So I’m about to have my first month long sit and it happens to be the one month when I will need something mailed to me and the HOs will have their mail on hold. In order to receive this mail, I’m going to have to my mail sent via FedEx or UPS and incur $20-$30 expense vs less than $1. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal. However, in the future, I am considering asking HOs if they’d be comfortable not putting their mail on hold. I realize this is up to the HO and I respect their choice. I also saw in other posts the concern that someone could claim that address as their residence if mail is delivered there.
My question is if anyone has asked HOs not to put their mail on hold and what has been the response?
You could have your mail sent General Delivery. But to answer your question, no ive never asked a homeowner to not put their mail on hold. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a sit where the homeowner did this.
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What is General Delivery?
General Delivery is the old school way of receiving mail.
But it’s still used and could be an answer to your issue.
More info here:
What is General Delivery?
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You can have mail sent to the post office and pick it up there. I would call the nearest post office to your sit and see if they offer general delivery. I’ve recieved mail many times by general delivery in my travels across the US.
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Thanks for the tip. I tried calling the post office where I’ll be sitting, but haven’t been able to get a person yet 
I’ll swing by there when I get in town. Thanks!
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Hi @Kbco
I am currently on a sit whereby the homeowners have put their mail on hold. I had ordered an item from Amazon using the HO’s address. I had received an alert that the package had been delivered on Saturday. I checked the vestibule in the HO’s home and nothing had been delivered. I checked my tracking and the package had been delivered by USPS. Since, I placed the order with Amazon, I figured it would be delivered by Amazon delivery.
I contacted the HO and explained that I had an Amazon package that had been delivered by USPS. I asked them to provide the address of the post office that they use. When I arrived at the post office, I spoke to a manager and explained that I was a guest staying at the HO’s home.
I further explained that I had ordered a package through Amazon (using the HO’s address) and I received an alert that the package had been delivered. However, I did not receive the package because the HO had put their mail on hold.
I provided the HO’s name / address, showed my identification, and was given my package.
I know you mentioned that you need to have your mail sent by FedEx or UPS, but maybe reconsider and try USPS.
I have not asked or considered asking a homeowner NOT to put their mail on hold. They have their reasons for doing so and I am not sure how that would come across asking them to NOT put their mail on hold.
I always put my mail on hold. If it was a short sit (a week or less), I’d consider not doing a hold if a sitter requested it prior to confirmation, but most of my sits are several weeks, and I would not be interested in having a sitter responsible for my mail during that time.
@sharondc that’s wild! I’m glad you were able to get your package.
It seems rare to me for HOs to put their mail on hold these days. We do mostly long sits over 1 month and haven’t seen a mail hold for a while. We do often have things mailed to homes and homeowners never had an issue with this. (Maybe a little annoyed when my sister didn’t get her Christmas card mailed out before Valentine’s Day…)
But, I have never asked them not to. I would consider using Fed Ex instead
Hi @belluca
I had ordered three items with Amazon: two of the items were delivered to the HO’s home on Friday by an Amazon driver. And the one item was delivered on Saturday by USPS–but delivered to the post office because the HO had their mail put on hold.
When Amazon drivers deliver packages, they take a photo of the packages showing the location along with a notification. I received the Friday delivery with a photo and notification. But for the Saturday delivery, I did not receive a photo, so when I re-checked my tracking, that is when I discovered the package had been delivered by USPS.
Yes, I am glad I got my package also.
I know some carriers use USPS as the final leg of their delivery process, which is why I’ve been flummoxed on how to handle this. It’s helpful to know you were able to still get your package by going to the post office and showing your ID. I like @Makelikeanapeman idea of using General Delivery through the local post office. I’m definitely going to go to the post office near my sit and ask them.
Is that a US thing? I’ve never heard of anyone putting their mail on hold.
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Yes, USPS will hold mail for a maximum of 30 days. They will deliver all accumulated mail at the end of the hold period.
Holding USPS mail is not connected to FedEx and UPS. You can still get your packages delivered however often they will refuse to deliver if they find your name is not associated with that particular address. Amazon ended their contract with USPS and now they exclusively use their own delivery drivers. You can still get your Amazon packages delivered to the HO’s address because they just leave it at the door, not the mailbox. For extra security you can also select a delivery to a local Amazon drop box - those are found in most supermarkets.
Hi @BunnyCat
Not true. I am on a sit whereby the HOs put their mail on hold. I ordered three items with Amazon. Two of the items were delivered by an Amazon driver to the HOs’ home. The other item was delivered by USPS and I had to go to the local post office and pick this item up. I had to provide the name / address of the HOs, and I had to show my identification.
Fortunately, I was given my package.
I ordered all three items at the same time, so it is unclear why one package was delivered separately from the other two.
Probably your 3rd package was shipped from an Amazon 3rd party seller. Glad you got your package. Using an Amazon pickup box avoids the guessing game.
I don’t know if it only happens in the US. I’m in the US, and I usually put my mail on hold because I have a tiny, centralized mailbox that fills up with junk mail quickly. I don’t have a mail box/slot in my front door.
I’ve told sitters that if they want to order something from Amazon, they should have it delivered to the lock boxes at a store across the street from me. One sitter had to go to the Post Office to retrieve her package because my mail was on hold.
@Lassie , why don’t you ask your sitters to empty your mail box?
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I don’t have a good reason, other than I’ve been in the habit of putting my mail on hold for many years.
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In the UK, the mail goes straight into the house, usually on the floor. Makes it easier for the dog to shred it.
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