Thoughts on Amazon Key? 

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 10/25/2017 at 20:15 • Filed to: None

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Curious if you would use the service.

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(edit) stressful day, and I’m rambling. Need a drink asap. Preemptive TL:DR - does strangers in your home scare you, assuming you set it up?

While at work, a client had FOX news on, and Amazon Key was a big discussion point. Everyone seemed to be very against the whole idea, and shocked that such a business model would even be proposed by a major company. They closed by saying that Millennials are the only way this could have a chance of succeeding, because Millennials are already sharing everything via social media, etc. So letting strangers into the home isn’t a big deal to them. Just another form of “sharing”.

Millennials seems to be the new catch-all phrase to blame for all of everybody’s problems, ever, and it’s gotten to the point that I generally just tune out anyone who says the M-word, especially when linked with... *shudder* social media, but.... Maybe they have a point?

I’ll be completely honest, the thought of having delivery drivers open my door and place packages inside doesn’t bother me in the slightest. That sounds fantastic. Besides groceries, almost everything I buy is online. With more expensive items especially, I’d love to know that they’re not just sitting on my doorstep in plain sight. The $250 price for the service (along with a camera) is the only thing that would keep me away.

Much like how FOX—and most other publications who’ve brought this up—can’t believe why anyone would agree to such a “crazy” plan, I’m confused as to what everyone is freaking out about. People inside of your home when you’re not there.... Happens quite often. I probably have about 30 new clients a month who leave me a garage code, key under the mat, etc. To get in and do work while they’re not home. Counting repeat customers, I’d say a good third of my clients prefer to have work done when they’re not home. Go in, wash windows, leave bill, exit house, lock up, place key back under the mat. Boom. Simple.

That’s thousands of different homes in a small area, and large enough of a sample size for me to wonder why this package delivery method is getting so much pushback. One of my clients today was watching the FOX piece and seemed shocked at the idea of letting Amazon workers into her home. First time scheduling my company...? Yeah. She left us a key.

Do people actually think these delivery drivers are going to walk inside, and steal/break everything in sight? Honestly?

I don’t get it Oppo. Am I just jaded from working in a specific industry? Just a weird Millennial who thinks differently than other generations? Too trusting of strangers?

Would you use this service?

CaptDale - is secretly British > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:23

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No thanks

E92M3 > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:27

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Yes...IF I didn’t have a dog. Amazon lets them in, by opening the lock connected to your wifi once they are at your home. You have a camera that records everything. It’s not like they have a keycode to get in your house again.

I think it’s pretty cool. But it’s still a huge liability. Won’t take long for a bad news story to come from this. Husband doesn’t know wife ordered shoes 2 days ago, he’s home one day working from home, and the door opens unexpected. Let your imagination run wild here. There’s been plenty of Amazon Flex delivery personnel that have had guns draw on them.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:27

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Millennials are already sharing everything via social media, etc.

Not all of us. In fact, I abhor social media and am very anti-sharing.

I will absolutely never use this service. I, begrudgingly, have a few ‘smart’ home appliances that live on a completely separate internet connection than everything else. I will never have smart speakers either. Any digital assistants on devices are always off, cameras/mics on computers are turned off or disconnected/disabled.

I just can’t see how Amazon can police who they’re hiring for deliveries and what they may or may not do to my house/things.

Plus, my wife and I work from home so we’re always here for deliveries.

Svend > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:28

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To be honest I’m probably quite an exception on OPPO. My front door stays unlocked when I’m in and because we get parcels often the delivery guys know to just knock and come straight in. If there is someone in the room, fine, if not they just leave the parcel on the floor or a chair and leave it. If it needs signed for, most have those stupid touch screen pads so they just do a squiggle for us and go.

We know all the delivery drivers from Yodel, DPD, TNT, etc... that operate in my area.

wafflesnfalafel > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:29

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I really don’t think it’s a weird “Millennial” thing - more of just a generational age thing. We’ve had a few millennial couples move into our neighborhood all bright eyed and bushy tailed - but their tunes have changed after their houses and cars get broken into and they are worried about the safety of there young kids. I’m thinking they will be very similar to their boomer parents actually as a trend. Not a “good” or a “bad” thing, just a normal thing. For some this service could be great, for others it’s a non-starter.

E90M3 > E92M3 10/25/2017 at 20:32

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Yes...IF I didn’t have a dog. goldendoodle.

I know you live in Roswell, don’t lie.

