Amazon deliveries in the middle of the night

SMH

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Minuteman
Apr 11, 2007
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Anyone else having Amazon deliveries at odd hours?

A buddy had a car driving very slowly past his rural home at 3:30 in the morning. After multiple times, it pulled into his driveway, the driver exited and began walking around his house. The driver then met the homeowner (and his 1911 and taclight). The African's shaky English was even shakier until they sorted things out.
He was an Amazon driver trying to find the correct address and figure out which door to drop the package at.
Totally legit, and now better educated on the risks of being a stranger walking around a farmstead at night.

I assumed that this was a very rare occurrence and or only happened in my buddy's area.
Until I heard gravel at 4:00am...

A small SUV slowly crept up my long narrow dead end gravel drive (way in the middle of nowhere) and stopped beside my truck.
I assumed the worst, and yelled out asking what they were doing and shined the front of the vehicle.
(no license plate on the front)
The dome light then came on revealing a small young black person. (my black friends are much larger and much older)
I definitely didn't know this person, or vehicle, so I waited to see what they would do.

A little lady slowly exited and walked in front of her headlights holding a package high in the air.
She stood there a few seconds and announced "package delivery, Amazon". I inquired "at this hour?" and she said they deliver 3:00 to 7:00am.

I realized that it was probably legit, told her to set it in front of the steps, thanked her, and told her to have a nice day.
(I figured I had already scared her half to death so I was tying to sound much more friendly than before!)

Of course it was actually for my neighbor, which she soon realized and came back up the drive.
We told her to just carry it across to his house which she did. Apparently, she needed a picture or a scan because no sooner then she backed away from my place she drove up to my neighbors house (combat Vet). I thought "Oh Shit" she's determined to get herself shot.
Fortunately, all went well and she was on her way.

I'm all for expedient package deliveries, but this seems like a bad idea.
I am however, glad that I am aware of it for future reference.

Thought it was worth sharing in case someone else encountered a similar event.
 
Anyone else having Amazon deliveries at odd hours?

A buddy had a car driving very slowly past his rural home at 3:30 in the morning. After multiple times, it pulled into his driveway, the driver exited and began walking around his house. The driver then met the homeowner (and his 1911 and taclight). The African's shaky English was even shakier until they sorted things out.
He was an Amazon driver trying to find the correct address and figure out which door to drop the package at.
Totally legit, and now better educated on the risks of being a stranger walking around a farmstead at night.

I assumed that this was a very rare occurrence and or only happened in my buddy's area.
Until I heard gravel at 4:00am...

A small SUV slowly crept up my long narrow dead end gravel drive (way in the middle of nowhere) and stopped beside my truck.
I assumed the worst, and yelled out asking what they were doing and shined the front of the vehicle.
(no license plate on the front)
The dome light then came on revealing a small young black person. (my black friends are much larger and much older)
I definitely didn't know this person, or vehicle, so I waited to see what they would do.

A little lady slowly exited and walked in front of her headlights holding a package high in the air.
She stood there a few seconds and announced "package delivery, Amazon". I inquired "at this hour?" and she said they deliver 3:00 to 7:00am.

I realized that it was probably legit, told her to set it in front of the steps, thanked her, and told her to have a nice day.
(I figured I had already scared her half to death so I was tying to sound much more friendly than before!)

Of course it was actually for my neighbor, which she soon realized and came back up the drive.
We told her to just carry it across to his house which she did. Apparently, she needed a picture or a scan because no sooner then she backed away from my place she drove up to my neighbors house (combat Vet). I thought "Oh Shit" she's determined to get herself shot.
Fortunately, all went well and she was on her way.

I'm all for expedient package deliveries, but this seems like a bad idea.
I am however, glad that I am aware of it for future reference.

Thought it was worth sharing in case someone else encountered a similar event.

City folk make those delivery time decisions.
Their cornbread ain't quite done in the middle.
 
I think Amazon needs to make it very clear that your package could be delivered at those hours and give you the option to opt out or in with having to agree to it at least two different times when you checkout also send notifications to your chosen device. If you live out in a rural area might not be a bad idea to let your neighbors know in advance that there is a chance an Amazon delivery could be made at those hours.

What if all delivery vehicles were required to have a strobe light on the top of their vehicles that strobed a certain color combination like maybe yellow and purple?

