Hi Jannetta in Basel
Someone told me you are not obliged to have a post box. Take your name off, that should solve the problem. Let the postman search you. They may leave a note somewhere for you, then you can go to the post to collect the post.
Pizza delivery from Germany, that was something for the Border Control!
OP I get that you're frustrated and I agree a fine is completely ridiculous. Never heard of such a thing. But I'm afraid the simple solution is to regularly clean out your mailbox.
Do go through the pile that's there already. There may be a prior notice stuck in between all the junk, meaning you don't have a leg to stand on in protest. Sorry!
I made no arrangement for my mail in the meantime because I reasoned that I get only a couple of letters a week and there was a 'No Junk Mail' sticker on the mailbox.
At that time, unbeknown to me, the Berner Zeitung had promotion, and sent an unsolicited 3 week trial subscription to all newly registered people in the area.
When I returned from Holiday, I found newspapers addressed to me had filled up the letterbox itself, the 'milk box' under, and were piled all over the communal mail boxes. A real mess. Somewhere in all that was also a letter asking if I would like to purchase a full subscription to the Berner Zeitung.
Does it work in reverse - So the next time they just dump a retail box with a Fr500 coffee machine on the ground outside the house without even ringing the bell, I can fine them too?
I used to save all my junk mail, shred into pieces and mail it all back to these companies. Play them at their own game. It didn't stop it, but it made it more fun for me.
It pees me off no end and I think for the OP to be fined for that which he/she doesn't want, is a downright scandal.
I'm going to do the same as some others have said and just dump it in front of the local post office here, they can just deport me!!! Yes, It annoys me that much!
What else did the letter say? In partcular, the part about it's actually being a fine?
I've looked on the website of the Post (granted it is sprawling, so obviously I've not read everything) and the only thing I could find there that cost Fr. 24 is a "Vollmacht", i.e. a power of attorney.
Could it be that the letter from the Post is perhaps suggesting that you set up a power of attorney for someone else to be allowed to deal with your mail? For example a neighbour, who would thereby be authorised to empty your letterbox, and also, for example, to collect registered letters and parcels from the post Office, on your behalf?
You're likely on multiple mailing lists so you'll have to do that more than once. It's what I did, and still do occasionally.
P.S.:
Not sure, but you may need to forbid the Post to sell your address data. If they did I think they are to oblige, based on the Datenschutzgesetz. If you ask what data they store on you they must tell you.
eg:
John Smith
Postlagernd
8000 Zurich
Then seal the box with brown tape, add a note on the front, 'Postlagernd!'
https://www.post.ch/en/post-startsei...-postlager.htm
A PO Box at the post office has to be rented (If you can get one) but this Postlagernd/Post Restante costs nothing, and the Post will keep it behind the counter for a month, so each month you should go to your local Post with a photo ID and collect your important stuff.
I did this for 10 years, and there were speeding fines and bills, but there were no commercial flyers.
Cheers,
Nick
Thanks.
There may be an option in their websites but I'm not certain of this.
Duh. You've been 'fined' for having a full mailbox and you ask if you should remove the rubbish now?
Empty my mailbox or pay another 24 chf fine. I know which one I'd choose.