My packages delivered by USPS and UPS are in plain sight in front of my door.

[no_hypocrisy]

Easily visible from the street. And subject to theft. It could be hours before I get home from work after delivery.

I bit the proverbial bullet and rented a post office box where my packages can be safely delivered and held for pick up.

And there's a UPS store 2-3 miles from my home. Same thing. Delivery and hold for pick up.

Yeah, the $150 annual fee is excessive for my purposes, but at least I have a guaranty of claiming what I've ordered.

[hlthe2b]

1. Wow. I get why you are doing it, I just hate that package theft has gotten so bad that you need to.

I've been fortunate and my neighborhood hasn't been targeted. Nearly all (not me) have door cameras and there is enough coming and going among residents/residences that there is at least some deterrence--including regular (and paid) dog walkers. We also have a lot of people who work from home or are retired.

But, quite obviously all could change in a heartbeat. And we aren't immune to targeted crime as catalytic converter theft hit us a few years ago.

[True Blue American]

2. Are you ordering from Amazon?

I use Walmart Plus for $49.00 a year. Get the same things. If I want to return an item I simply return it online, they will pick it up.. but I usually return it to the store because It is close.

And how much would Amazon charge you to pick up your packages from their store?

Kroger just gave me free delivery because I am a long time customer.

I am not cheap, just thrifty!🥴😉🫤

ButI am usually home or coming back. My RING doorbell tells me I have a package.

Some companies will put them in your garage free. Check all your options

The only problem with on line shopping is that it is too easy.

[Shermann]

4. The Ring doorbell also provides a measure of security

It's not foolproof, but having a visible camera on your front porch will give a pirate pause. They can wear a mask, but walking around a neighborhood in a mask draws attention as well. Criminals don't like to commit crimes in front of cameras.

[mopinko]

5. amazon lets u pick up free in a bunch of places.

here they have banks of lockers in the parks and a lot of grocery stores. u can pick up at most ups stores, too.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Good Advice

There are pickup lockers in our town & there's only 6,000 people here.
They make this pretty available.

[mopinko]

8. also whole foods.

[mitch96]

3. I made a cardboard sign that says "place package here". It is out of sight but close to the door.

Instead of leaning on the door it's just a bit to the right, and out of sight..
Works for me..
m

[eppur_se_muova]

6. I once woke up to find FedEx had dropped a package at my front door while I was sleeping off a headache ...

Didn't hear a knock. All my other packages were left at the Apartment Manager's office, and a note left on my door, which seemed to be the default for USPS, and I guess UPS as well.

From the shape and size of the package, anyone could have guessed it was a laptop computer.

This "I don't need to knock" policy is a disservice to their customers. OTOH, I'm sure it got started because (a) people took too long to answer the door, and (b) were too often abusive and even threatening to the drivers. I hate to imagine what abuse USPS employees might be subjected to by MAGAts, just for being gov't employees. Hell, I know some anti-gov't extremist murdered a census worker just for doing his job (probably temporary, at that).

[Phentex]

9. I was home and watched the mail carrier toss a small package into the gutter in front of my mail box

I don't know if gutter is the right word but the part of the street where the rain flows. Like could not be bothered to toss it beside my mailbox or at the bush that lives there but no just into the gutter.

We used to have great mail carriers but lately we get other people's mail or have stuff left right at the street.

I've thought about a UPS box too. But I really don't order very much.

[kimbutgar]

10. I have a huge bush by my front door that can safely hide packages

I have a sign saying please place packages here or over the gate. I had thought about removing it when we relandscaped our front yard but I’m glad we didn’t.

[IcyPeas]

14. That can work. But they sometimes follow the amazon trucks and watch where things are delivered

It's easy pickin's for these thieves.

[Luciferous]

11. I bought a deck box for packages

Put it by my front door with a sticker that says to put packages in it.

[OldBaldy1701E]

15. Yep. I have a box as well.

It is not exactly big, so some packages won't fit, but the smaller one that are easier to sneak away with will fit. The hatch only opens one way. It has a setup like a mailbox in that you are only able to access the hatch itself, then as you close, it dumps into the box.

[Grammy23]

12. Upon arriving home from our Thanksgiving get away

We pulled into our driveway to see a square box by our front door. As I walked up the sidewalk, I thought it looked familiar, although neither of us remembered ordering anything. Turned out it was my husband’s Cologard (colon cancer home screening test). We both got a laugh at the thought of a porch pirate snatching that box only to discover what it was!

Don’t blame you a bit for getting a more secure place to receive packages. Porch pirates are a nuisance and blight on society. We have a Ring doorbell camera so any would-be-thieves at least would be videoed in the act.

[IzzaNuDay]

13. our porch was pirated 30 years ago.

at the time we ordered some hardware, and poof! gone from our porch! We’ve been renting a box ever since then. It’s close to home and convenient.

[Beacool]

16. I ordered some gift cards from Amazon.

I could have bought them at any store, but I wanted the pretty Christmas packaging. Two arrived on Sunday. The delivery guy left the package on the outside steps, basically on the sidewalk of a small, but busy city. I live in an apartment building. The outer door is kept unlocked, he could have put it in the vestibule where the mailboxes are located. Luckily, one of my neighbors saw the envelope and placed it inside.