Lost Mailbox Key
 

The last discussion of this I can find with the SEARCH function, is from 2012.

I lost a gate card with an attached mailbox key last year. I kept hoping it would turn up, or I'd find it, but that hasn't happened, so I'd like to replace both. In 2012, they said the mailbox key must be done through the Lady Lake Post Office. Is that still the case? Can one call them, or must it be done in person? My understanding is that they will have to change the mailbox lock, and then will provide new keys for a fee.

Has anyone done this lately?

Yes, you need to get a new lock installed by the Post Office, and I think the cost is about $25. No, I don't think you can do this by phone. In fact, I wouldn't recommend doing any business with the Post Office by phone.

Yes, I did this last month. You need to go to the Lady Lake Post Office. Pay a fee and you will receive new keys. The lock will be changed in a few days.

Perfect! Thank you.

Is it possible to get three keys or will they only give you two?

I think they always provide 3 keys.

We only received two but want a third one. Can a key shop make a copy?

It would be illegal to make a copy. I received 3 keys.

As i read your post
 

It seems that you have one key. A locksmith could tell you if i is illegal for him to cut a key for you. I just looked at my key and there is no note on it saying it can't be duplicated.

Someone suggested $25 and they replace the lock. I don't claim to know but that sounds far less than I would expect. I would also wonder about replacing the lock being necessary. That would make sense if you do not have at least one key that works. It would take less time and cost less to replace the lock than to make a key from the lock.

According to a locksmith, if the key is to an older house in The Villages, they can make a duplicate key because the key blank is no longer covered by a patent. But, if the house is relatively new, the key blank is under patent and cannot be duplicated. The mailbox locks are owned by the USPS, so that is why you need to get the lock replaced by the USPS, and they do not offer additional keys. However, it is my understanding that you are supposed to get 3 keys with a new lock.

My key says:

USPS
Do Not Duplicate

Don't believe everything you read.

Did everyone get three keys?

I tried to get postal key made. Any reputable key grinder won’t do it. You can buy the blanks off eBay or the whole lock and keys assemble. But why, it illegal, only the post office can legally change the locks. It they do come with three keys I would suspect the post office keeps one as master? But, I don’t know?

The post office doesn't need a master key because they have access to the box from inside the mail room. If you lose a key, they will replace the lock for a fee. They will not make you a replacement key. They are not very customer oriented. You can get a copy of your house key made where you keep all of your valuable stuff, but you cannot get a copy of your mailbox key where you keep your worthless junk mail. How ridiculous is that?

Getting a duplicate has to do with the integrity of the locksmith. Some will make you a copy that is my experience in WA and NY. PO controls the keys because it is their mailbox. You do not own the mailbox. You don’t have a deed for it. You can’t sell it. You can’t rent it. You can’t knock down a wall and make a mega box. The PO allows you to receive mail in that location, period. Their box, their rules but YES some locksmiths will make extra copies.

Good grief. How many keys does one person really need for ONE mailbox?

It's the freaking POST OFFICE! Run by your gubment! Do you really expect customer service?

I've had nothing but excellent customer service, from the person who delivers our mail, to the Wildwood, Oxford, and Fruitland Park branches.

Same here. They go out of their way to be helpful.:bigbow:

I agree.

I don’t think it is still true, but I believe at one time the Villages would keep the third key. We have two homes in the Villages, both built in 2005, both had two keys. For the first one, the two keys turned over at closing did not work in the assigned mailbox. The Villages gave us their key, which worked, but we needed at least two keys. Our realtor had USPS change the lock and turned over three keys for that box.

We have two golf carts and one car, and keep the keys in each vehicle. The house with only two keys only has keys in the golf carts. It does mean sometimes we don’t get the mail that day, as we drive by and realize we forgot to get a key out of the carts.

Two

Shortly after we moved here I went to ACE to get a mailbox key duplicated. They told me flat out that it is illegal to duplicate it.

Certainly not a case for the FBI. Is there a "mailbox police" that would come in the middle of the night and drag you out of bed and carry you off to the hoosegow? :popcorn::popcorn: