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BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

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Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#72

Post by hboon »

ifmw wrote: post #69

These are very useful. Here in Ireland that service already exists as ParcelMotel. As someone who has used ParcelMotel, I can't help but notice the differences between the things I love about the PM site that aren't on the BufferBox site. BB use uninspiring stock images but PM have commissioned an entire set of custom artwork that's a strong brand and very cutsey and describes their service using metaphors. PM are ve…

It's interesting that ParcelMotel's site blocks all crawlers, including Google. Do they rely on a very strong offline presence and have no need for organic online marketing?

User-agent: * Disallow: /

Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#73

Post by ShabbyDoo »

So, should BufferBox pay 7-Eleven, or should the money transfer in the other direction? On one hand, the BufferBox takes up valuable floorspace, especially in the urban markets most likely to be BufferBox's bread and butter. On the other hand, effectively guaranteeing 20+ people walking through the front doors of a store every day certainly has value. What percentage of people receiving packages will realize while walking past the refrigerator case that they have no beer in their fridge?

Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#75

Post by nchlswu »

amalcon wrote: post #61

I've been waiting so long for something like this. The second this shows up in Boston, I can personally guarantee half a dozen users without even bothering to survey. My building has a huge stolen package problem, due to the front door facing a main road, and the UPS driver for our area being an idiot. My last building had a driver who never left anything if you weren't home. While that's better than theft, it's stil…

As of right now, one of the reasons why you pay for this service is because it's shipped to an address first where the BufferBox team accepts packages for you. They bring the packages over and fill the lockers.

So, there's no reason for you to need the driver to follow instructions.

Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#76

Post by tingletech »

msandford wrote: post #34
tingletech wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

USPS won't take UPS or FedEx. UPS and FedEx don't have a way into my building. I don't have a car to get out to the airport where the UPS center is. University mail room policy is no personal packages at work. So I basically can't shop online.

Not true! If you can list the street address of the Post Office along with the P.O. Box number the USPS will accept it. The reason FedEx, UPS, DHL, TNT, etc "don't deliver" to P.O. Boxes is that they don't maintain the same database of "which post office has which P.O. Box for which zip code" that the USPS does. If they don't maintain this mapping, how is the delivery driver supposed to know where to go?

I don't have a PO Box, just a gang box inside of my apartment door.

EDIT: but the owners of the pizza place next door know me pretty well, and they have received packages for me before

Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#77

Post by justwrote »

tobias3 wrote: post #38

DHL has those in Germany. In fact over 2400. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packstation I'm an avid and happy user. Of course something like BufferBox would have been better, but I understand that investment does make a lot more sense as a parcel delivery service, as you bind customers to you. I hope they break up that monopoly at some point. The question is why nobody did something like this before BufferBox in the US…

I was also shocked when I read this article. Didn't know those boxes don't exist in the US. They are quite convenient!

Re: BufferBox (YC S12) Solves The Problem Of Missing Packages

#79

Post by ars »

amalcon wrote: post #61

I've been waiting so long for something like this. The second this shows up in Boston, I can personally guarantee half a dozen users without even bothering to survey. My building has a huge stolen package problem, due to the front door facing a main road, and the UPS driver for our area being an idiot. My last building had a driver who never left anything if you weren't home. While that's better than theft, it's stil…

Is there a post office near you?

Have the packages delivered to " General Delivery" at the post office, then pick them up with a photo ID. (But check with the post office first, only the larger/central post offices support this.)

It's best if you can ship it USPS. UPS will sometimes deliver to a post office (if you put in the address of the post office), but not always.

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