Does USPS pick up packages from your porch if you live in a manufactured home park?

[sapphire_studio]

I am moving at the end of November to a manufactured home park. I have never lived in one before. I'm very excited to upgrade from a 2 bedroom 875 square feet duplex to 1400 square feet manufactured home with four bedrooms with my husband and two children. My living room isn't going to be full inventory it's going to be amazing!

I am little nervous about the outgoing package situation. Currently I fill my mailbox and put the flag up everyday and on the days that I know my packages won't fit in there I do a pickup request from my porch. I don't own a vehicle so I really rely on this.

There are not personal mailboxes at this manufactured home park. There is a hub at the front of the park with small mailboxes for everybody. I did notice some parcel lockers as well.

My first question is are those parcel lockers only for packages being delivered or is there a way to put outgoing packages in them?

My second question is how likely will USPS be willing to pick up packages from my porch if I specify the unit number of where I live? Should I maybe call the local post office if I can get a hold of somebody there and talk to them about it? Does anyone have experience with manufactured home parks and pick up requests?

Thanks!

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

The way parcel lockers work:

They are for incoming packages not outgoing. Carrier leaves a key in your mailbox for the locker. You retrieve your package. Then you put the key inside of your mailbox for the carrier to take the next day.

Whether or not carrier will pick up from your porch I do not know, but I suggest visiting the post office local to your new home and speaking with someone about it. If they say yes, get off on the right foot with your carrier, greet them on the first day you can and perhaps leave their holiday $ gift right away with a note about how you frequently have outgoing packages and when they won't fit in your box you'll leave a note in the box to let them know they're on the porch for pickup.

If PO says they won't pick up from your porch then you can always speak directly with the carrier to double-check, but at least you'll be prepared for the process.

Good luck with the move and congrats!

[sapphire_studio]

Okay thank you so much for all of this information and some great ideas. You rock as always.

[wastingtime101]

Another suggestion @sapphire_studio . This is key advice for apartment buildings and I have no idea if it will apply to you, but it's not going to hurt.

When you move in, add a label inside of your mailbox that says:

NEW RESIDENT: [LAST NAME]

Use a label maker or tape down a post-it - doesn't matter. Leave it there through the end of the year because who knows how many sub carriers you'll have through the holidays.

And, of course, file for mail forwarding with USPS.

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

USPS suggests giving yourself a 2 week buffer. If you can't risk mail being delivered to your new home 2 weeks early, then place a hold on mail to your current address when you move so you can pick it up at the PO until mail forwarding kicks in.

You can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and see pics of your incoming letter mail so you'll know once you see the USPS mail forwarding sticker start to appear.

And let's not forget eBay. 

First go to this page under your account settings and update all relevant address fields. The next time you go to print a label, click on edit next to your ship from address on the right side of the page to make sure the updated address is showing before you purchase the label.

Don't forget to update the location on your listings. Go to your active listings page in seller hub, select all listings, click the edit button in the menu above your listings. From there you can use the bulk editor to change the ship from zip code on your listings to ensure accurate rates when calculated shipping is used.

Plus any third party shipping providers you might use, PayPal, and all the usual stuff.

[sapphire_studio]

This is so amazing to have all this information in one spot so I can get it all done quickly when the time comes. Thank you again!

[buyselljack2016]

@sapphire_studio 

Parcel lockers are for incoming. As wastingtime posted............... carrier will leave a key in your box.

In most instances once you open the locker to retrieve your item that key will stay captive in the lock. The carrier has a different key that releases the key to be used for the next delivery to that numbered locker.

In addition to putting your name(s) in the mailbox, actually informing the PO of your new occupancy can also be a good idea. They should be notified, but that additional personal interaction can be helpful.

[momdadsstash]

I have  the same, situation and Yes you can request pick up at your home and no, there is no way to use the lockers for outgoing.

Open an online account with USPS  request pick up  and arrange scheduling and location.

[fab_finds4u]

I sit for  someone with end stage esophageal cancer, and they live in a subdivision of manufactured homes. All the mail is delivered to a cluster of mailboxes at the entrance.  The mailman delivers to the home if the package is too big to go into their box or one of the parcel lockers. I am pretty sure if you schedule a carrier pickup they will come to your door/doorstep.