# An Amazon delivery-My story begins **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 23, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336 "2026-05-23T17:15:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/1 "2026-05-23T17:15:02Z")
So, yesterday morning I ordered a couple of large paperback books from Amazon Prime. They were supposed to be delivered this morning and, by gum, I got a notice in my email this morning that they arrived and were signed for and handed over to the clerk at the reception desk. We don’t have a reception desk or a clerk, but there is an office that is closed, locked and unlit until Tuesday morning. Naturally, I rushed downstairs and found…nothing. No package anywhere inside or out (in case it was dropped outside the door). I even checked the secure package concierge section where they were supposed to put it in the first place. I then checked the hotel next to us and the other hotel across the street. Nothing. I contacted Amazon Prime and had a lovely little chat with their lovely little chatbot, who told me to get back to them on the 25th of May if it still wasn’t there. I’ll let you know, good or bad. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/2 "2026-05-23T17:44:41Z")
Madame Pepperwinkle’s in an assisted living facility. She’s ordered a number of things from Prime, and the greater majority of items do reach her. Other times, they’ve even provided photos of where they dropped off the packages. Not part of her facility at all. She usually manages to get a refund. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/3 "2026-05-23T17:55:36Z")
Yes, get refunded. Reorder. That package is irretrievably lost. IMHO ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/4 "2026-05-23T18:25:38Z")
On occasion I’ve had Amazon packages delivered to the wrong address. It’s helpful when they provide a photo of the delivered package, because I can usually tell which of my neighbors’ porches they’ve photographed. I’ve also sometimes had Amazon report a package as delivered when it wasn’t, but then it showed up a day or two later. However, since the OP received the specific info that it was left with a clerk and was signed for, it seems more likely that it went to the wrong address. I wonder if Amazon can show you a copy of the signature? I’m not sure that would help much though. In all cases in which a package was lost, I had no problem getting a refund from Amazon. In one case, I saw a package on my mailbox, but a couple hours later when I went out to get it, it had been stolen. Amazon even gave me a refund in that case, even though I made it clear that the package loss was not their fault. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/5 "2026-05-23T19:11:57Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > On occasion I’ve had Amazon packages delivered to the wrong address. It’s helpful when they provide a photo of the delivered package, because I can usually tell which of my neighbors’ porches they’ve photographed. A couple of times they have delivered next door and as in your case I recognized my neighbor’s porch. I have had excellent experiences returning and/or getting refunds. I was disappointed when I was refunded for the humming bird feeders Madame Plant wanted. I was willing to wait longer than a week. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/6 "2026-05-23T19:33:52Z")
Hey I’ve had things like that. It’s ok Amazon, I can live without a frivolous thinga-majig a few days. ---
**Author:** ![ASanders](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asanders/32/3367_2.png) [@ASanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASanders)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/7 "2026-05-23T20:46:51Z")
I had a couple of different things over a few weeks delivered to a neighbor a while back, including a food delivery. Odd, I thought, so I Googled my own address. Lo and behold, Google maps had gotten confused and somehow switched the numbers on our houses. I submitted a correction and the misdirected deliveries stopped. Now if I can only get drivers to recognize the front door as opposed to the side door, that would be a victory! ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/8 "2026-05-23T22:00:43Z")
If it’s Amazon doing the delivery, you never know where or when it’s going to be. I loathe when I check on track package and it says “TBDxxxx”, that means it’s with their drivers. I’m also irked with the drivers who claim they come to the museum where I work and claim the business is closed. Perhaps try opening the front door? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/9 "2026-05-23T22:43:19Z")
I’ve been really lucky with Amazon deliveries, except that they usually don’t ring the doorbell (I blame the company for rushing them so much they can’t take that extra three seconds). Sometimes on delivery day I manage to look at the delivery info at the right time to see the little map with the truck “5 stops away” or whatever the number is, so I can be out front waiting for it. I think being in a single family home makes all the difference, plus I have great big house numbers in the front of the porch, they can’t miss them, and there is really only one place to put packages. Most drivers even try to angle the package to hide it from the street, or if it is small enough they toss it over the top of the security gate. Amazon itself is not so great with keeping their initial promise about when a package will be delivered, even though I pay for Prime. I am resigned to such things, on-time delivery is rarely critical to any of the packages I get, and there seems to be no point in complaining to them about it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/10 "2026-05-23T23:23:11Z")
