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Latest posts by Chloe B (see all)
- Lost your post box key? Don’t call a locksmith! - May 20, 2012
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Losing your post box key can be a headache
Most residential apartments nowadays come with a bank of mailboxes in the lobby or reception area. Typically, these are lockable units so that the owner of the apartment is the only person who has access to mail deliveries.
It is commonplace however, that as a new owner of an apartment you may not be handed the necessary post box key for your mailbox. More often than not this is a simple oversight on the part of the previous owner, the managing agent or the selling agent.
A minor oversight for someone else can turn into a major headache for the new apartment owner. At a time when you can expect higher volumes of mail, a lot of which is legal in nature or high priority, not having the correct post box key can mean that time-sensitive documents in the post may not be addressed promptly.
So what can you do?
Call a locksmith? This can be expensive, starting at $70, it may solve the problem in the short term, but once you sell the apartment on (and inadvertently forget to hand on the keys), the new owner finds themselves in the same position as you. Nice business for the locksmith industry.
You could force open the door. There is no better way to lower the tone of an apartment lobby than to damage or destroy your mailbox. Damaged mailboxes are not only unsightly, but they are an advertisement to our light fingered friends, almost asking them to look after your mail on your behalf. And more often than not, someone will oblige.
The correct solution for replacing your post box key…
The first point of contact is the mailbox itself. Most units will have a sticker with a key reference written on it, on the inside of the box. You will need to lift the flap of the mailbox, look through the aperture (a torch or phone usually helps at this point), and make a note of the key reference. Take care to write down this reference down correctly! At the same time, you will usually find the contact details of who to contact for a replacement post box key, with either a telephone number, email address, or a webpage.
In most cases, this is the easiest and most cost effective solution. However, on the rare occasion that there is no key reference or contact details are missing, what else can you do?
Contact an independent mailbox retailer
What do I mean by an independent? Most retailers are in some way affiliated to one particular mailbox manufacturer, and so finding the right mailbox a) manufacturer and b) affiliate can be difficult.
By contacting an independent, a retailer who deals with a handful of manufacturers, you are dealing with someone who is both impartial and has a more extensive knowledge of the market. An expert. One who should know each manufacturers lock series, key blank systems, and most importantly their lock suppliers.
They should be able to identify the correct lock, blank and supplier just from the key reference inside your mailbox. But on the rare occasion they cannot, or if any information is missing from the sticker on the inside of the box, they may ask you to provide a photo of the lock and your mailbox in order to work out the manufacturer.
If after exhausting these avenues the key manufacturer cannot be established, then a locksmith and their associated $100 bill should be considered. Alternatively, you could purchase a $30 drill, a $20 lock, and do-it-yourself.
These are really helpful tips! I always keep key duplicates with me just in case. Or sometimes, I also leave key duplicates at my parent’s house since we live in the same city.
Twitter: postboxesuk
In an ideal world, we should make copies of all of our keys and have them somewhere offsite for safekeeping. Whilst it there is a small expense in the first place, it is inevitably cheaper and quicker than arranging a locksmith.
very handy, although i have never been in this situation or may never in the future, i would not have guessed this way of going about it…i may know people who may want to read this article now though,haha
thanks
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Twitter: postboxesuk
It can be a stressful situation John not having access to your mail, and so many just assume that the only way to resolve it is by calling a locksmith. It can sometimes be difficult to read the key reference, especially when there is a large build up of mail.
Chloe B recently posted..Postilaatikot Myynti ja Sarjalaatikot | Post Boxes UK
A lot of apartment complexes aren’t too quick to get you a new key if you lose one. Heck, they aren’t quick about fixing anything.
Twitter: postboxesuk
The more noise you make, the quicker things get done.
Keep key duplicates with a neighbor seems to be the best solution ! Cheaper and faster !
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Making duplicates is the best solution, as long as we remember where we put them. I usually forget
Twitter: postboxesuk
Duplicates are indeed the best answer, but most people are not so forward thinking. There is also a reluctance to pay for anything needed just-in-case, even with insurance which is a legal requirement.
Wow, $70 just for calling a in locksmith? That’s pretty expensive. Here in my country, people pay just $2.5 for locksmith..
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Making a duplicate is the best solution. But if the lock breaks like it did to us a few years ago make sure you call a licensed lock smith. We had asked the door man in our build to get a locksmith and he called his friend who damaged our door.
Twitter: postboxesuk
Hi Kenneth
If you’re talking about a mailbox lock, then these are easily replaced by the owner too – there is absolutely no reason to go to the expense of a locksmith. Its just a case of drilling out the old lock (drill the upper of lower part of the key slot, rather than the middle, so that you drill through the lock tumblers), and replacing it with a new lock which will come with new keys. 5 minutes and about $20.
If you’re talking about a front door, the yes, a locksmith might be best.
Twitter: chantel_mario
Oops! I guess I wouldn’t be calling any LockSmith now! But wait…I hardly have those sort of lockers
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Honestly, if this happened to me, I would be frantic! That is why I have extra sets made of all my keys and keep it either in my purse or at my office. It’s always a hassle when you lose or misplace your keys to anything. I find that having an extra set, gives me peace of mind!
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I think i’d survive if I lost my personal mailbox key, but losing one to a business mailbox could be potentially disastrous. Luckily I keep duplicate copies.
My own office have 5 staff.. Each staff will have one key each.. So, if key gone, just get my iphone and make a call.. Weee~
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