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It's about time. I bought something from Amazon, and had to return the first two packages that came. The first one's sealing tape (the paper one, typically adve

It's about time. I bought something from Amazon, and had to return the first two packages that came. The first one's sealing tape (the paper one, typically advertises Fire phone) had popped because of how hard it had been dropped. The second one was torn, and in such a bad shape that when I went to a UPS location to return it as-is, they refused to accept it, even though they had delivered it in the first place! (Note: both had been delivered to an Amazon Locker, so I couldn't refuse delivery). And then you see things like these daily: http://i.imgur.com/cYaZU4y.jpg http://i.imgur.com/cYaZU4y.jpg I have a lot more trust in USPS than UPS. Yes, there may be the occasional rogue, but in general, they have been much better. I know the local mail carrier, and it feels a lot more personal.

silencio 12y ago
I have a lot of trust in USPS too, but ... I feel like USPS is a temporary or secondary measure until Amazon ramps up their own delivery service in big cities. Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that. In SF, Amazon already does some of the last mile deliveries, and I haven't been impressed so far. A blender chucked over a ~8 foot gate so it busted the box inside despite a ton of packaging. A package that was left _outside_ the gate - when I live right on Market Street (if you don't know local geography, it's one of the biggest streets in SF)... that was stolen before I even realized it was delivered. Bonus points because it was a birthday gift but Amazon wouldn't rush the replacement package showing up a day late. One package carefully put in front of the basement door, almost missed. Another wedged through the gaps in the gate and damaged. One time a person rang the doorbell and just dropped the box in front of the gate when they heard the buzz. Did I mention I've been home for all these packages and have no idea why people can't just ring the doorbell and wait 10 more seconds? Lastly, I have an order going to a commercial address and I'm worried they might try Sunday evening delivery instead of a saner time like 9am on Monday for all other carriers. USPS works because the same people tend to work the same routes and end up knowing a lot about when and where to leave things - I also know the UPS guy for my address and when he's doing deliveries, it works flawlessly too. I'm worried that Amazon isn't planning for something like that.
- discardorama 12y ago
  > I feel like USPS is a temporary or secondary measure until Amazon ramps up their own delivery service in big cities. Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that I live in SF too (a block from Market), and I totally hear you. The USPS has one thing that none of the other delivery services have: access to the insides of apartment buildings in cities like SF. At best the UPS/FedEx can ring the bell; but they can't leave the package inside. The USPS guy has keys to all buildings (the outside, not the individual apartments), and can leave the package inside. It makes a BIG difference. I don't have to drive over to the UPS warehouse to pick up a package I missed.
  - ics 12y ago
    Give it time and Amazon might start offering electronic locks to landlords free of charge so that they can do just that.
- cowsandmilk 12y ago
  > Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that. This reminded me, has anyone actually had a package from Amazon delivered on Sunday by USPS? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/postal-service-and-amazon-strike-deal.html http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/postal-service-an...
  - goodcanadian 12y ago
    Yes. My most recent purchase was delivered on a Sunday. I was surprised because I didn't know that was a thing.
  - happycube 12y ago
    Yup. From what I can tell/guess Amazon trucks things into the USPS distribution center around here.
  - jonknee 12y ago
    The last Sunday delivery I had showed up on Tuesday. USPS is a joke.
AJ007 12y ago
UPS has had a bad reputation for a long time. I've seen it first hand and I've heard it second hand from people working in distribution centers. It was a long time ago but I will never forget the video card that arrived in a box full of water.

silencio 12y ago

I have a lot of trust in USPS too, but ... I feel like USPS is a temporary or secondary measure until Amazon ramps up their own delivery service in big cities. Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that. In SF, Amazon already does some of the last mile deliveries, and I haven't been impressed so far. A blender chucked over a ~8 foot gate so it busted the box inside despite a ton of packaging. A package that was left _outside_ the gate - when I live right on Market Street (if you don't know local geography, it's one of the biggest streets in SF)... that was stolen before I even realized it was delivered. Bonus points because it was a birthday gift but Amazon wouldn't rush the replacement package showing up a day late. One package carefully put in front of the basement door, almost missed. Another wedged through the gaps in the gate and damaged. One time a person rang the doorbell and just dropped the box in front of the gate when they heard the buzz. Did I mention I've been home for all these packages and have no idea why people can't just ring the doorbell and wait 10 more seconds? Lastly, I have an order going to a commercial address and I'm worried they might try Sunday evening delivery instead of a saner time like 9am on Monday for all other carriers. USPS works because the same people tend to work the same routes and end up knowing a lot about when and where to leave things - I also know the UPS guy for my address and when he's doing deliveries, it works flawlessly too. I'm worried that Amazon isn't planning for something like that.

discardorama 12y ago
> I feel like USPS is a temporary or secondary measure until Amazon ramps up their own delivery service in big cities. Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that I live in SF too (a block from Market), and I totally hear you. The USPS has one thing that none of the other delivery services have: access to the insides of apartment buildings in cities like SF. At best the UPS/FedEx can ring the bell; but they can't leave the package inside. The USPS guy has keys to all buildings (the outside, not the individual apartments), and can leave the package inside. It makes a BIG difference. I don't have to drive over to the UPS warehouse to pick up a package I missed.
- ics 12y ago
  Give it time and Amazon might start offering electronic locks to landlords free of charge so that they can do just that.
cowsandmilk 12y ago
> Part of the appeal of DIY delivery is same day/next day and Sunday service, and USPS can't necessarily offer that. This reminded me, has anyone actually had a package from Amazon delivered on Sunday by USPS? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/postal-service-and-amazon-strike-deal.html http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/postal-service-an...
- goodcanadian 12y ago
  Yes. My most recent purchase was delivered on a Sunday. I was surprised because I didn't know that was a thing.
- happycube 12y ago
  Yup. From what I can tell/guess Amazon trucks things into the USPS distribution center around here.
- jonknee 12y ago
  The last Sunday delivery I had showed up on Tuesday. USPS is a joke.

AJ007 12y ago

UPS has had a bad reputation for a long time. I've seen it first hand and I've heard it second hand from people working in distribution centers. It was a long time ago but I will never forget the video card that arrived in a box full of water.