BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD
Insider Editor
It’s a rare week in Seven Lakes when there isn’t a social media post by someone looking for a package they have been expecting. The unique mail situation of the community contributes to misdirected mail and packages, which may create additional concern around the holiday shipping season.
Please, Mr. Postman
A document prepared for Seven Lakes West residents several years ago explains the complicated history of local mail delivery.
In the early days of Seven Lakes, mail was briefly delivered directly to homes. But the roads were in such poor condition that the post office eventually refused delivery.
Language in the original declaration of the community from July 27, 1979 indicates that upon the building of a central mailstation, individual mailboxes “shall be removed and no more mailboxes approved.” Numerous efforts have been made over the years to reinstate curbside delivery, but the U.S. Postal Service has rejected any such changes.
Further complicating mail and package delivery are the two addresses held by each homeowner: a physical address and a mailhouse box number.
Return to Sender
According to Anthony Whipple who started as Postmaster in West End in March, the double addresses are the biggest challenge for postal delivery in Seven Lakes. Letters received at the post office with only a street address are “returned to sender.” Flat letters sent by the USPS should always be addressed with the mailhouse address.
When it comes to packages, there are ways for residents to increase the odds for successful delivery.
Whipple advises that packages should contain the physical street address on the first line. Carriers like UPS, FedEx and Amazon rely on it. He also recommends adding the Seven Lakes mailhouse address on the second line or putting a dash or forward slash after the physical street address and then adding the mailhouse address after it.
If a package arrives at the post office with only a physical address, postal employees can identify the correct mailhouse address through a database.
This extra step can cause a delivery delay of a day or possibly more during the holidays when volume is high. Address matching also introduces an opportunity for a mistake to happen.
If a business will only allow you to use one address, default to using the physical address.
Signed, Sealed… Misdelivered?
Another way residents can help keep the system moving is to pick up packages from mailhouse lockers and from the post office in a timely fashion. During the holiday season, the volume of packages doubles. If you received a package notice in your mailhouse box, bring it with you to expedite the process of finding the package at the post office.
Whipple recommends waiting to arrive at the post office to pick up any packages until late morning or early afternoon to give employees time to process and sort the day’s deliveries unless you already have a delivery slip.
During the holiday season, packages for North and Southside residents will be located down the hall to the right at the post office. Westside residents can pick their packages up at the front desk or window.
Year-round, but especially during the holiday season, Whipple encourages folks to try to pick up their packages within a day or two. Packages are held up to 15 days.
Pushing the Envelop
There are other options for folks looking to minimize mail mix-ups. Small P.O. Boxes at the post office cost $44 for six months and $88 for a year.
Private shipping companies like Pack Ship N Moore, owned by Steve Sikes, provide postal services as well. Located in Seven Lakes Plaza, Pack Ship N Moore provides mailbox rental which includes an administrative fee, key deposit and 12 month rental. Call (910) 400-5459 for pricing.
An additional service Sikes provides is package pickup. For a small, one-time fee you can have a package sent to his business address. Include a phone number in your shipping information, and he will give you a call when it arrives.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
