With the convenience offered by eCommerce, there is the devil of theft. As per a study by the New York Times, in 2017, in the United States, over 1.5 million packages are stolen or misplaced daily. And New York alone reports around 90,000 missing packages. These statistics reveal that parcel security is a pressing issue. And one that needs immediate attention.
What’s flummoxing is that these misplacements are despite the technological advancements. Next are five ways to ensure top safety for your parcels and packages. Read along!
Look out for live tracking
Courier services offering live tracking services stand at the apex of credibility and trust. They render the additional reassurance of safe delivery. All you got to have is a smartphone with a good internet connection. The courier service then sends you a link, using which you can follow through the journey and delivery process of the parcel. And the best part? It tracks your package in real-time.
What’s more, live tracking provides a much closer estimate for your parcel delivery, that is, the expected time of arrival. Another aspect that gets tackled is customer support. Note that it is a major must-have for courier services today. This way, you can get in touch with the couriers if need be.
You can track all you want, but what happens if you are not present to collect the package at the delivery time? Below are some modern and technology-backed solutions.
Invest in Parcel Lockers
If you reside amid multifamily communities, residents get protection from parcel theft to a certain extent. However, there is no guarantee or insurance here. The same goes for apartments by renowned homebuilders. Nonetheless, there is a solution – parcel locker. These stand at the top of the list and with good reason. They are electronic security lockers. It marks the coming together of state-of-the-art technology, fortified safety and sophisticated integration options among the locker, delivery person and the recipient.
Parcel lockers have a host of benefits to offer. These are below.
They are hidden
Burglars and thieves seek easy targets. A package that lays on the porch or patio in plain sight will get snatched first. Now, parcel lockers provide assurance and safety of multiple deliveries. Also, they have securely locked away until picked up by the intended recipient.
There are multiple locker types
The good thing is that most of your deliveries get accommodated. For example, perishable items such as groceries and food items can get stored in refrigerated parcel lockers. Unless the delivery instructions are clear and adhered to with precision, food items can expire before they even get placed into a refrigerated area. Hence, parcel pending lockers make for an ideal solution.
Self-Service
In the traditional system, there is the post office. Here, recipients have to collect the items during business hours. With parcel lockers, the time limit is out of the way. You can access the safe deposit box, so to say, at any time of the day or night. All you need is a unique passcode, and you are good to go!
The need for parcel lockers
About 53 per cent of the participants, according to a survey in 2017 in the United States, reported they would change their daily routine to cater to the predicted delivery timeframe. Of the survey participants, about 20 per cent went as far as to claim they would leave work early to receive their packages. Multiply this by at least a hundred or a thousand. The opportunity costs for the recipient and the corporation are exorbitant. What’s more, multiple individuals order parcels regularly. Look at the bigger picture and the grandeur, and it is the need of the hour.
Smart video doorbells
You must have seen these in movies. As soon as a guest rings the doorbell, the residents can get a peek into the outsider. These are connected buzzers. The visitor presses the button, and the residents get a notification about a potential visitor. Now, what makes this one unique? First, it is visual. This solution comprises a high-definition resolution, a live video feed, motion alerts and much more.
What’s more, some even offer cloud service that renders access to advanced motion alerts. In that, these differences among people, animals and packages. At a higher level, you can access the video footage to safeguard your neighbours or help law enforcement (if need be).
Battery-backed camera
When opting for this one, ensure to go for one with modern features and rich quality. For instance, a camera with 2K video resolution shall do it. The battery camera also has added features such as built-in spotlights and night-time deterrence. What’s more, you can backtrack to access recorded events and receive notifications.
Sometimes it so happens that you forget about a specific package and remember it at a later date. In that case, you can look back and gauge for suspicious-looking characters. Also, the package can get delivered when you are at work or outstation. In this situation, too, the camera makes for an excellent saviour.
Mailbox sensors
These sensors track when people open your mailbox, making tracking deliveries a lot more convenient. Those with a home security system can also opt for a door or window sensor. Here, one of the magnetic gadgets pings the system once the entryway gets penetrated or opened. Also, ensure that you are aware when someone attempts to open the mailbox, especially someone who should not be doing so.
Parting Words
In the age of technological sophistication, a parcel security system is paramount. Note that you need not go tech-intensive. If you are not exactly tech-savvy, do not worry, you can opt for other options. First, you can mandate a signature upon collection or receipt. Second, you can get your packages delivered to your workplace as well.
