About one-third of Americans have said that they had a delivery stolen from their porch before. The problem is more rampant than one might think, and if you do not take the necessary precautions, it should come as no surprise that your packages will continue to get stolen.
There are websites like Neighborhood Square that provide a lot of valuable information about the fight to stop porch pirates. But if you are not taking a more proactive approach, there is no telling whether the issue is going to stop any time soon.
Here are some tips that will reduce the number of porch deliveries stolen. Try as many as you can until you find the best option and make sure to share it with your friends, especially if they have been suffering from porch pirates as well.
Tip #1 – Ship Deliveries to Work
Those who work in an office or a similar environment should not have any problems getting their package delivered to work. And even if you are away, there ought to be a coworker or two who would be more than happy to accept the package on your behalf and pass it to you later.
On the other hand, those who have a different kind of work will not have a chance to interact with the delivery person. If that is the situation, you can ask for help from someone like a security guard who would not have a problem taking it for you. Or, in the worst-case scenario, you can try speaking with a supervisor and tell them that you really need to take the delivery yourself.
Tip #2 – Ask for a Neighbor’s Help
If you are in a good relationship with a neighbor or two, it should not be an issue to ask them for a favor. Perhaps there is someone who works a different shift and will not have an issue taking the delivery and giving it to you whenever.
It is also possible to ask for a friend or a relative if you are expecting a very important package and someone has to accept it personally. The bottom line is that you can get a helping hand from other people.
Tip #3 – Use Amazon Key
Given how big of a company Amazon is, it did not take too long before they came up with a solution to fight against porch pirates.
Amazon key allows delivery drivers to open a door of your home and leave the pack there. Instead of worrying whether you will find it on a porch, you will come back to your home and find the package lying on the floor in the hallway.
Of course, not everyone is willing to trust a random delivery guy with a key to their house. That is why you can also ask them to leave the package in a garage or another part of the house that you are more comfortable with.
Tip #4 – Reschedule the Delivery
Look at what the delivery services offer in terms of delivery schedule. Perhaps you can get a deal and get yours very early in the morning, like at 6 A.M. Or even late at night, at around 10 or 11 P.M.
Not everyone is willing to accommodate the customers as much, but if there is a possibility, and even if you will need to pay additional fees, it is still better than having to risk someone swiping your delivery.
Tip #5 – Consider Sending Package to Safe Location
There are alternatives for dropping the package other than your house. A post office is one example. You may have to pay an extra fee to the post office if they are keeping your package, but a few dollars mean nothing when you compare it to the safety of a very important package.
There are specific lockers that are created for dropping packages. And only those with the password or a code have access to them. And since most of these services are available 24/7, you can pick the package at your convenience.
Finally, there is an option to get a box dedicated to deliveries. When something does not fit in a regular mailbox, get one that will accommodate bigger deliveries.
Tip #6 – Install Home Security System
A home security system does not stop thieves directly, but it may be enough to discourage at least some of them from attempting to steal from you. If you are getting your order insured, you will have evidence of someone stealing it by providing videos to the authorities. And that will help with proving your case as well as helping to catch the ones who committed the crime.
So to sum it all up, if you are getting tired of dealing with porch pirates, the tips in this article should be more than enough to make the problem disappear, or at least more tolerable. And keep in mind that different methods work for different individuals, meaning that you ought to try them all and see which ones are the best for you.