What Are Night Drop Boxes and How Do Dealerships Use Them?
A night drop box is a locked steel box that lets customers leave vehicle keys, payments and paperwork after business hours. Staff empty it when the department opens and process what was dropped. Dealer Depot USA sells night drop boxes, mounting posts and envelopes, with envelopes starting at $26.99 and boxes at $460.99.
Service departments, body shops and rental or loaner operations use night drops so customers can return a vehicle when the shop is closed. This guide covers the two box styles we sell, the posts that hold a box, the envelopes that go inside and what each costs. For security routines, see our posts on securing an after-hours service night drop box, preventing night drop key theft and the service drive end-of-day lockup routine.
What Types of Night Drop Boxes Are There?
Self-contained night drop box
The Self-Contained Night Drop Box is an all-steel box measuring 25-1/4" H x 15" W x 12" D, finished in black steel with white lettering. It mounts to a wall or a pedestal and has a tamper-proof front master lock and a pull-down door where customers complete their envelope. An anti-theft plate is included to protect keys when the door is open, and the listing says the all-steel build means there are no plastic flaps to break. It ships complete with 50 standard envelopes. Price: $598.99.
Wall mount box with pull down tray
The Night Drop Box with Pull Down Tray is a wall mount box made of zinc-coated steel with a black automotive paint finish and white lettering. The front measures 17-5/8" x 18-3/4", the back is 14" x 16" and the depth is 4". A self-closing hydraulic arm returns the tray to a closed position after each drop. Price: $460.99.
Mounting posts
Two posts are sold for mounting a night drop box, both made from 4" steel tubing:
- Surface Mount Post: a 24" column that secures directly to a hard surface. $163.99.
- In Ground Mounting Post: a 36" column that is set into the ground. $163.99.
Night drop envelopes
All three envelope styles are 6" x 9", open at the top and made from 24# or 24 lb white wove stock. The 6" x 9" size is described as large enough to hold a key with a remote and slim enough to fit through standard drop box openings.
- After Hours Night Drop Envelope: open end, printed in blue ink, 500 per box (also available in packs of 100). $78.99.
- After Hours Envelopes, Self-Seal: a peel strip closes the envelope without moisture or tape. 500 per box. $133.99.
- Yellow Highlight Night Drop Envelope: printed in blue and yellow ink so it is easy to spot in low light. 100 per box. $26.99.
How Do You Use a Night Drop Box?
A night drop works best when the setup is the same every night. A simple routine:
- Pick the mount first: use the wall mount box on an exterior wall, or mount the self-contained box to a wall or pedestal. For a post mount, Dealer Depot USA sells a surface mount post and an in ground post.
- Keep envelopes stocked: customers complete an envelope at the pull-down door, so keep a supply on hand. The self-contained box ships with 50 standard envelopes.
- Decide what goes in the envelope: the listings mention keys with remotes, repair authorization notes and work order paperwork.
- Empty the box on a schedule: the self-contained box listing advises emptying it regularly to prevent overfilling.
- Check the hardware: the listings suggest periodically checking mounting hardware and keeping the lock mechanism and hydraulic arm clear of debris.
The listings mention uses such as after-hours key drop-off, service department key returns, payment and check drops, body shop and repair facility key collection, and rental, fleet and loaner key returns.
How Do You Choose a Night Drop Box?
- Mounting: the Self-Contained box mounts to a wall or pedestal. The Pull Down Tray box is a wall mount design. Check each listing before you order.
- Size: the Self-Contained box is 25-1/4" H x 15" W x 12" D, while the Pull Down Tray box is 4" deep.
- Security features: the Self-Contained box has a tamper-proof front master lock and an anti-theft plate. The Pull Down Tray box has a self-closing hydraulic arm.
- Envelope closure: choose open-end envelopes for fast drops, or self-seal envelopes if you want customers to close the flap with a peel strip.
- Envelope count: pack sizes are 100 or 500 per box, so match the count to how many drops you expect.
- Branding: the Yellow Highlight listing says one-color custom imprinting is included on orders of 500 and up.
Night Drop Box Prices at Dealer Depot USA
Dealer Depot USA sells night drop envelopes from $26.99, mounting posts at $163.99 and night drop boxes from $460.99. The table lists all seven products in the collection.
| Product | Pack size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Contained Night Drop Box - Steel Wall or Pedestal Mount | 1 per box; 25-1/4" H x 15" W x 12" D; 50 standard envelopes included | $598.99 |
| Night Drop Box with Pull Down Tray - Wall Mount Black Steel | 1 per box; front 17-5/8" x 18-3/4", depth 4" | $460.99 |
| Surface Mount Post - 24" Steel Tubing for Drop Box Mounting | 1 post; 24" length, 4" steel tubing | $163.99 |
| In Ground Mounting Post - 36" Steel for Drop Box | 1 post; 36" length, 4" steel tubing | $163.99 |
| After Hours Night Drop Envelope - 6" x 9" 24# White Wove | 500 per box; open end, blue ink | $78.99 |
| After Hours Envelopes - 6" x 9" Self-Seal Night Drop | 500 per box; peel strip closure | $133.99 |
| Night Drop Envelope - 6x9 Yellow Highlight After-Hours Deposits | 100 per box; open top, blue and yellow ink | $26.99 |
Free shipping on most orders of $200+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which night drop box needs a mounting post?
The listings do not pair specific boxes with specific posts. The Surface Mount Post and In Ground Mounting Post are both described as supports for mounting a night drop box, and the Self-Contained box lists wall or pedestal mounting. Review the listings for your box and post before you order.
What size are night drop envelopes?
All three envelope styles are 6" x 9". The listings say that size holds a key with a remote and fits through standard drop box openings.
What goes in a night drop envelope?
The listings mention vehicle keys, key fobs and remotes, repair authorization notes, work order paperwork, payments and checks, customer contracts, and loaner or rental return paperwork.
Are the envelopes included with the box?
The Self-Contained Night Drop Box ships with 50 standard envelopes. The Pull Down Tray box listing does not mention envelopes, so order them separately.
How many envelopes come in a box?
The After Hours Night Drop Envelope and the Self-Seal version are packaged 500 per box. The Yellow Highlight envelope is 100 per box.
Where should a night drop box go?
The Pull Down Tray listing describes an exterior wall-mounted collection point, and the post listings describe mounting a box near service entrances or setting it up as an outdoor customer contact point. Choose a spot customers can find after hours, then see our post on securing an after-hours service night drop box.
Conclusion
A night drop box gives customers a safe way to return keys and payments when you are closed. Choose the box and mount that fit your building, stock the envelope style your staff prefers, and empty the box on a schedule. Browse all night drop boxes and envelopes to build your after-hours setup.