Mailbox & Business Service Center

Seattle, United States

2.9

Closed now

18 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

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Telephone:
+1 206-789-7007
Website:
www.themailboxballard.com
Address:
2400 NW 80th Street, Seattle, WA, 98117
Loyal Heights, Ballard
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
140 ft24th Ave NW & NW 80th St
670 ft24th Ave NW & NW 83rd St
790 ft24th Ave NW & NW 77th St
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Seattle) 07:55 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Located in Ballard, The Mailbox offers custom packaging and shipping solutions as well as an array of value-​added services in one convenient location.

To residential customers, The Mailbox is a full-​service mailing and shipping center offering FedEx, DHL, UPS and U.S. Mail. To commercial accounts, The Mailbox is a mailroom, shipping and receiving department, and strategic business partner offering mailbox rentals, copying, faxing and shipment tracking. Whatever your business service requirements we are here to assist you.

In addition we offer passport photos, notary services, crating, expert packing and freight services for large items or your next move!

History

Established in 1996.

The Mailbox & Business Service Center in Ballard opened in 1996 under the guidance of Ferrol Williams as owner/​operator of what was then thought of as the little-​known mail place on the corner. Today The Mailbox has evolved into an integral fixture in one of Seattle’s best-​loved, historical neighborhoods. The company has grown from a one-​woman operation and, though still owned/​operated by Ms. Williams, the operation is now complimented by her friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Located just minutes from trendy Market Street, The Ballard Locks and Old Ballard, The Mailbox happily and efficiently fills the shipping needs of the thriving Ballard, Crown Hill and Loyal Heights communities with its friendly, personal touch.

The Mailbox is affiliated with The YESS Stores (formerly NARSC) but is an independently-​owned shop dedicated to easing shipper woes, combating long lines at the Post Office and offering a diverse array of products and shipping services.

Meet the Business Owner

Ferrol W.

Business Owner

The Mailbox & Business Service Center in Ballard opened in 1996 under the guidance of Ferrol Williams. Motivated by her passion for a customer-​centered experience, The Mailbox has grown from a one-​woman mailing center to a fully staffed business shipping center supplying her loyal customers with knowledgeable and speedy service.

Ferrol founded the business with a mission to make shipping easier, faster, friendlier and more reliable for her customers. With that goal in mind, she cleared away space in the store for the kids to play while the parents handle their business. The aisles are kept wide for baby strollers and dog walkers to bring their pooch in from the rain.

Ferrol makes sure each customer is guided towards the best service option for each unique shipment. Here you are called by your name, and your shipments are handled as though you’re part of the family.

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18 reviews of Mailbox & Business Service Center

