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A comment on Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves.

Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by cronix on Thursday December 13, 2018 @08:49PM (#18677763)
I haven't had any packages stolen for the last few years. We have a large "toy box" on the front porch/deck that has a padlock on it. When expecting deliveries, we just leave the lock unlocked and leave a note to put the delivery in the box and lock it. So far, so good! I can't say the same for my neighbor though. He was hit last week, and is now going to build a box. It was less than $60 to make (3/4" plywood, 2x4's, stain, lacquer, hinges, padlock) and is too heavy for a single person to lift when empty.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by TheSpiceIsLife on Friday December 14, 2018 @02:31AM (#18679141)
As a metal worker, I’ve been intending to build a parcel receptical like a donation bin, you know the ones with the swinging horizontal door on the front that prevents a person from reaching inside, and a regular door with a padlock on the back.

As a metal worker, I’ve been intending to build this for the past ten years. The last thing I feel like doing when I get home is more welding. Sigh.

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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by smu3l on Friday December 14, 2018 @03:20AM (#18679319)
What kind of work was it you do? :)
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by TheSpiceIsLife on Friday December 14, 2018 @03:28AM (#18679348)
Mostly structural steel at the moment, but in the past everything from marine to commercial kitchens. Nothing pressure rated though. At the moment I operate a 4kW ytterbium fibre laser set up to cut up to 20mm mild steel, 20mm stainless steel, and 12mm aluminium.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by eropple on Friday December 14, 2018 @02:07AM (#18679044)
That's a really good idea. The annoying thing in Boston is that you might have two packages from the same order (looking at you, Amazon) arrive at different times on the same day.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by Pamar on Friday December 14, 2018 @03:09AM (#18679272)
Would it be feasible to use a combination padlock and send the number as a part of the address/shipping note?
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by sys_64738 on Friday December 14, 2018 @07:40PM (#18686240)
I'd doubt delivery drivers would have the time. They already sprint to the door with the package or drive right up.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by eropple on Friday December 14, 2018 @11:02AM (#18681733)
Maybe? Kind of doubt it, though. Plenty of places don't have a delivery-instruction field and a lot of deliveries (again lookin' at you, Amazon) are barely delivered at all. "Chuck it on the front step and go."
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by kbenson on Friday December 14, 2018 @07:53PM (#18686298)
Well, there's always Amazon Locker for those cases. A little less convenience for a little more assurance.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by lenocinor on Friday December 14, 2018 @02:22PM (#18683723)
And that's annoying, for sure, but most of the time the box would still work though, right?
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by eropple on Friday December 14, 2018 @04:04PM (#18684740)
Well, this happened both today and yesterday, 'cause my roommates and I don't really sync up our online purchases...;)
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by thaumasiotes on Friday December 14, 2018 @02:22AM (#18679113)
I'm pretty sure Amazon explicitly offers the option to "group my items into as few shipments as possible, even if it takes longer".
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by grozzle on Friday December 14, 2018 @02:25AM (#18679119)
As few as possible is sometimes still more than one, though.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by mcny on Friday December 14, 2018 @04:26AM (#18679568)
Why does this happen? Are the items coming from multiple Amazon locations?
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by jsjohnst on Friday December 14, 2018 @09:41AM (#18681086)
> Are the items coming from multiple Amazon locations?

Yep! Especially if you live in NYC (or anywhere in the North East really). Amazon has something like 50+ different warehouses in NJ and Pennsylvania alone.

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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by gpvos on Friday December 14, 2018 @05:03AM (#18679739)
I searched for that option recently and couldn't find it. Could you give the exact path through the menus?
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by thaumasiotes on Friday December 14, 2018 @05:21AM (#18679807)
As far as I remember, the option appears when you're checking out and choosing your shipping. It's per-order, not per-account.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by gpvos on Friday December 14, 2018 @06:22AM (#18680053)
Thanks. Hmm. It wasn't very obvious then.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by hueving on Friday December 14, 2018 @09:26PM (#18686656)
Doesnt work if they are coming from different warehouses or are too big for one box.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by mc32 on Thursday December 13, 2018 @09:41PM (#18678016)
Makes one wonder if this is one of the issues behind Amazon and Ring+Rekognition rumors. I don't think this is the main driver (they'd sell a lot regardless, if one is to believe neighbors on NextDoor), but it definitely would be a nice bonus (to make package theft a thing of the past, for all intents and purposes).
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by polm23 on Thursday December 13, 2018 @09:32PM (#18677982)
I'm surprised more people in single homes don't do this. I've never needed it, but when I've had home milk delivery the boxes always have a place for a lock in case you want to use it - and that's just for milk!
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by dgzl on Thursday December 13, 2018 @10:29PM (#18678216)
I've looked into one-way package recieving devices before, and I think something would be best integrated into the person's home wall or door. A system like USPS mail drop boxes would be ideal.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by krzat on Friday December 14, 2018 @03:06AM (#18679261)
What if a thief decides to deliver himself into your home?
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by lagadu on Friday December 14, 2018 @03:11AM (#18679285)
Just return him if you're unhappy with your purchase.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by kbenson on Friday December 14, 2018 @07:55PM (#18686303)
"Coming up next, what you might get in the mail soon, and you probably won't like it. The surprising new trend of youngsters pranking people by dropping wild animals in their mail drop chutes. Details after the break."
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by dgzl on Friday December 14, 2018 @04:35AM (#18679602)
You would protect this system like any other entry to the home: with a lock.
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Re:Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves by WalterBright on Thursday December 13, 2018 @09:27PM (#18677956)
If it is not heavy enough, just dump some rocks in the bottom.
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