Amazon Offers In-Garage Delivery

Amazon has launched its Key in-garage delivery service, which was tested in 37 cities earlier this year, according to reports.

Now available in 50 cities, the delivery service is made for customers with a myQ smart garage door opener, which works with a smartphone. Users can give couriers access to the garage through the smartphone, and they’ll place the packages inside.

Once it’s installed, eligible prime members can select the “in-garage” option at checkout.

“On delivery day, you will receive a notification in the morning with a 4-hour delivery window for when the delivery driver will arrive at your home. Right before the driver arrives at your home, you will receive an “Arriving Now” notification. You can choose to watch the delivery happening live if you have opted to install an Amazon Cloud Cam as part of your In-Garage Kit,” Amazon explained.

“The driver will request to open your door via their Amazon handheld delivery device. Amazon verifies that the package(s) belong to the address and the driver is near the correct door, turns on Cloud Cam if you have one, and opens the garage door,” Amazon continues in its instructions. “No special codes or keys are given to the driver. The driver will then place the package(s) just inside the door and request that it be closed. The driver will not move on to his or her next delivery until the door is completely closed. Once the delivery is complete and the door is closed, and you will get a final notification that the delivery is complete (and can watch a video clip of the delivery if you have a Cloud Cam).”

The new technology is intended to cut down on “porch pirates,” or package thieves who target unattended boxes sitting on porches.

Amazon also said it thoroughly checks its drivers.

“In-Garage deliveries are carried out by some of the same professional drivers who you know and trust to deliver your Amazon orders today,” the company said. “These individuals are thoroughly vetted, with comprehensive background checks and motor vehicle records reviews.”