How do I keep amazon from delivering my packages at night??

[Grasswire2]

Seriously.

The porch is visible from the street if someone wants to take a look for packages.

I live downstairs, and so going to the porch at night means walking up a path alongside the house to get there.

It's dangerous, inconvenient, and annoying to have packages coming at 10 p.m.

I can't figure out how to make them come earlier in the day.

Thanks in advance for advice.

And no, telling me to stop ordering from amazon is not a solution.

[SheltieLover]

1. Have you called them?

[spooky3]

2. This may not work for you, but you can get lockers in

some cities where Amazon will deliver.

https://www.reviewgeek.com/64959/quick-tip-amazon-lockers-can-sometimes-get-your-shipments-to-you-faster/

I don’t know how to control delivery time; sorry.

[Skittles]

3. have them go to a locker and pick them at a better time?

like a Whole Foods?

[Demovictory9]

4. have your packages delivered to lockers at 7-11s, whole foods or other nearby amazon hubs

you get a code when the package is in a locker. you have 3 days to pick up your package.

[RockRaven]

5. I've never tried to control that aspect, because I just assumed one could not... But...

IIRC, there is a field or tab or button when viewing your order called "Delivery Instructions" or something like that. I assume it is where to leave it -- like "side porch, not front porch" -- not when. But it wouldn't hurt to try, probably.

[Grasswire2]

9. I have used that tab for "where"

I don't expect the driver to come around the house to find my door. But I wrote to please set the package on the side of the front porch away from the front door so my little old landlady doesn't trip over it.

It's not that reliable even for that.

Sometimes packages end up on the other side of the house where the trash cans sit.

Once, the box was left way down the driveway in front of the garage.

Another time, on the upstairs back deck and that delivery person carried a twenty pound of cat litter up there that I then had to bring back down the deck stairs once I found it. That was crazy.

[Grasswire2]

6. having them delivered to a locker defeats the purpose of ordering, doesn't it??

I order for the convenience of delivery.

I have fought several foot infections in recent years and currently am recovering from my COMPUTER FALLING ON MY SHIN AND ANKLE.

I live in a city suburb. I use Lyft and do not keep a car. Who needs a car in a city with great transportation?

I just want packages to come in daylight hours.

Thanks for suggestions, all the same. It's great to engage the minds of DU-ers who might have similar questions.

[Grokenstein]

7. Potential alternative solution: a lockbox

CleverMade sells a good one for fifty bucks. They're designed to be bolted into concrete, but that's a no-go for my apartment so I screwed mine to a wooden base (and later to a pair of concrete blocks, which had the added benefit of elevating the box and its keypad), and secured each base to a railing with a bike lock. It can be defeated--any lockbox can--but package thieves look for easy pickings, not challenges.

Initially, cooperation from deliverymen was...spotty. My regular mailman was actually enthusiastic about it. DHL, always good. (I just stopped choosing UPS because they wouldn't use the box at all; when a shipper uses UPS, most times it winds up going to USPS in the final leg anyway.) In the past few months, Amazon has been coming around on it, which is great because the local Amazon locker is currently NOT a choice; orders that "qualify for free delivery" now come with preposterous shipping charges if I choose the locker. "Twenty-six bucks shipping for three Blu-rays" preposterous. Home delivery is still free and they're using the box, so everything's cool.

Another vulnerability, though: Every package needs your lockbox code on the label, so one box left outside screws everything up and you have to change the code. You have to decide if it will work for your situation.

https://www.clevermade.com/products/parcel-lockbox-s100-series

[Grasswire2]

8. good thought -- the problem that I can see is that amazon delivers tiny things in giant boxes ..

...at times. Yesterday, a micro SD card was delivered in a box big enough to hold ten pounds of hamburger. LOL.

Thanks for the news about the charges for locker deliveries. I didn't know that.

[Grokenstein]

13. Those charges are a recent development.

People are reporting that Amazon has told them it's due to "limited availability" at the lockers. So it's kind of like Uber's infamous "surge pricing."

[patricia92243]

10. I didn't realize they delivered past 8 pm, but I live in a small town.

[LeftInTX]

11. I live in a big city. Never got anything past 8 pm

I would think small towns would be more likely to have late deliveries.
But what do I know?

[Grasswire2]

12. yep

Deliveries often at 10 p.m. here.

I must be the last stop on the way back to the warehouse.

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. The fact that their drivers are working that late.....

is witness to how overworked they are in the first place.

I absolutely guarantee you that those delivery drivers do not want to be delivering at that hour, but because of volume and Amazon's practices, that is the situation.

You could try and add a line on the shipping section instructing no deliveries after a certain hour (there is a provision for notes, like if you have a gate code the driver will need) but don't expect it to be adhered to. The volume is way too high to be reading each and very single label with that much detail.

I agree with the others that have suggested using one of their boxes if one is near you.

