Summer is just around the corner and around Santa Fe, people are ready for their upcoming vacations. Whether you are going to be away for a long weekend to visit friends in Phoenix or you plan on taking a two-week road trip around the US of A, you should definitely add a “mail hold” to your trip planning to do list.
What is a Mail Hold?
As its name implies, a mail hold involves the USPS keeping your mail safe within its facility for as long as you are on vacation. Then, once your vacation is over and you are back home, you can head out to your local PO and pick up your stack of mail—easy peasy. Once you do this, your normal mail deliveries will resume on the following day.
How Can I Arrange for a Mail Hold?
Setting up a mail hold is incredibly easy. You can either go to the USPS.com website and click on Hold Mail Service to set up the request—all you need is your zip code and the dates when you will be away. You can also visit the post office in person and fill out a request form or call 800-ASK-USPS and request the mail hold over the phone. As it notes on the USPS website, you can schedule the service up to 30 days in advance of your trip, and if you happen to get back into town earlier than you expected, the mail hold can be canceled at any time and normal deliveries will resume the following delivery day. If you are super busy after getting back home and don’t have time to head to the post office, you can also request that the letter carrier deliver your held mail—you may just want to be on the lookout for the delivery as it’s likely your mailbox will be quite full.
Why Do I Want a Mail Hold?
There are a number of reasons why a mail hold makes sense. The first is security. If there is any sign at all that you are not home—like maybe a newspaper or two in the driveway or flyers and ads on your door—criminals can take note of this and may decide to help themselves to your mail from your curbside mailbox. Also, even if you have a secure cluster-style mailbox in your neighborhood, they can fill up fast. Finally, while hiring a local kid to gather your mail can be a nice option, he or she may accidentally drop an important letter. Instead, consider hiring your neighborhood budding entrepreneur to remove ads from your door and pick up those pesky newspapers.
Of Course, We Are Here to Help
At PakMail, we are always happy to work with homeowners who are looking for a different option for mail delivery. You can get your mail delivered here all year long and let us know when you will be away; we will automatically hold your mail for you in our secure location and you can enjoy your time away knowing that your letters, checks, and bills are in good hands until you return.