Customer Reviews

MailGuard 580M Security Mailbox, Green

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

...The mailbox is very sturdy. We purchased this product because we have mail tampering in our neighborhood and have been paying for private mail service for business mail. We installed on 4x4 pole but 6x6 might work a tad better because the holes to attach were near the edge and we changed the location. It is a very tight fit, as previous review states the door is tight but it works very well and being this close fitting will keep out the weather. I think this mail box is a bargain compared to other security mail boxes. It is strange appearing, very industrial but we are making a wood house to fit over and decorate with older attachments so it fits in with our older house. I strongly recommend this product. At a previous location we had a locking box from supplier, it was nearly $300.00 and not nearly as user friendly. I will post review from our postal guy as well because we wanted feedback from him. Thank you Amazon for free shipping and great service. Nui

I installed my Mailguard in July of '03.
On September 26, '03 someone used a very small slotted screwdriver to pry the door open & bend the lock arm.
This lock arm is so soft as to be a useless deterent.
The security of this mail box is all illusion and no substance until the manufacturer uses a better lock with a hardened or stiffer acuator arm.

We've had our Mailgard for about 6 months. It's great if you want to be able to go away for a week and not turn off your mail. Is this a super impenetrable mail box fit for stashing your cash and jewels? No. It will not deter a determined criminal. It will, however, keep your mail out of sight, which is a good deterrant in itself, as most casual thiefs and neighborhood kids aren't going to pry it open if they don't know if something is in there.

I just installed my Mailguard and it's perfect. I only had to pay $89 bucks for it but I would have paid over $150. It's durable, practical and reliable. I decided to replace my regular plastic mailbox when I was reading about all the mail and identity thefts happening all over the country. I wanted something to keep my mail locked. I shopped around and looked at a lot of these locking boxes. This is clearly the best one out there. It handles lots of mail and is extremely user friendly and easy to install. Plus it costs less then half of all the others. Some installation is required but its quick, easy and painless. My neighbors are now buying Mailguards as well. Good job Mailguard, a great new product I am sure most everyone will have at their curbside soon.

I purchased and installed the beige colored mailguard for my parents and THEY LOVE IT! Easy assembly and easy install. They love the fact that they don't have to worry if people are looking through their mail anymore, especially if they are not able to pick up the mail for a few days. A great gift, and little piece of mind for me. A very good product.

This locking mailbox will serve as intended, as a deterrent for casual passers-by rather than a determined thief. However there are some design problems. As another reviewer noted, the holes drilled in the back to attach to a post are too close to the edge for a standard 4 x 4 post, because they are just 3" apart and a standard 4 x 4 is actually only 3-1/2" wide. This leaves the screws less than 1/4 inch on each side. If you drill new holes, as I did, use neoprene washers (like those on roofing screws) on the inside to deter water leakage. You also have to fill the pre-drilled holes with caulking and tape on the outside back to prevent leakage from those holes. The manufacturer suggests cutting the top of the post at an angle so that when water runs off the slanted roof of the mailbox it will run on down the top of the post. However the back of the mailbox is not rigidly straight and the screws are down at the center, so at the top the mailbox does not lie flush with the post. This creates a slot between the post and the top of the box where water will run down. I drilled two more holes near the top of the post (couldn't get to the very top because I had sloped the top as mfgr. suggested) and using 4" bolts I could draw the box closer to the post but not close enough. Finally I filled the gap between the post and the box with caulking to prevent water leakage. That's a lot of bother and trouble that took a lot of time and if a different box has a rigid back it would be a better deal.

This mailbox is not secure at all. A few weeks ago, someone used a screwdriver to remove both
doors. Instead of a metal hing holding the door's on, there are tiny button's that stick out of each side of the door's acting as a hunge. It needs inprovement on it's design.

This mailbox is a great deal. It is very durable,looks good and provides great security for our mail. It was easy to install. The neighbors love it and have asked for information to order thier own.

We deleted our PO Box and started getting street delivery when we installed the 581M security mailbox. Right from the start the door would not stay shut with a change in temperature. My first attempt was to glue magnets on the inside of the box and put large washers under the handle screws on the inside of the door. This worked during the summer month but when it turned cooler at night here in Arizona, the door would open in the morning. Now I have 3" long duct tape strips along the two vertical door edges and that works fine. The door opening is smaller than regular mail box and you will not receive small packages in the box. Certain size packages will fit in the mailbox through the door but not through the locked retreival door and will require removal through the delivery door. And if the internal mounting screws are not completely flush with the wall sometimes the letters will hang up half way down out of sight. We never had a problem with rain getting in the box and in the 18 month of outdoor mounting there is no sign of deterioation due to elements.

I had this installed on a 6"x6" P.T. post by a professional handyman. It is unusual-looking, but I am more interested in performance than looks. I live in a rural area where mailbox-bashing is a favorite sport, and I am hoping that since to take a swing at this mailbox would mean connecting with the post at nearly the same time, it won't be as much of a target. The mailbox holds a substantial amount of mail in the lower compartment, and will easily hold a few days' worth of my mail. I am happy to have the lock, although it could be forced open if someone were determined, it will deter a quick, casual mail thief. I had the handyman run a line of beige-colored caulk along the top and sides where the box meets the post, to prevent rainwater from running between. Since I used a 6"x6" post, I didn't need to have new holes drilled in the box, and would highly recommend this size. It also looks better than a 4"x6" would look. One thing that should be mentioned is that outgoing mail must be placed between the swing-down top door and the mail slot for incoming mail; this area will hold several business-size envelopes, and there might be a problem on a windy day. This doesn't bother me, since I can drop mail off at work, but might be a problem for some people. So far I am very pleased; I will update this information after a longer period of use. I appreciated the installation information that previous reviewers furnished--it was very helpful.