AestheticsInMotion > Svend 10/25/2017 at 20:33

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I get strange looks from people when they find out I don’t deadbolt my door when I’m home.

Or lock my car doors, but that’s just to keep potential thieves from tearing the soft top

AestheticsInMotion > E92M3 10/25/2017 at 20:35

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Fair point. At least around me, people can’t even be bothered to train their dogs to not bark, let alone recognize real intruders

AestheticsInMotion > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 10/25/2017 at 20:39

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Same way any other company does. Background checks for employees are standard, and there’s a camera aimed at the door as a part of the service so there *should* be footage for the entire delivery.

As a younger guy who doesn’t use Facebook I’m right there with you as far as anti social media goes. But privacy.... Doesn’t bother me as much. I figure it’s fighting a losing battle, may as well just enjoy the benefits that come with the reduced privacy. Besides, if you need an escape for awhile that’s what crazy adventures in the middle of nowhere are for!

cluelessk > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:40

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I’d love it. I live in an apartment complex and can’t order anything because it’ll go missing.

Currently I have to get everything shipped to my parents which defeats most the benefits of online shopping.

cluelessk > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:42

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I grew up in a small town. We never locked the doors and one door always stayed open even if no one was home.

Leaving the car doors unlocked is pretty smart and common here in Winnipeg but the police discourage it.

feather-throttle-not-hair > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:46

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Yeah, hell no.

I’m technically a millenial but i do not want other people in my house when i’m not there. And i especially don’t want them there coming in when i am there. I just like my privacy, that’s the whole point of a home for me, a place where i can escape from any sort of social interaction, and de-compress from having to deal with the outside world. It wouldn’t do to have strangers have the ability to barge in at any time, even if its just to drop off a package.

Thing to note: i am an introvert.

AestheticsInMotion > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/25/2017 at 20:49

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That’s a good point. Having random people barge in when I’m home would bother me a lot. I admittedly didn’t think about it from that angle

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:52

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For me, I might make a separate entry closed off from the rest of the house for this kind of thing. But allowing access to my house - no. Too much of a legal liability (for me, not Amazon).

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 10/25/2017 at 20:57

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What’s the reason for paying separate internet for smart appliances like fridges or whatever? At that point just buy a regular fridge.

jminer > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:58

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I think it is definitely an interesting concept. I personally wouldn’t use it because deliveries just get left at my front door. I work in the surveillance and security industry so my job is literally building systems because people aren’t to be trusted.

At the same time while I put my tin foil hat on at work, most people (regardless of age) are pretty trusting and already give facebook/google/amazon/apple all of their data and access to many other security systems. I don’t lock my door when I’m home, or my cars at the house, I don’t actually have a garage door at the moment. If I lived in a city where I couldn’t have packages left at my door then I’d be very on-board for this.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 20:59

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Nope. Nope. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 10/25/2017 at 21:09

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By appliances I meant thermostat, security camera and light hub to control some outdoor lights that don’t have switches. The reasoning is security, maybe taking it a little far or maybe not, but I don’t care.

I will never buy smart appliances in the traditional sense of the word appliance.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:11

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I don’t think I would - maybe my living situation will change in the future and I’d reconsider, but for now it’s an easy no.

My building has a secure locker for most packages (mailman puts package in locker then puts key to said locker in your mailbox) which works only if delivered by Canada Post.

Otherwise, my workplace is OK with employees receiving packages - all my Amazon stuff goes there already.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 10/25/2017 at 21:14

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Why buy smart “appliances” like those lights and stuff rather than use a remote or switch if your going thru the Hassel of separate internet and whatnot, the savings would be huge since the non smart devices are 10x cheaper and don’t require your separate internet

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 10/25/2017 at 21:19

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Because they do provide a level of convenience, especially since we tend to travel a fair bit. The camera allows us to check in on our pets/pet sitter when we’re away. The thermostat allows us to make sure that the temperature inside is comfortable for our pets, especially when the temp outside gets to one extreme or the other and we’re out of the house for a long period. The Philips Hue cost me (with the bulbs) $115 versus an electrician that would’ve cost over $500 or been a much bigger hassle doing the install myself.

As for paying for a second connection, if I can and I’m willing to for some of the admitted conveniences while keeping them possibly too secure on a separate network, then why not? Not to mention that I own all my own networking equipment so the only extra cost is the definitely not top tier service - though our main network is.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:25

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No need at my place, maybe if I lived in the city and shit got stolen all the time.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 10/25/2017 at 21:27

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I guess I can see the convenience, seems like alot of preparation but at the same time it’s not really that much more for the convenience.

