Amazon's Click & Collect service is coming to the UK

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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You’ve all used Amazon before, whether it’s to buy a brand new book, a rare DVD or a batch of last-minute birthday presents for a loved-one. But the thing is, any item bigger than a book or a DVD tends not to fit through a standard letterbox, so the hassle of being at home to let the postman in often means a trip into town is the only sure-fire way of receiving an item in good time.

But this could be a thing of the past, as the e-commerce giant is looking to set up a Click & Collect scheme, which are essentially lockers in shopping centres where you can collect your purchases in person.

As SlashGear reports, you decide which locker location it’s delivered to, whether that’s near your work or somewhere on the journey home, and you’ll receive a unique access code which allows you to collect your goods. That surely must be more convenient than queuing at your local mail depot on the other side of town which closes at 6pm?

It seems that Amazon has partnered with Land Securities, owners of a range of shopping centres around the UK, and the first Click & Collect lockers could be unveiled as early as next week.

This move follows hot on the heels of a very similar initiative in the US, where Amazon customers can collect their goods from 7-Eleven stores. It’s thought that the scheme is to be tested at some Seattle stores imminently.

What do you think? Is this a good idea? Leave your comments below.

[DGP1]

Or people could have the items delivered to their work

[mail boy]

Or people could have the items delivered to their work

we do that now lot off people buy s**t from ebay and so on and have it delivered to work

[rhino49]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

That is actually a damn good idea - Amazon could sell it at a reduced price and RM could offer it to Amazon as a particular service.

Although it would mean proper investment in Callers Offices such as upgrading and updating storage and recording, and an increase in staff, but handled right it could be a big money earner. EBay might even get on board with it as a delivery option.

[ronpetetrevchris]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

Why would they get it delivered to somewhere thats only open when people are at work instead of a 7 day open late supermarket?

[NWpostie]

Or more simple, leave it in a room of lockers at ASDA, Tescos, Morrisons, Sainsburys, even Waitrose of your choice you go down and pick it up using a pin sent to you via text or Email, the number resets after it opens.

Is really simple as these places open quite late even 24/7 in places and weekends. but will it catch on ?

[rhino49]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

Why would they get it delivered to somewhere thats only open when people are at work instead of a 7 day open late supermarket?

Because I am not interested in creating job security for 7 day open late supermarkets - it's a job and service opportunity for RM - and how many people do you know who will want to collect at 3am - they are the ones who will most likely be home to receive during the day - an extension to 7 or 8pm in the collection office for staff who have day time childcare issues that have been bolloxed by the extended delivery systems might jump at a chance like that.

[ronpetetrevchris]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

Why would they get it delivered to somewhere thats only open when people are at work instead of a 7 day open late supermarket?

Because I am not interested in creating job security for 7 day open late supermarkets - it's a job and service opportunity for RM - and how many people do you know who will want to collect at 3am - they are the ones who will most likely be home to receive during the day - an extension to 7 or 8pm in the collection office for staff who have day time childcare issues that have been bolloxed by the extended delivery systems might jump at a chance like that.

It wasnt a go at you but at RM's business model and backward stride in customer services, it just opens the door for others to walk through as you have suggested. Sry for mis-understanding.

[NWpostie]

I don't why the lockers can't open 5am to 8pm, it would be more convenient for everybody and keep jobs in, but knowing RM .....................................

[rhino49]

Hmmmm why not get Amazon to send a P739 card to the customer and the package to the DO for the customer to collect?

Why would they get it delivered to somewhere thats only open when people are at work instead of a 7 day open late supermarket?

Because I am not interested in creating job security for 7 day open late supermarkets - it's a job and service opportunity for RM - and how many people do you know who will want to collect at 3am - they are the ones who will most likely be home to receive during the day - an extension to 7 or 8pm in the collection office for staff who have day time childcare issues that have been bolloxed by the extended delivery systems might jump at a chance like that.

It wasnt a go at you but at RM's business model and backward stride in customer services, it just opens the door for others to walk through as you have suggested. Sry for mis-understanding.

No problem - I took it as a valid observation - the situation does open "call and collect" opportunities and we could still charge the same for the networking and distribution but use what is saved on the final mile to pay for additional staff in customer collect duties. Mail deliveries would speed up and hey presto - our bosses will see another reason for walk size increases lololololol.

As an aside - I ordered a web cam from Tesco Direct and can't guarantee anyone at home to receive it - so I used their option to collect at a local store - they give a guaranteed time after which it will be available - a two week reserve period and you just take the debit card you paid with as ID - how simple is that ???

[human1]

(As an aside - I ordered a web cam from Tesco Direct and can't guarantee anyone at home to receive it)

Why don't you give your office address? We do ... and get packet delivered in our own office.

[Lounge Lizard]

"But the thing is, any item bigger than a book or a DVD tends not to fit through a standard letterbox, so the hassle of being at home to let the postman in often means a trip into town is the only sure-fire way of receiving an item in good time.
But this could be a thing of the past, as the e-commerce giant is looking to set up a Click & Collect scheme, which are essentially lockers in shopping centres where you can collect your purchases in person."

So, what's the difference between "a trip into town" and a trip to "lockers in shopping centres" ?

You're still going to go and collect it if you're not in at the first delivery attempt.

Progress indeed

[DGP1]

"But the thing is, any item bigger than a book or a DVD tends not to fit through a standard letterbox, so the hassle of being at home to let the postman in often means a trip into town is the only sure-fire way of receiving an item in good time.
But this could be a thing of the past, as the e-commerce giant is looking to set up a Click & Collect scheme, which are essentially lockers in shopping centres where you can collect your purchases in person."

So, what's the difference between "a trip into town" and a trip to "lockers in shopping centres" ?

You're still going to go and collect it if you're not in at the first delivery attempt.

Progress indeed

Have you ever tried to collect from a callers office queues out the door in many offices..............................or a nice warm supermarket with lots of parking spaces that is easy to get to

Of course, RM could also do the same thing but that would involve management actually thinking.

[Lounge Lizard]

"But the thing is, any item bigger than a book or a DVD tends not to fit through a standard letterbox, so the hassle of being at home to let the postman in often means a trip into town is the only sure-fire way of receiving an item in good time.
But this could be a thing of the past, as the e-commerce giant is looking to set up a Click & Collect scheme, which are essentially lockers in shopping centres where you can collect your purchases in person."

So, what's the difference between "a trip into town" and a trip to "lockers in shopping centres" ?

You're still going to go and collect it if you're not in at the first delivery attempt.

Progress indeed

Have you ever tried to collect from a callers office queues out the door in many offices..............................or a nice warm supermarket with lots of parking spaces that is easy to get to

Of course, RM could also do the same thing but that would involve management actually thinking.

As I neither drive a car nor use supermarkets, nice and warm or otherwise, then perhaps I don't know what I'm missing.