Modern address in Quebec

[Peter Bathe]

Hi
Can anyone help, please?

I have being trying to contact a distant relation in Quebec. I got his address from an on-line directory, but my letters to him are returned as "address incomplete"

I have a number of the street, the name of the street, the town (Saint-Laurent), the province (Quebec) and a postcode/zipcode with the format

letter/number/letter space number/letter/number

What am I missing?

many thanks

[polarbear]

That s/b all you need unless there is also an apartment or unit number that is not in the directory. You could try adding Montreal to the rest of the info. Have you considered telephoning instead of writing?

Regards
Polarbear

[RunKitty]

Hi,

The same thing happened to me when I sent a Christmas card to a friend in a condominium building in Toronto.  I forgot to add the apartment number and the card was returned to me as "Address Incomplete".   

In Ontario, an entire apartment building/condominium will have the same postal code.  To be specific, you have to add the apartment number in addition to the street address.  I expect the same holds true for Quebec.  (In the USA, that is not the case - with their 5 digits plus 4 zip codes.  The "plus 4" digits refer to a few apartments in a building, not the entire building).   

Have you "Google Earthed" the address to see if it is a multi unit building?   

RK

ADDED - Canada Post Glossary:
http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/glossary-e.asp

[Peter Bathe]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

It would appear that the address is for an apartment block so I obviously need the apartment number - although, as the chap's been living there for many years, you'd expect the mailman to know who is who in a building and deliver the letter with the rest of the mail addressed to him.

I would phone but I'm in France - which makes timing difficult. In any case, one never knows how people would react to a call out of the blue, which is why I wanted to write.

I shall have to try to find the apartment number - but thanks for your help

[Lisa in California]

I wonder if sending mail addressed to the manager of the building might work?  Your fellow's envelope could be inside the envelope addessed to the manager?

My son lives in an apartment building in our town and they have a manager who lives in same building.  She knows everyone in the building and their unit numbers.

[Jacquie in Canada]

although, as the chap's been living there for many years, you'd expect the mailman to know who is who in a building and deliver the letter with the rest of the mail addressed to him.

I've lived in my house for 10 years and have probably had 10 different letter carriers during that time. With the number of people on a route and depending on how big the apartment building is it isn't surprising that the letter couldn't be delivered.

[polarbear]

The thought crossed my mind that if it was a small building you could try adding something like 'Apartment 2' and hope it was delivered to that apartment and then perhaps get passed on by his neighbor.

Polarbear

[chinakay]

I think they're not trying very hard any more

[Peter Bathe]

Going through old copies of the Lovell directory, it would appear that there are at least 60 apartments in the block - so it is little surprise that the postman isn't that keen on "incomplete" addresses.

Sadly, though, none of the directories give any apartment numbers for any resident.

However, there does appear to be a management office listed for the block, so I will take up your suggestion, Lisa, and send again enclosed in another envelope to the management company.