The Mail Bank

Great service with a smile, very helpful.
Best to call ahead for notary service to confirm he will there when you come in.

This is probably one of my favorite places to send/​drop off packages.
When I used to live in the area this was a super convenient location b/​c it’s right next to the freeway and I can stop by on the way to and from work. As I am a creature of habit, I still come here even though i’ve moved to Mission Valley.
This place is great b/​c if you have large packages or a lot of things to mail out, you can just back up right in front of the store and take your time unloading everything. Other places I’ve gone to, you would have to fight for street parking or carry these loads from the parking lot.
I stopped by today to send out 4 (15lb) boxes of books. The lady was very helpful, she even lend me her mailing tape! (other places made me buy the tape) Not only that, she helped me find the cheapest rate to send everything out. I thought i was going to spend at least $ 200 on everything, but ended up only spending $ 50, and this is including boxes that were purchased in the store!

90% of the time when I come here I’m just running it to drop off a package with prepaid postage. I don’t need to wait in line, just make eye contact with whoever is working and leave it on the counter. Takes 10 seconds and despite the casual nature I’ve never had a package fail to arrive at its destination. So much faster than going to the post office!

I came in here unprepared and needed help with what packaging and which USPS service to use to get my package by a specific time for a birthday gift. They were patient with me as I was trying decide what packaging to use, they told me the different prices for every service, and let me use their tape without hesitation. Usually mail offices are super stingy with their tape so I was surprised the lady was super nice and helpful with it. Since SD is so big the post offices are super spread out, so I was glad this location was central to Clairemont and next to the 805. I will be coming back to this place if I am in the area!

You’re going to this place for convenience, plain and simple, so of course you’re going to pay a bit more for services that you normally would at the USPO or FedEx. The added costs aren’t horrible– especially when you figure out how much you’re saving in terms of time and gas. But I’ve been to this business enough times to enthusiastically recommend you find a better option for shipping your packages, if possible. I’ve never had a good experience here.
Today (Monday) I was in a rush and needed to get a package in the mail so it would arrive Thursday morning. At first I was the only person in line. It still took five minutes for them to actually say «Hi, how can I help you?» I told them I needed the package to arrive by Thursday and after one employee called the other one to find out how to do this, the two of them sat and debated what form I might need. The manager type then said, «It will be $ 44.85 and it will be there tomorrow by 3.» I reminded them that I only needed it there on Thursday – were there cheaper/​other options?
You would have thought I asked them to remove my spleen. A line had now formed behind me, but both employees were working out just how to send my package for a three-​day service. After another ten minutes of the two of them pushing buttons and glancing back at the stack of forms, they finally asked me if I had cash. «Why?» I asked. They then said that if I could pay the $ 44 in cash, their manager could send the package out that day. «But aren’t there any other shipping options?» I asked? Again, more confusion and further enquiries of whether or not I could do the deal in cash.
Finally I took the box back and left, passing a long line of grim-​faced customers who had the displeasure of watching my ordeal, knowing their turn was soon (but not too soon, the way the line there moves).
It’s one thing to pay a little more for a convenience. It’s another to pay a little more for incompetence and questionable business practices. Try somewhere else if possible.

I don’t want more people coming here! I HATE standing in line — something I have to do at my choice of area post offices while waiting for their crummy, slow service. But at Mail Bank I do my postal business — fast, no waiting! Been coming here for years. perfect for USPS stuff.

Mail bank is charging package pricing for large envelopes. Price should of been 1.32 and twice they charged me 2.17. Please don’t do that please.

This used to be a friendly place. I walked in on Dec 11, 2012, and was told, without asking: «United States Mail, cannot trace cannot guarantee by Christmas. 12 Dollars». The whole attitude was take it or leave it. I had to kind of wait around to see if he would provide me with options, which he did not, but I asked and was told the alternative was 3 day delivery for $ 10 more per box. I have gone out of my way to patronize local stores in this retail-​challenged area but this is absolutely the last time I will bother with Mail Bank. I’m not paying for bad attutude at those prices.

Convenient location and prices are on-​par with other major mail stops. The big plus about this location is you’re technically getting a PMB, not a POB. What’s the difference you ask? A lot of companies/​products wont ship to Post Office Boxes, because a signature is required, so if your address even says POB you’re out of luck. Well not only can you get past the pesky online shipping form with a PMB, but the friendly owners actually sign for you and keep larger items behind the counter. For what it is, a solid 4 stars indeed.

Absolutely a far better experience than going to Clairemont USPS. They compare carrier prices and treat your things carefully. Explain your options without the feeling that you are being upsold. I have been using this place for years and love going there. I highly recommend it and suggest it is a great alternative to other places.

Nice alternative place to go to instead of heading out to the busy post office. Everytime I had gone I was always in and out within 10 minutes. They do charge a strange .75 fee for sealing your package-​I guess perhaps they think people carry tape with them at all times? But whatever, I’ll take the .75 hit instead of standing in the crazy linda vista post office line.

I dropped in to drop off a USPS package, which for small business owners equals zero profit, but the gentleman behind the counter was extremely happy to help. You see, I needed a signature for delivery, but couldn’t find the option online. He told me it wasn’t offered for regular Priority Mail (International), but that I’d need to go with Express. He gave me a quote, but told me I could probably save a couple bucks online. Now who would tell you to go spend money elsewhere and not try to get you to stay? People you can trust in my opinion.
Thanks to the owner for being helpful, upright and honest — I will certainly return!

If you would like to send something without waiting in line and the option of knowing how much it will cost for the three major mailing companies, well this is the place to go.
The prices here are a little more expensive, but it’s a small price to pay when you really don’t feel like waiting in line at the post office. The guy in the front is friendly and is glad enough to wrap up your item if your item isn’t wrapped. He will even tell you what the price differences are if you decide to send it FedEx or UPS. It’s nice to have some options.
This place gets 3 stars. I would like to give it more, but sadly couldn’t. Yes the wait is shorter than the post office, but if there is a line, only having one person working moves this line slowly. The prices are decent and the staff is friendly.

Mail bank is pretty pathetic place. I have been renting a mail box here but the behavior of the owner is very rude. It is typical behavior that we are giving you a favor by letting you doing business here instead of other way around. Finally I took my business some where else

Use this shop at your peril. I rented a box with mail forwarding, and had nothing but continuous trouble. The clerks’ English was poor. I requested forwarding (in writing), but my mail was never forwarded. The same result when I requested forwarding by telephone. Extra money placed on deposit for forwarding was mysteriously applied to extend my post office box instead, even though the request was in writing. When I finally closed the box in disgust, my final mail was mysteriously lost, even though I went to the desk in person to request it. A total train wreck.

Don’t want to wait in line at the post office and/​or at the UPS/​FedEx place? Come to the Mail Bank.
Because of my experience with another postal service store in the area, i was at first a little leery of having to pay more for USPS services, like Priority Mail than at the regular post office, but i was pleased to pay the exact same rates — and not have to stand in line! I win!
They also sell shipping supplies, greeting cards, and have PO boxes for rent. Because they handle USPS, UPS and FedEx, you might even get to compare rates all at one place.