These lockers are good, but what I think we should really improve is the quality/performance of our mailing/delivery systems. The lockers are just a patch to the existing lame systems.
If a company can deliver all days in a week (including weekends) and all time in a day (including evenings and nights), and the delivery men really called before they left a note, that company would win the game.
I actually think lockers are more convenient because I don't even have to think about the day and time. I just pick up my package when it's convenient.
I also imagine customized delivery times would increase costs and make logistics more difficult. The only place I know offhand that has customized delivery times is Tokyo, so I wonder how they manage. Probably more affordable in a high density area with couriers.
One of the major problems with carriers is that they are being pushed to drive costs down from retailers who can demand it. Residential deliveries are costly because 50% fail on the first attempt (this is why UPS charges an extra $1.25 for residential deliveries). Shipping is quickly becoming a commodity. Locker delivery enables delivery density (multiple parcels at one stop), saves huge costs compared to traditional residential deliveries, and makes returns a whole lot easier and cheaper.
I think at least they can first call you before they attempt to deliver the package. If you are not there, then just keep the package for the next day's delivery. This will avoid the delivery failure and save time of both sides.
As I understand it the van driver gets a computer generated route with delivery stops, their GPS then gives directions for the next stop. They enter delivery details and are tracked by a centralised computer.
Given this couldn't the central computer take the driver's current location and call/text the customer with an estimated delivery time that's going to likely be within a half-hour error window (closer I'd think in town). The logisticians must have a pretty good idea of the timing for a route after all.
So when you sign up you'd ask to be notified n hours before delivery. Once the route is calculated, with say n=1, if you're first drop then you'd have a call/text (1 hour) - (first leg duration) before the driver starts their round.
Wouldn't such a system reduce delivery failures, anyone know of a company that's tried such automated delivery notifications based on routing data? [and reverted?]
My FedEx driver used to call me 5-10 minutes before delivery. Was perfect to not miss a delivery due to being in the shower/down to the corner store for bread/etc. Or if I wasn't home he wouldn't even have to attempt the delivery.
Then they removed the drivers' cell phones as a "cost saving measure", and then the driver instead had to drive out to my place 2-3 times to make a delivery, wasting his time.
If a company can deliver all days in a week (including weekends) and all time in a day (including evenings and nights), and the delivery men really called before they left a note, that company would win the game.