Post Offices Open for P O Box Checks Today?

Call the P.O. to check if you like.
No answer, they're closed.
If it's a federal holiday, they're probably closed.
They used to, at least, leave the gate and P.O. open on Sundays to access mail boxes but no longer.

I usually need the information before they open so I can plan my day. I'll ask tomorrow when they're open for box checks throughout the year, because I'm thinking of switching back to a private box.

i had thought that you are able to check your box when the post office is closed. seems to me i did that at the gallows bay location

i had thought that you are able to check your box when the post office is closed. seems to me i did that at the gallows bay location

That used to be the case but not now.

That's why I'm thinking of going back to a private box. I didn't know they were closed now on Sundays and holidays.

hmmm. it had been a long time since i had gone in on a saturday.

P.O. is open on Saturdays until noon for counter services.
I think access to the boxes is available until 5 pm.
No access to boxes anymore on Sundays and federal holidays.

Strange, I thought I saw people going inside on Sunday as I drove by the Richmond PO.

P.O. is open on Saturdays until noon for counter services.
I think access to the boxes is available until 5 pm.
No access to boxes anymore on Sundays and federal holidays.

Gallows Bay is not (counter). Saturdays you can get until around 4-4:30 Sundays is a hit and miss.

All I know is that the P.O. I use in Sugar Estate/STT no longer opens on Sundays
to allow access to your mailboxes. The entrance gate is locked.

Can you access private boxes such as Red Hook Mail Services and others on Sundays and federal holidays? Private boxes are so much more expensive.
I check mail, once a week, midweek. Works for me.

Some private boxes are open every day. The smallest post office box is currently $6/month. It can only hold letters and Netflix. Private boxes are $15/month and the good ones let you call to see if you have mail.

I've been buying books lately and I have to wait in line to get them. I plan my trips to post office around Netflix deliveries and was expecting one Saturday. Went to Ag Fair so couldn't check until Tuesday. It actually came on Tuesday so I didn't miss out.

It's best if you can get your mail at work or at least your Netflix and packages.

Roadside boxes are free if available in your neighborhood.

i have not seen too many of those around.

The smallest post office box is currently $6/month. It can only hold letters and Netflix. Private boxes are $15/month and the good ones let you call to see if you have mail.

Finally, something that is cheaper on St John!! I just renewed my PO Box for $56/year for the size 2 box (one step up from the smallest) - that's less than $5/month. The size 1 boxes likely cost even less. USPS raised the rates again this year, and here I was thinking it was getting expensive.

For newcomers - it isn't always possible to get a PO Box of any size on St John. Sometimes the demand exceeds the supply of available boxes. You may have better luck getting one in the summer, but if none are available, you can get on a waiting list and use a private mail service until then.

Our postal clerks on STJ are great, and the post office is usually a fun experience because either you'll run into friends while waiting in line, or there will be no line and you'll be done in no time.

At the stateside PO, if you receive a package or something that doesn't fit in your PO, they will put it in a larger temporary PO and put the key in your box with a note. Just take the key and go open the other box and voila. They don't do that at the VI PO?

At the stateside PO, if you receive a package or something that doesn't fit in your PO, they will put it in a larger temporary PO and put the key in your box with a note. Just take the key and go open the other box and voila. They don't do that at the VI PO?

Nope. They put a yellow form in your box and you have to take that yellow form to a clerk at the counter. You usually have to wait in line, and some post offices are busier than others.

As to cost, if you've had your box for a long time, your rent is probably less than current rates. I just got mine last year.

As to cost, if you've had your box for a long time, your rent is probably less than current rates. I just got mine last year.

Have you verified that? I've had the same PO for over 30 years and when USPS box rates increase, mine does too.

Based on what someone told me when I asked about the larger box he's had for over 20 years, and based on post by fdr.

"Have you verified that? I've had the same PO for over 30 years and when USPS box rates increase, mine does too."

As does mine.
I've had the same box for decades.
Think I'm paying $96 a year, now.
Seems like an increase almost every year, lately.

There are several box sizes. The smallest, which is what I have, is $36 for 6 months, or $72/year.

There are several box sizes. The smallest, which is what I have, is $36 for 6 months, or $72/year.

Which is exactly what mine costs now. There's no "break" for longtime box holders.

Thanks for the clarification, but I'm curious as to how fdr says STJ boxes are cheaper.

Fees vary by size and location:

https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm

Thanks!