At The Border Mail

I’ve been a customer here for years and love this place. It’s so close to the border and this along with Nexus makes it so easy to get everything I order super quick.
I have found that the staff for the last few years have been super friendly and helpful. There have been a few less than pleasant staff in the past but I haven’t seen them in a long time so I assume they are gone lol.
I’ve used a few of the other places around, and found a lot of them where $ 3 – 5 per package and with more stringent rules around packages.
Definitely recommend this place to friends!
Some things to know:
— Cash only but you can buy a punch card for $ 25usd which comes with 11 packages so you don’t always need to grab cash before heading down.
— Pickup times are 2 weeks, and then there is a daily late fee after that. It’s a bit steep so make sure to get your package within 2 weeks of being delivered as it adds up quick.

Let’s start off by saying — I am now regretting registering with them even though its only 10 bucks a year. I should have researched other businesses first because I just realized that:
— other places don’t even require an annual registration fee
— each parcel/​package cost less than what they charge here at ATBM
— plus other businesses remain open WAY longer.
— ATBM only holds packages for 2 weeks.
*sigh* Now that’s my fault for not checking out other places first, but I just wanted to point the differences out for everyone.
This review is not solely based on their policies and store hours. It’s mainly regarding the services that I have received from ATBM so far.
First, I registered on their website (which seems a bit outdated), then you just submit your information using their online form to register. There is no login and you don’t get a profile/​dashboard — you basically just email them when you need to change or update any info, and they email you when necessary. Keep in mind that their emails are not very friendly or professional.
Once I have registered, they messed up my account number right away. They sent me the wrong email with the wrong account number and even addressed me with a man’s name.
Then they followed up with an email saying, and I quote, «Oops sorry I ACCIDENTLY sent you the wrong email. Your actual account number is _​_​. The rest of the previous email still applies, just not the account number.» In short, it was like: «oops wrong email, here’s your real account #, just check the other email for the information/​guidelines.» Yeah thanks a lot. It was very unprofessional and it felt like a teenager sent me that email. It was the very first non-​automated email I received from them too.
So I started sending packages to my new ATBM address right away. I’ve been so excited about this package and I’ve been waiting for so long. It’s been weeks and I still haven’t got an email notification if my package has arrived.
And so I double-​checked my tracking number (which was provided by the website I purchased my package from) and I was FURIOUS when I realized that my package has been successfully delivered to the ATBM address for the past 7 DAYS! What is going on?! I then emailed ATBM immediately and explained my situation and concerns.
It turns out that they have indeed received my package but it was all the «new employee’s» fault because he is «getting used to the job and he mismarked my package». There were absolutely no regrets or apologies expressed at all. All I got was a «we will not charge any late fees for it». I still have to pay to pick-​up the package though. Boo~
A few minutes before their email response to my complaint, I received an automated email stating that the staff of At The Border Mail have JUST entered my information into their «package notification system». Wow, great! Not only did the new employee miss my package but they also haven’t even entered my info into their notification system in the first place.
It seems like it wasn’t even a big deal to them. Had I not checked my tracking number and notified them, I’d probably never receive my package at all.
Overall, they messed up my account number, missed my package for almost over a week, and added my info to their notification system at the last minute. To top it all off, their email etiquette needs some work. Okay maybe a lot of work.
I am just itching to get all my packages and transfer to a DIFFERENT business where they have longer hours, better rates, and even holds packages for 30 days.
I would NOT recommend this place.