[Grasswire2]

19. good thoughts

But using a locker defeats the purpose of using a delivery service.

Some of us need the delivery to the home.

[A HERETIC I AM]

28. I found this re: Scheduled Delivery

This may not apply to all items, but it's something; (Edit; It seems to apply to only larger items like appliances, but look for the link to schedule a delivery on each item you purchase.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201911240

[Grasswire2]

29. thanks for looking

I don't get large items. But that's nice for those who do. Wouldn't be prudent to have a sofa delivered at 10 p.m. or something like a computer that says HP on the side in big bold letters.

[Sherman A1]

15. As mentioned above in a response

That they are delivering that late speaks to them being obnoxiously overwhelmed and overworked. I would try to do my window shopping on the Amazon site, then look for the item(s) elsewhere perhaps even direct from the manufacturer. They will likely use generally accepted shippers and you might even get a better deal. I use Amazon, but it is less and less these days.

[Grasswire2]

30. maybe

but then you are paying shipping costs, while amazon prime with free shipping is a bargain if you buy more than one item a month.

[Sherman A1]

37. Not necessarily

Sometimes you may, other times you may not pay shipping. You have to shop around. I’ve found taking time to do so I can often beat Amazon prices.

[hlthe2b]

16. Amazon Lockers. That is your solution.

Just enter "Amazon Lockers" in the Amazon SEARCH BOX.

or view here:
https://www.amazon.com/primeinsider/tips/amazon-locker-qa.html

How do Lockers work? It's easy – customers simply add an Amazon Locker to their Amazon address book and select the location as the shipping address during checkout. ... There is no additional cost to use an Amazon Locker You'll see all available options for your order during checkout.

[Grasswire2]

20. why order from a delivery service if you must go somewhere to pick it up???

It would be just as easy to go to a retail store and buy something and take it home.

The point here is that some of us NEED the delivery at some point. Illness, injury, don't keep a car in an urban setting, etc. etc. etc.

But in certain circumstances, a regular 10 p.m. delivery is something amazon should not require a customer to appreciate.

[hlthe2b]

21. Well, they do offer to deliver at night so I think you have to make up your mind what is more

important? Do you want to pick up somewhere close by during hours you choose or do you want delivery to your door within the 5 or so hour window they provide? This is an issue with whoever delivers--especially in the coming months. UPS and FedX volume will require some deliveries be made after dark or into the evening hours as well.

Your other alternative is to try to get permission to receive PERSONAL shipments at work. Some workplaces will allow it and some will not. Amazon does accommodate that (as do most of the other carriers).

Seems like you actually do have several options... I'm not sure what else you could ask for (or expect)?

[Grasswire2]

23. I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Please consider the fact that not everyone goes to work somewhere outside the home, not everyone keeps a car in an urban environment, and that amazon is chosen because of its relative convenience in home delivery. You're making a lot of assumptions.

So yes. The alternative is to not use amazon.

I simply asked if anyone had figured out a way to limit delivery hours with that service.

That'll teach me to ask a question on DU. FFS. Too many scolds here.

[hlthe2b]

25. And, you were provided with many thoughtful suggestions--all which you poopooed rather rudely.

And yes, I have commuted two hours each way to work, I have worked nights, I have worked largely from home, I have done and experienced all the things you complain about, as have many here. We are ALL just trying to help you solve a problem with sincere suggestions, yet you merely lash out at us for doing so.

I gather you have NEVER worked in the service industry or health care or any other profession where you might have experienced the difficulties in tailoring a solution to everyone's individual and highly specific problem. I hope you don't take this out on your poor delivery driver. sigh....

[Grasswire2]

31. LOLOL

I hope you have a better day tomorrow.

I didn't ask for alternatives.

I asked if anyone had figured out how to get amazon to deliver in daylight hours.

You have no idea where I have worked or what I have done and do. You know nothing about me. But you want to scold me repeatedly.

Done.

[Grasswire2]

45. Your suggestion that I might be rude or offensive to the delivery driver is rude and offensive.

I would never, ever, mistreat a service worker.

And I never see a delivery driver. Ever.

[RobinA]

46. Yeah, If The Retail

store had anything. I've about given up looking for anything but the most basic, obvious thing in a brick and mortar store.

[Captain Zero]

17. Have you got Amazon Lockers available in your area?

You have up to three days to go to the locker location and get your package.
Check it out on the change delivery option page.

[Kaleva]

18. For those suggesting Amazon lockers, it's a 3 1/2 hr drive one way to the nearest one for me

But I get Amazon deliveries in the late afternoon or early evening which works for me.

[hlthe2b]

22. No one said they were close by for everyone, but it is a viable option for many.

especially if porch theft has been a problem.

If you are in a more rural area so that such locker drop-offs are not available anywhere nearby then I can't imagine porch theft would be such an issue for you. Knock on wood, but it hasn't been for me either and I'm very appreciative to get delivery within the 5-hour or so window Amazon typically promises. If it is something extremely time-sensitive or valuable, I can ask a neighbor to watch for it too or have it delivered to THEIR address, if I'm going to be away.

