Discontinued Mailbox

Hi all,

I did a search but could not find anything in terms of my question. We currently have regulations stating what our mailbox must look like, the entire neighborhood is uniform. The Board recently bought all new address plates to hang from the mailboxes, they asked that we make sure our mailbox is in good shape and ready for the new sign. My neighbor and myself decided to get new mailboxes since they were weathered and slightly damaged from Irma. Well here lays the problem, our mailbox is now a discontinued item, it is sold nowhere. The HOA is aware and is not commenting (mind you im a board member and they are not making a decision even though im pushing them.) 1/3 of the board is ok with a new version, 1/3 of the board wont comment, and the other 1/3 told me i need to hire someone to custom make the mailbox now. Is there any legalities around this matter (florida). Im ok with buying a new mailbox even a nicely decorated one, but i do not want to custom build one (first quote was $650) mind you our mailboxes use to cost $90. Any advice?

TLDR: Can an HOA make you custom build a mailbox since our mailbox design is now discontinued?

Be a shame if that members mailbox got flattened in the middle of the night bu an unknown car.

FYI: This happens with other items as well. So you may want to include some research on some other items while your at it. For example: Our outdoor lights were basically discontinued. (or some replacement parts). There is only 1 supplier in town. Which is never a good idea. So we evaluated some of the new designs that fit closest to the original for approval. So there is a "mix" but we phased out the older models at end of life has been met on most of them. Considering our HOA is over 30 years old.

Paint is another item that "phases/revolves" out. The paint colors are discontinued or the names changed. We had a color called "Sawyer's Fence". Well that color doesn't exist in that name. So instead of going by "name" we now go by the paint "Formula". That way the formula is always right even if the name or someone chooses a different paint type.

It's time to start reviewing your aging items. Form a committee to do some research to answer questions like "Is there more than 1 source?" Are there replacement parts? Has the material changed? The color options? Is it better to go with a "Theme"?

We found we had to change our paint color swatch. The light fixtures were approved individually as long as they were in the same family of the "theme". Which in our it's an old fishing community. Muted colors and seaside theme.

Adam ... are you a board member? If so, provide a thoughtful motion for the Board to consider alternative designs and suppliers.

Call manufacturer - it may be a supplier with the product being built in China. Get them to email or write you noting the item is no longer available.

Go to the next board meeting - if you are an association member, propose alternatives to the Board, in writing, at a meeting of the Board. If they are not cooperative, write the Board a formal letter, registered mail, outlining what happened at the meeting and providing background on the issue. Make sure you are right.

If you still hear nothing, follow up with a letter noting that since the have not responded, you have chosen another design. Wait a while, then do whatever you think is appropriate to your mailbox and see what happens.

Two things going on here:
1. BoD doesn’t want to open the flood gates
2. BoD not able to make a decision

This is not the first time a supplier has stopped supplying something.

Keep it nice and friendly, even in the letter.

If you really need to repair/replace your mailbox, and the BoD decides to sue you, your ducks will be in a row ...a good audit trail goes a long way towards winning a court case.