Jude 2

As most of you know, I sell Townecraft Cookware for a living, hence the name, Panhandler.

I live in a nice subdivision near Nashville and constantly (1-2 times per week) I have marketing papers attached to my mailbox. These are sometimes put IN the mailbox which I know is against Federal Postal regs.

I had an idea to put a colorful ad for my business on (not in) mailboxs with a cute, attention getting slogan so I put about 200 out last night and have received several harsh phone calls today from people acting as authorities ("Trust me buddy, I work for the post office. You have VIOLATED FEDERAL Postal Regulations") to correct me.

Is this really that big of a deal that people would take all of the time to correct someone instead for just trashing the flyer? How should I react? So far I have just thanked them for for sharing their knowledge but I am thinking about letting one have it just to see how THEY react.

That is rediculous. I would just brush it off. They were probably looking for a reason to go off. Tell them, next time you will just knock on the door.

Ilovebigcats wrote:That is rediculous. I would just brush it off. They were probably looking for a reason to go off. Tell them, next time you will just knock on the door.

lol

These ideas are great! That's what I'd do...just say"well next time I'll just hang it on your door...OR since I have your number on caller id I'll call ya! (verifying that its not on the no call list first of course)

panhandler wrote:As most of you know, I sell Townecraft Cookware for a living, hence the name, Panhandler.

I live in a nice subdivision near Nashville and constantly (1-2 times per week) I have marketing papers attached to my mailbox. These are sometimes put IN the mailbox which I know is against Federal Postal regs.

I had an idea to put a colorful ad for my business on (not in) mailboxs with a cute, attention getting slogan so I put about 200 out last night and have received several harsh phone calls today from people acting as authorities ("Trust me buddy, I work for the post office. You have VIOLATED FEDERAL Postal Regulations") to correct me.

Is this really that big of a deal that people would take all of the time to correct someone instead for just trashing the flyer? How should I react? So far I have just thanked them for for sharing their knowledge but I am thinking about letting one have it just to see how THEY react.

No offense but honestly I think this should be illegal as well. If it is illegal for someone to put something in your mailbox, which is technically postal service property from what I have been told, then why isn't it illegal to put something on the outside of it?

I know I personally wouldn't want something on the outside of my mailbox. I get annoyed enough when I find flyers for local businesses attached to my windshield, why do I want something on my mailbox?

In your defense though, you gotta market somehow...

I wouldn't let one of them have it. It might just be sufficient reason for the to actually call and report you to the authorities. Then something that really is nothing could be VERY problematic for you.

Here's part of what USPS has to say about it:

3.0 Customer Mail Receptacles

Except under 3.2.11, Newspaper Receptacle, the receptacles described in 3.1.1 may be used only for matter bearing postage. Other than as permitted by 3.2.10, Delivery of Unstamped Newspapers, or 3.2.11, no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail.

macgulley wrote:Here's part of what USPS has to say about it:

3.0 Customer Mail Receptacles

Except under 3.2.11, Newspaper Receptacle, the receptacles described in 3.1.1 may be used only for matter bearing postage. Other than as permitted by 3.2.10, Delivery of Unstamped Newspapers, or 3.2.11, no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail.

this is the very same thing that i was told from the Post Master where in lived in Ky......

Yes it is true. We are told if people put fliers on or in mailboxes, we are supposed to collect them, bring them back to the manager who calls the phone number and requests reimbursement for the postage that should have been used.

Will it do me any good to write

I WILL NOT TOUCH ANYONE'S MAILBOX AGAIN

100 times on the blackboard?

I understand now. It will not happen again. I do wonder if the other people who do it 1-2 times a week have been getting the same reaction.

Oh well.

reimbursement for the postage that should have been used.

Well I understand not putting stuff in mailboxes but postage pays the post office and it's employees for their work, sorting and delivery, and if they did none of the above then they are not entitled to any reimbursement. Your boss is very incorrect.

He could however seek prosecution but not monetary reimbursement. Why is it that the post office always wants more money? A good friend of mine suggested that the mail only run 3 days a week thus saving thousands and thousands of dollars a week. Most of the time the only things delivered are junk packets. I mean seriously, the utility companies and such mail out bills all at once for the most part.

I'm wondering what you do if someone ASKS you to leave something in their mailbox? My landlord lives on the next block from me and told me to just put the rent in an envelope and leave it in his mailbox. It makes me nervous that it's gonna get picked up so I always try to leave it after I know the mail has come.

So is it ok if you were TOLD to do so?

I believe that the mailbox is considered property of the USPS and not actually the property owner.

I think they're being a little uptight about it. Down here, it's almost a weekly event to get pizza restaurant coupons, door hangers from a local church or a flyer of some sort on the front door of your apartment. Maybe you should try an apartment complex.

DeWayneTN wrote:I think they're being a little uptight about it. Down here, it's almost a weekly event to get pizza restaurant coupons, door hangers from a local church or a flyer of some sort on the front door of your apartment. Maybe you should try an apartment complex.

I agree about them being uptight. Truthfully I really had to get my flesh under control. I got hot quick about the attitudes displayed over such a small thing.

As far as apartments, this is a high end product, and we seldom sell to anyone who is not a home-owner.

I think I will order the plastic bags to hang on doors from now on.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and advice!