Delivery-Sharing
Amazon is developing a new app that would have regular people -- as opposed to formal delivery services -- delivering its packages.
Greg Bensinger writes in the WSJ:
In its ceaseless quest to speed delivery, Amazon.com Inc. wants to turn the U.S. into a nation of couriers.The Seattle retailer is developing a mobile application that would, in some cases, pay ordinary people, rather than carriers such as United Parcel Service Inc., to drop off packages en route to other destinations, according to people familiar with the matter.
As envisioned, Amazon would enlist brick-and-mortar retailers in urban areas to store the packages, likely renting space from them or paying a per-package fee, the people said. Amazon's timing for the service, known internally as "On My Way," couldn't be learned, and it is possible the company won't move ahead, the people said.
An Amazon spokeswoman declined to comment.
The service could give Amazon more control over the shopping experience and help contain shipping costs that grew 31% last year, faster than revenue. It also might give the retailer negotiating leverage with the largest carriers.
People in the WSJ comments grumbled about how the deliverers could steal your package, but the reality is, Amazon can verify them the same way other sharing economy companies do, and if anything's taken, they can easily replace it.
Given the success of Úber, this is the next logical step…
Radwaste at June 20, 2015 3:20 AM
They were already doing the retail location delivery - at least in some markets. I have been given the option to have it delivered to a local store - 7-11 i think - were I could then goto to pick it up rather than have it sitting on my doorstep. I haven't tried it.
The Former Banker at June 20, 2015 9:18 AM
"People in the WSJ comments grumbled about how the deliverers could steal your package . . ."
And further the reality is that some professional delivery people steal packages too. They have been known to damage them through stupid acts like throwing them over a fence instead of opening a gate or throw them out the back of a truck, etc. They have been known to just leave them at a door and have strangers steal them off your porch.
In other words, the delivery services have gotten a couple of black eyes in the last few years.
If Amazon, or any other retailer, wants to offer a lower priced delivery and still guarantee that I will get the product no matter what I'd give it a try.
charles at June 20, 2015 10:07 AM
I cant't wait to get my new 300-lb exercylcle delivered by a petit woman driving a Nissan Leaf.
Conan the Grammarian at June 21, 2015 10:49 AM
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