[ildon]

This is a security concern as well. I'd argue even worse than the internet connected ones. Anyone at your front door (or where the button is) can easily know if you're at home, and take advantage if you're not. With the internet connected ones, you can always pretend.

[Wilder7977]

Anyone physically near your house can just see you leaving the house and know you are not at home, besides all the other signs.

There is no control against this, and it shouldn't be something you rely on to prevent break-ins or burglaries (if you were thinking of such threats).

[hnlmorg]

I don’t think anyone is fooled into thinking people are home when the home owner “answers the door” via their internet connected doorbell.

If anything, I’d say that’s a bigger give away than someone not answering a traditional door bell given people used to not hear them even when home, all the time (particularly in bigger houses).

[mulderc]

I would have thought this but was amazed at the number of times people would think I was home while talking to them via my doorbell. I have neighbor that told people I was rude to not come to the door and didn’t know I was talking to her from work.

[hnlmorg]

How long ago was that? Was this when smart doorbells were brand new tech?

I could understand peoples misconception back when such door bells weren’t known about so the default assumption people might have is that it was an intercom.

[mulderc]

The neighbor was 2022 or so but even more recent people have seemed a bit confused. I think having a car in the driveway makes people think we are home.

[mrweasel]

From my experience with package delivery I can tell you this is not how it works. Press the button, door doesn't open that instance, ergo no one is home.

My home office is in the other end of the house, it takes ~20-30 seconds for me to get to the door. That is more time than UPS grants you.

[consp]

There are way more indicators than just a doorbell. Closed curtains, car not in driveway, lights out ...

[mulderc]

Well my curtains and light open and close on a schedule so they won’t tell them much. Also who can afford to drive to work anymore?

[darkwater]

That didn't stop the thieves in Home Alone...

[thaumasiotes]

The thieves in Home Alone already knew that the family was gone.

[darkwater]

Exactly my point, they just verified that the Christmas lights were on a schedule one last time before breaking in the other houses.