we have to drop it between the front door and the storm door, or rubber-band it and drop it on the porch.  All of this leads to spending more time on your porch delivering the mail, which leads to increased cost to the postal service.  Therefore, to help out your letter carrier, please ensure you have a large mailbox.

   At the bottom of this page, you will find reviews of common mailboxes. 

 

How Does It Open?

   How the mailman open's the mailbox affects the amount of time it takes to deliver your mail.  The best mailboxes from a mailman's perspective have the lids on top of the box.  This allows the mailman to open the box lid with his one free hand. 

   Some mailboxes incorporate the security of a mail slot with a box.  The white box pictured (also available in black) is a good option if you are concerned with mail security.  The mail slot opens inward, meaning the mailman can push the slot open with the mail.  He does not need to have another hand to open the door outwardly.  If you are considering a mail slot, this box is the better option from the carrier's perspective.

   There is a similar style, usually gold, that features a mail slot that opens outward.  This presents a problem for the mailman, since he doesn't have a free hand for opening the door.  If you want a locking mailbox, choose one with a door that opens inward, so the mail can be pushed through. 

Other Thoughts

   Some people opt for a rural-style mailbox, pictured below, even though they live in the city.  These boxes provide an excellent volume of mail, and city carriers prefer them over mail slots.  They are also the best option for holding small packages.  As with any mailbox, please mount it at waist height or higher.  Setting a mailbox on the ground, such as below, is hard on the mailman's knees and back.

 

Mailbox Location

     There are two issues with mailbox location.  If you have a large set of stairs, please consider mounting your mailbox at the base of the stairs, such as the person in this picture did.  You may have to climb 10 extra steps to get your mail.  However, if everyone did this, the mailman would have to climb hundreds of less stairs per day.  This makes it easier on the knees, and also speeds up the letter carrier's deliveries, saving the Postal Service money, which could lead to less rate increases.  Your mail carrier will greatly appreciate your consideration.

 

 

 

 

     The other issue is with placing the mailbox behind a gated yard.   While this may provide security for your mail, it is problematic for your mailman for several reasons.  First of all, safety.  In the picture at right, the mailbox is on the wall to the right of the door.  There is a dog food bowl and water bowl on the bottom step.  Many times, the dog will be out, preventing the mailman from delivering.  We write on your mail "dog" with the date, and try to deliver it again the next day.  The dog may be just around the corner of the house, so we may even skip your house even if the dog is not out.  Having the mailbox in a gated yard increases the chances for dog bites, delays your mail, and may even let your dog escape.  Whenever I deliver to a gated yard, I leave the gate wide open as I walk to the mailbox.  If there is a dog, I would rather have him/her run out of the gate, than bite me.  Leaving the gate open also gives me an easier escape route.

     Second, placing the mailbox in a gated yard has the effect of slowing down the mailman.  On average, a gated yard will mean one less house on the mailman's route, thus increasing the costs for delivering the mail.  In our city of 70,000, there are enough gated yards to add a full route to the city.  That means hiring an additional mailman, costing the USPS over $100,000 a year.  Just like in the case of yards that customers want us to stay off, these additional costs are paid by everyone.  Therefore, the extra costs incurred with delivery to gated yards is mostly being paid for by people without gated yards.  People with gated yards should pay a $100 annual surcharge for delivery inside a gated yard.

     This can easily be remedied by mounting your mailbox on your fence.  Many customers have done this, and it greatly helps the mailman, and keeps costs down. 

Mailbox Reviews

   Here are my thought on some common mailboxes. 

	Basic wall mailboxes that work great.  Top-opening lid is easy to operate by the mailman.  Available in a wide range of sizes and colors.
	The best style of box if you want the security of a mail slot.  The slot opens inward, has a good volume, and provides for an easier delivery than most standard mail slots.  Does not provide security for packages.  Even the smallest of packages can have difficulty going into the slot.  Note these are for residential delivery only (not intended for rural delivery)
	Another popular box featuring a mail slot.  Opening smaller than the box above.  Does not provide security for packages, even the smallest ones.  Pretty much useless for packages.  Note these are for residential delivery only (not intended for rural delivery)
	Excellent stylish metal mailbox with very large volume.  Top loading lid.  Box is easy to open from the mailman's perspective.  Available in white and other styles.
	Any antique style mailbox such as this is awful from a mailman's perspective.  It was designed for mail that was typical prior to World War 2.  Problem is, the mail you receive today was designed in the 21st Century.  It won't hold magazines at all, and even letters have trouble going in.  Do your mail person a favor and stay away from any antique mailboxes.  It might look nice, but it is dysfunctional as a mailbox.
	Lockable rural mailbox.  Rural mailboxes were designed with large size so the mailman would not have to get out to deliver packages.  This locking type defeats the very reason the mailboxes were designed for, thus violating the intention of the USPS mailbox regulations.  Small packages will not fit through the slot.  Overall a poor choice for a rural mailbox.
	If you want a secure rural box, this is the best option.  This Step2 mailbox features a removable floor, which lets the mail drop down into the bottom of the box.