Honestly, I don't know what else people expect. No delivery person or service is going to be able to accommodate anyone's specific time schedule--especially as we enter into the holiday season. When have we EVER been able to demand a specific time for delivery? Not in my lifetime unless I was paying mega $$$ for a special delivery.

I'm just glad when packages are delivered to the RIGHT address.

[Kaleva]

27. I have family within walking distance

My stepdaughter has texted me a few times to go to her place when she and her family were gone and put the deleivered package in the house for them.

I'm also grateful for just being delivered to the right address.

[Grasswire2]

24. yeah, doesn't make sense to recommend a locker to someone who needs the delivery aspect..

...and who uses amazon for that reason.

Wow, 3 1/2 hours. I'll bet you have some lovely natural beauty out your window.

[Kaleva]

33. I live in a small town and have seen deer, turkeys, foxes, rabbits and once a bear in the yard

Yesterday I had to do errands which involved traveling to 3 nearby towns. Just for giggles, I thought I'd keep track of mileage and it came out to 261 miles when I returned home. Not unusual. Taking my wife to see her doctor is a 200+ mile round trip. Making a run to the nearest fast food joint is a 90 mile round trip.

[Grasswire2]

35. Lucky you! (in some aspects of distance)

I hope it's beautiful there. I've never lived in a town that small. I do live on the bank of a river and have had beaver, rabbits, deer, possums, bald eagles often. But it's a metropolitan area, basically. Two blocks to the bus, six blocks to the light rail, a mile to fast food. I don't need to keep a car, and don't!

Amazon has been a terrific help during the pandemic and because of my ongoing foot injury trouble.

[Niagara]

26. You can schedule your package deliveries.

If this doesn't work out, I would contact Amazon and ask if they could deliver before 9pm...or whatever time is convenient for you.





Here's how to schedule your package deliveries:
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-amazon-day-schedule-deliveries-prime-benefit

[Grasswire2]

32. thanks for this....I will check it out.

Funny that we have to go to another site to find out a way to get through amazon's maze.

With this, you can schedule a day, but not a time of day. So I likely would get all packages at ten o'clock ONE night, instead of several times a week. That might be the best to hope for.

I'm just envisioning cold, rain, ice, sleet, wind, dark at 6 p.m. over the next few months. I have to walk from the lower level of the house, up a path to the front of the house to get whatever is delivered.

I understand that amazon's business model includes overworking drivers. That's sad. Let's support unionization for amazon workers!!

[Kaleva]

34. If you get Alexa, it will tell you when the packages have been dropped off.

You won't have to keep an eye out for the delivery man. Just watch for the yellow light on Alexa.

You can also ask it for the most up to date delivery status.

[Grasswire2]

36. I would never use Alexa. But I do get updates on my computer AFTER the delivery is made.

The notice will usually say "Your package is out for delivery before 10 p.m."

Thank you for the suggestion.

[Lars39]

38. My husband has the Amazon app on an IPad,

and he gets updates via notifications. It’ll say “see where your packages are on a map. They’re 10 stops away”,or something like that.
I don’t know if the phone app does the same thing, though

[Grasswire2]

40. yes, that is so

But it doesn't allow you to get your delivery at any different time.

I get email notices that tell me to expect my delivery by 10 p.m. and shows the stops and where the truck is.

I think I just must be on the end of the route, on the way back to the warehouse.

[Lars39]

42. It's a toss up where we're at...

if it doesn’t get delivered late afternoon there’s a good chance it’s the next day. I hope there’s a good solution for you, Grasswire2.

[Niagara]

39. You're welcome, Grasswire2.

Like I said, if it doesn't work out for you, I would call or contact them and explain that you currently have an injury that you don't want to escalate by venturing outside in the dark. Perhaps they could deliver the next day during daylight hours instead at dark. I certainly understand where you're coming from.



In no way did I ever see you be inappropriate or rude to anyone in any of your responses. You calmly and politely explained why you can't get to an Amazon locker, and that your concerned about furthering injuring yourself.


I come for a long line of Union workers, so I support unionizing Amazon 110%!

[Grasswire2]

41. Thank you.

Don't ever let your computer fall off the desk onto your foot and shin.

I feel fortunate never to have felt such significant ongoing pain before. Well, there was child birth x four, but at least that's over pretty fast.

Unionize Amazon!

[Donkees]

43. Maybe your regular driver is working this route as a part-time second job (?)

[Grasswire2]

44. maybe

I do know that amazon contracts with some drivers in the manner that grubhub drivers are hired. Piece work.

But there also are drivers who drive the trucks and are employees.

I honestly don't know if my deliveries come by piece worker late at night. Maybe. We do see the blue trucks in the neighborhood regularly, too.