To ask if anyone else has a woo letterbox?

[BlackBeltInChildWrangling]

I'd describe myself as an open-minded sceptic, even if that description makes no sense to anyone else but me.

From time to time, our letterbox goes once, in exactly the way it would if something had been posted through. It happened today, and one of my DCs heard it, as did I. My DC said 'Postman Pat' as he usually does when he hears the postman come. I replied that 'he doesn't come on Sundays', and went to the door, expecting something had been hand delivered.

Except, nothing had. And it's not the first time.

I could explain it if the wind was blowing or we had kids locally who could just be messing about, but neither applies. The weather is still and it's very quiet where we live.

AIBU to ponder the possibility of a woo letterbox?

More likely someone with a fishing pole to see if there are keys to hook out, or looking to see if you have any valuables near the door.

That is the reason that when we replaced the door we got a security letter box and it is almost at ground level so that anyone trying that would have to be laying on the steps and once in, it doesn't go back out.

I know that's entirely possible Toad, but is it likely in broad daylight and in an open, reasonably overlooked location with people likely to drive or walk by? It's quiet, but not completely quiet, in the daytime at least. I meant, no bored kids hanging around.

The sun making the metal expand and it makes a cracking noise. Some of my windows at my old house did it whenever it was sunny. Nothing woo.

I do flyering for my business sometimes. I have definitely accidentally not posted a flyer before when I was just on autopilot and on other occasions decided the letterbox was too much of a pain in the arse to put the flyer through. Have also retreated a hand/flyer on hearing a dog.

Not a crack Smashed, a definite letterbox clatter. We've lived in the house for a long time, so you get to know the noises.

Car in the drive too Toad, so it does look like we're in, although I know that isn't always a deterrent.

Easy letterbox Mystery, and the hound doesn't stir for it.

The autopilot is interesting though. How do you know you do that?!

It happened to us a couple of times, easy access from the pavement, open front garden/drive, early evening. Nothing is safe these days. They try it as it doesn't take long, then come back if there is something worth taking or breaking in for.

Yes, we had 2 cars in the drive, whole row of houses opposite. It still happened, the only thing that stopped it was the letterbox that takes your fingers off. If it happens now it is because some poor soul has tried to put a small leaflet or card through and almost lost a few fingers, I hear the snap as it closes and see nothing there and know to look in the flap, whereas before I would always go to the window to see who was there.

Sorry to hear that Toad. Everything about your description applies, except it was around lunchtime.

I think I'd rather it was woo than thievery!

No row of houses opposite, but a few slightly further away at an angle, and houses at either side of us. Walkers, dog walkers, and locals passing on foot or by car quite regularly on a nice day like today.

Yes, I feel sorry for one of my DCs who has a paper round, and has to proceed with caution with some killer letterboxes!

So would I, but sadly it happens a lot. Holiday time for many people so more opportunities for the thieves, they are very quick and gone before you can look. Not here but there have been reports of doors being kicked in too and when that doesn't work they smash windows if there is something nice inside.

I regret the letterbox because it is snappy, and also because it is so low down, however it is the safest place to put it from the point of view of thefts, not so good when the postie gets fed up and half posts the mail though it in the rain.

Maybe somebody woo will come along at some point.....

More likely someone with a fishing pole to see if there are keys to hook out, or looking to see if you have any valuables near the door

Op I'm pretty sure it's not that

I have a plug socket in the kitchen which makes a loud click, took me a while to realise what it was but the top pin socket keeps getting stuck in then pops out randomly, could it be something like that? Letterbox not shut properly after you have got mail then shuts itself when it feels like It?

It's probably Jesus, popping round wondering why you didn't go to church this morning

Crack or clatter, whatever word you use to describe the noise, it'll still be the metal
expanding.

It's possible Queen, it's possible.

Or Elvis.

I meant Smashed that it sounds exactly like the letterbox does when something is posted. Crack or clatter, I'd expect there to be even a slight difference to the noise if it was metal expanding, IYSWIM? I could be wrong and the 2 noises could be exactly the same of course.

I'm hoping you, Mystery or Shamed are right, Zero, rather than Toad. Having been burgled a few years ago, I don't fancy it again as you'll imagine. Neighbours have had burglaries before and since, or had attempted burglaries. Awful business.

Can you hang a bell on the door so if the letterbox opens it jangles? (Or would that would be worse)

The letterbox isn't one that sticks at all Zero; it drops back down every time. Very old thin metal.

It's an idea Upstart, thanks. My only concern is that it could add to the ghostly letterbox scenario with the ringing of the bells, like the clanking of Marley's chains in A Christmas Carol!

I meant Smashed that it sounds exactly like the letterbox does when something is posted.

That's what I mean too That's why I said it in the first place

Although I agree with toad that people do sometimes try and have a fiddle with them so maybe keep an ear/eye out just in case! We had a thing of people trying door handles for a while where we used to live.

Thanks for the clarification Smashed

All quiet on the woo letterbox front since, but a hopeful DC is awaiting the possible arrival of PMP!