Informed Delivery

Did you know that the USPS has a program where you can sign up to see images of your mail online before it gets delivered to your mailbox? It's called Informed Delivery. My mom uses it. She likes it OK. I've heard reports from other L.W.A. members that they use it and it's... fine. Sometimes you know what you're getting and sometimes you don't. I haven't ever tried Informed Delivery. Why not? Well, for the longest time, my address wasn't available in the program. Also? I dunno, I LIKE the wonder of not knowing what's in the box. For me, that's part of the fun. I suppose I could try signing up again, with my new home address, but there's a whole saga* there which makes me extremely glad that I have the security that is paying for P.O. Box. I don't know what's in it, but I know what's in it will stay in it until I take it out. That's the sort of information I can feel is necessary when it comes to my mail.

 

There have been some reports of scammers signing up to steal checks and credit cards from boxes; so it is advised that you sign up to reserve your spot, as it were. How annoying is it that a program designed to give people more security about their mail is vulnerable to such an easy "hack"? It feels to me like the USPS made more problems for itself with this "solution" to something that wasn't really a "problem" in the first place?

 

*My lease says one address, my utility bills say two other addresses, the USPS says none of those addresses exist. Also, the mailbox bank that I have a key to has been completely open since I moved in over a month ago. Yeah, really glad I have a P.O. Box.

 

Thanks to Member Chris for sending me a note to remind me to post about this. I kept waiting until I could try it out for myself, and well... Anyways, are you on Informed Delivery? How do you like it? Let your fellows know below!

Comments

[Jessica]

I have Informed Delivery and I mostly don't pay attention to it. However, a postcard went missing and I was able to read the scan of it. You're also able to report missing mail based off these scans but you only have 7 days to do so. I missed my window so now I guess that postcard is lost forever.

[Cynthia]

I have Informed Delivery that I use mostly for Postcrossing. Otherwise, not sure it is needed. I have my doubts that if I report missing mail to the Chicago PO that it will be recovered. Sorting mail for a large high rise must be tedious and I am pleased to say that most mail arrives.

[Rachel S]

I have it. I'm glad I've reserved the address so it doesn't get accessed by scammers, but at the same time...what if you move? I've never tried to switch it to another address. I don't know if that's a hassle or not. What if the person who lived there before you had it but never updated their address to their new domicile? Honestly it sounds like it creates more headaches than it solves, but it is sometimes nice to know my package is actually due to arrive on this day, or it's like a sneak peek of snail mail I get - I know what the envelope looks like and who sent it, but the letter itself is still a surprise.

I think it also makes me more aware of how often we get mail for a previous resident; I'm not always the first to the mailbox so those missives get trashed or returned before I see the mail...except with Informed Delivery, I see it first!

I'd say the main drawback is that you can't really authenticate who is peeking in your mailbox. I think a PO box is a really good investment, especially in big cities where apartments are commonplace and apartment mail slots may not be secured at all. I just don't receive sufficient volume of mail to justify the expense, and I keep thinking I'm going to leave this city.

[KimLechelle]

Thank for the post! This has been on my mind to try.
FYI: I just signed up.

[Cynthia]

So I have been on Informed Delivery almost since it began - two or so years ago. NEVER has an image of a letter that I mailed showed up in the scans until today. Donovan, I mailed you a postcard a few days ago with the return address (mine)on the upper left. Lo and behold, that image is in my Informed Delivery scan today! We will see whether that card ends up:
a. with you
b. with me
c. never ever seen again land

[Gwenn]

I've really enjoyed it. Being at one address, with all mail to one box. Most of the time the mail shows up that day & I get excited when a colorful /decorative image pops up. I also like it tells you about packages too. I did have one piece of mail lost for a few days and marked it as undelivered. It showed up within 48hrs.

[Karen]

are there any typewriters still available?

[Donovan Beeson]

Hi Karen,
There are some left, but all are non-working. We may have another sale in September that might feature other machines.
Thanks!

[LWA Member 2829]

It was a bit of a hassle but I signed up for Informed Delivery online (for my P.O Box), then went into my local post office to have them complete the process. One of my favorite postal workers, who has always been helpful was the one to assist me. The process was completed months ago yet I have not yet received ANY images of my mail. NO notifications at all. So I just keep checking my P.O. Box for mail a few times a week when I may not have any mail at all to pick up.

[LWA Member 2829]

It was a bit of a hassle but I signed up for Informed Delivery online (for my P.O Box), then went into my local post office to have them complete the process. One of my favorite postal workers, who has always been helpful was the one to assist me. The process was completed months ago yet I have not yet received ANY images of my mail. NO notifications at all. So I just keep checking my P.O. Box for mail a few times a week when I may not have any mail at all to pick up.