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Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
This place is awesome with service above and beyond any other shipping center I’ve used. I needed a large box sent to India last month; off it went with an emailed tracking number — and an update when it was delivered which I *love*. I shipped Christmas presents last week … The staff was crazy efficient and friendly despite the hordes of holiday shippers, offered hot cider, had a ton of cool locally-​made products to check out while I waited, and offered to repack my gifts in a smaller box than I had brought them in order to save on postage which sealed the deal for me. I will not wait in line for 20+ minutes at the gloomy post office again for bare-​minimum service. I received another notice today that my Christmas presents arrived at their destination — I love that feature!
PS: I watched them check out other customers and another cool thing is that they are able to store addresses to which you’ve sent mail in their computer system — so fast to get a package processed! (again unlike the PO…)
PPS: okay, I’m a nerd to be this excited about shipping, but also because they ship for UPS, FEDEX, and the PO, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get the lowest price of all options which I find very helpful. And they gift wrap. :swoon:
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
You guys have gone above and beyond twice. First, some local neighbors ended up with our package, didn’t know how to find us, but you did! Thanks for calling to get us our package when it was t even shipped to you.
Second, you packaged up a family heirloom clock to ship to my sister (a clockmaker). She was very impressed with the high quality of your pack job! Thanks.
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
They closed 20 minutes early and the woman closing up ignored me after locking the door and walking away.
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
I do a lot of business with this store and today I got terrible service. I found out by calling back that it was the owner that basically told me that I made more copies then I did. And when I was showing her how many copies I made she cut me off and told me that I owed her 57 cents. Her employees are very helpful but the owner needs to get some lessons on customer service.
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
My wife and I got a box here after a rash of package thefts in our neighborhood. It’s super-​convenient to get our packages delivered here and pick them up on the way home from work – or not have to worry about deliveries when we go away on vacation. The price for a box is pretty reasonable too.
I’ve seen the other reviews and don’t think they’re entirely fair. Yes, mailing something here costs more than if you do it at the Post Office or UPS. Guess what? This isn’t the Post Office or UPS. This is a business and they have a bit of a markup in order to cover their expenses and make a profit. If you ship from here you’re paying for the convenience of doing it from your neighborhood.
As for the staff, I’ve found they’re generally friendly and efficient. For the most part, the only unpleasant people I’ve encountered in this store are customers, not staff. However, if I’m waiting behind another customer and only need to pick up packages, usually whoever is working behind the counter will try to quickly step away and grab my packages so I’m not waiting five minutes for an indecisive person who can’t decide which method of shipping they want to use.
Place rating: 2
Seattle, WA
Unfortunately I have to agree with the others who had bad experiences here. Not once have I received a cheerful greeting or a kind thank you. Everybody acts like you’re a) inconveniencing them for even stepping foot inside the business, b) a complete imbecile if you have a question, and c) a potential shoplifter if you happen to be browsing. I love supporting small local businesses but after 3 – 4 visits here I’m done.
Place rating: 2
Seattle, WA
I really didn’t feel welcome here. i’ll stick with the UPS store on 46th from now on. The employees there are friendly and efficient.
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
So rude, it’s laughable. Unapologetic for miscommunication on their end. Make it seem like you owe them something for walking in there and sending a package. Completely unaware of how to do anything customer service related, like say «hello» when you walk in or «have a good day» when you’re leaving, which I found to be excusable until they weren’t willing to explain why my package wasn’t shipped until 2 weeks after being at their office. Then LIED to me saying they couldn’t contact me because of a wrong number. You called me to let me know the package was returned, obviously that is BS. At least learn to lie properly.
UHhhhh I’m just trying to support this local business. It’s sad when a mom and pop shop has a worst attitude than the government system. United States Postal Office, I’m crawling back!
Place rating: 3
Seattle, WA
They got the job done, but weren’t very friendly about it. I told her I wanted things (2 calendars) mailed via priority mail. Perhaps they lose out on charging me for a box etc., but she didn’t seem to excited I chose that method. Then she rang me up at $ 9.40 and gave me the receipt and said «here’s the confirmation number». Puzzled, I looked at the receipt as I was exiting and noticed she charged me $ 0.95 for tracking. Boo. I know it’s a measly $ 0.95, but I was also mailing out measly calendars. Just sayin’ It would’ve been nice if she asked first!
Compared to Sip and Ship in Ballard, this place is lacking in the both the quantity of shopping merchandise and customer service.
It’s next door to the Ballard Academy of Music and Dance, which is where I was for my daughter’s ballet lesson. One plus side is that it was super convenient for me (on that day) and they have a corner play area with toys for kids.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