I still don’t see how a separate connection is more private but I don’t work in internet and I’m not sure of the benefits

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 10/25/2017 at 21:30

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Not so much about privacy necessarily, it’s about security. Since smart devices and appliances are notoriously insecure, even with whatever level of consumer customization they allow, I’d rather they be separated from computers/tablets/phones that have a lot of sensitive information on them. Not just mine and my wife’s but our respective client’s info as well.

BahamaTodd > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/25/2017 at 21:32

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They’re not just going to walk in. From the FAQ page:

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On delivery day, the driver will knock before requesting access. You can also select “Block Access” in the Amazon Key App at any time up until the package is delivered. The delivery driver will then follow your standard Amazon delivery process.

facw > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:33

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Nope. I don’t like having people in my home when I’m not around. If I need to have someone do work on the place, I vastly prefer to be home. Service holds no appeal to me.

I did once live in a house with with compartment for leaving milk deliveries and such (obviously not used for that for a long time), and it seems like it would make sense for new construction to have a similar package locker considering how much stuff is delivered these days. Even if it didn’t lock, just not having things out in the open would probably reduce theft.

McMike > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:37

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No.

Also because of the required camera in the house

Kiltedpadre > Svend 10/25/2017 at 21:46

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That’s why this service would be great for my in laws. They have long term agreements with the delivery drivers since my MIL can’t walk well at all.

If they’re home the front door is unlocked and the regular UPS and USPS drivers know to just knock and bring packages in. If they aren’t home the postman knows where they hide a key and just sits packages inside. They do live in a very small town which helps.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:49

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Unless they put 4K cameras in enough places to cover every inch of my home, I don’t trust that stranger to not come in and help themselves to what I have or to fuck some shit up. Then I have the concern that they have 24/7 access to the camera(s) (much like their digital assistants) regardless of what they say.

I’m sure there are plenty people that are willing to forgo the concerns for whatever reason, but I’m not one of them. In fact, we know there are because seems like everyone has some sort of Echo or Google assistant device.

And that’s the thing, we will most likely never get to a point where you absolutely have to have these things and services for life to function - so we will always have the option to, essentially, opt-in to keeping our privacy (to a point).

Crazy adventures in the middle of nowhere? I’m in!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:52

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I wouldn’t let a delivery person in the house, but I like the basic idea of the service. If my house had some type of a locker or exterior closet that could be accessed via the service without actually accessing the house, I would be down for it.

There is no way I would let someone access the interior of the house without me there, and anyone who tried currently would have an unfortunate encounter with our trained head of household security.

Wagon Guy drives a Boostang > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 21:54

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Nope. I’m home during the day. No need for this.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 22:01

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victor > AestheticsInMotion 10/25/2017 at 22:59

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We have nest cameras everywhere, and we always have our housekeepers and others go through our house;  so this is fine for us.

AestheticsInMotion > McMike 10/26/2017 at 00:11

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Honestly the camera would bother me more than anything else.

Stapleface > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 07:03

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It’s interesting in theory. And for those that live in an area more likely for packages to get stolen, it makes sense. I believe Walmart was considering doing something similar with food deliveries so the delivery guy could put the cold items in the fridge. That makes sense to me.

Now, would I use it? No. I have four dogs. I can’t see that ending well.

richups > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 08:13

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i work for a delivery company and customers give gate codes and will leave a door unlocked, after i deliver i lock and close the door behind me .if its a regular stop and has large boxes it makes everyone’s life easier..many customers ask me to sign for signature only boxes and leave it at there door .20 years ago maybe ,today you will get fired for it

LongbowMkII > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 11:07

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Amazon just had a huge data breach. no one should trust them...in any case.

LongbowMkII > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 11:11

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Amazon... isn’t really all that picky.

Future next gen S2000 owner > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 11:28

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No way am I giving a company access to the interior of my house so they can just let themselves in.

feather-throttle-not-hair > BahamaTodd 10/26/2017 at 13:10

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Good feature! Still no.

RPM esq. > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 13:30

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Hell no.

bubblestheturtle > AestheticsInMotion 10/26/2017 at 18:55

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No

E92M3 > AestheticsInMotion 10/27/2017 at 10:51

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Or in my case. I used to have dog food delivered from Amazon. So, now my dog thinks anyone carrying a box is a friend bringing him a gift.