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Putting flyers on mailboxes....every day a lesson learned

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams First Coast Realty

Now why didn't anyone tell me that putting a flyer on a mailbox was illegal solicitation? All this time, I've seen many many people put things on mailboxes. In fact, a girl in my office says that she did that usually on Saturday nights because the mailman didn't have mail to put in there. I knew that people don't always like it and that it annoyed some people, but I didn't know that it was illegal! I feel like so criminal. I'm almost tempted to go back and take them off of the 500 mailboxes that I put them on. My name is all over it. UGH. It wasn't exactly solicitation though, because it was a newsletter. At the end of the newsletter there was a " thanks for the referrals and be sure to share this newsletter with family and friends." There was also a If you want to know how much your home is worth then call me, but there wasn't a direct solicitation on there. Am I in big trouble?

 I've never broken the law...aside from an occasional speeding ticket.

The way that I found out was that I was about to hand a flyer to a guy who was at the end of his driveway, and said "do you know that is illegal for you to put those ads on mailboxes?"

Has anyone ever done this?

I normally mail my farm, but I figured that I could save money and reach more people this way. I live in a neighborhood of about 700+ houses. I usually only mail 200 of them and at .50 or more for each postcard, I'm strapped.

 I'd love to hear from y'all! 

 PS: I didn't put the flyers in the mailbox, but rolled them up and put them between the mailbox flag and the mailbox, some were put into the little newpaper slot, some were put between the decorative mailbox posts, some were put into the wild plants that people have around their mailboxes(some of the flowers are nice around the mailbox, but overgrowth around the box causes a hazard to the poor mailmen...there were BEES in them).

Show All Comments Sort:
William Moore
Innovative Realty - Londonderry, NH

Yep, its a Federal Offense to use the mailbox for anything except posted and paid mail.  I am not sure if that includes hanging something on the outside though.  Also, if they have one of those newspaper boxes attached I am pretty sure it is OK to use that.  No Federal regulations pertaining to the newspaper box.

Why not do doorhangers instead?  You might even end up face to face with someone and get a lead.  If you are in the neighborhood anyways to hit the mailboxes, why not go all the way?

Sep 11, 2007 02:40 AM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Christy, you should definitely stay away from opening a mailbox. I wonder at the legality of putting something on the outside though. You should probably just avoid doing that altogether and move to door hangers. Good luck, no matter what you do.

Sep 11, 2007 02:47 AM
Simon Conway
Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL
I never go near mailboxes because I think the outside is a grey area. Just meet the people - much better way.
Sep 11, 2007 02:49 AM
Hope Goss
Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA
Ventura Real Estate
Congratulations on getting out there and walking your neighborhood!  You've motivated me to do the same, only I think I'll try door hangers!
Sep 11, 2007 02:50 AM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV
Yep, it's illegal...did it when I was first in RE about 19 years ago...and the post office called me and gave me a 'warning' that it better not happen again...it hasn't (at least by me).  My understanding is tht even though a person buys the mailbox it's federal property.  Our current home has a mail slot coming directly into a closet in our home.  I'm not sure how the government feels about solicitions via that.
Sep 11, 2007 02:59 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Yes it is illegal to put them on or in!  Maybe buying some plastic bags for the doors can help save money and keep you legal :)
Sep 11, 2007 03:02 AM
Christopher Onwuasoanya
Atlantic Waste & Power System - Sparta, NJ
Wow and I have done the mail box thing before. Christy I do postcards they are 26c for postage and I make them in house. If you have publisher and a good color laser printer you are on your way. I will try the door hanger. Has anyone tried doing the chinese menu routine? They leave the menu infront of your door?
Sep 11, 2007 03:04 AM
Provadus Home Loans
Provadus Home Loans - Marietta, GA
Technology bringing you home.
Many people have learned that the hard way.  We are better off paying the Post Office to did for us..  a lesson well learned by all of us.
Sep 11, 2007 03:15 AM
Christy Harvey
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - Orange Park, FL

Christopher,

 Thanks for that. I do not have microsoft publisher, so I used microsoft word to publish my newsletter. I wish I had publisher. I'm going to ask around to see if anyone has it or check Ebay. Great suggestion. Thanks!

I do think that I'm going to put on a pair of tennis shoes and walk the neighborhood though. I'll get good exercise. Next month for the newsletter, I'll walk it and try to meet the neighbors as I go. I just need to get on some Khaki's, tennis shoes, and my company polo shirt.

I have 2 places that I farm and the other one isn't as initidating of a walk. 700-1000 homes in my neighborhood which would take me a few days on foot unless I spend a day of it. I'm going to invest in a bike with a basket. Maybe that will help. I'm inspired now...I'm going to advertise with my slogan on the back of a t-shirt and ride my bike around the neighborhood one day.

HAHA! I'll turn this downer into a positive thing~

Sep 11, 2007 03:48 AM
David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

When I was a kid, working for my mother who was a real estate broker, she would hire me to put fliers on people's doors in her farm area.  She told me not to put then in the mailboxes because it was illegal (not allowed, as she put it).  I got really good at folding them in thirds and sticking them in people's screen doors so that they would stick out and be noticed right away when people went to open the door.  When there was not a screen door, I'd stick them between the front door and the molding, near the doorknob.

Years later, when I became an agent myself, I went back to my old ways when pounding the pavement and saving money on postage.  No one ever said anything because it was no where near people's mailboxes.  Also, where I am in Boston, there are not mailboxes in the curb like other areas.  The mailboxes are right near the front doors, so walking up someone's walk and even opening their screen door was not considered "odd".

David

Jan 19, 2010 08:01 AM
Karen Rittenhouse
www.JKKPropertyInvestors.com - Greensboro, NC
Real Estate Investor

Hi Christy:

Check out my article: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1543611/hanging-advertising-on-mailboxes-

Mar 14, 2010 01:32 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

USPS mandated mailboxes are properties of the Fed Government. Use a hanger or mailing is appropriate.

Mar 28, 2016 11:12 AM