Drop boxes at people's homes

CraigS · Post by **CraigS** » 06 Jul 2017, 19:54

Hi all
I'm building a new company to help improve first time delivery success rate by producing affordable parcel drop boxes for people at their home and bottom of their streets

Anyone here think RM would be supportive of this or not? I think these would increase delivery success rate so reduce cost and hoping that means RM may be supportive of advertising website etc

What are your thoughts?
Thanks!

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 06 Jul 2017, 23:00

Craig,
Affordable parcel drop boxes for people at their home would probably not be secure and affordable parcel drop boxes at the bottom of their streets would almost certainly not be secure so that most likely would not be in the customer's interest but that doesn't mean Royal Mail wouldn't be interested.

And if a parcel was left in an affordable parcel drop box at the bottom of the street would you expect a card to be left through the door at the top of the street informing the resident it was at the other end of the street ?

And, with Watling Street springing to mind, don't forget that some streets are quite long !!

Darren Bent · Post by **Darren Bent** » 07 Jul 2017, 00:40

I saw see a major problem with it. If I got a parcel for 120 smith street and I might have to go all the way to the parcel box and drop it there, and then go back to put a P739 back in the letter box. It is time consuming.

But it could be useful for block of flats if the security is safe.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 07 Jul 2017, 14:23

If anyone orders a parcel how can there be a problem with (a) being in, (b) arranging redelivery when you are in or (c) collecting it from the Delivery Office ?

olilew · Post by **olilew** » 07 Jul 2017, 15:33

Lounge Lizard wrote:If anyone orders a parcel how can there be a problem with (a) being in, (b) arranging redelivery when you are in or (c) collecting it from the Delivery Office ?

Or (d) Having it delivered to an address where you know someone will be in, Work, your mum's, your partner's mum's etc.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 07 Jul 2017, 16:03

I suspect RM will say NO to building a communal safe box. How would it work?? Were you thinking of re-producing dozens of sets of keys to give to house-holders down the street or a number-lock? The problem is, can all householders be trusted? There is also an issue of security and the fact that a lot of items that need ID and to be signed for these days, so its a NO I think. Personally, I don't know why RM currently charge customers to pick up their parcels from a Post Office (its 50p or something) when I can collect a Hermes parcel for free at the local corner shop.

I would also be very, very shocked if RM pay you anything for building drop boxes at the customer's home. Yes, the company does want 1st time delivery, but they would rather that we go next door and leave parcels in other 'safe' places, rather than having to fork out extra money for it themselves. I think that you would probably have more chance of selling your products to the public via mail order instead. If its 'affordable' and 'secure' then hopefully some people may buy it and save us from slipping their parcels!!

Post by **woopesh** » 07 Jul 2017, 21:48

I had this idea also but didn't think there was a market for them. Proper parcel boxes cost hundreds. Only seen a few of them about and I've covered a massive area in my time as a reserve shuttling between offices. I think the people who can afford them have staff. For us plebs, you can send parcels to Amazon lockers, local shops etc. to pick up at a convenient time. That's what I do. I would never consider getting a parcel box. I would never want to share one with strangers either.

loverman shabba · Post by **loverman shabba** » 08 Jul 2017, 20:53

would you need planning permission to bang a load of boxes all over the place? like the old royal mail bag boxes?

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 08 Jul 2017, 23:10

Darren Bent wrote:I saw see a major problem with it. If I got a parcel for 120 smith street and I might have to go all the way to the parcel box and drop it there, and then go back to put a P739 back in the letter box. It is time consuming.

But it could be useful for block of flats if the security is safe.

I don't think that is exactly how it would work - when delivery is attempted and the person not in, you would card item notifying them that the item has been left in the secure box. You would then continue on delivery as per normal. Once you had finished that section then any items that you have carded would then be taken all at once to be left in the secure box.

It would obviously not be practical to make a separate trip to the box after every unsuccessful delivery attempt.

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 08 Jul 2017, 23:13

To the OP, I have got a great idea along similar lines which if you wished to discuss via PM would be more than happy to do so.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 09 Jul 2017, 09:31

steve1873 wrote:
Darren Bent wrote:I saw see a major problem with it. If I got a parcel for 120 smith street and I might have to go all the way to the parcel box and drop it there, and then go back to put a P739 back in the letter box. It is time consuming.

But it could be useful for block of flats if the security is safe.
I don't think that is exactly how it would work - when delivery is attempted and the person not in, you would card item notifying them that the item has been left in the secure box. You would then continue on delivery as per normal. Once you had finished that section then any items that you have carded would then be taken all at once to be left in the secure box.

It would obviously not be practical to make a separate trip to the box after every unsuccessful delivery attempt.

Then between leaving the card and boxing the parcel the resident comes home, reads the card and goes to an empty box.

Residents should just accept that if they are out parcels can be collected from the Delivery Office or redelivered.

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 09 Jul 2017, 10:59

Lounge Lizard wrote:
steve1873 wrote:
Darren Bent wrote:I saw see a major problem with it. If I got a parcel for 120 smith street and I might have to go all the way to the parcel box and drop it there, and then go back to put a P739 back in the letter box. It is time consuming.

But it could be useful for block of flats if the security is safe.
I don't think that is exactly how it would work - when delivery is attempted and the person not in, you would card item notifying them that the item has been left in the secure box. You would then continue on delivery as per normal. Once you had finished that section then any items that you have carded would then be taken all at once to be left in the secure box.

It would obviously not be practical to make a separate trip to the box after every unsuccessful delivery attempt.
Then between leaving the card and boxing the parcel the resident comes home, reads the card and goes to an empty box.
Residents should just accept that if they are out parcels can be collected from the Delivery Office or redelivered.

Hence reason you would write the time on card as your estimated time to be at box. Yes there are and will always be flaws to be pointed out in any system. That doesn't detract from that system being attractive for certain people.

cpsteve · Post by **cpsteve** » 09 Jul 2017, 12:00

I would be happy to be used as a late collection point/ late delivery for my road for £1 per item no problem if the R/M want to do such a thing. Its a good idea and if it means more work and safeguards jobs then its a win win.

Darren Bent · Post by **Darren Bent** » 09 Jul 2017, 17:39

If it cost Royal Mail money, they won't be interested.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 09 Jul 2017, 20:18

cpsteve wrote:I would be happy to be used as a late collection point/ late delivery for my road for £1 per item no problem if the R/M want to do such a thing. Its a good idea and if it means more work and safeguards jobs then its a win win.

Steve,
So is that "as a late collection point/ late delivery for my road for £1 per item no problem if the R/M want to do such a thing" after you've finished your delivery, not while you're having a bath and before you've gone out for the evening ?

and on your day off and while you're off sick and on holiday ?

Royal Mail could really do with more employees that would 'go the extra mile' like you.