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Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

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Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#51

Post by dkraft »

GameTheory8 wrote: post #32
deanclatworthy wrote: post #10

The solution is to not leave them outside a home. In the two European countries I have lived, if you are not home they take the package back to your local post office to pick up on your own time. Problem solved.

This isn't really a solution when you start multiplying the # of carriers (USPS/UPS/FedEx/Ontrac/etc) that deliver in the US, to the number of packages that heavy e-commerce users receive per month. It's not unusual for people with Amazon Prime accounts to have 10+ packages delivered in a month. If they would have to go to different locations to pick up all these packages, then it quickly negates much of the convenie…

then just be there or hire someone to stay for you.

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#53

Post by gusmd »

lmartel wrote: post #6

Here's what you're missing: I do a lot of online shopping, but packages getting stolen have cost me, personally, $0. Your proposal would cost me > $0. Why should I participate?

I understand that this might be how you feel since the seller probably has refunded missing packages. Now please consider that the added cost to the seller has already been factored in on all your purchases. Therefore, if there were no stolen packages, your purchases would have been cheaper. Does that change how you feel about it?

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#54

Post by tedmiston »

My apartment complex has this problem: there is no package office but there is an outer gate.

USPS has a key to get inside the gate, but private couriers do not, so they can only leave missed delivery notes outside.

When USPS does deliver a package, they set it on the ground right inside the gate which is not all that secure either given the gate is occasionally left open by construction workers or maintenance people. The apartment allows us to send packages to their office instead, but it's impractical because their hours mirror work hours.

The best alternative I've come up with is to just ship packages to work and accept that I'll mostly miss out on Saturday deliveries.

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#55

Post by tedmiston »

thisone wrote: post #18

An easier option is to have your items delivered to a local pickup location Amazon offers it https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=... as well as having other pickup options in the UK (though I see in the US, there are not as many parcel dropoff services! is this an area for growth?) Another UK example is Argos which has some partnership with eBay where you can have some purchases delivered to a…

Amazon is testing something similar in the U.S. called Campus Pick-up Point [1]. It's a bit controversial because of competing with on-campus bookstores.

1: http://fortune.com/2015/10/07/amazon-pick-up-college-campuse...

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#57

Post by calciphus »

gusmd wrote: post #53
lmartel wrote: post #6

Here's what you're missing: I do a lot of online shopping, but packages getting stolen have cost me, personally, $0. Your proposal would cost me > $0. Why should I participate?

I understand that this might be how you feel since the seller probably has refunded missing packages. Now please consider that the added cost to the seller has already been factored in on all your purchases. Therefore, if there were no stolen packages, your purchases would have been cheaper. Does that change how you feel about it?

Loss from package theft from doorsteps is still less than retail shrinkage. It's difficult to get exact numbers, but even in densely populated areas it's unlikely to reach the retail shrinkage of 1.44%.

If package theft decreased from, say...1% to 0.1%, that would not substantially impact price on the micro scale.

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#58

Post by theaccordance »

I live in Chicago and deal with package theft at least once a year; this thought of dummy packages is not realistic and I'd never participate.

A more realistic solution: Package drop boxes. They can be either key or one-way door to help deter theft, and provide an added benefit of protecting a package against the elements.

Obviously, all packages weren't sized equal, but if you're having things delivered regularly, you can determine the type of cubic storage you'd need for a drop box to cover the majority of your deliveries.

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#59

Post by theaccordance »

theaccordance wrote: post #58

I live in Chicago and deal with package theft at least once a year; this thought of dummy packages is not realistic and I'd never participate. A more realistic solution: Package drop boxes. They can be either key or one-way door to help deter theft, and provide an added benefit of protecting a package against the elements. Obviously, all packages weren't sized equal, but if you're having things delivered regularly, y…

And if package drop boxes aren't viable then fine, let's just move onto Robotic Butlers who can answer the door and accept packages

Re: Ask HN: A simple, low-tech way to reduce the package theft problem from homes?

#60

Post by gusmd »

calciphus wrote: post #57
gusmd wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand that this might be how you feel since the seller probably has refunded missing packages. Now please consider that the added cost to the seller has already been factored in on all your purchases. Therefore, if there were no stolen packages, your purchases would have been cheaper. Does that change how you feel about it?

Loss from package theft from doorsteps is still less than retail shrinkage. It's difficult to get exact numbers, but even in densely populated areas it's unlikely to reach the retail shrinkage of 1.44%. If package theft decreased from, say...1% to 0.1%, that would not substantially impact price on the micro scale.

That's pretty much a 0.9% reduction on overall costs to the seller. Most credit cards offer 1% cashback and people love it, so I will dare to say that a 1% price reduction is very interesting.
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