I've had this idea for a while but thought I'd throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
Pitch:
One-time use delivery boxes. Redbox meets DHL. Think PO Box but without a monthly fee, dedicated PO BOX # and employees.
Users:
Anyone who wants a secure delivery spot that isn't their home. No worries of neighbors stealing packages left on stoop until you get home from work.
Private stuff that you don't want tracked to you or your home.
How it works:
Bob buys something online. He wants it delivered to a secure location that isn't his home so chooses to use a one-time use delivery box. PickUpBoxes is a new service that has an app for that!
Bob uses his PickUpBoxes app to find a PU Box location/kiosk near him. He picks a convenient place and reserves a box that fits his package dimension. The app gives him a PU Box # and he uses this in his checkout online.
When the package is delivered to the PU Box a notification comes up on his phone from the app that his stuff is here. He goes to the kiosk and uses the QR code the app gives him to unlock the secure holding bin. He now has his package without any help from anyone. Private & anonymous for the most part.
Logistics:
Infrastructure will have to be established. PO Box #s are already in the wild but the same will need to be built for PU Box #s. So discussions with all delivery services would need to happen.
Locations will need to be established. If it's an unmanned kiosk then any curbside will work just like Redbox. If it's a storefront then maybe they could be franchises in order to get them in many locations. However manned locations compromise anonymity.
Sizes need to be established. Standard secure box sizes with correlated pricing. Number of boxes per kiosk. 24-36?
Outstanding questions:
- Would the government even allow such a startup?
- How would the kiosks be maintained?
What do you guys think? Anyone heard of something like this in operations anywhere?
These type of boxes, aimed at people buying electronics online etc were tried out in my town. They lasted a few months and then I think they were bought out by a big company and shut down. The economics are difficult to work out. People don't want to pay much.