SHOULD I INVEST IN A PARCEL SAFE?
With many of us not at home as much as we were and doorstep parcel thefts on the rise, GH looks at a solution…
One of the downsides of the post-lockdown return to the office is not being home to receive parcels. Not only is it inconvenient to miss a delivery, there’s also been a rise in doorstep parcel theft – one in 10 had a package lost or stolen in 2020, says Citizens Advice.
What are parcel safes?
A parcel safe is a secure and weatherproof box used to store parcels outside your home. Some have a delivery chute that deposits packages into a locked box below, while others are more high-tech, with apps and passcodes to operate them. Some even have scannable barcodes for proof of delivery.
One of the largest options is the Smart Parcel Box (£229.99, 41.5 x 38.5 x 102.5cm, smartparcelbox.co.uk), which can hold several parcels. Or the iparcelbox (£394.99, 61 x 40 x 71cm, iparcelbox.com), which can be controlled from your smartphone using Amazon’s Alexa (part of the premium service, which is free for 90 days with the purchase of a safe, then £2 a month). Smaller, less
expensive options include the wall-mounted, key-operated box from I Love Parcels (£179, 42.5 x 31 x 60cm, iloveparcels.com).
Will couriers use them?
Most are happy to deliver to a safe as long as it has been designated by the recipient in advance as their ‘safe place’ and complies with the courier company’s guidelines. A Yodel spokesperson said: ‘Our drivers will aim to deliver to “safe places”, as long as the customer ensures the parcel safe is weatherproof and out of sight of passing traffic.’ Once delivered, the responsibility for the parcel falls on the recipient.
Other options
Arrange delivery to a friend, neighbour or concierge.
Video doorbells alert you to deliveries and help identify potential thieves (Ring Video Doorbell 4, £150, Amazon).
Use a collection point (including local shops).
If you’re away for a longer period, Royal Mail’s Keepsafe will keep parcels until your return (from £16.50).