If I have a mailbox on my house, does the mailman take my outgoing mail or do I take it to the post office?

Question

I have a mailbox attached to my house and I put outgoing mail in it the other morning and came home and it was still there. Isn't the mailman supposed to get that or am I supposed to go out of my way to the post officeor a drop off spot? I am confused. I figured it would be like a regular mailbox.

Answer 1

If your box is on the street, I believe he is supposed to check for outgoing mail every day, but taking it from a box on your house is a courtesy, not a requirement. If the carrier has no mail to deliver to the box he is not obligated to pick up any outgoing mail, even if the flag is up (but most will).

Answer 2

I called and spoke to a post office rep today in my area. For homes with a mailbox attached to the house, they will not pick up outgoing mail unless they have mail for you. If they do pick up outgoing mail on other days, it's just as a courtesy and you have a really nice mail carrier.



For mailboxes on the curb with a red flag, they are required to check and pick up outgoing mail everyday.

Answer 3

My wife and I have our mailbox attached to the house and we had the same problem, but found a way around it. If you put the outgoing mail inside the box, the mail carrier will not take it.



Our box opens on the top, so I put the mail across the top of the box and closed the top on it. The mail to go out sticks out beyond the lid of the box and the mail carrier always takes our mail.



By the way, if you have a holder under your mailbox for a newspaper, do not put your mail there. The carrier will not take it and it will blow away. I tried that before I put the mail across the top of the box.



One person said to put up the flag, but I am sure your box like mine does not have a flag.



Take care,

Troy

Answer 4

I have a mailbox attached to the house too and the mailperson takes all of our outgoing mail. Maybe you should call the post office.

Answer 5

If you have a mailbox attached to your house and the mail carrier doesn't have mail to deliver to you, then he will not pick up your outgoing mail. If you have street delivery and put the flag up then they will have to stop and pick up your outgoing mail. Postal policy, sorry to say.

Answer 6

I used to have an attached mailbox. the same risks apply as if you had a street box that theives can steal your mail if you have the flag up on it. I used to use a wooden clothes pin to attach the mail that was outgoing.

Answer 7

Either way, the mailman should take your outgoing mail. As part of his job they pick up mail as well as give.

Answer 8

The mail carrier is supposed to take your mail. The best and safest option is for you to drop your mail off at an appropriate place. Thieves can also get your mail and they will take your bill payments. Then you will be late on those bills and lose whatever checks or payment you had in the box.

Answer 9

Go to your local post office where your carrier works & ask to fill out a customer complaint form. Fill it out & ask to see the station manager & give it to him. The station manager definately does not want your form getting into the hands of an area manager. He will instead tear it up & speak with the carrier himself. Yes carriers are supposed to pick up the mail on their routes.

Answer 10

Mailbox Attached To House

Answer 11

HE's supposed to take it, but make sure to put up the flag.