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USPS (US Post Office) will no longer replace your mailbox lock! NOW WHAT?

by Robert Zablow on 03/30/12

Ok so you have moved into a new home..Congratulations! Besides rekeying your home..... you need a key for your mailbox. You need know a couple of IMPORTANT THINGS:

1. The post office does not keep copies of keys for residential mailboxes.

2. The post offices in Southwest Riverside County were at one time installing a new mailbox lock at the cost of $50.00 to homeowners with proof of title. Many frustrated customers are now calling us stating THEY ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING THIS SERVICE and to CALL A LOCKSMITH!

3. Postal carriers have an access key to open the front door of the entire mailbox and replace the lock. Locksmiths do not have access to this key.

4. A Locksmith will have to pick or drill out the old lock which is sometimes extreemly difficult and labor intensive ( thus the cost is increased)

5. Opening the wrong mailbox can get you and the locksmith into trouble and may be concidered a Federal Crime.

5. How you can make this simple is to contact your local USPS office and ask them if they are currenly installing new mailbox locks. If they are not, ask to speak to your personal mail carrier and ask to have the locks removed from the current box on their next delivery round. Most important get YOUR MAILBOX NUMBER & LOCATION!

6. You may then go to your local hardware store and get a lock repalcement on your own or contact a locksmith in your area to have one installed.

Comments (5)

1. Mail Carrier said on 6/3/13 - 04:32AM

Your Mail Carrier will NOT remove the lock from any mailbox, even if they had the tools and time to do so. I am a USPS letter carrier technician and I will never take the risk of being held responsible for tampering with customer's mailbox locks

2. Rekeyme said on 6/3/13 - 05:41AM

I understand how you feel however, not all USPS carriers have this same opinion as a matter of fact several have offered to assist me anytime I am in their delivery area with installing a lock. There is a great deal of confusion due to certain post offices refusing to install the new locks for customers. Many postal carriers are not even aware that there post master is no longer providing this service which is only adding to the problem!

3. Matthew said on 7/24/13 - 11:22AM

there is nothing lazier than a US government employee, keep that in mind

4. lynn said on 7/25/13 - 01:17PM

Just moved into a condo and the previous tentent kept the mailbox key, how much would it cost me ?

5. Jorge said on 5/11/15 - 08:28AM

Worst. Ever they but you on hold without you speaking they treat you rude

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« A Locksmith is requi... | Main

1.	Mail Carrier said on 6/3/13 - 04:32AM
	Your Mail Carrier will NOT remove the lock from any mailbox, even if they had the tools and time to do so. I am a USPS letter carrier technician and I will never take the risk of being held responsible for tampering with customer's mailbox locks
2.	Rekeyme said on 6/3/13 - 05:41AM
	I understand how you feel however, not all USPS carriers have this same opinion as a matter of fact several have offered to assist me anytime I am in their delivery area with installing a lock. There is a great deal of confusion due to certain post offices refusing to install the new locks for customers. Many postal carriers are not even aware that there post master is no longer providing this service which is only adding to the problem!
3.	Matthew said on 7/24/13 - 11:22AM
	there is nothing lazier than a US government employee, keep that in mind
4.	lynn said on 7/25/13 - 01:17PM
	Just moved into a condo and the previous tentent kept the mailbox key, how much would it cost me ?
5.	Jorge said on 5/11/15 - 08:28AM
	Worst. Ever they but you on hold without you speaking they treat you rude