I like this place.
The gifts and cards are cute and I have always received warm regards from employees
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
This place offers fast, efficient and friendly service. I’m a big fan. I was very surprised to see low scores on the Unilocal page but they look like they are from years passed.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
Soooooo don’tcha think it’s a little weird that the reviews are either one star or five?
Did one person make up all of the bad ones?
I’ve been using the Mailbox for over 15 years and every time my dog and I go in there, they are so «rude» that they only give me a cursory hello because they’re trying to get to the treat jar before my dog does. Cracks me up every time. If it’s busy it’s a quick pat and ‘here’s your treat’, if it’s slow Ferrol kneels down and gives my girl such kind and gentle attention that she’s created a relationship that causes whining before I’ve stopped the car.
If they are busy they are quick and professional with everyone in line, if they are slow– they chat. I don’t know what people want.
I suppose we’ve gotten used to the standard toothy grin with a bouncy «May I help you» so when Ferrol looks at you pleasantly and says «What can I do for you» it’s not enough. Personally I’m glad there are no stepford retail-​bots here. When they’re not busy, you might have a real conversation about real stuff and Jenny’s hilarious dry sense of humor was great.
This place is so personal that they put up pictures of all of the clients dogs and a poem that someone wrote after their dog died.
When I first started going there it was for a post office box because of a nasty scary legal battle I was dragged through after my husbands death. These «purposely rude» people were very kind to me when I would blurt out what was going on (I look back in embarrassment) and so when I saw these negative reviews it really ticked me off. OK, end of rant. Just go there and see for yourself.
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
Went there once and received rude service. My wife went there a few weeks later to give them a second chance. Same result. Seemed to be inconveniencing the staff by paying money to ship something.
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
I’ve always had good luck at the Mailbox and Business center. They helped me make a special box for shipping a kayak paddle out of materials I brought with me. Also, once they helped me track boxes shipped overseas without a tracking number. I had a p.o. box here that I never had any problem with, except that I never checked it. They were always happy to bring out my large bundles of mail without any grumbling (not that I suggest you do the same ;p). I’ve used them for years and will continue to do so as long as I live in the neighborhood.
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
The employees here have a terrible attitude and their services overpriced. They act as if you’re inconveniencing them by using their service. I’ve used many services here — mail, fax, scan, shred and on every occasion have had a disappointing experience. I dislike this place so much that I will drive all the way down to Ballard to use Sip n’ Ship instead.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
Full service (notary, fax, passport photos, etc)…this spot is a real anchor for the neighborhood, as well as a steward of «buy locally». They have several great local Ballard items for sale, from Loki fish, to custom made Ballard candies. Not only do they all have great attitudes, but the staff works really hard to make you feel right at home (hot cider during the holiday season, and treats for the dogs) Just a 1st class place in many ways!
Place rating: 1
Seattle, WA
Incapable of sending a fax to completion, but happy to charge for the privilege of attempting it. Purposelessly rude. Try FedEx/Kinko’s at 85th and 15th instead.
Place rating: 1
Las Vegas, NV
While the staff here is knowledgeable about the services this business provides, and are efficient at getting you’re packages shipped safely and quickly, their customer service leaves A LOT to be desired. In fact, the employees here (minus the man, who actually is pleasant) are absolutely RUDE! If you dare to be like I and drop off a prepaid package here expect to not be greeted (or to have you’re greeting to them acknowledged) expect to not get a smile or even so much as a change in facial expression, and expect to not be told, «you are welcome» or «have a good day» when you thank them for extending themselves so very much to simply take the package from you’re hands. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by their crappy attitudes every time I drop something off there… I mean, what do I think I’m doing? Dropping off a package at a mailbox store? How dare I! Their signs in the windows read, «you’re shipping center» (or something to that effect) and what it should say underneath such a statement is, «However, if you intend to drop off a prepaid package don’t expect us to be even remotely pleasant with you». I live up the street and have family all over the USA and because of their COMPLETE lack of customer service I take all of my packages elsewhere when I need to have things shipped. When I’m just in need of a drop off point for prepaid packages from work I avoid this place as much as possible now. I used to tell myself, «maybe they’re just having a bad day» or «maybe they have something against me personally». But the bottom line, regardless of their personal lives and any bias they may have towards me personally… these people should really brush up on their customer service skills and at the very least crack a fake smile in the general direction of customers when they come in the door… or even go so far as to actually say, «hello» or «you are welcome» when you are talking directly to them and looking them directly in the eye. For a group of adult age individuals in the customer service industry you think this wouldn’t be such a novel concept…