Behind the scenes of the holiday mail flurry season
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The reason for the season is here with gifts making their way across the state and nation with customers sending out holiday cheer via The Post Box.
Started in 1983, owner Ramon Vallejo has been a steady part of the community.
"My mother and my sister and I started it. So I was just coming out of school. My sister was a secretary, legal secretary. My mother was the spark of motivation to get the business started," Vallejo said.
During this time, the team is hard at work filling up boxes to ship with gifts.
Tape, boxes, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are all at the ready to protect items from any damage. Gifts are also being wrapped alongside with decorative boxes looking to make the spirit bright.
Yet, this week is only the beginning.
"We kind of call it the calm before the storm. We had a busy day on Monday, which was a little surprising because I think next week we anticipate Monday and Tuesday being kind of our busiest days," Post box manager April Wilson said.
And along with the holiday season comes the unfortunate issue of porch pirates stealing packages from homes along with mail theft.
Vallejo had a suggestion for those worried about the safety of their packages.
"We can recommend getting a signature for it. That's probably the best thing. Then the carrier cannot leave it unless, you know, they get a signature. So that's a really good option," Vallejo said.
Getting packages shipped directly to a third-party carrier like this one.
"My wife probably sent out mine a few dozens, you know, and received just as many. So like having this convenience to know that your mail is here. You can come pick it up. It's convenient, you know?," Salinas resident Frank Green said.
Or getting packages and envelopes insured in case of the item being lost or stolen.
"I always insure them. Now it's extra. But you know if something happened then. So yes, I mean it happens on the internet. It happens, it's just, it's very sad that that happens. But it does," rcustomer Gwen Seefeldt said.
As for mail theft, having a separate P.O. Box either at the post office or through a third-party carrier can also be way to make sure you get your gifts and mail securely from loved ones.
