Mailbox carnage...

[Darren Cook]

Jim,

Although not directly related to the specific topic of mailbox damage attributed to Acts of God, or the city, from what I understand the company that makes these mailboxes possesses monopolistic control in the MM market. While this may have been acceptable under the DOA, I struggle to find any reason why it should continue under our HOA.

Has there been discussion to this effect within the BoD and if so what are some of the options being explored. As these boxes continue to deteriorate, the need to repair or replace them at a reasonable cost will become more of a front burner issue. I am sure you know what I think of paying artificially inflated (exorbitant) prices for good and/or services.

[cju]

Cheap isn't impossible.

[melinda]

Mailbox replacements options is on the "to do" list .

[jim chittum]

Darren,

I took a trip up to the mailbox company, Bozman, to see what the deal was with the mailboxes. They buy the boxes unpainted from a company named Solar. Then they prime and paint them with that verdigris finish by hand and air dry them. They will install the finished box for about $100. The air dry paint peels off after 3-5 years, depending upon location.

At Home Depot and Lowes the same Solar mailbox with an oven dried black enamel factory finish can be purchased for $15. The finish on these boxes will last at least 10 years. To install the box, the aluminum rivets on the old boxes have to be drilled out and replaced by four screws (10 minutes?).

The Board in the Single Family HOA has rescinded the prior monopoly of the Bozman company. Residents are now free to have Bozman replace their box or they can replace their boxes themselves with a black Home Depot box. I know that this will warm you Libertarian heart. What the Board has not done is come up with a comprehensive policy to see that the old boxes are replace and not allowed continue to rust away and make the community look trashy. This may not warm your Libertarian heart.

As melinda said, this is on our top 10 project list for 2010.

[Darren Cook]

Darren,

I took a trip up to the mailbox company, Bozman, to see what the deal was with the mailboxes. They buy the boxes unpainted from a company named Solar. Then they prime and paint them with that verdigris finish by hand and air dry them. They will install the finished box for about $100. The air dry paint peels off after 3-5 years, depending upon location.

At Home Depot and Lowes the same Solar mailbox with an oven dried black enamel factory finish can be purchased for $15. The finish on these boxes will last at least 10 years. To install the box, the aluminum rivets on the old boxes have to be drilled out and replaced by four screws (10 minutes?).

The Board in the Single Family HOA has rescinded the prior monopoly of the Bozman company. Residents are now free to have Bozman replace their box or they can replace their boxes themselves with a black Home Depot box. I know that this will warm you Libertarian heart. What the Board has not done is come up with a comprehensive policy to see that the old boxes are replace and not allowed continue to rust away and make the community look trashy. This may not warm your Libertarian heart.

As melinda said, this is on our top 10 project list for 2010.

CHANGE!!!

[melinda]

It is very important that answers to these HOA related issues, like mailboxes, be posted on the MM HOA website and not just on this forum.

[jasonv]

Or in the newsletter we recieve in the mail would be even better.

I bet 90% of people in the neighborhood never look at this site or the HOA site.

[TN_3]

Regardless of the options for replacing the mailboxes, I hope the city will be footing the bill for this one...

[jim chittum]

I agree Tn_3. But I would not be surprised if the City does not pick up the cost. If you take a look at the map with your deed, you will see that your mailbox is in the right-of-way of the City road. So I expect that they are fair game for the City snow plows. That is certainly the way it was up north where I came from.

I know that there are discussions going on with the City Risk Manager. We shall have to await the outcome.