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What can I do to receive my USPS mail?

I share a mailbox with my neighbor, who always parks on the street and blocks it. The mail carrier told me that for safety reasons, he can't get out of the truck, and has to have enough room to drive up to the mailbox without getting down from it. If the mailbox is blocked, I don't get mail that day! My neighbors refuse to move their car, since technically, its parked in front of their house. The last time I was at the post office, the clerk was useless. We just bought this house and never foresaw this problem. Any suggestions?

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Update:

P.S. The mailman left a note in both mailboxes explaining the policy. I said that he should put it on the offending car instead. He said that they used to do that, but stopped because they were getting complaints!

Update 2:

I park in my garage, they have a two-car carport, but they park on the street.

The first mailbox is mine, the second one belongs to my neighbor on the right, who owns the car.

16 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Contact the Postmaster at your local Post Office for advice. As a last resort, you could get a post office box.

  • 1 decade ago

    Watch how the Postman delivers your mail for a few days. With both boxes blocked in like that, the neighbors can't be getting their mail either, or shouldn't be anyway. You'd think that would be enough to convince them not to park there like that.

    I know the feeling of taking complaints to the Post Office, they just don't care, and let you know it. I'd get into my USPS horror stories, but those are off the subject.

    I think the best suggestion for a long term solution, as others have previously mentioned, is to move your mailbox. Get it off that shared post and put it where the Postman can access it. Then, make sure the Postman knows where the box was relocated so he can get your mail to you. When the neighbors notice they're the only ones on the street not getting their mail, maybe they'll take that notice they got from the Post Office a little more seriously and not park so close to their box. A Post Office box isn't an ideal long term solution because there are some businesses that absolutely will not send mail to PO Box addresses, as well as some businesses that will not accept PO Box addresses on forms (the marvel of modern living). Not to mention you have a free box in front of your house where over time you'd put a lot of money into the PO Box rental. Getting local authorities involved is also a mess, it antagonizes the neighbors (maybe more than just the ones blocking the mailboxes) and creates unnecessary conflict.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Looking at the picture, the car blocks two mailboxes, so I take it your neighbor is not concerned about getting their mail.

    a few other ideas:

    1) litigation seems to be the answer for everything these days. talk to a lawyer and see if you can milk your neighbor. at the very least, i think you could get them to pay for materials and labor to install a new mailbox in front of your home.

    2) make the vehicle "disappear" (you know what i'm saying)

    3) is your neighbor buying or renting? if the latter, contact the owner about the situation.

  • 1 decade ago

    I would move your mailbox. Go to the hardware store buy a post, get a pal to help you dig a hole, and mix some concrete if needed. Put it the same line on the curb but put it out of his cards way and yours, (one car length or so to whatever side) then remove your mail box and mount it to YOUR new pole. Call the post office first, the US has some regulations about box placement for instance and t hat is what i know, just to make sure it's all fine.

    screw them getting mail, it's obviously not important to them, you'll get yours. Whole thing costs $30 or less.

  • 1 decade ago

    1: put up your own mailbox away from the car.

    2: rent out a box at the post office. They will hold your mail until you come to pick it up.

    I wonder if the neighbor is blocking their own mailbox as well.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Try to explain the situation to your neighbor, or move your mailbox to a place where their car is not in the way.

    You could also get a PO Box. That way you dont have to share a mailbox and it becomes his problem.

    Is your neighbor concerned about this too? If you guys share a mailbox he should be willing to help

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I suggest getting YOUR OWN MAILBOX and placing it in a spot where the mailtruck can easily get to it....regardless of where you uncaring, selfish neighbor chooses to park. That seems to be your only option here. Stop sharing that mailbox and get your own. There is no law against that!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    rent a mailbox the the UPS store and get 24 hr access

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I don't know if this is possible, but you could try relocating the mailbox. If that doesn't work, have your mail forwarded somewhere that you go to everyday or even a p.o. box. (they are very cheap)

  • 1 decade ago

    Call the police, they are blocking the a Federal Agency.

    Park your car enough close to the mail box, but not blocking it, so they cannot block it.

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