Go ahead and laugh at the idea, but when some poor delivery driver gets mistakenly shot in the middle of the night wouldn't be long before it would be law.
 
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When checking out on Amazon make sure "overnight delivery" isn't checked if you don't want, well, overnight delivery.

The ones I have had recently have all been personal vehicle deliveries too, instead of branded box trucks or even rental Uhaul/Penske vans.
 
Depending on where it’s at, we get deliveries the same day as late as 10PM. Sometimes next day deliveries are between 0400 - 0800. Tells you during the checkout process. I think you can cancel in route.
 
The deliveries via personal vehicle is from an Amazon Flex driver. I think it's like an independent contractor relationship, you sign up with Amazon and choose days and times you want to deliver.

Amazon Delivery Services is an actual business you can start, where you lease Amazon branded vehicles and hire your own staff.

Out here in the 'burbs it's quite common to see random cars pull into people's drives, drop a package (or 10) and leave.
 
You get to choose those super late / super early delivery times. It's an extra cost that you usually get "free" if you're a Prime Member. If you don't want/need it right away, then you also get the option to have normal delivery.

A friend of mine is retired and he signs up every now and then to deliver. He said it's an easy gig in his area and he can pick up some cash when he feels like it.
 
My wife is always getting stuff from Amazon at all hours of the day and night. IIRC they all at least have reflective vests on, and probably anyone doing anything nefarious wouldn't be wearing one of those. I'm glad we have surveillance cameras that pick up any type of movement.
 
We've seen them show up in the middle of the night and put a package at the gate to our back yard, which you have to walk down a hill to get to...

Sometimes... you know exactly why someone is a contract Amazon delivery person, and not running a tool and die business / a teacher / a UPS driver, a Master Guns, etc.
 
I think Amazon needs to make it very clear that your package could be delivered at those hours and give you the option to opt out or in with having to agree to it at least two different times when you checkout also send notifications to your chosen device. If you live out in a rural area might not be a bad idea to let your neighbors know in advance that there is a chance an Amazon delivery could be made at those hours.

What if all delivery vehicles were required to have a strobe light on the top of their vehicles that strobed a certain color combination like maybe yellow and purple?

Go ahead and laugh at the idea, but when some poor delivery driver gets mistakenly shot in the middle of the night wouldn't be long before it would be law.
They do. If you can’t read on your own and have to be asked twice stop using the computer.
 
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They do. If you can’t read on your own and have to be asked twice stop using the computer.
I order from Amazon a good bit and they absolutely do not state that the delivery hours could be at those early morning hours.

And apparently they make it so obvious the OP and his friend knew nothing of it also.

I guess you have a special Amazon account where they let you know.
 
This really wouldn't be nearly as big an issue if Amazon was actually not being cheap greedy corporate bastards.
If Amazon actually spent the money to have folks driving big Amazon branded vehicles via their subcontractors
(Because like any good greedy corporate type, everything is done only by "subcontractors" so nobody can hold you accountable).


Instead they are being super cheap and running essentially their own like uber version of package delivery making their drivers use their own vehicles to deliver stuff.

I do have to admit however, I was surprised to find out UPS was doing this too. Had someone drive up in some beat up 4 door sedan and rummage around in the trunk for a bit and pull out a package and drop it off at my door and it was UPS and not Amazon it seems.
 
I order from Amazon a good bit and they absolutely do not state that the delivery hours could be at those early morning hours.

And apparently they make it so obvious the OP and his friend knew nothing of it also.

I guess you have a special Amazon account where they let you know.
Well I choose or deny it, so do others. Guess everyone one else is the morons.
 
Yeah I guess we are all morons when we don’t even get the fucking option to choose or deny it… like I said, I’m glad you’re special and get the option apparently, nobody else does.

I have a special account.
 

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I didnt know about those early morning deliveries but this time of year it's pretty common to see the "holiday helper" sort of randoms out and about delivering for everyone, heaven forbid we staff appropriately for the busiest time of the year
 
Admittedly, we live in podunk. But we don't get the option of choosing delivery hours. Not only that, but most things take much longer than two days around here. And the shitty Amazon delivery drivers have nothing identifying their vehicle or themselves as Amazon delivery service.

They actually put in a small warehouse here a little over a year ago, and started up their own Amazon shipping service. It's been terrible ever since.
 
