My mailbox was just STOLEN!

[NL1720]

I am just dunfounded! I don't know who did it or why. This is our third year at this house and lately our mailbox has been slightly knocked over day by day, but now it's gone! Me and my daughter went grocery shopping, got the mail out of it and came home. We went out an hour later to get a movie while DH walked the dog, mailbox was still there. Within 20 minutes - it was totally removed. yes, I did call the police and they said it was up to us if we wanted to make out a report but there was a good change we'd never see it again. I do have to report it stolen to the post office though because it is a federal offense. Grrrrrrrrrr. Anyone got any ideas of what to put up now? We can't afford to be paying out to rent a p.o. box now.

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[andreame70]

Is your husband handy with wood? My dad made his mailbox from some scrap lumber that he had at the house, then he put some stain and some kind of water repellent over it. It looks really neat. He followed a pattern that someone at work let him use. I bet you can find a pattern online to use. That is crazy that someone would steal your mailbox. I am glad that you got your mail out of it first though. You can buy a pretty cheap mailbox at WalMart for probably $15-$20, but you will also need a pole or landscaping timber to put it on.

Andrea

[Shann]

that's too bad someone took your mailbox. I would just put up another one, you can get them for around $10 at any discount/home improvement store. Then hope it doesn't happen again... good luck

[YankeeMary]

It always amazes me the things people will steal either for their own benefit or just to be mean. Walmart sells a rubbermaid mailbox for like $14, it comes with post and everything. Also you could use concrete for the post to make it harder to steal. I live out in the "country" and people are forever bashing mailboxes, mine is in the middle of a group so mine never gets hit, thank goodness. Someone suggested making a mail box and where I use to live it would have been fine, but this new mail lady we have now goes by the very strick guidelines, you might want to find out your guidelines. Even the height has to be so tall, God forbid she have to bend, but thats another gripe..lol..good luck and sorry people are so cruel sometimes.

[iluvmybaby]

LOL my 11th grade math teacher had her mailbox bashed several times every year around halloween time, she finally got a steel rod to mount her mailbox and buried it in about three feet on concrete, the next time they tried that stuff it didnt end up to well ((broken arm))

All kidding aside that IS a federal crime and the PO does not play around about things like that, so get yourself a cheap one and this time sink it in concrete, dig a hole and use that stuff where you just add water, that will help a bit I hope.

Keep us updated!!! PS glad that you had gotten your mail out of the mail box.

[NL1720]

Well, DH is going to file a Form 33 with the Post Office tomorrow saying it was stolen. I was talking with my next door neighbor and he said to buy two mailbox, one larger than the other, then stick the smaller one inside the larger one and fill concrete around it. After that dries, mount a steel pole into the ground with concrete as well. Sounds good eh? hehehehe We're still going to ask if we can relocate it. It doesn't do us any good to have it right where all the kids get on the school bus either. I'll keep everyone posted.

[azwup05]

Don't just make a mailbox. All mailboxes have to be approved first. Also check before going the concrete or steel reinforcement route. Some areas have ordinances against this due to deaths in accidents.As far as not making your carrier bend to reach it,... at almost 750 boxes, having to lift at least 75 pounds, (and getting it up a flight of stairs at times) at 38, my back is blown. That rule is there for a reason.

[Angel Lips]

we've never had this problem prolly because our door actually has the mail slot in it, but in our area a lot of mailboxs are being ruined by teenagers or gangs roaming around at nights. im not sure what advice to give you that would stop them from doing it again. good luck.

[DivineMsDi]

What sort of mailbox you have depends on the area where you live around here. Where we used to live, you had your mailbox on the street, which was stupid (IMO) simply because people did things like you said (smashed boxes). It was not uncommon for us to find trash in our mailbox. (idiotic preteen boys, thank you). Where we live now and where I grew up, the mailbox is next to our front door, on the house. Harder for the post office delivery person (they have to get out of the jeep instead of driving up), but it is "safer" from people stealing mail and smashing boxes.

[Willow]

Sorry that happened. I don't know why people can't leave things alone. If it happens again you might want to think about getting a post office box. I don't know about your area but where I live it costs $35 a year which isn't bad, I don't think. I had inquired about it because I live in a six family building and I don't trust everyone who lives here. Our mailboxes are screwed right into the side of the house and they are locked but sometimes our mailman will just leave packages on the porch and that's not a good idea. We've asked him several times not to do this but with the holidays coming up I will be ordering a lot of stuff and I don't want to take the chance of him leaving packages laying on the porch.

[dena_darling]

I live out in the county and my mailbox was stolen too. I know who did it but the police or post office never did anything. It was my ex's cousins, they are in and out of jail all the time. One of their enemies had knocked over their mailbox and crushed it so they came and stole mine. Also they used to knock over peoples mailboxes all the time or just steal the mail and toss it in the street. I just went to the post office and rented a box. It only cost me about $12 a year (small town). But the idea of putting concrete down in the hole is a great idea.