How to choose the right letterbox
As a matter of good business practice, every business owner visits
their competitors’ websites to see what new products are on offer and how they are
being presented to clients.
I have noticed, while browsing through these websites and visiting
eBay and Amazon, that there are hundreds of suppliers and thousands of
different letterboxes available for purchase. That gave me the idea to share a few
tips about choosing the right letterbox. This is not an article that will help
you decide if you need a wall-mounted letterbox or one that goes through the
wall. I will concentrate purely on the features, quality and security of your
future post box. I will also ignore the price factor, as how much you would
like to spend on your letterbox would be your own personal choice.
Manufacturing
The first question I would ask is where the particular post box
was manufactured. Was it made in Europe or on another continent? Is it a
particular brand, or just a mass-produced product with no name? There are
several quality control measures for letterboxes and their manufacturers, which
should contribute to the quality and security of your product. For example, the
ISO9001 management quality certificate and EU regulations for post boxes ensure
your letterbox is manufactured in the right environment and to certain
standards.
Material
We are living in a country of constant rain and wind, plus very
often close to the sea as we are an island. Therefore, there is a high chance
of a high salt content in the air, and that could affect your letterbox. A galvanised
steel and powder-coated letterbox is a must. Ask your supplier if the steel
under the paint layer is galvanised or not. What is the point of buying a
letterbox which will rust in a year’s time? Run a simple comparison between the
letterboxes you are considering, and check the weight of each of them. Chances are
that if they all look similar and have similar dimensions, the lightest ones
may be made of tin steel and will not last. On the other hand, the heaviest one
will probably have the thickest "skin" and may give you a few more
years.
Dimensions of the letterbox and the letter slot
We all get more and more letters and advertising these days, and
you don't want them to fill your letterbox quickly. You also don’t want your
important documents in A4 format to arrive squashed or be sticking out of your
letter slot. Check the dimensions of the letterbox and the letter slot itself.
Take an A4 piece of paper and piece of cardboard, cut the cardboard to the
dimensions of the letterbox (width and length) and compare them both. It will
give you an idea of the capacity and ability to hold larger letters. Cut the
opening in your cardboard according to the dimensions of the letter slot on the
letterbox you are considering. Check if your A4 page fits easily or if you need
to fold it to put it through.
Security
Use the same opening in the cardboard to test how difficult is to
reach through and potentially grab your letters from inside. There is no point
of having a large-capacity letterbox with a big letter slot only to find that
someone can help themselves to your bank statements. Enquire about the make of
the lock used – again, is it a "no name" product or a lock
manufactured in Europe according to certain standards of security for the
industry? You can always ask your local locksmith about the brand if you are
not sure.
Looking for suitable post boxes for sale is a long process. You
may think it is only a letterbox, but you are buying a product that should
really last a good few years and keep even the most important letters secure.
Any supplier of good-quality letterboxes will either display all of the above
information or will have no problems with answering your questions. Happy
shopping!
Dominic
Owner & Director of Letterbox4you,
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