Mystery solved

[Hawkmoon]

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that several deliveries from Amazon were left either in the mailbox or on the front step, but the tracking info said "Handed to customer." The first time I thought it was a mistake, but when it happened several more times I cleverly deduced that there must be some reason.

Now I know the reason: https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxdbnw/i-had-nothing-to-my-name-amazon-delivery-companies-are-being-crushed-by-debt

Adding to the complications, Amazon required all packages in the city of Boston to be hand=delivered to the customer, staffed mailroom, or receptionist, or else the driver would receive an infraction. “Basically we were risking our own lives to deliver Amazon packages. In most places, you are able to go to a front door, take a photo, mark it delivered, and leave. In the city of Boston, if a driver did not give it to a person, he was written up. It took a lot of extra time to contact the customer, wait, and redeliver. We delivered 3 million packages that year.” Amazon delivery companies can lose money from both undelivered packages and packages not delivered to a person. “We were damned if we delivered, damned if we didn’t,” he said.

I'm not in Boston, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a similar mandate here. But I live alone, and I have a day job -- so there's almost no chance a delivery driver is going to find me at home when they come -- and if I am at home, I may not answer a knock on the door, or I may do so with a gun in my hand. (But they don't know that.) So, basically, it looks like Amazon's stupid rules are forcing the delivery drivers to lie.

On a broader topic, you'd think Jeff Bezos could afford to allow the delivery companies a fair chance to actually make a living wage, but apparently that's not his style. He really is a despicable human being. I rate him about as low as I rate Bill Gates -- maybe even lower (but I'm not sure that's possible).

[Nick1911]

On a broader topic, you'd think Jeff Bezos could afford to allow the delivery companies a fair chance to actually make a living wage, but apparently that's not his style. He really is a despicable human being. I rate him about as low as I rate Bill Gates -- maybe even lower (but I'm not sure that's possible).

And yet:

...several deliveries from Amazon...

Why are you doing business with someone you despise?

[Ben]

Yesterday, I happened to be at the front of my driveway where it meets the county road 1/4 mile from the house. The UPS guy drove up with a package, and I took it there so he wouldn't have to make the drive to my house. He was happy.

I tried to do the same thing with Amazon some months back under the same circumstances, and he said he wasn't allowed to give me the package there, so I followed him back to the house. It was a large package that I was putting in my shop. He couldn't give it to me there either. We had to walk to the front door of the house so he could record delivery there.

My Amazon packages randomly say "left at front porch" or "handed directly to resident" regardless of how I get them.

[Hawkmoon]

And yet:

Why are you doing business with someone you despise?

Because there are things available on Amazon that I can't find anywhere else.

[MechAg94]

Sounds like Amazon is conning people into working as contractors with no defined contract or any guarantees. 

[Grandpa Shooter]

And yet:

Why are you doing business with someone you despise?

If we didn't do business with someone we despise we wouldn't get to buy much.  From petroleum companies to importers of foreign made goods, to foreign owned hotels, motels and convenience stores, to medical holding companies who dictate local medical care, to sloppy surgeons and shady lawyers, who would we do business with.  We are so overrun with corruption and greed it doesn't leave many options for fair trade at fair prices.

[Bogie]

Since most of my recommendations seem to be horrible lately, you can take this one with a grain of salt.
 
I've never had an Amazon package delivered to my house. And I get probably a half-dozen a month. Big stuff goes to work, but I don't really like to do that. For most of my use, there is...
 
https://www.amazon.com/ulp/view

[Nick1911]

Because there are things available on Amazon that I can't find anywhere else.

Interesting.  Not a situation I've run into, but I'm sure you and I buy very different things online.

Amazon has been criticized as a monopsony though, so I could see it for some goods.

Care to share a few things that you've found to be amazon-only?

[French G.]

I was on the phone for near an hour with UPS laying into them for me not possessing a next day air package that tracking showed delivered. I had finally gotten to the boss and was on the phone getting the same run around about me checking the bushes etc. Watching from 3/4 mile away as the driver finally entered my driveway. They had no good answer when I told them that. That was 15 years ago. The career of that driver depends on the metrics. They will do anything possible to not get dinged.

[kgbsquirrel]

Interesting.  Not a situation I've run into, but I'm sure you and I buy very different things online.

Amazon has been criticized as a monopsony though, so I could see it for some goods.

Care to share a few things that you've found to be amazon-only?

I just learned a new word!  Thank you.

[230RN]

monopsony

Huh.  Seen it, or at least a few semi-monopsonies, didn't know what to call them.  I think a large grocery chain qualifies, or is trying to.  This was where I first started to suspect this business tactic without knowing what to call it.

Thanks.

[Hawkmoon]

Care to share a few things that you've found to be amazon-only?

Frankly, I think it's presumptuous of you to ask. However, since you'll (at least privately) accuse me of being a liar of I don't respond:

Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and KitKats -- made with white chocolate. They do exist and, since I can't have ANY caffeine due to my heart condition, I can't eat any candy that's made with regular chocolate. In the past I was able to get the white KitKats and Reese's Cups at the store in the VA hospital, but they dropped them about six months ago.

There are other things, as well.

[Nick1911]

Frankly, I think it's presumptuous of you to ask. However, since you'll (at least privately) accuse me of being a liar of I don't respond:

Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and KitKats -- made with white chocolate. They do exist and, since I can't have ANY caffeine due to my heart condition, I can't eat any candy that's made with regular chocolate. In the past I was able to get the white KitKats and Reese's Cups at the store in the VA hospital, but they dropped them about six months ago.

There are other things, as well.

Ah, I didn't realize it was an inappropriate question.  Sorry.

I don't buy food products online, so it's not a situation I've run into.

[Hawkmoon]

I don't buy food products online, so it's not a situation I've run into.

I don't, either -- except for stuff I can't find locally. Such as the aforementioned candy cars. Or the non-caffeine version of Ovaltine.

[Devonai]

I've had a craving for Atomic Fireballs lately (possibly inspired by current events?) and can't find them anywhere but Amazon. Still, I haven't ordered any 'cause the smallest size they have is one pound.

[cordex]

I've had a craving for Atomic Fireballs lately (possibly inspired by current events?) and can't find them anywhere but Amazon. Still, I haven't ordered any 'cause the smallest size they have is one pound.

I found them at Menards when I last looked for them. That is how you know it is a real hardware store.

[JTHunter]

The only "amazons" I know are the female warriors like Grace Jones in "Conan the Destroyer".