Mailbox Rant

[Chocaholic]

When the flag is up, that should indicate to the homeowner that there is new mail in the box. This would save the homeowner long walks to the box only to find that the mailman hasn’t come by yet.

When the mailman sees an addressed, stamped envelope in the box, he should take it and send it. Does he really need the flag to tell him that? No! He’s opening the box anyway to leave your mail.

That is all.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Valid points, yet,

[Sooner or later]

The flag is used to tell the postman that he needs to stop even if there is no mail for him to deliver.

[stevej37]

If he has no mail for you...he's not checking the box if the flag is not up.

I've had one of these for about 10 years now...works perfect at about 60 yds.

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Chime-Mailbox-Notification-System/dp/B00YWDE6SI/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1Z5BFNY09BTLM&keywords=mailbox+chime&qid=1656522818&sprefix=mailbox+chime%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTjUwMUE1TE1JWkdZJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDIzNzk0MUVFNkU1MENEWlJHRyZlbmN yeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjc2ODg3M0pUTEFGUEhFQUNGWiZ3aWRnZ XROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05 vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

The flag is used to tell the postman that he needs to stop even if there is no mail for him to deliver.

^^^^ This.

[ted]

We never leave out going mail in the mail box.
Don't use the flag.

[rusnak]

You need one of these. Walking is for women and children.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

When the flag is up, that should indicate to the homeowner that there is new mail in the box. This would save the homeowner long walks to the box only to find that the mailman hasn’t come by yet.

When the mailman sees an addressed, stamped envelope in the box, he should take it and send it. Does he really need the flag to tell him that? No! He’s opening the box anyway to leave your mail.

That is all.

Except that he's NOT opening the box unless you have mail, and you may not ALWAYS have mail (although these days with junk mail it's more often than not).

But, if for some reason, you DON'T get mail for 2-3 days, but you put a paid bill with a check in the mailbox, you might not want that bill-check sitting in the mailbox until you get more mail.

And, those folks go to a crap ton of mailboxes every day. Even if flipping the flag up only takes a second, that is not efficient.

One thing that you can do to know that you have mail is sign up for "informed delivery" https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

That way you get an email that usually shows you exactly what mail you are receiving (letters and packages) each day. That way, you can even skip walking to the mailbox on days that you get nothing but junk and you don't have time or don't want to make the trip to go get mail.

[Baz]

I actually enjoy strolling through my gardens to my mailbox. It's a bit meandering too.

There is a landscape design concept known as "progressive realization".

(I know it sounds like something political...lol...but it's not)

Progressive realization is when you can only see so far ahead....and as you move forward the views change while you continue to anticipate what comes next.

I have two clumps of a palm called Ptychosperma lineare I have to go through on my way to my mailbox. I only planted them a year ago but they were already a nice full size at planting. It's a clumping palm so as they continue to mature they will develop some gorgeous mature trunks - and with those gorgeous full palm fronds.

I realize every property is different and what I have won't work in all situations. I have put some work into my yard and feel it to be a worthy endeavour on many levels - this just being one example.

And I do use my mailbox for outgoing mail and use my flag when doing so.

If you want to complain about something - how about the ridiculous amounts of junk mail.....

[stevej37]

With the mailbox chime...you can tell if the box has been opened since you emptied it.
If the indoor part has a light on...someone has opened the box. No light...no mail.

[rockfan4]

I don't like the electronic ones. Too many things to go wrong. Something like this would be better, a second flag that pops up when the door is opened.



I don't need one, our mail truck has a loud enough muffler that I can usually hear him.

Here's my mail rant:
Apparently I've reached the age where everyone wants to buy me dinner.
All I have to do is listen to them talk about -
Annuities.
Walk in Baths
Pain relief.
Retirement Planning.
and the list goes on.

[allaircooled]

Just sign up for USPS informed delivery. Gives you an email of photos of your incoming mail each day. I know what I am getting when I wake up in the morning or away for work.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

Except that he's NOT opening the box unless you have mail, and you may not ALWAYS have mail (although these days with junk mail it's more often than not).

