Post-modern problems affect Jávea urbanisations

The only way to guarantee you'll get your mail is to rent a box – Correos just doesn't deliver, mayor José Chulvi tells disabled expat

IF YOU live in one of Jávea's remoter urbanisations or out in the countryside, it's likely you haven't had any post for a while. Possibly several weeks, if not months. And if, like long-term expat Sandra Lafort, you find it incredibly difficult to get to the post office on the off-chance you have some mail, your only real option is to rent a PO Box number.

Sandra, 76, who is disabled, contacted CBNews about the recent nightmares she has suffered thanks to lack of information from the post office, or Correos, and its staff's constant passing the buck whenever she contacted them to complain.

Luckily for others in a similar situation, she has spoken personally to mayor José Chulvi, who admits part of the problem is that times are changing and postal delivery is no longer viable.

“We were supposed to have boxes fitted at the end of our road in November, but it never happened – apparently someone from Correos in Madrid said they didn't like the design, which sounded odd,” Sandra explains.

“And Correos doesn't tell you that it only keeps your mail for two weeks – if you haven't collected it, they send it back.

“Part of my pension comes from France (Sandra has lived in Latin America, France, in Estepona for six years and Jávea for 14) and I have to prove to them periodically that I'm still alive, or they stop paying. To sort it out, you have to go in person to a judge. And of course, my pension cheques and forms were being sent back.”

But Chulvi explains that the days of regular post are now over.

Services cut for modern 'cyber society'

“So many people bank online, send emails and e-cards, and get 'virtual' utility bills, and luckily in Jávea we don't get junk mail, so there's little point in a postman or postwoman travelling miles out of their way to deliver one letter,” Sandra says.

“It's the case all over Spain and the only solution is to rent a mailbox in Correos.

“They usually cost €120 a year, but I've signed up for one and they seem to be offering a discount at the moment.

“And once your mail is in the box, it can stay there for as long as you want – without one, it'll go back after two weeks.

“So at least now I don't have to try to get there every couple of days just in case there might be an urgent letter for me.”

Sandra wanted to let readers who are no longer receiving their post – and, like her and many other Jávea residents, have not been informed – know about the risk of mail being returned after two weeks and the lack of any likely solution now we live in a 'digital age'.

The answer, it seems, is simple: to guarantee safe receipt of your letters, you'll have to pay for a buzón, or mailbox.