Take That, Philly Package Thieves: Amazon Rolls Out Car Trunk Delivery
The new service, along with other Amazon delivery developments, might finally put the pesky package theft issue to rest. Here’s how it all works.
Amazon has launched a new in-car delivery service.
Amazon just announced some news that could singlehandedly put every Philly package bandit out of business.
On Tuesday, the online retailer launched a new program — Amazon Key In-Car Delivery — that will allow it to deliver packages to the trunk of cars, completely eliminating those ill-fated minutes when packages are left on the stoop of Philly residences, and thieves get their pick.
This development means nothing for the city dwellers among us without cars, but for those of you with vehicles — and compatible vehicles at that — you’ll simply need to download the Amazon Key app and link your vehicle’s connected car service. Vehicles with connected service plans enable features like remote lock and unlock, remote start, and in-vehicle WiFi. Right now, that means the program only supports most 2015 or newer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Volvo vehicles, with plans to expand to more vehicle partners soon.
Once you’ve connected your car, you can splurge on Amazon.com per usual and select the “In-Car” delivery option at checkout. On delivery day, the app will check in to confirm that your vehicle is parked within range of the delivery location. You’ll get notifications in the 4-hour delivery window, and you’ll be able to see when your car was unlocked and relocked in the app’s activity feed.
And of course, the Amazon Key in-car delivery service is free for Amazon’s precious Prime members and works with same day, two-day and standard shipping.
If you don’t trust a company like Amazon to open up your car when you’re not around, this service will definitely take some getting used to. Amazon lockers have been available since 2011, and the company rolled out Amazon Key last fall, beginning with a service that lets Amazon delivery drivers place packages inside connected homes. The company has also been testing out delivery by drone.
Philadelphia is one of 37 cities across the country where the in-car service launched on Tuesday. If you’re uncomfortable with both in-home delivery and porch drop-off, in-car delivery could be the happy medium. Package thieves, are you shaking in your boots yet?
