topic Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....? in Community Chat

Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Starpolisher — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:26:09 GMT

Usually, if I have a small package for return with a pre-paid label, I just put it in the USPS blue mailbox for return rather than go to the post office. Yesterday, however, I had two small packages to return. One was a gold chain and the other a thin book. They both had pre-paid labels. I went to three mailboxes only to discover that they'd all been secured with a screw or something on either side so that they wouldn't open more than about an inch. You could see it was new because the fresh paint was visible. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess the USPS only wants envelopes and no packages in the mailboxes. Or maybe it's because of theives! Some d*mn body always has to mess things up for the rest of us! Ughh!... I hate going to the post office!

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

IMW — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:24:54 GMT

Has to do with thefts of boxes 📦.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

tends2dogs — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:27:00 GMT

I always put my returns in my own mailbox and have my mailman take it. I have done this for years and never had a problem. They scan the label from their truck and I get an email that says that my return in on it's way.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Starpolisher — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:28:03 GMT

@IMW wrote:
Has to do with thefts of boxes 📦.

I edited my post for this when I realized I didn't include it. We must have been typing at the same time...lol!

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

fthunt — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:29:42 GMT

My take: that box is for pick-ups but the truck that comes to empty it isn't equipped with a computer tracking device. He just dumps the out going mail in a container and takes to the sorting distribution center. Only the P O and your mail carrier have the tracking device. I hand my Q returns to the mailman - he 'zits' it with his wand and says ----thank you. (thus the tracking feature is born)

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

corita — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:29:47 GMT

Give it to your mail man to mail. I hate going to the post office.

I leave a note on my mailbox and ask him to come to the house to get packages. Of course, I always make sure I will be home when I ask for that favor!!

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:32:06 GMT

I too have been known to slip small parcels into mailboxes but it's probably snarter to see that they are scanned into their system to assure some postal employee doesn't appropriate them. I hate going to PO too since there's always a long line and I can't stand for long (3 postal clerks for a city of 90,000).

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Spurt — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:39:13 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:
Usually, if I have a small package for return with a pre-paid label, I just put it in the USPS blue mailbox for return rather than go to the post office. Yesterday, however, I had two small packages to return. One was a gold chain and the other a thin book. They both had pre-paid labels. I went to three mailboxes only to discover that they'd all been secured with a screw or something on either side so that they wouldn't open more than about an inch. You could see it was new because the fresh paint was visible. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess the USPS only wants envelopes and no packages in the mailboxes. Or maybe it's because of theives! Some d*mn body always has to mess things up for the rest of us! Ughh!... I hate going to the post office!

@Starpolisher

If your package weighs less than 13 oz, you may use postage stamps and do one of the following:

Put it in your mailbox for carrier pickup.
Drop it in a blue collection box or lobby location.
Request a free pickup.

If your package weighs more than 13 oz you must take it to a Post Office retail counter to send it.
NOTE: If you put it in your mailbox for pickup service, the carrier will leave it. If you drop it in a blue collection box or lobby location, it will be returned to you.

Here's alternative options----- Schedule a Package Pickup

Save time sending your packages with USPS package pickups.

Free Package Pickup
Go online at USPS.com and schedule a Package Pickup during regular mail delivery, it's free regardless of the number of items scheduled for pickup. USPS usually picks up your package on the next delivery day or another designated day.
Pickup on Demand®
If you want your packages picked up at a specific time, for a fee, the Post Office will pick up your shipment within a scheduled 2-hour period.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Nightowlz — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:39:27 GMT

If I have a return & it will fit in my mailbox at home I just put it in there. If it won't fit I watch for the mailman & give it to him when he comes back up the other side of the street.

If I have a UPS delivery & shipping something back UPS I give it to my UPS driver.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

dex — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:39:28 GMT

@Kachina624@My post office has a drop box for prepaid parcels so you don’t have to line up.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

depglass — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:44:40 GMT

I think this stems from the ani-terrorism laws.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

GCR18 — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:46:26 GMT

I asked about putting small packages in the drop box and USPS said only mail (letters) should be dropped in there.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Sooner — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 18:47:52 GMT

If it is big, I dash in at the Post Office, just walk up to the counter where there is no clerk and an empty slot, put the package down, make eyecontact with a clerk, we smile, I say thanks and OUT the door I go! THere is usually a stack of packages there and they know what is going on.

It it will fit, I put it in the box because I always get to know the mail carrier and know about when he will come down our street. If I see him early and miss him, I sometimes get in the car and chase him down because I hate going to the post office. He is a super nice guy!

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

spent2much — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:22:32 GMT

I use the QVC return label. If the envelope/package fits in my mailbox, I just put it in there. If it's a box that won't fit, I schedule a pickup at usps.com. It's quite easy.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Starpolisher — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:42:18 GMT

Well, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who hates to go to the post office! Although I'm tempted to give it to my mail carrier, I don't because I always feel like the poor guy has enough to deal with in the rain, sleet, hail, snow, heat, cold and inconsiderate people parking to close to the mailboxes. I know just from the volume of mail I get daily he certainly has a lot to deal with! He often can't fit all my mail in my box and has to get out of his truck to leave it on the porch. The thing about it is that it's mostly junk mail! didn't know you could schedule a pick up from the USPS. I thought that only applied to private delivery companies. Thanks for the info.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

LiveLaughLove — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 20:46:09 GMT

You can go to the USPS website and advise you have a package for return. That way, you don't have to watch for the carrier. He or she will ring your doorbell. You can do this for all packages, large or small.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Katcat1 — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 23:38:22 GMT

It's hard to find the blue mailboxes anymore. At one time they were just about everywhere. It must be something new for safety reasons.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

BirkiLady — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 01:15:12 GMT

@Katcat1 Blue mailboxes disappeared with the advent of computers and email. Letters and paying bills by check are a thing of the past in most cases.

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

shoekitty — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 03:12:10 GMT

Our local grocery store has a mailbox station. They have post boxes, do faxes, ups, usps and some fed ex. It is handy. It costs some change if you use their service. But to mail out with prepaid labels or postage affixed it is free. So I just drop my pkgs off there. Simple. I hate going downtown to post office! We are a small town and line is always out the door

Re: Returns in USPS mailboxes....?

Starpolisher — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 03:55:19 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
@Katcat1 Blue mailboxes disappeared with the advent of computers and email. Letters and paying bills by check are a thing of the past in most cases.

We still have plenty of mailboxes and I still mail cards/notes to some friends also mail some checks depending on what it is.