[Ski Bum]

Just want to confirm that there is a huge difference between a Realtor and a TV sales agent. Our first purchase was a Realtor. Zero help, and had similar issues with the mailbox, among a host of other things. Second purchase was with a TV agent. Everything was handled expertly and routinely.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Closed on my (resale) house in the Villages (Monarch Grove) in June, finally moving in, and having a lot of difficulty with mailbox.

Realtor told me it’s simple to get a key for your mailbox, just take some proof of ownership to the U.S. post office in Wildwood and pick up your key. She didn’t seem to know the location of my mailbox or the number. I went to the PO, and they said they don’t handle TV issues, and that I’d need to go to the Lady Lake PO on Teague Trail. A 40-minute drive, but I went there only to be told they, too, do not handle TV issues, and I’d need to go to the PO on LaGrande Blvd, also in Lady Lake. There, I was told I’d need to pay $35 to replace the lock and it would take up 10 days. I paid the $35, she gave me 2 keys and said to check the lock every day – if it opens, that means the lock has been changed, but didn’t bother telling me the location or number of the mailbox! I finally figured out my mailbox location is at Swallowtail. I showed my keys to the attendant there and she told me they are the wrong kind of key -- they are for PO boxes, not TV mail station boxes. So now what do I do? I don't know who to believe anymore!

I called the PO, sifted through their menu for 20 minutes, and finally got someone to talk to. She told me I’d need to go back to Lady Lake (1.5 hour drive roundtrip) and explain the situation. She said she could not tell me the mailbox number.

What a waste of time when I have so many other moving issues to address! And leaving me confused -- I would think it reasonable that when someone buys a house in TV, they would get a mailbox, the mailbox location, the mailbox number, and the mailbox key when they close, but I received none of these and now have spent many hours over 2 days still with no solution!

Are my expectations too high? And wondering if others have had problems like this?

Just make it the listing agent's problem. That should have been part of the closing.

[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Please clarify what type of key you are referring to. I pick up my mail at a free standing postal station in my neighborhood. The mailboxes are owned by the Federal Government, (not The Village) and they install the locks and issue the keys. My key has " U.S.P.S. DO NOT DUPLICATE" stamped on it. I have taken the key to ACE Hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot, and to a locksmith. None of them would copy the key. Amazon does not sell the key blank. As I understand it, official U.S. mail can only be deposited in a Federal mailbox.

Not all the postal keys are what you described. Our first two homes they were.

Our current mailbox key (third home) looks like the image I posted .

Anyone that has such a key type CAN get them copied at ACE or anywhere that has the blanks .

I have copied dozens of such keys while working at the ACE at Southern Trace Plaza

These “blanks” have no USPS markings of any kind and can be bought in bulk for about $2.50 each.

[HORNET]

Seller is required to turn in 3 mail box keys during closing, or they are to pay for the new lock, keys. It’s a USPS requirement. If this didn’t happen, 1st. Contact the sellers agent, 2nd notify the USPS and turn in the seller and the seller agent. It’s your right to receive your mail. It’s in their hands not yours.

[richdell]

Originally Posted by jarodrig

Not all the postal keys are what you described. Our first two homes they were.

Our current mailbox key (third home) looks like the image I posted .

Anyone that has such a key type CAN get them copied at ACE or anywhere that has the blanks .

I have copied dozens of such keys while working at the ACE at Southern Trace Plaza

These “blanks” have no USPS markings of any kind and can be bought in bulk for about $2.50 each.

My keys look the same and I got my house new in Monarch Grove several years ago.

[MrFlorida]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Please clarify what type of key you are referring to. I pick up my mail at a free standing postal station in my neighborhood. The mailboxes are owned by the Federal Government, (not The Village) and they install the locks and issue the keys. My key has " U.S.P.S. DO NOT DUPLICATE" stamped on it. I have taken the key to ACE Hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot, and to a locksmith. None of them would copy the key. Amazon does not sell the key blank. As I understand it, official U.S. mail can only be deposited in a Federal mailbox.

Correct, my key says USPS " Do Not Duplicate" And it's for the Villages Postal Center, not a regular post office box at the post office.

[flsteve]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

Sorry, I don't know which department it is. My guess would be district property management & the sub department that is in charge of postal stations. But that is only a guess.

You might try an email to Gerry Andrews from The Villages BCDD. He is listed on districtgov.org with that phone number:

Gerry Andrews - BCDD


gerry.andrews@districtgov.org

352-753-2270

[jlaurieb]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

We got ours at closing as I recall.

I got only one key at closing. If I want both keys, I have to pay to have it re-keyed.

You can only get them if the seller leaves them

[TeresaE]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Closed on my (resale) house in the Villages (Monarch Grove) in June, finally moving in, and having a lot of difficulty with mailbox.

