Today we talk about mailboxes. This research was no different; there was not one single source to get all the basic information needed [about starting this business]. So it took all day to come up with a little. Stick around and learn some new things. I realize most everybody who puts anything on the Internet is out to make a fast buck but I still don’t understand why it is so hard to get information. That was the premise of the Internet.One outcome is that I now realize that many books purporting to be for knowledge or information must have been written purely to make a buck. I’m okay with that if it spurs inquiry into new fields, though I have to wonder how many “scientific” books were written solely because the author “researched” something that he knew would sell. It was probably always like that but it took the pace of the Internet to clue me in.
Here we go, and every bit of this information had to be pried out one tidbit at a time. The banks of locking bins are referred to as “commercial mail boxes”, a misleading term because most of them are rented by non-commercial parties. These come in front and rear loading models, some will even swivel out so you can get at the openings. The most popular brand names are “Americana” and “Brass”. There is a model that rolls out on casters which instantly made us look.
However, the $390 price tag and 100 lb shipping weight made us look elsewhere. The systems are modular, made to fit between 24” O.C. (on center) studs. The smallest mailboxes fit 30 to a block. These are priced at $525 which includes locks and keys. I like the models that have those little peep windows in the front with all the scrollwork. A “square” of these boxes contains either 30, 24, 16, or 12 lock-boxes, depending on the size of each box.
The only readily available alternative are the aluminum boxes often seen in apartment entranceways, and which are even more expensive. It would make sense to start with just 30 or 60 boxes. I will begin phoning used office furniture places in the next few days. Buying used is not normally recommended in Florida but I’m curious how much damage would make post boxes unusable. Here is the diagram I followed though I have no idea who to give credit for the artwork.Since this means converting floor space and is a fundamental change in the way we do business, everything has to be cleared with Fred. He seems fine with the idea. I found boxes that rent for $10 per month, but the big outfits like “Mailboxes Etc” are charging $50 for the smallest box, with a minimum 3 month contract and a $20 new account fee. All the major players offer notification or call-in service. The smaller operators do not offer 24-hour access, which is good news.
We already have space for 240 small boxes, so this would represent one damn good use of wall space. That’s a lot of money for very little investment. The regular post office is five blocks away. We have more parking and far shorter lineups. Allow me to remind you that I have not done any market research and have no idea what the demand is. But do you feel okay having all your private mail sitting out on the street until you go get it? Do you appreciate having to tell strangers where you live just to get letters?
I’m into season six of my “Sopranos” marathon. I don’t know how many more seasons exist, but it must be winding down. Why? Because the plots are beginning to scrape the bottom of the studio barrel. The production is still top-grade. But the producers are running out of steam. Instead of action, they are getting into themes like the misunderstood homosexual gangster and the gangster who proposes to his hired help because she gets pregnant. That’s pushing it. I suspect the writers are all males working for a female supervisor who is new on the job.
One constant that parallels real life is the older women in the series. The question has been asked about which bothers them more: too many old men chasing young women, or not enough young men chasing old women. The women in “Sopranos” typically won’t leave any relationship alone, but are always pushing to take it to the next level. However, when that level reaches marriage and children, then they put on the brakes. The husband swiftly takes the lost momentum downtown, as it were.
