I love using the APC at my post office, but sometimes the drop box is locked.  The APC works, you can buy postage, you just can't drop it into the box and mail it.  It's no big deal, but I'm curious if anyone else has this happen and what the reason behind it may be. 

Jan

I've had that happen!  I thought it was just me too.  I don't get why it happens - allegedly, the APC is a 24/7 machine!

I have had that happen, and know both from circumstances and from discussing with a clerk that the issue isn't that it is locked, it is that the box has become full.  (i.e. I had one "lock" on me once after I had successfully dumped a bin of packages in and was working on my second bin...).  The rotating hatch jams on the packages that can no longer fall clear of it's lip.

I had wondered if it did that when it was full, but was just curious.    That makes sense.  Thanks for the answer.

Jan

at first I was wondering how it could be locked, but if it is full and the thing is jammed, that would make sense

Happens to me too ocassionally... I just drop the books in a regular blue box in that case.

I walked up to the counter when that happened one time, and the clerk told me that packages get jammed every once in a while, even when the drop box isn't full.

It was jammed this afternoon when I went to drop off a couple of books.  No prob for me, but a lady was there with 2 big packages, no way for the regular package slot.

We have several branches and sometimes they've all been locked. We were told that the postmaster can lock them up after hours if they choose for security reasons (this has only started within the last few months). I was just at the post office to use APC and all THREE receptacles were seemingly locked. One was the regular steel circular drum that is used with the APC and the other two were the standard drops.  The only way you could mail something was if you had a letter only and could use the letter only slot, that really thin one. 

So I dunno. :shrug:  Maybe I'll call 800-ASK-USPS and leave a question.

Calen - that's awful! I'd be furious if I had a package outside business hours that was too large for a blue box, and found I couldn't mail it anywhere!

why would they lock it if they sign says you can use the APC 24/7? 

ok I know the logical reason why they might lock it but doesn't that go against the push to use the APC?  after all what am I supposed to do with my package after I buy the postage but then can't put it anywhere and it won't fit in the blue box?