With the rise in online shopping, it's important to take the necessary steps to lower your risk of package theft.
Today, people are shopping and ordering items online more and more. The ease and convenience are undeniable but unfortunately, package theft can happen. At CHARLESGATE, we're constantly working on ways to assist in curbing the issue but there are a few things you can do directly to lower your risk of having an important package stolen.
- Use an Alternate Address - Oftentimes packages are delivered during working hours. If you're not home during that time, a quick solution could be to have important items delivered directly to your office. Alternatively, you could have items delivered to a friend or family member's house who is home during delivery hours. One thing to keep in mind if you do choose this option is that you will have to bring the item home from work or the friend/family member's house so this may not be the best solution for large or cumbersome items.
- Request a Signature on Delivery - To prevent a package from being left on your doorstep unattended, you can request that the package only be released with your signature. Without a valid signature, the package will be returned to the post office or delivery store (like a UPS store) and you will be left with a pickup slip with which you can go and pick up your parcel at a time that's convenient for you. This is an especially great option for expensive items such as electronics. Do keep in mind that with this option, your ability to pick up your package is dependent upon the post office or delivery store hours.
- Get a P.O. Box or Opt For Store Pickup - You can opt for a post office box at your local post office or many delivery services also have "local pickup" options that include pickup in-store (like a UPS store) or at a secure locker storage system (like Amazon). Additionally, some retailers allow you to "ship to store" so you can order from home and stop by the store at your convenience to pick up your order. Typically with a "ship to store" option you're given alerts every step of the way from the order confirmation, to order acceptance, and pickup ready. Keep in mind that if you do opt for your own personal P.O. box, there typically is a monthly or annual fee associated with it.
- Ask For Help - If you know an important package is due to arrive but you won't be home to receive it, ask a neighbor for help! That's the beauty of living in a condominium community. You could either ship the package directly to your neighbor's home or you could ask them to pick it up from your doorstep if they see it has arrived. If there's nobody in the building you feel comfortable asking for help, you can always opt for option one and ship the item directly to a friend or family member's house. You should also be sure to check with your delivery provider for the option to schedule delivery at a time that's convenient for you.