Jane Hercules

Research Before You Purchase



Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010

by Jane Hercules
http://www.lockthemailbox.com

There are many different mailboxes to research. So let’s narrow it down to a manageable number from which to choose. What do we need to consider first? Of course, we look for the mailboxes that will work in the spaces available to us

Is the mailbox you are replacing standing at the curb or roadside? Is it a mail slot in the front door? Is it a wall mounted box? Must it fit into a brick or stucco pillar?

Next, we examine the reason for our proposed purchase. Are we sick of replacing rusty mailboxes whose doors are ill-fitting or becoming unhinged? Or, do we seek to find the perfect mailbox for standing up to the antics of young vandals?

Third, what are our expectations for styles, decorations, colors and custom features available to us? There are decorative mailboxes with fancy scrolls and images and interestingly shaped posts. There are black, white, green and even custom powder coated paints to choose from. Some mailboxes are fashioned in a brass or copper material. Others are solid steel or aluminum or stainless steel. There are even plastic and wooden designs.

Fourth, do we want the mailbox to be the last one we ever need to buy? These can be found for $300 and up. Would a cheap mailbox do what we need? Will a $50 box do the job? When it comes to price, consider the value of the investment you make. Does a one year warranty interest you?

Then, as mail theft leading to identity theft is a serious issue today, is investing in a locking mailbox a good idea for us? There are locking mailboxes that operate with a lock like the ones on many padlocks or even exterior doors. Others come standard with tumbler tubular locks or can be fitted with slamlocks, medeco locks or abloy locks. You man even find locking inserts for traditional mailboxes.

A sixth consideration may be the weight of the mailbox and the post you choose. There are posts that weigh 25 lbs. and others that weigh 48 lbs. There are mailboxes that weigh anywhere from 15 lbs. to 152 lbs. or more.

Finally, consider the security of the mailbox you purchase. Can you reach through the mail slot to the bottom of the box and grab the mail? Can the box be pried apart or lock picked? What has it been tested to withstand? Can it be compromised by a school bus or a dump truck? Can it be easily stolen, mail and all? Can teen-age batting practice kill it? And if you are considering a box that has replacement parts, what is that telling you?

Good luck in your mailbox research. Think of the ultimate security and lifetime service it will provide for you and your family both emotionally and financially.
Jane Hercules is a teacher in public schools and works with young children in the private sector. She has a concern with the many current reports of identity theft, mail theft and mailbox vandalism in America today. In the economy of today, Jane seeks to help families secure their personal information and their assets.

Jane is the mother of four and grandmother of nine and lives in Texas, the land of big skies and big opportunities.

locking mailboxes

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