Royal Mail has announced another rise in the cost of First Class stamps. One of the reasons for the price hike was the fact that far fewer letters are being sent. Most households now receive as many parcels and packages as letters. So, this raises the question, is a letterbox the best solution for modern living?
What’s Coming Through the Letterbox?
Twenty years ago, 20 billion letters were sorted and delivered through the letterboxes of UK homes and businesses. That figure has now dropped to 6.7 billion. According to Royal Mail data, that equates to an average of 4 letters per household per week.
Much of the paperwork that we used to receive is now completed and processed online. We receive email reminders in place of brown envelopes and digital contracts in place of hard copies. Even birthday greetings are shared in social posts rather than cards.
So, what is coming through the letterbox? In addition to the occasional letter and items of junk mail, a cold draught might be making its way into your home. Worse still, letter flaps through the front door provide an opportunity for antisocial behaviour, with undesirable and potentially harmful items being posted.
With this in mind, we need to question our need for a through-the-door letterbox. Is there a better option for housing developers, door companies and homeowners?
Protect Your Home with External Post Boxes
One solution is an external, lockable post box. These can be positioned near the front door for easy access and will hold your deliveries in a secure hold until you unlock the box. No more hole in the front door!
Letters of up to A4 size can be delivered into external post boxes without bending. What’s more, without draught excluding brushes in the way, slimline packages and parcels can often slide in. That saves your delivery from being left on the doorstep, thrown over the gate or handed to a neighbour!
Parcel Boxes Replace Letterboxes
Another option is a Parcel Box. Parcel boxes are a practical solution for those who love online shipping. With a larger opening, they can receive small and sometimes medium-sized boxes and bags. The delivered mail slides down into a hold, where it is securely protected from the weather and opportunist thieves until you unlock and retrieve it.
Statista data reveals that 26% of all retail purchases are now completed online. This includes one-off purchases and recurring subscription services. The most popular items to be shipped to our door are clothing and footwear.
Letterbox4You believe that house builders could offer parcel boxes as a safer and more convenient option than a through-the-door letterbox. We know that external letterboxes or parcel boxes are an easy step in improving both thermal efficiency and home security. Those benefits alone, make them a cost-effective option.
Options for a Parcel Drop Box for Home
If you like the idea of your packages being delivered into a protective hold, rather than being left out in the elements, there are many options to choose from:
• Wall mounted parcel boxes including Puffin
• Free standing parcel boxes including Lovisa
• Gate or fence mounted parcel boxes including Sigma
• Through the wall parcel boxed including Sierra
• Large capacity parcel boxes including Delta
Letterbox4You offer a good selection of sizes, styles and colours. All are designed and manufactured by European specialists to meet quality standards. Their team take pride in promptly processing and carefully packing orders, which are supplied with two keys and a warranty. So, if you think an external post box or parcel box is a great alternative to that draughty letter flap, take a look at the website.