How can I secure the packages that get delivered to my home?

May 18, 2004 6:17 AM

I have completely embraced the online world...and have come to order many items online - which means lots of deliveries at home, parcels, packets - big envelopes (including 20 pieces of vinyl a week for my DJ work...)

So I get home deliveries 3/4 times a week - sometimes more - and I'm always at work... I'm looking for a device/contraption that sits outside my house (securely) that will allow postmen and couriers to leave items, that only I can recieve. The normal mailbox is too small for most items.

I know I saw one of these on UK TV programme some time ago, but googling has not helped...any postmen know what I'm on about? Or anyone seen anything similar?
posted by mattr to shopping (10 comments total)

These things?
posted by chrismear at 6:27 AM on May 18, 2004

Exactly what I saw chrismear - thanks for that - but of course, they are all in beta test, and none of them seem to actually retail one.

So my supplemental - has anyone seens anything like this working? Is there a less 'engineered' version out there that is currently available?
posted by mattr at 6:39 AM on May 18, 2004

Would it be possible just to have stuff delivered to work?
posted by rschroed at 7:17 AM on May 18, 2004

While perhaps not exactly what you're looking for, these people might be a cheap and easy alternative until something better makes it into the mainstream:
http://www.beckandcall.co.uk/

Basically you get your goods delivered to them, and for 4.95 they'll deliver it at a time that's more convenient for you, up to 11pm.
posted by vvv at 7:22 AM on May 18, 2004

rschroed - its a good idea - unfortunately, I travel a lot for my work, so am in different offices 2 or 3 times a week, also my office is not great at receiving goods.
posted by mattr at 7:23 AM on May 18, 2004

2 low-tech ideas: A friend told me that his neighbor has a bin out near her door marked "deliveries", but I think it's something homemade and probably not a solution for most neighborhoods.

And I know it's not really the same thing, but what about having a private mailbox, like from mailboxes etc.?
posted by Stoatfarm at 7:48 AM on May 18, 2004

I know this won't help, but, I think it's hilarious.

I'm in the same boat as you. I order craploads of stuff online, often in largish boxes. My UPS guy puts them under my door mat. Imagine if you will, something like, say, a monitor box, measuring perhaps 3 feet to a side, with a welcome mat on top of it. Take that, potential thieves!
posted by RustyBrooks at 9:15 AM on May 18, 2004

Here is what can be done in our area. Create a plywood box, reinforced, with a padlock device. Paint it a blah color disguise as needed. Meet UPS guy for a delivery, explain to him to 1. place items in big closable box. 2. close lid and click padlock on closure.

viola.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 12:41 PM on May 18, 2004

How about one of those locking mailboxes? You might be able to find one large enough for LPs, I think. They've got a tilting door, much like the deposit bin at the bank, so that nobody can reach inside, and a locked container for the mail. Plus, they're huge, and can be cemented into the ground for extra security.
posted by vorfeed at 12:45 PM on May 18, 2004

In the UK, you can have things delivered straight to your local post office for no charge, and then pick them up there. Depends how local your local post office is, I guess.
posted by ascullion at 2:10 PM on May 18, 2004