But these were books I planned to relax with over the long weekend. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/11 "2026-05-23T23:28:15Z")
IME Amazon’s own delivery service is 99% perfect. Better than any alternative service. For anything that goes awry, simply ask for a refund. The only thing that will ever improve delivery accuracy is them having to pay full price for every mistake they make. Darn shame something you wanted ASAP is lost. But we all need to expect that sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/12 "2026-05-23T23:35:35Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’ve been really lucky with Amazon deliveries, except that they usually don’t ring the doorbell (I blame the company for rushing them so much they can’t take that extra three seconds). Lucky us, small packages on our porch are usually not visible from the street. But we’ve never, not once, had an Amazon delivery person ring the doorbell. I’ve wondered about that, but since I usually get a text with the photo within seconds, I’ve begun to suspect that they (rightly) consider that equivalent to ringing the doorbell. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/13 "2026-05-24T00:28:18Z")
Can’t cry over spilt milk. I’m sorry you don’t have your books. Might wanna look into alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/14 "2026-05-24T00:59:42Z")
I don’t have Prime, so my Amazon deliveries take a little longer, but I’ve never had a problem with a delivery. Perhaps all the more remarkable because out here in the boonies they use a third-party contractor. Nevertheless they’re fully automated with the route map that pops up when they’re about half a dozen stops away, and the delivery picture that instantly pops up on their website. They never ring the doorbell but always just leave the package on the front porch. I’m fine with that. As @LSLGuy said, their service is far better than any alternative, even with third-party contractors. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/15 "2026-05-24T01:20:58Z")
I live in a little collection of single Units, so if Amazon say it’s delivered but it’s not outside my door, guaranteed they are at one of the neighbouring Units instead, as the houses are not very clearly numbered. But 90% of the time they take photos, so that’s an even better guide for me. Also I think that I get the same few courier drivers, and they’ve learned who is who. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/16 "2026-05-24T11:51:46Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > except that they usually don’t ring the doorbell (I blame the company for rushing them so much they can’t take that extra three seconds). I believe they are instructed not to. Lotta people sleep during the day or don’t want their doorbell rung because it sets off their dogs, or whatever. Easier to not bother and thereby avoid pissing off WAG 15% of the customers. Their near-real time emails about the delivery can serve the same purpose. I have my email client, Outlook, configured to play a special noise when an Amazon delivery notification email arrives. If anyone anywhere has a problem with porch pirates, the solution is not instant delivery notification. The solution is a lockable drop box of some sort. Which might be the Amazon Locker facility in a nearby store. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/17 "2026-05-24T14:38:37Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Their near-real time emails about the delivery can serve the same purpose. This is very true. In my case they seem to take about 5 minutes, and if I’m not sitting at my computer it may be a lot longer before I see them, which makes me nervous about porch pirates, even though so far (knock on wood) I have never had one. They do still occasionally ring the bell. Maybe they didn’t get the memo. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/18 "2026-05-24T19:57:53Z")
Update: Got the books! Either someone stole the package from the table it was left on, or the Amazon driver let any idiot they could find in the lobby scribble their name and take it but, either way, I found the open package sitting on the table in the lobby this morning, books intact. It seems my taste in books isn’t quite universal in nature. Yay! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/19 "2026-05-24T20:01:26Z")
Yay..success!! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336/20 "2026-05-24T20:28:29Z")
Well, @Czarcasm did end up with his books. Hooray for that! But the delivery _process_ was an abject failure. “We just threw the package into the unguarded publicly accessible lobby of an apartment complex and walked away” is by no means a successful process. It’s a process designed to lose / have stolen a sizeable fraction of every delivery. Amazon’s customer profile does have ways to get pretty specific about when and how you’ll accept deliveries. On the **[Your Addresses - Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/a/addresses?ref_=ya_d_c_addr)** page inside each address card there’s an “Add delivery instructions” link right below the address and phone number. It isn’t infinitely flexible to accommodate every possible permutation of situation. And driver compliance with your (my) requests is less than 100%. But _if_ you live in anything _other than_ - a detached single family house - _and_ with the front door facing the street that matches your address - _and_ Google maps correctly finds your house and puts the pin in the right place given only your address - _and_ you’re not in a gated community _then_ you can probably improve your delivery success rate with some delivery instructions. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-delivery-my-story-begins/1030336.md?page=2)