Realtor told me it’s simple to get a key for your mailbox, just take some proof of ownership to the U.S. post office in Wildwood and pick up your key. She didn’t seem to know the location of my mailbox or the number. I went to the PO, and they said they don’t handle TV issues, and that I’d need to go to the Lady Lake PO on Teague Trail. A 40-minute drive, but I went there only to be told they, too, do not handle TV issues, and I’d need to go to the PO on LaGrande Blvd, also in Lady Lake. There, I was told I’d need to pay $35 to replace the lock and it would take up 10 days. I paid the $35, she gave me 2 keys and said to check the lock every day – if it opens, that means the lock has been changed, but didn’t bother telling me the location or number of the mailbox! I finally figured out my mailbox location is at Swallowtail. I showed my keys to the attendant there and she told me they are the wrong kind of key -- they are for PO boxes, not TV mail station boxes. So now what do I do? I don't know who to believe anymore!

I called the PO, sifted through their menu for 20 minutes, and finally got someone to talk to. She told me I’d need to go back to Lady Lake (1.5 hour drive roundtrip) and explain the situation. She said she could not tell me the mailbox number.

What a waste of time when I have so many other moving issues to address! And leaving me confused -- I would think it reasonable that when someone buys a house in TV, they would get a mailbox, the mailbox location, the mailbox number, and the mailbox key when they close, but I received none of these and now have spent many hours over 2 days still with no solution!

Are my expectations too high? And wondering if others have had problems like this?

Try calling the Listing Agent. You should have received All of the keys associated with the property including mailbox keys. Your agent should have offered to do this for you.

[Rodneysblue]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Closed on my (resale) house in the Villages (Monarch Grove) in June, finally moving in, and having a lot of difficulty with mailbox.

Realtor told me it’s simple to get a key for your mailbox, just take some proof of ownership to the U.S. post office in Wildwood and pick up your key. She didn’t seem to know the location of my mailbox or the number. I went to the PO, and they said they don’t handle TV issues, and that I’d need to go to the Lady Lake PO on Teague Trail. A 40-minute drive, but I went there only to be told they, too, do not handle TV issues, and I’d need to go to the PO on LaGrande Blvd, also in Lady Lake. There, I was told I’d need to pay $35 to replace the lock and it would take up 10 days. I paid the $35, she gave me 2 keys and said to check the lock every day – if it opens, that means the lock has been changed, but didn’t bother telling me the location or number of the mailbox! I finally figured out my mailbox location is at Swallowtail. I showed my keys to the attendant there and she told me they are the wrong kind of key -- they are for PO boxes, not TV mail station boxes. So now what do I do? I don't know who to believe anymore!

I called the PO, sifted through their menu for 20 minutes, and finally got someone to talk to. She told me I’d need to go back to Lady Lake (1.5 hour drive roundtrip) and explain the situation. She said she could not tell me the mailbox number.

What a waste of time when I have so many other moving issues to address! And leaving me confused -- I would think it reasonable that when someone buys a house in TV, they would get a mailbox, the mailbox location, the mailbox number, and the mailbox key when they close, but I received none of these and now have spent many hours over 2 days still with no solution!

Are my expectations too high? And wondering if others have had problems like this?

They, (the seller) is supposed required to give you the keys and location of the mail station and box number. It’s not the post office’s responsibility to do that at closing. The post office can replace lock and keys but only if they are given the correct box number and mail station. We received only one key at closing and with a reimbursement of $35.00 to cover the cost.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Rodneysblue

They, (the seller) is supposed required to give you the keys and location of the mail station and box number. It’s not the post office’s responsibility to do that at closing. The post office can replace lock and keys but only if they are given the correct box number and mail station. We received only one key at closing and with a reimbursement of $35.00 to cover the cost.

They treated you correctly by giving you $35 to replace the lock. The Post Office should only need your address to install a new lock and provide you with 3 new keys. If the seller only has 1 or 2 keys at closing, they owe you the cost to get a new lock because you would never know if someone else has a key to your mailbox.

[DrMack]

I hope we don’t encounter anything when we close on our new build. Our agent seemed super supportive though.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by star20166@yahoo.com

Realtor should have solved that issue.

I bet at closing no keys and mailbox number no check. I bet keys and mailbox would materialize pretty quick.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I bet at closing no keys and mailbox number no check. I bet keys and mailbox would materialize pretty quick.

Correct. If you are buying a house in The Villages, you should make it clear to the seller's agent that, at the closing, you want either 3 mailbox keys or $35 to purchase a new mailbox lock. If you don't get it, the closing will not proceed. That is the only way to get what you are entitled to.

[Garywt]

I would say this totally falls on the sellers for not turning the keys and the box number over to you. Why these were not with the house keys blows my mind. Wondering where your house is if it takes 45 minutes to get to Lady Lake.