They either try to deliver the next day, or they'll drop it at the nearest shop that has a deal with the freight forwarder or they drop it at a pack-station, which is an automated locker where you can get your package from with a card, or a code.
I don't know about Europe, but that's not very convenient in the United States.
Post offices or UPS/Fedex offices are not always close, and it kinda defeats the purpose of having something delivered if you have to drive somewhere to pick it up.
Well, I prefer picking it up over having it stolen, but each to his own.
As there is no such law in the US, there are no packstations, which is obvious, but forcing freight forwarders to build up a network of these has proven to be very convenient. And if you have neighbors who are e.g. retired, or stay at home parents, you can easily pick it up next door.
The story behind all this is that a package in Europe is only considered delivered, if somebody signs for it (the packstation being the exeption). This makes the package tracable to the very end of the delivery chain and makes sure the recepient is the only person having access to the package in the end. For larger items (let's say you ordered a new Sofa), you anyway have to physically be there for the transporter to be able to bring it into your house.
Besides, the main purpose of having things delivered is the lower price you pay by online shopping.
There are SOME examples of this in the US. It depends where you live though. Amazon has stations where you can have your package sent if you are worried about it, and they have lockers in many convenience store chains like 7-11. Fed ex sometimes has this too. Last week I wasn’t home for a package so they left it at a chain pharmacy near my house, they have a deal with the chain. UPS will often allow you to pick up a package at the UPS store or warehouse. The postal service allows pick up at the local office or regional hub for most things. I don’t think I’d much like it if we had a law your package couldn’t be delivered to the house though. Here if it gets stollen the seller either replaces it and makes the shipper pay them, or you eat it and are expected to make sure you have a safe place to take packages. I would often send expensive packages to my work for that reason since we had a Recieving department so I knew someone would sign for it.
Well, that all sounds pretty convenient to me, so it is way safer than I thought.
Next year, the people living in my house and I want to build our own delivery box. The forwarders will be able to place packages inside and then close it with a combination pad lock, if nobody's home.
Delivery to work is an option to me too, but heavier things need to be delivered to my apartment, as I commute by either public transportation or bicycle...
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· 5 years ago
It would be really convenient here if the infrastructure was already in place, and I'm on board with building the infrastructure. It's just not there yet.
Lol. Yes. I wouldn’t want to have to carry a drum set or an ottoman home on a bike or public transport. The lock box seems like a very good idea. Here many people have locking patios or high fences yards and the like and can leave notes for the delivery person to leave it “over the fence.” The lock box seems even safer though.
I once recieved a shirt I ordere online in one of those pouches. The delivery slip said "Drop-off location: through window".
I live in a ground floor apartment and the window of one of my rooms was tilted, so the guy just tossed it inside. :)
Lol. That’s pretty awesome. I’d be pleasantly shocked and surprised to find that waiting- as long as it didn’t break anything when it got tossed inside.
I'm European and the concept of someone just leaving your package at your door just sounds like the worst idea ever to me.
Here, they either try to deliver your thing again the next day or leave it at a nearby store which has some kind of deal with the transport company. They're really widespread now and you usually don't have to walk for more than around the corner.
Post offices or UPS/Fedex offices are not always close, and it kinda defeats the purpose of having something delivered if you have to drive somewhere to pick it up.
As there is no such law in the US, there are no packstations, which is obvious, but forcing freight forwarders to build up a network of these has proven to be very convenient. And if you have neighbors who are e.g. retired, or stay at home parents, you can easily pick it up next door.
The story behind all this is that a package in Europe is only considered delivered, if somebody signs for it (the packstation being the exeption). This makes the package tracable to the very end of the delivery chain and makes sure the recepient is the only person having access to the package in the end. For larger items (let's say you ordered a new Sofa), you anyway have to physically be there for the transporter to be able to bring it into your house.
Besides, the main purpose of having things delivered is the lower price you pay by online shopping.
Next year, the people living in my house and I want to build our own delivery box. The forwarders will be able to place packages inside and then close it with a combination pad lock, if nobody's home.
Delivery to work is an option to me too, but heavier things need to be delivered to my apartment, as I commute by either public transportation or bicycle...
I live in a ground floor apartment and the window of one of my rooms was tilted, so the guy just tossed it inside. :)
Here, they either try to deliver your thing again the next day or leave it at a nearby store which has some kind of deal with the transport company. They're really widespread now and you usually don't have to walk for more than around the corner.