[lizknope]

I live in a pretty safe suburb in the United States so I'm fine with packages left at my front door. In 20 years I have never had a package stolen.

For high value packages that require a signature I have them redirected to a UPS or FedEx store 1-2 miles from my house. This can be done by making a UPS or FedEx account which allows you to redirect packages. I can then pick them up after work and the line is never more than 1 or 2 people.

Amazon has recently introduced "Key by Amazon" which allows them to open your garage door and put the packages inside your garage.

https://www.amazon.com/primeinsider/tips/in-garage-qa.html

[ThePadawan]

> I can then pick them up after work and the line is never more than 1 or 2 people.

That's the part that really surprises me. In my experience picking up missed packages from the post office, they're completely empty 90% of the day, but after work, the line is out to the street!

And given that my transaction (present a pick-up slip - wait for employee to find package in the back - sign for package) is mostly trivial, I personally also find it a right waste of time for the postal employee.

[lizknope]

I was specifically talking about picking up packages at FedEx and UPS retail store locations not the USPS (United States Postal Service)

The USPS usually has a line of 5-10 people and takes me 30 minutes but I go there about twice a year.

FedEx and UPS are quick for me.

[ThePadawan]

Oh wow, I totally missed that you were talking about forwarding packages across deliverers. That's wild, but makes sense!

[lizknope]

I don't mean across delivery companies.

When I order something and it is being shipped via FedEx I can login to my FedEx account and see the package tracking info. From there I can redirect the package to one of the multiple FedEx / Kinko's retail stores in my area. Then I walk in show my driver's license and can get my package. This is great if the package requires a signature and I won't be home during the day.

UPS has a similar web site and redirection options.

[ThePadawan]

Oh, I see. That's a lot less useful since there are only two deliverers in my country that have pick-up locations anywhere within cities.

All the others (especially UPS) are way more oriented towards business customers nationwide, so there are basically no sellers using them for B2C shipping.

[jessaustin]

...after work, the line is out to the street!

The nearest post office that stays open past 4:30 PM is 70 miles from my home. I guess that's a way to avoid the problem entirely...

[ThePadawan]

Yes, I'm lucky enough to be able to afford to live in a city.

Both in Switzerland (where I live) and in Germany (where I grew up), more rural postal offices have always struggled to be functional and not complete money sinks.

They have had to either reduce hours, reduce services, or close offices altogether in favor of subcontracting a local mom-and-pop shop to also handle package pick-up and drop-off.