Thank you PhinneyRidgian. I'll look into that.

My friend at the Post Office said always go online to USPS.gov and make your complaint there. They take them much more seriously, because they know that someone higher up is watching to see how it's handled.

I made a complaint to the post office master (Wallingford station) a year ago or so about our mail carrier not putting our mail completely in our curbside box, for leaving a package once on top of the box that got rained on (something we didn't have delivered to Sip and Ship), and for leaving tire tracks on our lawn because when the carrier would pull up to our mailbox he would pull past it at an angle and onto our lawn to deliver the mail, instead of pulling up parallel alongside the box from the street, which left some lovely, muddy tire tracks 12-14" onto our lawn. (Awesome, thank you so much for that, postal carrier!)

When the post master called me back, he hemmed and hawed about the carrier's behavior, asked me if I'd spoken to the carrier myself about it ("No, that's why I'm speaking with you") and told me he was reluctant to speak with the carrier because that might upset him or her. Yes, that's right: the post master was worried about angering the carrier if he told them to stop driving onto our lawn and causing property damage. He finally agreed to speak with the carrier (although he still seemed reluctant about it), and we haven't had any issues (give or take) since, but it all reinforced the already low opinion I have of the postal service.

Well to each his own. It seems like this is a VERY easy fix by simply making the PO aware of it so they can ask the carrier to push the mail all the way in. If you are scared of retaliation, tell the supervisor that you would prefer to have your address remain anonymous, but that you are on the 300 block of N. 78th or whatever. That way they can figure out which carrier it is but you wouldn't be singled out.

The PO is already aware that mail theft in our neighborhood is a problem, so reporting this is a very simple thing that helps with the problem.

OneGuy -- but... I am a little concerned about how the carrier might react if they figure out it's our house that's calling...

Everytime your mail delivery person leaves the mail sticking out, call the Wallingford post office and complain. (206) 547-1406 (Delivery to 98103 comes out of Wallingford.)

I was told by a supervisor that they WANT us to report this. If they know about the problem, they can talk to the carrier, but if they don't know about it nothing will change.

Thank you all for the suggestions, but I'm trying to avoid getting a post box (whether at the post office or at Sip n Ship).

I like that larger mail box, RichY.. I wonder if it's heavy enough that it won't get knocked over or stolen?

Another recommendation for Sip 'n' Ship for all the reasons Rainbird mentioned. We went straight to a box through them three years ago and haven't regretted it since. Super nice people, and they'll call when you receive an overnight or priority package. Better hours than the post office, too. Plus, 10% off merch (and maybe coffee/food, but I can't recall).

As well, not affiliated other than being a very satisfied customer for the past 3 years.

PO Box could work and only the junk to your house

I have a neighbor that has something like this - looks a bit better but may be would work for you?

http://www.whateverworks.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=K6254&ref=us

When we started having problems like yours a few years ago, I posted the same question you did to this blog, and learned that it is possible to have packages routed to Sip and Ship on Greenwood for a small fee. We have since "graduated" to an actual post box with them. For the peace of mind, it's been a great investment. I still have routine mail routed to our locked mailbox (we have one like yours, but as you have learned, it doesn't solve ALL problems.) Anything larger, I route to Sip & Ship. I try to get those "circulars" discontinued, as most of them are nuisances anyway. BTW...other than being a very satisfied customer, I have no connection with this business. ;)

A couple years ago, we bought a locking mailbox in response to the run of mail theft that seemed to plague the neighborhood at that time.

It's got a lid that opens up to reveal a gap of about an inch and a half or so by about ten inches, and the box portion is plenty big to hold our daily mail. (if I recall correctly, we bought it at Home Depot or Lowes, and it has some kind of USPS stamp of approval on it for size and shape.)

However, sometimes we get a larger bit of mail - the weekend circulars, usually, or a magazine - that is folded in half and wedged halfway through the gap, sticking out, with the rest of our mail with it --- easy to see from the street, easy to steal.

We also get larger packages on a less regular basis. I've begun to ask (the people that I can ask, when they send the packages) that they all must be signed for, so that the post office keeps them at their station in Wallingford and I can get them there, without concern of theft.

What solution do you all have for the "mail sticking up" problem? I work from home, and occasionally get checks sent to me through the mail, as well as a few paper bills or sensitive paperwork.

I'd hate to have to get a post office box, that would be yet another errand on my endless to-do list...