I know better than to post a review when I am in the heat of my frustration, disappointment and the peak of my anger with a particular business.
But alas, here I am…
I shipped two packages from here last week. Excited there was a place open to send packages to family & friends in the States right at the border. It’s so much cheaper to send packages from the US than Canada.
It was a Wednesday and they were open until 9pm. We were able to use two priority mailboxes they had on hand. We had our own sharpie marker and packing tape, so we labelled and packaged up the boxes right there. One to California and one to Oregon.
They only take cash as payment, so luckily had $ 24 US in my travel wallet. They gave us a receipt and I was so thrilled to get those packages out the door (we were a little late in getting them out). The service was friendly. And we learned of their package delivery options ($ 10 annual membership, $ 2.50 per package). I was intrigued on the convenience of the location to switch to them, but now I know that I can’t and won’t.
Fast forward to one week later. I get a call from my sister in California, here is an outline of the convo …
(1) ‘Did I send a package to them?’ Yes, yes I did.
(2) ‘Did I pay to ship the package?’ yes, yes I did.
(3) ‘You may want to check your online card statement to see if you were charged because the package is here with the postman and there is no postage on it. They say it will cost $ 55 for them to deliver it.’ WHAT?! NO! I am so sorry! I paid for the shipping at this place at the border. They only take cash, so no record on my online statement. Maybe I have a receipt at home? Refuse it! The package is not worth $ 55. It is just a care package for your BF’s birthday. I am so sorry!
(4) I overhear her say to the postman, ‘We are refusing delivery as it was paid for. Send it back.’
(5) ‘We refused it,’ she says. I am so sorry. I love you and I’ll call you later after I get to the bottom of this.
I think there is one area where I may be at fault in this — the return address was our Vancouver, BC address. So the US post office must have seen this and that is why they wanted $ 55. I have done this tons of times with no issues.
So to sum it up, the packages that we paid for in cash (I have the receipt) were sent without postage. Now my packages are stuck in the postal ether and not sure if we will see them again. They were just thoughtful packages, luckily they weren’t anything super valuable or important.
Prior to posting this review, I sent them an email to let them know and left a voicemail. My partner talked with someone there briefly last night, but I personally have yet to hear back from them. I am not sure what they can actually do to rectify this at this time. I am open to suggestions.
***UPDATE (with 10 minutes of posting the original):
Scott, one of the owners at At The Border, just called. He is lovely, sincere and expressed great concern for the issue. He apologized and made it very clear that this is not a usual business practice.
He shared his concern that the package got as far as it did within the US Post. There seems to be a bunch of checks & balances in place to avoid this exact thing. For example: (1) They usually put their label with their address on it, but I guess these packages were set aside to be dealt with later. (2) The person who picks up the package usually scans the package into the system. (3) It then goes to the Blaine Post Office and if there is an issue, it is returned to them. He is amazed the package made it as far as it did.
He has been incredibly generous in his offerings to make up for the issue.
(1) Pay to replace the items: The book & the girl guide cookies can be replaced, but the other was branded schwag from a show my BF worked on, so not replaceable.
(2) If the packages arrive back to our Vancouver address, he has offered to pay whatever the cost is to receive the package. So he encouraged me not to refuse it, if it makes its way back here.
(3) He is diligently working to connect with the postman to see if he can help get the package delivered. Unfortunately there is no tracking on it… So it is highly unlikely. But I did appreciate his determination and eagerness to try to make it right.
(4) He said he would put aside the cash we paid for the packages, so we could pick it up the next time we cross the border.
I am eager to give any and all businesses & humans the benefit of the doubt. And based on this recent call, I think they are eager to right the wrong. If/​when the packages do arrive where they are intended, I will update this post again.
The fact remains, that this issue happened and it happened to me. I will however change my 1 star to 3 star as Scott’s customer service and humanity is worth it (and maybe then some). Poor guy having to deal with the bureaucracies of the Post Office… Good luck!

I have only used their mail box services for a short time but so far, I am very pleased with their services. What they have over a few others is very friendly staff and reliable email notification of packages.
Their rates are pretty much in line with their competitors but they differentiate themselves by offering:
— Better /​friendly communications
— A direct Canadian contact telephone number: (604) 595‑1657
— Facebook fan page
— A well organized and comprehensive website
— Inexpensive mailboxes (possibly the best price)
How to get there?
They are nearly the last business before crossing Canadian Customs on Hwy 543 in Blaine. You can’t miss them!
The only question I have is how to stay in the U.S. after picking up packages or mail.