I do think it depends on the carrier, though, how willing they are to actually do what they are supposed to do. I've had issues here with my carrier (truck route) strapping packages too large for the mailbox, onto the outside of the mailbox with rubberbands. . .I put a note inside requesting that packages too big be brought to the porch and left, which didn't work, until I got people higher up involved. And even then, I got a not-so-nice call from the local postmaster (or someone at the post office here) that wasn't pleased about me requesting my mail not be strapped to the outside of the box, out in the weather - that they didn't have time to be bringing stuff to the door and waiting for me to answer (and I'd watched the rubberband thing - it took longer than walking the package to the door). I didn't want them to wait, just put the package on the porch.
My packages are left on the porch now, but it took quite a bit of effort on my part to get it done.