Special Lite Ashland Mailbox Post - Black Cast Aluminum Post for Curbside Mailbox - SPK-600-BLK

First I have to explain my rating since it is an average: I gave a 4 for the product and a 2 for trying to get it, and the “trying to get it” will form the bulk of this review since there is a lesson to learn which may apply to future products ordered.I ordered the post in Black along with the Burial Kit and on the first delivery I received the post in Copper with No Burial Kit, so I called Amazon; they apologized, made amends, sent UPS return instructions and reordered another post for me. (I had a separate order for the Special Lite Mailbox which came as described but under the “Post” delivery designation - the orders were conflated, an ominous indication of what was to come.)Back to the post - I taped up the box and waited for a UPS pick up on the scheduled day. I waited and waited and no UPS so I entered the tracking number and it indicated “a pick up was attempted at 11:42 am” and that the “package was not ready.” Well, I have a Ring Doorbell and was working in front of my house at that time so there was no “attempted” pick up.I called UPS, they apologized and promised a next day pick up at 2pm; well 2pm came and went and no UPS, not until over two hours later, so nearly two days wasted on waiting.Finally the box was on its way back to Amazon, and a few days later UPS delivers the new reordered post and incredibly it’s Another incorrect Copper Post sans Burial Kit!So another call to Amazon and going through the same return/reorder process! This time though I decided to also call the supplier of the post, Special Lite, and they were great, especially LeeAnn - and here’s the lesson...LeeAnn of Special Lite indicated that they received my order from Amazon but the part number was incorrect so she changed it and contacted Amazon. Had I not called I would have likely received a third incorrect post! Checking on both ends of the supply chain therefore worked for me.Well, the proper post finally arrived (nearly three weeks from the original order) and it was in good condition, with all the hardware and parts accounted for. Again, Special Lite Customer Support was excellent as they answered all of my assembly and installation questions. I told them the only recommendation I had for the post was to include more specific instructions (identify which screws/bolts go where and sequencing all assembly/installation steps). Detail is important, especially where there is little margin for error.I installed the post with the help of my neighbor. We bolted the burial post to the main post and slowly placed it in the hole, filling it with water and fast setting Sakrete. It was easier making leveling adjustments using this method (rather than just installing the burial post and later, bolting it to the main post) and there was no need to brace the post due to the fast setting concrete - periodic leveling checks are recommended though. The following day we affixed the mailbox to the post using the four supplied screws keeping the box level throughout.Next, the finishing touches; adding small red gravel six inches round out from the base and an area of mulch an additional eighteen inches out (for both aesthetic and practical purposes - protects the post from lawnmower or trimmer damage) and it looks great!So, despite the initial ordering/return issues, everything turned out well and in the end that’s what matters. But all that took time, and while I have a lot of time on my hands (if not on my side) due to retirement (La Dolce Far Niente) this situation, although unpleasant, was an anomaly, a clear exception in my nineteen positive years with Amazon. And, as always, Amazon ultimately came through, as did UPS.Now, finally, to return to the lull of senior living, which consists of, among other things, a rather bemused pleasure in watching idiotic game shows (but always looking forward to Plinko), avoiding those insipid Chevy “real people” commercials, coveting early morning reflective walks, and hoping for less doctor visits but more Amazon orders, where you will, in the end, always “get what you need.”

Well I wouldn't recommend this unit for someone without a good level of experience assembling things. It is not easy to assemble requires a concrete pad be constructed in order to set the post in place. Finding a place to put the house number is also difficult. On the positive side I love the color and the decorations are a nice touch. After you get it installed your neighbors will slow down to admire the mailbox.

I bought this post and an accompanying mailbox. The post had holes that were machined wrong during assembly, and I had to muscle the thing together. It didn't come together correctly, but I figured close enough. Then I tried to attach the mailbox -- nope, they didn't fit together. Al frustrating!

Very nice copper finish appearance. Provides a touch of elegance to any home. Terrific curb appeal. Post requires concrete foundation so some work is required but if you have the time then it's well worth the build. You can not use a 4x4 wooden post with this system. My concrete foundation is 18 inch deep and about 12 inch wide. I mixed roughly 120 pound concrete mix purchased at Lowes for $10 worth of raw material. All hardware included. Assembly instruction is several simple diagrams. Two concrete foundation method options provided. I used the " Direct Burial Kit" method which appears to be the easier one for me. The second is " Cement Footer" . Difficult to explain but easy to understand on diagram.

So happy with this product. The color is "less shiny" in person (see my uploaded photo), but it is elegant and VERY STURDY. I mounted this onto a concrete pylon poured just for this purpose. Installed the lugs into the concrete, waited for it to cure, then popped the stand onto the studs and cranked it down.It is strong and very attractive - adds a touch of class to any curb appeal.

This was easy to install, and looks quite nice. It took about 5 sacks of concrete to build the foundation. After several months, it seems to be holding up well. We'll see what a New England winter does to it.

This is a fantastic mailbox post. The pictures on Amazon do not do it justice (I ended up googling "SPK-600-BLK mailbox post" to find better pictures before I pulled the trigger). It is very sturdy and elegant. While the post was fairly easy to assemble, the tight quarters of the metal mounting kit and mailbox I purchased separately did complicate things a bit. However, in the end I have beautiful mailbox that is a great highlight on my street.UPDATE 2/24/2014I still love this post, but I removed a star from my rating because I think the bracket that holds the box isn't quite as strong as it should be (IMHO). My mailbox had a run-in with a rogue pumpkin this past Halloween and the bracket broke. I ended up having to order a replacement bracket from Special Lite for $60. I should add, though, that I do have a very strong bat-resistant mailbox which is fairly heavy compared to a regular mailbox.