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Is delivering packages really that hard in the states? Where I live almost every apartment has post boxes in the entrance area. Amazon drops the package in the

by dvcrn 9y ago

Is delivering packages really that hard in the states? Where I live almost every apartment has post boxes in the entrance area. Amazon drops the package in there and when I come home all I have to do is touch my key on the machine and it spits out my package. More advanced machines even send you emails when something got delivered.

agentdrtran 9y ago
None of the buildings by me have a locked package area.
prklmn 9y ago
Many people live in houses where anyone can walk up to your front door and steal what's in front of it. The delivery is not hard, it's what comes next that's the challenge.
bagacrap 9y ago
I'm sure it exists in theory but I've never lived somewhere with a system more advanced than "fold the door mat over it". And no home owner I know has a giant treasure chest on the front porch but if they did they'd still need some way to allow delivery persons to unlock it. Best defense to theft seems to be paying a lot of rent to live in a nice neighborhood. If it's an expensive package they'll usually require a signature which means I'll have it delivered to my workplace. I think Amazon probably doesn't want to rely on people having lots of money and accommodating employers.
Rainymood 9y ago
What I think the most silly thing I keep seeing in America is packages being "delivered" (read: left) on your front porch or doorstep ... like, why? Someone now can just grab it!? If someone is not home, what happens here (Netherlands) that the package gets delivered by the neighbours and you get a little note it was delivered to the neighbours. Neighbours aren't home? Try the next one until the delivery guy gives up or doesn't care anymore and delivers it the next day.
- bradstewart 9y ago
  Probably 90% of my packages are delivered while I'm at work. My neighbors work as well (as the least those I know--the handful of houses on either side of me). I prefer to have a few packages a year go missing (which Amazon will always replace) than always end up having to pick things up from the post office. My normal USPS delivery person is kind enough to deliver packages to my back door which helps. AMZL/UPS/FedEx aren't so accommodating though.
  - bad_good_guy 9y ago
    You could try getting your packages delivered to work?
    - acranox 9y ago
      I'm sure that's been thought of. People who walk, take transit, or bike to work probably don't want the hassle of lugging a package home if it's anything larger than would fit in your backpack. Having stuff delivered to your home is a convenience. Hauling stuff home from work subtracts from that convenience. If I walk around my neighborhood in the late afternoon I see little Amazon packages on everyone's porches. No one seems to be stealing them. I can see people who will want this Amazon Key thing, but I can see a lot of people for whom this addresses a non-existent problem.
    - s0rce 9y ago
      I did this when I was in grad school and could just grab them from the mail room and the staff were friendly and knew most students couldn't easily get stuff delivered to their apartments. At my current small bay area company they get fussy when tons of personal packages are coming in. Luckily, I live in a good area and packages don't get stolen off my porch, also they are hard to see.
- ghaff 9y ago
  Depends where you live. I routinely get packages left at my front door without problems. I honestly have no idea of what "algorithm" the likes of UPS uses to determine if its OK to leave an unsecured package but I'm sure my rural location is well in the "it's OK" zone. Even if I'm at home, they usually just drop the package and head back to the truck. As for neighbors, I have had things that required a signature left with a neighbor but it's very rare.
dominotw 9y ago
>Where I live almost every apartment has post boxes in the entrance area. Curious where do you live? Apartments in downtown chicago have those but not outside downtown high rises .
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
twothamendment 9y ago
> Is delivering packages really that hard in the states? As soon as one asks any question about "the states" the answers vary as widely as the people and areas. Some people are in apartments others are in the middle of nowhere. UPS is great, they come right to my door. Packages are left on the porch, but there isn't anyone around to steal them. FedEx is OK. They come to my door, but sometimes they are too busy/lazy to drive up my road and leave a bogus reason in the tracking system. I called them on one and they lady assured that my winter road wsn't passable. Nevermind my wife drove the kids to and from school and the FedEx guy has a 4x4 truck. I just wish if they were too busy they'd just call it what it is. My mailbox is about a mile from my house. If USPS can stuff it in my oversized box they will, otherwise I have drive to the post office and pick it up. I've thought of putting in a package locker to share with the other neighbors on the road. A magical package machine like you described would be great at the end of the road - but there isn't any power there.
Raphmedia 9y ago
> Where I live almost every apartment Now picture a small century old house on a farm. There won't be any fancy boxes included.

