Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Discussion Forums - Questions about PaperBackSwap Questions about PaperBackSwap

Topic: Can you leave packaged books on doorstep to be picked up?

Club rule - Please, if you cannot be courteous and respectful, do not post in this forum.
  Unlock Forum posting with Annual Membership.
Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Can you leave packaged books on doorstep to be picked up?
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 1:40 PM ET
Member Since: 8/9/2008
Posts: 3
Back To Top

I went to print my shipping label for a book and the option where you use the shipping fees on paperback say that you can leave the book on your doorstep to be picked up. How do you do this? I have two little boys and it is quite an ordeal to go to the post office with them. Thanks for any input!

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 1:49 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
Back To Top

You'd have to check with your local PO.  If they deliver the mail to your door then they might pick it up.  Otherwise I think you have to have something going priority for them to come to your door.  Do you have a blue box near you? When I did homedaycare I used stamps and printed postage and just dropped the books in a blue box when I was out running errands. 



Last Edited on: 5/11/09 1:50 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
TextAddict avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 2:06 PM ET
Member Since: 1/19/2009
Posts: 2,054
Back To Top

My po picks them up but you have to get on usps.com and schedule a pick up. This is because they go straight to the mailbox. They can't be looking at everyones porches for pkgs. When you schedule a pickup it allows you to state exactly where you will leave the pkg ( by front door, under carport, etc. ) so they know to stop at your house for the pkg.

Kisha avatar
Kisha -
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 7:48 PM ET
Member Since: 3/4/2008
Posts: 767
Back To Top

If you know what time your postal carrier comes each day you can also just meet them out there. Mine comes everyday around 2 so I watch for him when I see him come down the cul de sac I walk down my driveway, he sees packages in my hands and stops on his way to the mailboxes.

EmilyKat avatar
Limited Member medalTour Guide medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 11:23 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
Posts: 15,525
Back To Top

I can leave books under 13 oz in my mail box.  You might be able to leave slightly larger books IF they have DC/printed postage.  (So they can be tracked back to you.)  Or my local carrier has a box marked for outgoing mail on his truck, letting me leave it there while he is on his route.  But it does depend on your carrier and local policy.  Some PO's contract out the routes. 

I wish that the PO had a search to find the blue drop boxes.

 



Last Edited on: 5/11/09 11:25 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
geejay avatar
Geri (geejay) -
Member of the Month medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 4:17 AM ET
Member Since: 9/2/2008
Posts: 9,094
Back To Top

Amanda beat me to it.  I scheduled one pick up on several books that I left on my front porch.  I have a rural route type service so I can put anything under a pound in my mailbox.  Anything over must be accepted by the post office.

MaryMary avatar
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 9:56 AM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 8,411
Back To Top

I've put many packages over 13 ounces in my mail box to be picked up, without having to schedule a pick up.  They all have printable postage on them. 

melanied avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalBook Bazaar Coordinator medal
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 10:12 AM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,234
Back To Top

I wish that the PO had a search to find the blue drop boxes. - They do. Go to usps.com and select the find a Post Office option. There will be a drop down menu that you can select Collection Boxes and it will tell you where they are and give you a little map with them all marked on it.

fangrrl avatar
Member of the Month medal
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 10:56 AM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
Back To Top

Books over 13 oz ... can be left in your mailbox for pick-up if they have printable postage (and the return address should match the street addy), stamps must go over the counter. 

ABCatHome avatar
Limited Member medalMember of the Month medalTour Guide Asst. Coord. medalBook Bazaar Coordinator medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 12:47 PM ET
Member Since: 9/18/2005
Posts: 7,108
Back To Top

Thanks for that tip Melanie! I didn't know that would show the drop off boxes too!  :)

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/12/2009 12:51 PM ET
Member Since: 6/21/2007
Posts: 2,015
Back To Top


Last Edited on: 2/3/15 7:45 PM ET - Total times edited: 1