Risking Your Home For A Package Delivery?

I'm waiting to see how the various realty associations will react to the news story about how Amazon is actually going ahead with a delivery method which will allow its delivery drivers to actually get inside homes just to make deliveries.

Here is a chance for the associations to step up on behalf of the home owners their members are representing.

Although I understand the intent of this service is a good one, having Amazon create more serious problems just to be able to have what they consider to be a more secure package delivery method is going way too far.

Real estate agents take pride in the security measures in place for agents to show properties when no one is home (usually a more ideal situation) with a lock box or other secure private entry system.

Amazon will probably argue that their method is similar. I beg to differ.

They seem to think that there won't be any problems with a clearly marked Amazon truck parking in front of a home so the driver, probably in uniform, can use a "one-time" security code and be seen entering a residence.

Just watch a local newscast on any TV station and tell me that no one would ever follow an Amazon driver into an upscale neighborhood and be "waiting" while they enter a half-million dollar home at which there is clearly no one home.

As soon as this actually happens, there goes the safety and crime rate for an upscale neighborhood, which comes right back at property values.

Let's not forget that deliveries get made in rain, snow, and other noteworthy weather conditions. You also can't tell me that drivers won't be walking into those homes, even for a few steps in and out, and not leaving footprints or possibly letting in flies, bugs, or debris.

If the driver leaves the door open for the few seconds, there is no stopping anyone else from entering someone's home. If the driver shuts the door, you have a complete stranger in "your" home, even if for a few seconds.

Are these drivers bonded? Do we know that even if and as the delivery goes smooth that they didn't take photos of a security alarm system or valuables "on display"? Or that they won't be bribed to plant a bug or a small camera?

Think about what could happen to your home, or to homes in your neighborhood and how it could impact you. All for a $50 package?

Frankly, it's Amazon's problem (and Wal-Mart and other companies looking to do this) to make sure that orders safely reach their destination. If they want people to have their packages efficiently, either schedule delivery when someone is home to receive them or make them available at their stores (or arrangements with a local retailer) to be dropped off.

The realty agents also should not overlook that this "service" would increase the number of delivery trucks in many communities.

Here you have an agent looking to sell a family home "on a quiet cul de sac" promoting it all over the place, and now you have delivery trucks on the "quiet street" every day with these drivers able to just walk in to surrounding houses.

Would you want to buy an expensive home in a community in which "anyone" can watch and see how many neighbors are not home during a given weekday?

Furthermore, we have all seen the recent stories about huge companies and web sites being severely hacked, including large retailers and even a large credit bureau.

Can you honestly assure me that the "secure method" of providing these drivers with one-time codes for entry to homes won't be hacked? You can bet the ranch that the trackers will reveal thousands of hacking attempts every second.

Personally, I'd like to see the realty associations take a stand against this on behalf of their homeowners and clients.

And, I'll point out that instead of paying extra for the "privilege" of faster delivery you could get an account at a mail drop location and not have to go through any of this.

https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2017/10/25/amazon-deliver-packages-inside-prime-members-homes/