by dvcrn 9y ago

agentdrtran 9y ago

None of the buildings by me have a locked package area.

prklmn 9y ago

Many people live in houses where anyone can walk up to your front door and steal what's in front of it. The delivery is not hard, it's what comes next that's the challenge.

bagacrap 9y ago

I'm sure it exists in theory but I've never lived somewhere with a system more advanced than "fold the door mat over it". And no home owner I know has a giant treasure chest on the front porch but if they did they'd still need some way to allow delivery persons to unlock it. Best defense to theft seems to be paying a lot of rent to live in a nice neighborhood. If it's an expensive package they'll usually require a signature which means I'll have it delivered to my workplace. I think Amazon probably doesn't want to rely on people having lots of money and accommodating employers.

Rainymood 9y ago

What I think the most silly thing I keep seeing in America is packages being "delivered" (read: left) on your front porch or doorstep ... like, why? Someone now can just grab it!? If someone is not home, what happens here (Netherlands) that the package gets delivered by the neighbours and you get a little note it was delivered to the neighbours. Neighbours aren't home? Try the next one until the delivery guy gives up or doesn't care anymore and delivers it the next day.

bradstewart 9y ago
Probably 90% of my packages are delivered while I'm at work. My neighbors work as well (as the least those I know--the handful of houses on either side of me). I prefer to have a few packages a year go missing (which Amazon will always replace) than always end up having to pick things up from the post office. My normal USPS delivery person is kind enough to deliver packages to my back door which helps. AMZL/UPS/FedEx aren't so accommodating though.
- bad_good_guy 9y ago
  You could try getting your packages delivered to work?
  - acranox 9y ago
    I'm sure that's been thought of. People who walk, take transit, or bike to work probably don't want the hassle of lugging a package home if it's anything larger than would fit in your backpack. Having stuff delivered to your home is a convenience. Hauling stuff home from work subtracts from that convenience. If I walk around my neighborhood in the late afternoon I see little Amazon packages on everyone's porches. No one seems to be stealing them. I can see people who will want this Amazon Key thing, but I can see a lot of people for whom this addresses a non-existent problem.
  - s0rce 9y ago
    I did this when I was in grad school and could just grab them from the mail room and the staff were friendly and knew most students couldn't easily get stuff delivered to their apartments. At my current small bay area company they get fussy when tons of personal packages are coming in. Luckily, I live in a good area and packages don't get stolen off my porch, also they are hard to see.
ghaff 9y ago
Depends where you live. I routinely get packages left at my front door without problems. I honestly have no idea of what "algorithm" the likes of UPS uses to determine if its OK to leave an unsecured package but I'm sure my rural location is well in the "it's OK" zone. Even if I'm at home, they usually just drop the package and head back to the truck. As for neighbors, I have had things that required a signature left with a neighbor but it's very rare.

dominotw 9y ago

>Where I live almost every apartment has post boxes in the entrance area. Curious where do you live? Apartments in downtown chicago have those but not outside downtown high rises .

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

twothamendment 9y ago

> Is delivering packages really that hard in the states? As soon as one asks any question about "the states" the answers vary as widely as the people and areas. Some people are in apartments others are in the middle of nowhere. UPS is great, they come right to my door. Packages are left on the porch, but there isn't anyone around to steal them. FedEx is OK. They come to my door, but sometimes they are too busy/lazy to drive up my road and leave a bogus reason in the tracking system. I called them on one and they lady assured that my winter road wsn't passable. Nevermind my wife drove the kids to and from school and the FedEx guy has a 4x4 truck. I just wish if they were too busy they'd just call it what it is. My mailbox is about a mile from my house. If USPS can stuff it in my oversized box they will, otherwise I have drive to the post office and pick it up. I've thought of putting in a package locker to share with the other neighbors on the road. A magical package machine like you described would be great at the end of the road - but there isn't any power there.

Raphmedia 9y ago

> Where I live almost every apartment Now picture a small century old house on a farm. There won't be any fancy boxes included.