postal mailbox usage

**lw72** · 10-31-04 05:08 PM

I want to distribute Avon catalogues into mail boxes, but I heard somewhere years ago that it's illegal to put anything into a mailbox that hasn't been through the USPS. Is that right? (The USPS website only spoke of mail interference and I haven't found this issue addressed anywhere.)

Is it illegal to place anything (letters, etc) into a home mailbox? Where can I find out for sure?

Thanks much for any help.

**ngcsubutterbar** · 10-31-04 05:09 PM

by calling your postmaster

**Joeyd6** · 10-31-04 05:10 PM

I heard something similar....not sure..... Anyone out there know?

**Kimble** · 10-31-04 05:33 PM

I've heard putting anything in or taking anything out of a mailbox is illegal, which is why there is a seperate compartment on most mailboxes for the newspaper to be put (usually just beneath the mailbox and without a latch to open and close). I believe these newspaper compartments are were you should place your avon advertisements. For a confirmation of what I've posted, contact your nearest US Postal Inspection Service field office by going to www.usps.gov and then clicking on their link at the bottom left of the web page (look for the logo of a gold star with an eagle head)

**JD45** · 10-31-04 05:39 PM

I've heard the same thing, that placing anything into a mailbox that hasn't gone through the USPS is a big NO-NO.

**Nole795** · 10-31-04 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by lw72

I want to distribute Avon catalogues into mail boxes, but I heard somewhere years ago that it's illegal to put anything into a mailbox that hasn't been through the USPS. Is that right? (The USPS website only spoke of mail interference and I haven't found this issue addressed anywhere.)

Is it illegal to place anything (letters, etc) into a home mailbox? Where can I find out for sure?

Thanks much for any help.

It is illegal to place anything into the mailbox besides U.S Mail. If your caught doing it, you and/or your business can be fined for every catalogue that is found.

**Joeyd6** · 10-31-04 06:41 PM

Sounds like you got the answer! Why not knock on doors anyways? A little more personable to say "Hi I am Mary you local Avon rep. Here is the current catalog. If you have any questiosn or would like to order, my information is on there." I would be more apt to order from somebody who did that than a random catalog by my door or mailbox!
-Good luck!

sbrad · 10-31-04 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Joeyd6

Sounds like you got the answer! Why not knock on doors anyways? A little more personable to say "Hi I am Mary you local Avon rep. Here is the current catalog. If you have any questiosn or would like to order, my information is on there."

What if Mary is actually Bruce, though?

**lw72** · 10-31-04 11:08 PM

You guys are so quick and so helpful! Thanks so much!!!

(FYI: I'm afraid to knock on doors in case someone yells at me to leave them alone. I don't handle rejection very well. I usually get up at the crack of dawn and leave them on doorsteps tied up in little ribbons. I just have 100 that I need to get out this week without much time. I know, I know--I'm quite the salesperson.)

And I'm a Lisa, actually. No Bruce here. =)

Thanks again. You guys rock!

**greenlead** · 10-31-04 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by lw72

(FYI: I'm afraid to knock on doors in case someone yells at me to leave them alone. I don't handle rejection very well.

sorry, but that's part of selling things. People are much more likely to buy from you when they had a face-to-face meeting with you, than from a piece of junkmail that mysteriously appeared on their doorstep.

**lw72** · 10-31-04 11:58 PM

Oh, I agree completely. That's why I know I'm in the wrong side business. I'll stick with my day jobs (Mom & RN). Those are consuming enough!!! Thanks!

**Ranger__101** · 11-01-04 01:20 AM

You can place your adds in the box attatched to most mail boxes. It's usually for community newspapers and notices or use a rubberband and attatch them to the mailbox.

**retdetsgt** · 11-01-04 11:17 AM

Hmm, I wonder if that's true or an urban legend. Since most people have to buy their own mail boxes and put them up, it seems odd that the P.O. would be able to tell anyone what they could or couldn't put in them. In those that belong to the post office, that would be something different....

**Sleuth** · 11-01-04 02:01 PM

You have to buy the mailbox, but once it is up, it is a Federal Crime to place anything in it that does not have postage on it. Just like it is actually a federal crime to damage a mail box. I once arrested a kid for stealing mail from a street post box.

**retdetsgt** · 11-01-04 03:17 PM

I've worked with postal inspectors once or twice on mail thefts, I realize that's a federal crime. Seems like a weird law though if the resident owns the box.

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