...to think it is just antisocial to have a letterbox like this.

[5Foot5]

So tonight I was out stuffing leaflets through doors to advertise a Christmas event. People have all sorts of letterboxes and, although I can see they probably prevent draughts, I am not overly fond of the ones with bristles.

However, towards the end of my patch I met an absolute brute. I was already a bit leery because they had a sign up saying they had a large dog. But it wasn't the dog but the bastard letterbox that snapped shut and trapped my finger. Honest to God I had to struggle to get my hand free - I was beginning to think the damn dog had got me.

It broke the skin slightly and the end of my finger is bruised and was quite numb for the best part of an hour.

Who on earth fits a monster like that? Poor postman I say.

So - AIBU to suggest you try out your own letterboxes some time just to see how user-friendly they are?

Anything which stops junk mail continually dropping through my door is fine by me.

It's not anti-social. It's anti-junk mail and I want one.

I really want one of these.

Hope your finger is better now.

How does the letter box distinguish junk mail from say, a Christmas card or a letter? If you don't what anything coming through your door then why have a letterbox at all? But if you have one then you are surely admitting that there will be some things arriving that you want and the deliverer of that something still has to cope with the wretched, vicious trap of a thing.

From my (morning) newspaper round experiences I can say YADNBU. But there is a technique to using those tough ones. And NEVER allow your hand into them. Push with one hand on outside, push object so it is trapped (but fingers are clear). Then let go with both hands.
The plus side is heavy (strong springed) letter boxes make more of a noise ;-)

Not just poor postman, but poor paperboy and poor paperboy's mum who's doing his paper round for him because he's gone to his friend's birthday gathering and she's really a bit of a soft touch when it comes to things like this.

We have our favourite letterbox with lovely soft bristles, and our least favourite bitey letterbox with sharp edges that rips the newspaper when you push it through. We cheer when the latter is on holiday.

misskangaandroo2014 I can see that technique working with something fairly substantial like a newspaper but I find with a flimsy bit of paper like the flyers I was delivering that you sometime need to prod them in a bit. Especially for the bristles.

Anyway, lessons learned. Next time I might have a bit of stick and push like you suggest but using the stick instead of my fingers.

We secretly cheer when the newspaper rips too.

someone we know used a wooden spatula to push leaflets through letter boxes , saved her fingers well until someone's dog grabbed the leaflet AND the spatula

Wow guffaw just think how bad it could have been without the spatula.

i think she was more cross about losing the spatula than anything else, but feel sorry for that road's postman!

I'd like one of those..... When I come home from work, the outer flap of my letterbox is always sticking out if I have post and it annoys the hell out of me! Where can I get one?

someone we know used a wooden spatula to push leaflets through letter boxes , saved her fingers well until someone's dog grabbed the leaflet AND the spatula

Spatula, or ruler is the best. I know someone who had the end of her finger bitten off by a dog when she worked as a courier. We always use a ruler round here now.

Perhaps take a spare spatula?

I'm guessing most people just have the letterbox that was there when they bought the flat/house, and very rarely have to put anything through their own letterbox so have no idea of the trouble they are causing.

Can I complain about the ones really low too?? Hurt the back when bending.... Just saying

mineofuseless probably B&Q

OP, sorry your finger got hurt, but I'm afraid this thread has just prompted me to order a draught excluder for our letterbox. I've been meaning to get one for years. I hope it's one with soft bristles though.

Can DS and I also complain about the ones that are so small you have to dismantle the paper and post it through in smaller sections.

OP

Just stop delivering unsolicited mail. I can opt out of junk mail but not this hand delivered stuff whether it is 'angel of goodness' or anything else. I don't want it.

yabu
people don't want junk mail

another mug who occasionally helps out on her dd's paper round, and there was one absolute grim house, at the end of the round, and generally at the weekend their newspaper had to be delivered virtually page by page! luckily they gave up.
but for leaflets, just stick in a little bit if I were you.

Please don't leave leaflets sticking out of the letterbox - it gives me the rage when I get home and discover junk mail sticking out or on the mat. Just advertises that you are out.

I've just put an internal cover on my letterbox and yes, it does make it harder to put post through (I have tested it). Am trying to find a solution to help the postman. Not really bothered about those who deliver rubbish.

please do not put unsolicited rubbish through other people's doors. I did manage to catch someone doing it the other day and gave it back.Generally it goes unread in the recycling, which means I pay to get rid of it.