Don’t Knock It

They show up nearly every day. They know your shopping habits. They know your schedule. At this point, you might as well invite them in. At least that seems to be the working theory in Austria as it becomes the first European country to roll out an in-home package delivery service. Note, I didn’t say at home, or in front of home. In-home. “The prerequisite is a so-called smart lock … Once installed, postal staff can unlock the door via a mobile device, place the package on a designated doormat inside, and lock up again upon leaving.” Bloomberg: In Austria, Parcel Carriers Can Now Enter Homes for Deliveries. While allowing strangers into your front door might sound like a knock-knock joke without the knocking, demand for the service has been high. And it’s not just a European thing. “In the US. Amazon.com Inc. offers in-garage delivery via a smart key, and Walmart Inc. even unloads groceries directly into customers’ fridges.” At this point, our Amazon delivery guy spends so much time at our house, he may as well take the guest bedroom.