Having Amazon deliver packages right inside your home may seem like it's going too far. But would you feel more comfortable if your packages were delivered inside your garage?
The company is staring to offer that service to cut down on package theft.
“I think the porch pirate thing is kind of tragic,” says Rick Skaflen.
That's why Skaflen and his neighbors watch out for each other’s packages.
“There's several people in the neighborhood retired,” Skaflen explains. “So, when we're going to be gone expecting a package, we'll tell our neighbors about it. Then, if we see it being delivered, just go over and pick it up, and then when they come home at night, we just give it to them.”
This week, Amazon, which already offers package delivery to your home or your car, is starting to roll out another option for when people are away from home. They’re offering garage deliveries.
“We just start by using our app begin to scan your packages,” Amazon driver Tesya explains in a company video. “As they scan, we open up your garage.”
With Amazon Key Garage, you'll get notifications about the entire delivery process and can watch packages arrive in real time.
Wheat Ridge Police Department Crime Prevention Officer John Bowman says there are some concerns.
“At this point, it's a big unknown,” Officer Bowman explains. “What if the garage door doesn't get shut? What if what if it's somehow, I mean maybe the system's manipulated or hacked, into those are all unknowns at this point.”
Amazon says it takes customer's privacy and security seriously and has put the right safeguards in place. But if you decide to keep getting packages the old-fashioned way, there are a few things to keep in mind.
“Have a plan for notifying a neighbor,” Officer Bowman explains. “Have it shipped to your place of employment if you use an Amazon have it shipped to a locker.”
For a limited time, Amazon's direct-to-garage delivery service is free for the company's Prime members in 50 U.S. cities. But you do have to buy garage software, and that ranges from roughly $50 to $125.
