US postal system question

[Shrooin]

I bought a console from ebay but I had to get it sent to a US address as the seller wouldn't post internationally. So I got an eBay business owner to agree to receive the console and send it out to me. Anyway I found out just now that he is away from his residence for a week.

The console should be arriving (in the US) this week sometime so as I'm not familiar with the US postal system I'm wondering what happens if no ones home when a package arrives. Do they leave it on the doorstep or keep it at the post office until the guy picks it up? I hope its the latter

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

If he has put a hold on his mail, the package will be kept for him at the post office branch that has the route with his residence on it. If he hasn't done that, perhaps he's asked a neighbor to pick up the mail.

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

Depends on the size. Sometimes if they have community mailboxes (like I do in FL) they will put it in the BIG box and give him the key for it. Other times they keep it at the PO and give him a notice to come get it. Either way, they dont leave mail on the doorstep.

[ryborg]

Either way, they dont leave mail on the doorstep.

That's not true at all. Assuming there is no temporary hold on the addressee's mail, if the package does not require a signature, it will be left at the doorstep/porch/whatever if it is safe from bad weather. Slightly different rules apply if the doorstep is part of a high-traffic area, but if we're talking about a suburban house, that is what will happen.

[mnbren05]

They will leave packages on doorsteps. I have come home several times to find a packages casually sitting on my back porch, driveway, patio table, and front steps. Granted I live in a semi suburban area, but I would not put it past them to leave a package on a porch or next to a back door.

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

Wow, you postal dude sucks! Mine would never leave anything on the doorstep. UPS, now that was a completely different story. They always left packages on my stoop.

[Shrooin]

thanks for the replies. so it would probably be left on the doorstep then. would this happen to large packages too? I forgot to mention the console is the size of a large VCR so the package will be very large. or does it make no difference?

[ryborg]

thanks for the replies. so it would probably be left on the doorstep then. would this happen to large packages too? I forgot to mention the console is the size of a large VCR so the package will be very large. or does it make no difference?

The size of the package makes no difference. If a safe spot is available and no signature is required, the package will be left at the doorstep/porch/safe area.