Ideas for replacing a lost mailbox key?

[rozasharn.livejournal.com]

We have one of those mailboxes built into the wall with a locking door.

I lost the key. It's smaller and thinner than a regular door key, with simple rectangular prongs; when I moved in and made copies of the apartment keys, the hardware-store folks said they couldn't copy this mailbox key.

Any recommendations for what to do if I can't find it?

Comments

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

If you live in a managed property, I would contact your landlord as the first step. If you don't, or if they're no help, contact your local post office.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Call the post office. They must have a key, in order to put mail in, right? They should probably be able to advise you on what to do.

[ron_newman]

Usually the post office has a different key from yours; they have a key that opens the whole collection of wall mailboxes at once.

[xuth.livejournal.com]

Depending on the type and quality of the mailbox, it's probably made such that any of the following are possible:

• getting a new core for the lock
• drilling or modifying the lock so it no longer needs a key
• making a simple key (if the lock is fairly simple, so is this option)

If in the unfortunate event that the lock is decent and the and the mailbox fails without the lock in place and the lock's not replaceable, you may need a new mailbox.
All of this assumes that you own the mailbox in the first place. If not, then all of this is your apartment managers responsibility and (s)he'll take care of it for you (and possibly bill you for what should be reasonable costs).

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

That happened to my girlfriend in her last place, very early on in her residency. The landlord had no spare keys either, so she just used a paperclip to pick the lock every time. For several years. No, this is not a joke.

Alternately, try the locksmith on Mass Ave near Porter Exchange-- they can copy more keys than the usual places (although not copies of every key...)

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Keeping in mind, of course, that the locksmith on Mass Ave near Porter is only open something like 8:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday, and is closed on weekends...

(I never understood that.)

[rainbow-spork.livejournal.com]

Of course, that locksmith can't really help with copying the key if the key has already been lost. Though presumably, being a locksmith, they could help with replacing the lock. Or whatever it is that locksmiths do when you've locked yourself out and you call them for help.

[sly-salkie.livejournal.com]

This is probably unhelpful, but I smashed mine with a hammer so that it just sort of flapped open for the rest of its days. My landlord was terrible, he never tried to get me a new key.

Ideally, your landlord should replace the whole lock and give you a new key.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I have a mailbox like that, and I looked closely at it today. If you can catch the mail carrier and have him open up the entire bank of boxes, you can then unlock your box with your fingers from the inside.

[abbi24.livejournal.com]

I would simply goto a locksmith, yes it will cost you but atleast you dont need to break your mailbox to get anymore mail, or fiddle about picklocking it. Abbey Wood Locksmiths (http://abbey-wood.able-locksmith.co.uk/)