Is there any USPS policy for mailperson dropping packages off at the door, or is the mailbox OK?

[rschissler]

I live in a small condominium that only has five units, with the mailbox for all and the front doors all in a straight line with each other.  There's the street, then 20 feet to the mailbox, then five feet to the first unit, then on until 60 feet to the last unit.

Lately, the P.O. mailperson has been dropping packages at the mailbox (too big to fit in mailbox), instead of taking them to each individual door.  It just seems very tempting and easy for an unscruptulous person to grab the packages.

Is there any official USPS policy that says that packages can be left at the mailbox, instead of dropping off at the door? No, there is no gate or dogs, etc., to impede the mailperson.

[sockmonkeydave]

@rschissler

Ouch, not good, I would think hard about getting a box at the PO.

They can hold packages for you, not fun, but no lost packages.

[a_c_green]

I think the USPS leaves it up to the discretion of the carrier as to what to do with a package that won't fit in the mailbox... wherever the mailbox happens to be. They can leave a pickup notice or leave it outside the door. If outside the door, they can choose to ring the doorbell or not ring the doorbell.

I'd say that if this is getting to be a problem and you can't speak to the carrier, call your postmaster. If you've got a high-value purchase and don't want to risk it getting stolen, you could offer to pay the seller a little extra for Signature Confirmation, which requires the carrier to ring the doorbell and collect a signature from any adult at that address; they can't just dump it and run. Cost is either $2.45 for on-line shipping or $2.90 over the counter.

Long term, if you're unable to get satisfaction by talking to your post office, rent a PO Box instead. That way the package will be secure until you collect it. 

[mistwomandancing]

It is up to each individual postal customer to provide a place for mail and packages to be delivered.  If you have a mailbox, that's where your mail will be deposited, BUT.. if packages won't fit IN the box, you need to provide USPS instructions of WHERE you want packages left.  Most carriers are pretty cooperative.

For many, getting a Post Office box is the answer.  Always safe delivery there, and always waiting for you whenever you get around to picking packages up.  Some PO customers direct that packages are to be left just inside the screen door on the front porch, or just inside the garage side door, etc.

Some carriers have NO specific instruction as to where a customer wants packages left.  So, on the ground at the base of the mail receptacle is the usual, sometimes right out front of your door, etc.

[loveyourimagination49]

I would ask at your post office. To me, that sounds very odd. I've never seen packages left like that. Having lived in apts, condos, houses.

[hollysfinds]

As others have advised I'd get a p.o. box for packages.

I wouldn't even rely on signature confirmation.

My son has purchased things before that reqired sig. confirmation &

the carrier just left the packages on the porch anyway.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Sign up at usps.com and you can specify delivery instructions

https://www.usps.com/manage/welcome.htm

[rschissler]

The problem with that idea is it is in reference to a specific package you have tracking info on, not packages in general.

[d-k_treasures]

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@hollysfinds wrote:

As others have advised I'd get a p.o. box for packages.

I wouldn't even rely on signature confirmation.

My son has purchased things before that reqired sig. confirmation &

the carrier just left the packages on the porch anyway.

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Why get a PO box? Just ask the them to hold all packages at the PO. You'll probably have to sign a form to have them do this.

[muttlymob]

It looks like both city and rural carriers have instructions in their duties handbooks that parcels that don't fit in the mailbox should be attempted delivery at the customer's door.

There is more in the rural handbook - specifically this paragraph:

Uninsured parcels or parcels that do not require a signature may be left outside the box or in an unprotected location such as a stairway or uncovered porch when the addressee has given written directions for an alternate delivery location or the mailer participates in the Carrier Release Program by endorsing the package “Carrier — Leave If No Response.”

So if either the recipient or the sender have authorized it the package could be left at the mailbox.  In this case it is up to the carrier's discretion whether to attempt delivery to the door or leave it laying at the mailbox.

In my opinion, unless there is a reason the carrier won't go farther than the mailboxes, in the case you describe the carrier should be delivering to the door and not dumping on the ground at the mailbox.  Are the doors all clearly numbered?

Call your postmaster and find out if there is a reason why the carrier is doing this. 

[mistwomandancing]

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

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Why get a PO box? Just ask the them to hold all packages at the PO. You'll probably have to sign a form to have them do this.

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Because if they hold packages for you, you have to get to the post office during their open business hours to pick up your stuff.  If you have a PO box, you can come into the lobby anytime including Sundays and retrieve your packages.  Although, I guess there could certainly be boxes too large to fit...

[muttlymob]

Why pay for a PO box before finding out why the carrier is not delivering packages to the door?

[mistwomandancing]

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muttlymob wrote:

Why pay for a PO box before finding out why the carrier is not delivering packages to the door?

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They should be letting their carrier and the supervisor know where they want packages delivered.

Although, I guess some 'doors' are pretty much just right out there in the open, front and center, easily viewed from the front sidewalk and street, with nobody home until after work. 

Even with postal theft a FEDERAL crime, we still see the videos posted showing people snatching packages right off of people's front porches, etc.  Wow!  That takes some big ones!

My neighborhood is still sort of a quiet Andy & Opie Taylor place and out of the way from the part of town where most of our 'trouble' occurs.  And, there's a big shrub that sort of shades and affords privacy to the front patio area, so nobody can see up to the front door.  I do see packages left out at the front doors of homes up and down the street.  Never have heard of anyone missing anything.

If it started happening, I'd have a PO box again in a flash.

[muttlymob]

They should be letting their carrier and the supervisor know where they want packages delivered.

The carrier should not have to be told to deliver to the customer's door.  If the customer wants packages delivered elsewhere, then he should notify the carrier.  But otherwise if the door is accessible it should be the default delivery point for packages too big for the mailbox.

The OP does not indicate any problem with deliveries, he seems to be asking why packages are not being taken to the door.  Paying for a PO Box seems to be overkill in this case.  He needs to call the PO to find out why the carrier is no longer bringing packages to the door.

[rschissler]

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@muttlymob wrote:

They should be letting their carrier and the supervisor know where they want packages delivered.

The carrier should not have to be told to deliver to the customer's door.  If the customer wants packages delivered elsewhere, then he should notify the carrier.  But otherwise if the door is accessible it should be the default delivery point for packages too big for the mailbox.

The OP does not indicate any problem with deliveries, he seems to be asking why packages are not being taken to the door.  Paying for a PO Box seems to be overkill in this case.  He needs to call the PO to find out why the carrier is no longer bringing packages to the door.

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As the OP, fortunately I personally haven't had any problem with deliveries missing.  In the past the carrier would always deliver to the door.  It just seems to be a recent trend, which not having any other information, I attribute to laziness or trying to finish their route sooner.  Also in the past we had the same carrier every day, an older experienced person, while now it seems to vary with these  lessor paid youngins.