Ok, so I will admit I was ignorant I didn’t realize they delivered that early in certain areas in my area I can tell you I’ve never had that option or seen deliveries done that early, but nonetheless it still sounds like it doesn’t matter if you choose the option or not they still deliver whenever the fuck they want to.
 
All these delivery drivers are a security nightmare. Suddenly it is not all all suspicious for plain cloths strangers to be in your yard. Neighbor’s figure it’s just door-dash or one of the other plethora of delivery mutants.

Even uniform services like UPS, fed ex and USPS have non-uniformed workers. Hell, I had a Postal Inspector and his partner, come to my door and the two of them looked like they just walked off a construction site.
 
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All these delivery drivers are a security nightmare. Suddenly it is not all all suspicious for plain cloths strangers to be in your yard. Neighbor’s figure it’s just door-dash or one of the other plethora of delivery mutants.

Even uniform services like UPS, fed ex and USPS have non-uniformed workers. Hell, I had a Postal Inspector and his partner, come to my door and the two of them looked like they just walked off a construction site.

Are you short on ammo?
 
All these delivery drivers are a security nightmare. Suddenly it is not all all suspicious for plain cloths strangers to be in your yard. Neighbor’s figure it’s just door-dash or one of the other plethora of delivery mutants.

Even uniform services like UPS, fed ex and USPS have non-uniformed workers. Hell, I had a Postal Inspector and his partner, come to my door and the two of them looked like they just walked off a construction site.
Random stranger in plain clothes, is it the Amazon delivery or the Uber driver? 🤔
 
Anyone else having Amazon deliveries at odd hours?

A buddy had a car driving very slowly past his rural home at 3:30 in the morning. After multiple times, it pulled into his driveway, the driver exited and began walking around his house. The driver then met the homeowner (and his 1911 and taclight). The African's shaky English was even shakier until they sorted things out.
He was an Amazon driver trying to find the correct address and figure out which door to drop the package at.
Totally legit, and now better educated on the risks of being a stranger walking around a farmstead at night.

I assumed that this was a very rare occurrence and or only happened in my buddy's area.
Until I heard gravel at 4:00am...

A small SUV slowly crept up my long narrow dead end gravel drive (way in the middle of nowhere) and stopped beside my truck.
I assumed the worst, and yelled out asking what they were doing and shined the front of the vehicle.
(no license plate on the front)
The dome light then came on revealing a small young black person. (my black friends are much larger and much older)
I definitely didn't know this person, or vehicle, so I waited to see what they would do.

A little lady slowly exited and walked in front of her headlights holding a package high in the air.
She stood there a few seconds and announced "package delivery, Amazon". I inquired "at this hour?" and she said they deliver 3:00 to 7:00am.

I realized that it was probably legit, told her to set it in front of the steps, thanked her, and told her to have a nice day.
(I figured I had already scared her half to death so I was tying to sound much more friendly than before!)

Of course it was actually for my neighbor, which she soon realized and came back up the drive.
We told her to just carry it across to his house which she did. Apparently, she needed a picture or a scan because no sooner then she backed away from my place she drove up to my neighbors house (combat Vet). I thought "Oh Shit" she's determined to get herself shot.
Fortunately, all went well and she was on her way.

I'm all for expedient package deliveries, but this seems like a bad idea.
I am however, glad that I am aware of it for future reference.

Thought it was worth sharing in case someone else encountered a similar event.
I've had some 5am deliveries, usually my coffee that I order. I live out in the sticks, with a gravel driveway. I'd be a bit worked up by a 3am delivery myself. I'm more likely to confront through the camera than a firearm personally, unless they were coming in the house or shop, which changes things. Might be a bit different if I was even further out in the sticks.
 
Anyone else having Amazon deliveries at odd hours?

A buddy had a car driving very slowly past his rural home at 3:30 in the morning. After multiple times, it pulled into his driveway, the driver exited and began walking around his house. The driver then met the homeowner (and his 1911 and taclight). The African's shaky English was even shakier until they sorted things out.

I'm all for expedient package deliveries, but this seems like a bad idea.
I am however, glad that I am aware of it for future reference.

Thought it was worth sharing in case someone else encountered a similar event.

I have had delivery options that said (4a - 7a). I try to avoid those unless I can't. I can do 7a-10a, though. If I have to do a 4a-7a, then I get up and anticipate it and keep my security cameras on. meeting it as it arrives near my driveway. In a way, that helps because it means they won't trip the security system and alert me, in a bad way.