Choosing The Right Custom Mailboxes
You should be careful while selecting amongst custom mailboxes
of different shapes and designs. You should go in for the
mailbox, which conforms to USPS standards.
A manufacturer of custom mailboxes has recently launched
self-locking custom mailboxes into the market. They function
exactly like their normal counterparts, in being compliant to
USPS. No key is required and nor is the door slot meant for mail
delivery.
This meets the yardstick set down by the US Postmaster General
for non-locking custom mailboxes. USPS does not have any
separate category of rules for self-locking custom mailboxes.
Thus, when customers raise questions regarding the approval by
the US Postmaster General, the actual answer is No; but
manufacturers argue that the mailboxes do not fall in the
non-locking category also.
Working Of The Custom Mailboxes:
First, the key is inserted into the lock in the door closed
position and then the key is turned to the right and then
withdrawn. The door can be opened once, after which it is
locked. Unique patented self-locking door permits mail
deliveries without a key. Non-existence of mail slots gives the
door access for the delivery of large and bulky packages. When
the home owner on return inserts his key and turns left, the
door opens. This entire process is repeated again during next
day's mail delivery.
The door opens without key for the mail delivery man who takes
out the mail from the box and leaves the incoming mail, then
leaves closing the door. Leaving mail unattended to in the mail
box for a few days is of no consequence, as the full door is
accessible for delivery of mail and thus, no space shortage.
These mailboxes do not meet the height specification set by
USPS, thus, the custom mailboxes cannot be allowed for use when
the door is in the locked position.
The backup mail slots in the custom self locking mailboxes helps
the homeowner in receiving mail on time and also comes in handy
when the homeowner is away and mail piles up, without causing
any problem.
Instead of visiting the post office to request them to hold
mail, the letters can simply be slipped through the slot.