Just to clarify (because the comments here are suggesting that a lockbox does what I'm asking for) - a lockbox does not address the issue for me. Lockboxes are never all that local and they don't carry heavy things home for you.<p>I literally want Amazon to go directly into my home and leave the goods in there. I want to order groceries on my phone and find them in my flat. Frozen items don't matter - I won't order them, it doesn't matter if they sit for a while. I want to leave a return package in my hallway and have it taken back by someone who collects it.<p>I know that this sounds entitled but I also know that Amazon's already got the chops to support this and that if they did I would buy a lot more from them (like maybe £50/week more from them). Combined with Prime it would mean I would never want to order from any other merchant either.
I never thought about it before, but this would be <i>awesome</i>, especially considering:<p>1) Security webcams are so cheap these days, it would be trivial to catch any delivery person who has "other ideas". And if delivery services started doing this, they'd probably have their delivery people wear cameras as well, to protect again false claims from residents with "other ideas"<p>2) Keycode entry locks allow delivery people to have a code, not to carry around keys, each delivery service could have their own keycode, and if you wanted, you could even create single-use codes tied to specific deliveries (much like single-use credit card numbers), well assuming there are locks that support that<p>3) As an even greater security measure, you can prevent the codes from working while you're at home, asleep, etc., so no threat to your personal physical security<p>I mean, I'd go even farther than the OP and be asking FreshDirect to put the ice cream directly in my freezer.<p>But then again, literally the most valuable single object I own is my laptop. People with valuable jewelry collections might not be so enthusiastic.
I always wondered by UPS/FedEx don't have keys to the outside or every apt building have "drop boxes" - large empty boxes that UPS/FedEx could put in a package, lock it with the key, then drop the key in the mailbox of the person who needs it.<p>Thinking a bit more - I wonder if lockitron could solve this allowing "carriers" to enter, drop off package or put groceries away (for the most part) - cold items in freezer, perishable items in fridge, etc.<p>Super interest - also how a retail spans years with various connections/products and integrates into your life.
This is something I've been thinking about for a while. I agree that allowing delivery drivers/drones into the house is the best solution, and with Amazon I would have no worries about doing this as they would make sure drivers behaved. However for other companies or random delivery companies contracted out... not so sure.<p>I've been developing an alternative solution. A secure box that you can put outside your home which delivery drivers can request access to. The box's lock is similar to lockitron or bike locks that can be controlled with a phone. This would require the delivery driver to have an app installed to communicate with the box and the owner, which is not always going to be the case. I'm working on allowing the driver to request access by identifying themselves to the owner via voice or video (VOIP/camera) even if they don't have a smartphone/don't have the app.<p>I have uploaded a video of super early prototype here: <a href="https://vimeo.com/85355890" rel="nofollow">https://vimeo.com/85355890</a><p>Anyway thought I'd chip in as I'm working on it. I've set up a landing page a <a href="http://www.lockboxx.co" rel="nofollow">http://www.lockboxx.co</a> if anyone wants to find out more.
I wonder why he writes that the lockerbox didn't work. Deutsche Post introduced them here in Germany a few years ago and they are used to capacity.<p>I've had this "I'm never gonna do it but it sure would be nice" idea about a refrigerated postbox rollout for years:<p>First you put a refrigerated lockerbox in the most densely populated neighborhoods to get the unbroken refrigeration chain infrastructure flowing. Then, over the years, homeowners could install a two-sided refrigerator in the external wall of their house. That refrigerator would have electronic locks on both sides. The locks on the outside can only be opened by the various deliverymen and the lock on the inside can be opened only by you.<p>The remaining risk would be a deliveryman cleaning out your fridge, but since everything is logged these days, we'll at least catch the guy.
While not possible for everybody, a dropbox is what you want:<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Mailboxes-6900RZ-Elephantrunk-Parcel/dp/B00AESQ1CO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391015848&sr=8-1&keywords=parcel+drop" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Mailboxes-6900RZ-Elephan...</a><p>Effectively, your own deposit-only lockbox that any mail service can use.
I've started picking up amazon deliveries at local shops (Collect+). This is working out rather well - no need for special lockbox or a supersize ring o' keys.
Every house in my neighborhood has a disused milk-delivery-box on the driveway side that could easily store smallish parcels. It would be so simple to convert those into locking delivery boxes.