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Would you give Amazon the key to your house?

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  • Would you give Amazon the key to your house?

    There was a story on the news today that Amazon is going to start offering the ability to have them deliver packages inside your home rather than leaving them on the doorstep. From what I got from the story, it looks like you'll install a lock box like a realtor would use so that the delivery person can access the home.

    Personally, we wouldn't do this if for no other reason than we have a home alarm system. If we aren't home (and even much of the time when we are home), the system is armed so just having a key wouldn't help.

    Thoughts? Are you willing to give Amazon that access?
    Steve

    * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
    * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
    * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

  • #2
    Even if I didn't have a dog that is willing to eat a stranger, I still wouldn't let them in. Amazon uses a lot of contractors to deliver things, and I doubt they are vetted as well as a "real" employee.

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    • #3
      No. I would not give them access.
      As already stated, there are multiple delivery companies and independent contractors delivering on behalf of Amazon.
      Brian

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      • #4
        One thing that annoys my wife, since she's typically the one home when they come, is that they don't ring the bell or knock on the door so unless you happen to hear the truck, you don't even know they've been there.

        On the positive side, though, you can set up your account to get a message when they deliver your package. She did that and that has helped a lot.
        Steve

        * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
        * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
        * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

        Comment


        • #5
          I would not allow an unknown person in to leave packages. Fortunately, I have the luxury to be at home most of the time when a package is expected. Sometimes they don't come when expected, though.
          "There is some ontological doubt as to whether it may even be possible in principle to nail down these things in the universe we're given to study." --text msg from my kid

          "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." --Frederick Douglass

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          • #6
            I wouldnt give amazon the keys to my house but it does raise a good question.

            I dont know what the stats are but imagine how many amazon packages are delivered every single day. More and more thieves are stealing packages from peoples homes. When that happens who is responsible for replacing that item?

            Amazon almost always refunds the customer because they have good customer service...but why are they responsible if someone steals your package. Its not their problem. Should UPS be responsible? Im sure amazon somehow writes that off but to the tune of how many 10's of millions per year? Its not like they're getting a $1 for $1 dollar when you write things off.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by rennigade View Post
              More and more thieves are stealing packages from peoples homes. When that happens who is responsible for replacing that item?

              Amazon almost always refunds the customer because they have good customer service...but why are they responsible if someone steals your package. Its not their problem. Should UPS be responsible? Im sure amazon somehow writes that off but to the tune of how many 10's of millions per year? Its not like they're getting a $1 for $1 dollar when you write things off.
              I think it is the increasing theft that is driving them to offer this solution.

              We had 2 packages, one from Amazon and one from WalMart, go missing on the same day a couple of months ago. We assumed that they had been stolen. Both companies replaced the missing items.

              Fast forward several weeks. Our mail carrier knocked on the door. He said that he had been off for a couple of weeks and something made him check a couple of vacant homes on his route. Sure enough, he discovered that the carrier who filled in for him had delivered some mail to the wrong house. Both of our packages were at a vacant house a block away with an address one digit off (10** instead of 11**). So we ended up getting the replacement orders and the original orders.
              Steve

              * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
              * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
              * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by disneysteve View Post
                I think it is the increasing theft that is driving them to offer this solution.
                100%. More and more people are using their service and more and more packages are being stolen. Its a way for them to cut down on replacing items at the companies expense.

                I still dont think its amazons problem...but it must be worth it to them to shell out some money every now and then to keep a customer. How much does the average person who has prime spend at amazon a year...probably a lot. They'd hate to lose out on that for a $40 item that was stolen and they refuse to replace.

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                • #9
                  I've read Wal-Mart is testing this too but with grocery delivery. They'd put your groceries in your fridge.

                  No way would we let anyone in our house when we're not home. This includes repairman and remodelers.

                  Luckily, I'm home 2 days a week for repairman but we haven't had any remodeling done since my mom passed away and used to let them in.

                  My DH is from a big city and trusts no one!!

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by disneysteve View Post
                    Thoughts? Are you willing to give Amazon that access?
                    I saw that too, and laughed my arse off. Hell no, I'm not giving them access to my house!!

                    A locked "drop box"(they have a key, I have a key) is the obvious solution.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Nutria View Post
                      I saw that too, and laughed my arse off. Hell no, I'm not giving them access to my house!!

                      A locked "drop box"(they have a key, I have a key) is the obvious solution.
                      Who pays for the drop box? They already have amazon locker in bigger locations. The drop box would have to be pretty large...heavy and secure so no one could bash it open or walk off with it.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by rennigade View Post
                        Who pays for the drop box? They already have amazon locker in bigger locations.
                        I used a drop box for a return one time but I've never used it for delivery. It isn't that close to our house so wouldn't be convenient for that purpose.
                        Steve

                        * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
                        * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
                        * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by rennigade View Post
                          Who pays for the drop box? They already have amazon locker in bigger locations. The drop box would have to be pretty large...heavy and secure so no one could bash it open or walk off with it.
                          Split the cost with Amazon, if you get that many packages.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Nutria View Post
                            Split the cost with Amazon, if you get that many packages.
                            Thats not going to happen. Do a search for a drop box or parcel residential box...they sell them at home depot. They're all tiny...and the semi larger ones are expensive. Not to mention its an eye sore. Most packages wouldnt even fit. I just recently purchased ear wash for my dog. It was the size of a can of soda yet it came in a box that you could have fit a basketball in.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by rennigade View Post
                              I just recently purchased ear wash for my dog. It was the size of a can of soda yet it came in a box that you could have fit a basketball in.
                              From Amazon?

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