But, if for some reason, you DON'T get mail for 2-3 days, but you put a paid bill with a check in the mailbox, you might not want that bill-check sitting in the mailbox until you get more mail.

And, those folks go to a crap ton of mailboxes every day. Even if flipping the flag up only takes a second, that is not efficient.

One thing that you can do to know that you have mail is sign up for "informed delivery" https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

That way you get an email that usually shows you exactly what mail you are receiving (letters and packages) each day. That way, you can even skip walking to the mailbox on days that you get nothing but junk and you don't have time or don't want to make the trip to go get mail.

All of this and +1 for informed delivery.

I've had it for years.

[WPOZZZ]

Oh look, someone is mailing stuff out! Let's see if there is anything good!

I live in urban Honolulu and thought nothing about dumping my mail in the mailbox. That was until a few weeks ago. Someone stole my payments and erased the payee's name and replaced it with their own. The bank called and asked about my check and if I knew the payee. She gave me the payee's name and I did not recognize it. The check was to pay for my water bill and it is about $3000 every month. I am glad the teller was alert.

[Z-man]

Chocoholic, your assumption is incorrect: the red flag on a mailbox is for the postman or postwoman to know that you have a letter to be mailed in the mailbox. It is not for them to hoist up to let you know the mail has arrived.

My mailbox has a secondary yellow flag that will automatically go up once the mailbox has been opened & then closed, indicating that someone presumably put letters in there. If you want to know you have mail, this is a simple solution. Here's a link to Home Depot for my exact mailbox, but I;'m sure there are similar ones if this one isn't to your fancy. (Note: you can move the yellow flag to the other side of the mailbox if that gives you a better view of it from the top of your long driveway).

I have a long driveway myself, so I feel your pain when it comes to checking for mail!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gibraltar-Mailboxes-Patriot-Black-Large-Plastic-Post-Mount-Mailbox-GMB515B01/207205059

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

The flag is used to tell the postman that he needs to stop even if there is no mail for him to deliver.

Exactly.

The semaphore usage is a no brainer. Its been a symbol of the "mail stop" forever. Flag semaphore conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals. Its been used in the Pony Express, Trains, Post Office, The Navy etc.

But were talking modern letter carriers not the ones in the 50, 60's and 70's we grew up with that that actually gave a shirt and werent bogged down delivering junk mail and Amazon packages.

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Chocoholic, your assumption is incorrect: the red flag on a mailbox is for the postman or postwoman to know that you have a letter to be mailed in the mailbox. It is not for them to hoist up to let you know the mail has arrived.

My mailbox has a secondary yellow flag that will automatically go up once the mailbox has been opened & then closed, indicating that someone presumably put letters in there. If you want to know you have mail, this is a simple solution. Here's a link to Home Depot for my exact mailbox, but I;'m sure there are similar ones if this one isn't to your fancy. (Note: you can move the yellow flag to the other side of the mailbox if that gives you a better view of it from the top of your long driveway).

I have a long driveway myself, so I feel your pain when it comes to checking for mail!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gibraltar-Mailboxes-Patriot-Black-Large-Plastic-Post-Mount-Mailbox-GMB515B01/207205059

I didnt know they make a box like that. Its a great idea with the pre and post delivery color codes but I am afraid it would give the letter carriers an ice cream head ache of confusion.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

The flag is used to tell the postman that he needs to stop even if there is no mail for him to deliver.

Yep, that's how it works chief......

[masraum]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

The check was to pay for my water bill and it is about $3000 every month.

HOLY SHEIßE! I guess that's the price of living on a tiny island thousands of miles from anything but salt water? Or do you just have a REALLY leaky swimming pool?

I know that fresh water is a big deal in Gibraltar, but no idea of the cost.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

The flag is used to tell the postman that he needs to stop even if there is no mail for him to deliver.

This