Customer Reviews

MailGuard 579M Security Mailbox, Black

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I ordered this box as mail security had become an issue in our neighborhood. I was seeking something sturdy,but not too expensive.

So I ordered the Mailguard.

First impression: Boy, it's BIG!

This is a BIG box! Really, no fooling. It's the size of a toddler. At 24" by 12" by 17" it takes up a bit of room. The secure mail hopper measures 12" by 7" by 13 1/2" (measured floor to the bottom of the angled neck) and would many,many days worth of mail for just about anyone.
The recieving slot measures 10" by 2". This is large enough for boxes of checks or books to enter the box with ease.

The box I recieved varied slightly from the depicted in the picture at Amazon.com: The picture at the web site shows a built-in molded handle. My box has a "D" shaped plastic handle that's attached by screws. I prefer the handle I have as the mail slot can be opened with with the hand facing either up or down.

The box is, however, not ready for use straight out of its box.
Both the flag and lock must be attached by the purchaser.
The flag was easy to attach. It goes on easliy by means of the supplied Phillips screw.
The lock was a bit trickier; The main lock cylinder is inserted through the door and then secured to the mail access door. The lever that holds the door shut is then attached to the lock with a screw.

The assembly instructions lack illustrations and uses jargon that raises the blood pressure. Example: " ..Insert the nylon brushing,smaller diameter down,into the larger hole in the flag...." Eh??

Mail is removed by unlocking the lower door and opening the door by pulling on the key. This might be difficult for someone with limited grasp or painful hands.

I had a couple of quibbles with the box:
1) The supplied locking arm is flat and needs to be bent slightly for it to work. The instuructions make no mention of this.
2) The lower door of my box was TIGHT. So tight that after I closed it the first time I thought it was stuck for good. I shaved a small amount of plastic off the top of the door to make its operation easier.

Despite the small initial problems,I'm very happy with this box. It's very sturdy and its odd design keeps my mail secure from wanna-be thieves.

Be very careful when you order this and ask for the dimensions which are NOT given ... Don't just order it ... then find out that it would take up the entire front wall ... and "stick out like a sore thumb"! For the average home user, it will hold all your family mail for a month.
ADDED REVIEW NOTE: Amazon.com has finally decided to add the dimensions in the description so you are warned!

The overall design of this mailbox is appealing, and the box is serving us fairly well. The main advantage has been having a locked storage vault at a reasonable price, but we have had some problems. First, the drop slot through which the mail deliverer inserts the mail is too narrow. We occasionally receive items that are too thick to go through the slot. Second, the door to the mailbox slants upward and has a tendency simply to fall open. As a result, outgoing mail sometimes is exposed to passersby and to the elements. Also when the door falls open, the mail slot is exposed and, if it rains, water may enter the vault through the exposed mail slot. I tried several "fixes" for this problem that didn't work but, after several tries, I did find one that has worked. I placed an ordinary thumb tack in the top of the door so that when the door is closed it fits more tightly than before. The plastic material is soft enough to permit you to do this with only a light tap with a hammer.

This mailbox leaks so you have wet mail if it has rained or if it rains while the mail is in the box. Melting snow also presents a probem. JS in AZ

The unusual shape attracts attention, but it is the reason the mail is secure. This is a very low maintenance product and easy to install. I beat on it with a baseball bat (not toooo hard) and no damage or even marks are evident. It is approved by the "Post Master General".

The construction is not on par with the design. I purchased two units. One worked perfectly and the other has (had) problems with the mail door staying closed. The design relies on the interference of the door lip and the top of the hole it fits in to. Too much of the plastic was ground off during manufactering and the door tended to flop open. Using pliers I was able to crimp a portion of the plastic at the top of the door causing a firmer fit and now the door stays closed. This problem did not affect the security of the mail.

Hard to beat for the price. I recommend the product to my friends.

I purchased and installed the MailGuard 579 [black] and have found it to be everything it is advertised as. It is reasonably priced when compared to other locking mailboxes [especially the 'Armidillo'] If you mount it on an existing mailbox post, be sure that the post is 15" back from the curb so that someone pulling close to the curb doesn't hit it with a rearview mirror. Even our mailman likes it!

THIS IS A GREAT ITEM. YOU CAN'T EVEN TOUCH IT ON EBAY FOR THIS

PRICE. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, SHIPPING IS FREE! MY MAILPERSON

IS DOING THE JOB MUCH BETTER AND I DON'T HAVE A FEAR THAT SOMEONE

IS GOING THROUGH MY MAILBOX. IT TOOK ONLY A FEW MINUTES TO PUT

IT UP AND WORKS LIKE A CHARM. SURE GLAD I CHECKED AMAZON AFTER

LOOSING A WINNING BID ON EBAY. I ENDED UP SAVING MANY $$$$, BESIDES THE NO SHIPPING CHARGES!

I am 100% satisfied with this mailbox. I decided to purchase a locking mailbox after I found some checks I had ordered laying outside on the ground. I first purchased a locking mailbox from Lowes but the mail was always sticking out of the slot. I returned the mailbox from Lowes & ordered the Mailguard the same day. The mailguard is everything it claims to be. Happy in Georgia.

I purchased the MailGuard mailbox as a surprise for my husband. It arrived in the afternoon one day and I had it installed before my husband got home from work that evening. Installation is so easy and my husband loves the mailbox. We travel alot in the summer and have always had the hassel of what to do with our mail. We don't have to stop our mail or burden our neighbors to pick it up for us anymore. We left for 3 weeks and when we returned our mail was locked safely in our mailbox, undisturbed. Thank you MailGuard!

I have had this mailbox for 10 months now - in central Pennsylvania. It is mounted curbside to a post. It does not leak - ever! The door works fine and does not leak. When you screw it to the post use some common sense and put some silicone over the screws and you will never even have to worry about leakage. I 100% recommend this product!!!