Amazon Japan announces locker delivery service at train stations and convenience stores

Now this is forward thinking. Great idea and very convenient IF it works without errors such as being sent to the wrong 'hub' location. I would rather pick up an item from a locker on my way home than put some driver through having to come back because I was stuck at work or something else had held me up. Plus the stress is now reduced as well since I assume these 'hub' locations will be accessible 24/7.

Why would you need to go to a locker rather than receive at home?

Great idea and very convenient IF it works without errors such as being sent to the wrong 'hub' location.

I don't see why it wouldn't, as they have been employing these lockers successfully in the US for years.

I would rather pick up an item from a locker on my way home than put some driver through having to come back because I was stuck at work or something else had held me up. 

Can't you already do that now from konbini? It's just not self-serve.

Why would you need to go to a locker rather than receive at home?

Because you may not be home when they deliver; because it's a surprise for someone in your family; because it's something you want to keep secret; etc

Many new apartment buildings in Japan have this type of electronic locker system. My building has had one for over 10 years, so I never miss a delivery. It's very convenient.

The only problem you get from time to time is when you order something large and all the large sized lockers are occupied, or when the package/letter requires a signature.

Next thing you'll see is someone have a go at hijacking a complete locker complex, with a truck or forklift. I didn't say they would suceed, but i'm sure some idiot will have a go.

I hope their properly monitored from all directions and Amazon has the appropriate extra insurance coverage.

Does anyone know how the pudo system works? I thinks it’s similar but could never find English instructions.

We can get our amazon deliveries sent to local shops in the UK if we want. We can also return goods via them for free. It's pretty handy; however, 95% of the time, I just get my deliveries sent to my home.

Because you are working, away on vacation, more green.

Everyone works. Unless you are ordering emergency insulin, or are homeless, it still makes little sense not to have it delivered to your home. You know when you are away on vacation, therefore no reason to order things. Just wait until home. More green? It's still being delivered, not saving anything going to a locker vs home.

Not a fan of Amazon,bought a printer from another on line site for 10% cheaper plus received 3000 points worth 3000 yen

Amazon could change some of it's rules to ease the burden on drivers.

For example, you can not choose a date/time if you are not a prime member, but if the first attempt of delivery fails, then you can choose a date and time for the redelivery.  Doing that from the beginning could have saved the driver from wasting time.

Another thing they could change is allowing the customer to choose a different location for subscriptions. I always ask Amazon to deliver to the nearest Yamato Transport center, so I can go when I come back from work and they don't waste time coming when I'm out.  When you are subscribed to any item, you can't choose a konbini or delivery center, so there's a chance the driver will come when I'm not at home.

Not a bad idea... for those wishing to receive dubious items without being subjected to the gaze of neighbors, or gossip between the local Amazon delivery staff which will clearly reach beyond their own circles.

For convenience, and inline with their drone experimentation, Amazon could alternatively provide Locker boxes to be installed outside peoples homes to which their drones could home into and unlock and place ordered items.

goldiehawnedSep. 20  07:03 pm JST

Because you are working, away on vacation, more green.

Everyone works. Unless you are ordering emergency insulin, or are homeless, it still makes little sense not to have it delivered to your home. You know when you are away on vacation, therefore no reason to order things. Just wait until home. More green? It's still being delivered, not saving anything going to a locker vs home.

The are plenty of reasons not to have it delivered to your home, some already mentioned and another is theft. If it's left at your door, as packages sometimes are in our open-hall building, anyone can walk by and take it.

There is not always an unlimited amount of the items you may want/need. Many times, when youre trying to order something, the site lists how many items are available and waiting would mean you'd be unlikely to get it.

Delivering to a central location also means fewer stops and starts for the truck, which is greener than their having to make many stops to deliver to individual customers' homes and creates less overall road traffic.

Presumably people can choose which locker area or convenience store they want their items delivered to so they can choose a location most convenient for them. For us that also saves time as the truck transport centers nearest us are still much further away than the convenience store drop points.

Another thing to consider is that if you do work you do not necessarily know when you'll be able to get home every night. Overtime, schedule changes etc. can mean you won't be available for when you had a package scheduled to arrive, whereas the lockers and convenience stores are always open.

@toolonggone - agree with your posting, though the "size of the locker" becomes a problem... what happens if the item you purchase is too large for the locker ?

Maybe Amazon can provide the "anonymous" option for locker delivery and provide an option to suit the size of your delivery package, (that would be a smarter option), though I wonder if they would have thought of that....