topic Re: I May Close My Post Office Box.... in Community Chat

I May Close My Post Office Box....

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:28:39 GMT

and put up at mailbox out front. We have had a PO box for decades. We also have a physical address for 911 purposes. It's no big deal driving to town and any packages are safe until we pick them up. No porch pirates. Usually I get my mail and don't see another person in there except for the 1 postal worker.

Today I swear there were 3 cars there and it's a tiny place. 3 people in there at once can't be 6 ft. apart, there isn't enough room. I decided to wait and try later today or tomorrow.

The problem is if I go rural home delivery our address will change to the town next to us. Don't ask. Something about where "the line" is. My neighbor up the road (1/2 mi.) is the last mail delivery for our village. Never mind I am in the same village, same township. Go figure. DD and I would have to change our addresses on everything.

I am assuming this craziness won't last forever so do I stay or do I go.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

KKJ — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:44:24 GMT

I've had a PO box for years but preferred having a mailbox at home. I had no choice but to go to the PO box as vandals destroyed my box twice. A downside to living in rural area, these punk kids get their kicks going out late at night demolishing mailboxes. Ours was an easy target as it was at the end of a long road, far from our house.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

aroc3435 — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:14:11 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 If it was my choice I think I'd hold on to the Post Office Box. If you let it go you might regret it, plus all the confusion in changing address information. I wouldn't want the potential added aggravation right now.

In some areas you can be on a "waiting list" for quite a while to obtain a P.O. box.

Even though it doesn't feel as if this current crazy situation will ever end it will. Anyway, just my inclination to keep the habits I have as steady as possible for the duration.

Best to you and your daughter to stay sane and healthy!

aroc3435

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

BirkiLady — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:20:36 GMT

One day and three people in the PO makes you consider giving up your PO box? Have you thought about people mailing state and federal tax returns before jumping to conclusions? (I also mailed my income tax checks yesterday . . . didn't think it was a big deal that others were in the PO.) Why don't you consider all facts before thinking about reacting?

We certainly cannot help make your decisions for you!!

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

depglass — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:52:38 GMT

We also have a PO box becaue we are one mile away from the road where our neighbors have their mail boxes. UPS will drive out here, the PO will not. No problem with kids out here, but I'm surprised because most of us are retired and get their meds in the mail. All you have to do is shake the pkg and you know what's in it. I used to collect on eBay and didn't want expensive glass pieces sitting in the box or hanging on the post in a plastic bag. Its just habit now, no plans on changing.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

icezeus — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:56:22 GMT

With all of the upheaval going on in the world right now I would not want the extra aggravation of trying to switch things over at this time

I vote that you keep the PO Box.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 21:08:55 GMT

@BirkiLady First, what's you think I didn't consider why they were there? If, it's a matter of just mailing something and it's stamped and ready to go there is a mailbox outside.

My point was it's a very small space. In normal times it's not an issue. Today it made me think twice. I've lived here for 51 years and I know the locals tend to stand and yak to each other in there. If it were a larger PO I wouldn't think twice.

Geesh!

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

september — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 21:19:17 GMT

Since I'm living in a short term rental, most of my mail goes to a PO Box. I only get a few utility bills at my residence.

I'm signed up for informed delivery, so I can see online, what mail has come for me. If there isn't anything important, I hold off going to the box.

My box is also at a small post office, and I seldom have any interactions with anyone. If someone was already in the area where my box is...I would just wait a few moments for them to get their mail and go.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

Catlady Nicole — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 21:20:36 GMT

Hi @CrazyKittyLvr2 ! Would you consider forwarding your mail from the PO Box address to your physical address mailbox for a while? Temporary forwarding is common, you can put an end date, or I believe leave it open ended and let them know when you're ready. That way mail comes to your home without you going to the crowded Post Office during these trying times. This way, no address change required, and you get to keep the PO Box for when this subsides.....

I think this can be done, but I'm no expert, so maybe someone will correct me if I'm wring.

Hope this helps, and stay well.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

Tribesters — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:44:37 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2

The first 3 days of the month are always busiest. A lot of people still get checks in the mail & purchase money orders to pay bills. I would wait before making any changes. See what it's like in a couple days. Plus if it's a small post office maybe the time of day you go might make a difference?

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

bikerbabe — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:53:44 GMT

My post office has a coronavirus outbreak. Closed to disinfect. 😷

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

cantdrive55 — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:07:05 GMT

I understand what you are saying. I've had a couple of experiences at the post office that rattled me. My small post office has now put tape on the floor at 6 foot increments and at the window. When I expressed my appreciation, the post master said it wasn't their idea, they had been instructed to do so.

I am amazed at the lack of social distancing. I'm only going to the Post Office once a week. I scope it out & will wait to go in till it clears out. There is nothing worth risking contracting the corona virus for me, nothing.

My mail & packages are secure there, so, I'm keeping my p o box, this, too, shall pass.

Re: I May Close My Post Office Box....

SeaMaiden — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:10:24 GMT

Fortune

NICOLE GOODKIND

March 30, 2020 8:30 AM EST

USPS warns it might have to shutter by June as $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package provides no funding

Fifty years ago, a postal worker strike halted mail delivery. The eight-day strike, carried out by 150,000 letter carriers across 30 cities, prompted then-President Richard Nixon to declare an emergency and send in the National Guard to deliver mail.

“The United States Postal System is a vital element of our entire communications system. The poor depend heavily upon it for medical services and also for government assistance,” “Veterans depend on it for their compensation checks. The elderly depend on it for their Social Security checks.”

Today, the Postal Service is just as essential: It delivers about 1 million lifesaving medications each year and serves as the only delivery link to Americans living in rural areas. Working with other delivery services like UPS, the agency supports $1.7 trillion in sales and 7.3 million private sector workers year, and this year will prove essential to delivering the 2020 Census to citizens as well as any vote-by-mail initiatives. The USPS is the federal government’s most favorably viewed agency, with an approval rating of 90%.

Yet once again, the USPS is in crisis mode.

With a negative net worth of $65 billion and an additional $140 billion in unfunded liabilities, the USPS originally expected to run out of liquidity by 2021 without intervention. That has accelerated rapidly because of COVID-19. Fewer people and businesses are sending mail because of the outbreak, which could hasten the decline of the Postal Service and close its doors as early as June, officials warned.