this post was submitted on 11 Oct 2024
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Why do package delivery companies in the United States seem to just leave the package on the doorstep when the person isn't home. That seems like such an obviously stupid thing to do.
Pretty much everywhere else the package delivery companies would either take the product back with them and deliver it on another day or contact the person via the contact details they have and request a safe place to leave it. Most delivery companies will let you specify this when you make the order.
Or if it's not bin day they can just put it in the recycling bin.
How do you get anything delivered if you have a job?
Here in Germany, DHL and Amazon have their own parcel drop off lockers where they put your parcels in and send you a code to retrieve it. You then have several days to get it. And these stations are plenty in every city.
This is a relatively new technology; we have this in the states as well. As the systems get cheaper, more intuitive, more well-understood, they're rolling out to more places. I've seen one in a very small town, and there's a number of them outside of middle-high class apartment complexes.
The first ones were built in 2001 here, they're quite established. Problem is now that they sometimes are so full so that your parcel cannon be delivered to the one that you specified. Especially before Christmas it's insane. Sometimes DHL will deliver to a Post office instead which is not near the place you wanted.
Oh. The ones I'm referring to are the modern Amazon lockers & such, reliant on modern technology. Courier goes up, enters auth code. It then asks you to scan a pkg. Then there's the prompt, is the pkg: SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, X-LARGE? Upon selection, it pops open a corresponding door. One pkg per locker. Rinse & repeat until all pkgs delivered to lockers, and recipients are notified of delivery.
Once you get the hang of it, it's actually super slick & helpful for everyone.
Kind of related but not as high-tech or secure, some nice apartment complexes are being built with sizeable delivery rooms. Which works unless you've got a klepto in your complex.
They are all over Europe. I have three or four within walking distance. And they can hold some amazingly large items, too.
But it’s more convenient when they bring your stuff right to you! What could be more important than convenience?
But more seriously the only time I use the package lockers is when I drive over the border to Nevada to pick up something that will only ship to 49 states.