Amazon Porch Pirate

[Anna Bijou]

Someone stole my amazon package from my porch a couple of days ago. Again. Amazon refunded me and I'll just order again but it's still super annoying, especially because it's now the 4th time in a short period of time. And I don't order anywhere near as much as I have in the past.


I'm pretty sure it's the same person and possibly someone who lives pretty close, possibly on a higher floor and able to see when there's a package at the front door (they're supposed to leave it inside but not all of courriers do).


I was complaining about it to a friend and discussing possibly installing a camera, to hopefully deter future thefts. And I learned the term "(Amazon) Porch Pirates", which I think is fitting. I know it's nothing new but my friend was telling me about revenge/vigilante videos on YouTube of all the things people have done to catch or punish their porch pirates.


I'd never heard of this genre but ngl I have to tell you some of these are deeply satisfying to watch.


Have you had to deal with one of these thieves?
How did you get rid of them? Camera? Bait package? Any suggestions?

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[bodick7]

I do make them deliver directly to my nearby kanéda post office.

 

[TheJames101]

I do make them deliver directly to my nearby kanéda post office.

This is the way.

 

[neverbored]

You could install a camera for your own curiosity (could easily be a neighbour). We had such a case in my building, and I live it a pretty nice building, was a bit of a shocker. As far as giving the video to Police, they won't do much with it. Just isn't worth their time especially considering that Amazon will just re-ship.

You can also have Amazon deliver to a hub locker near you: https://www.amazon.ca/b?ie=UTF8&node=21156835011

 

[No Mercy]

Just put your own Amazon package outside, and put a bomb in it. Then just wait for the fun to start

 

[F117]

UPS Store. Problem solved, no confrontations, and they text you when the package arrives.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Just put your own Amazon package outside, and put a bomb in it. Then just wait for the fun to start

Paint a mural of a ton of Amazon packages on one side of your house. When the thief bends down to pick them up, they'll whack their head against the flat wall and get a concussion.

Anyone low down enough to steal packages will be too dumb to know you learned the trick from Road Runner/Wiley Coyote cartoons.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Serious answer: what Neverbored said. I'm ambivalent about those Ring cameras, but they are definitely handy in situations like this. And since they detect motion, you'll be alerted not just when the package is delivered, but when anyone whose business is stealing your stuff shows up.

 

[Anna Bijou]

I do make them deliver directly to my nearby kanéda post office.

This is the way.

UPS Store. Problem solved, no confrontations, and they text you when the package arrives.

The whole appeal of buying online for me, is to have it delivered to my door. So drop off at post Canada or another location kind of defeats the purpose. There's also the fact that they have limited business hours and doesn't work if it's too heavy or too many packages for me to carry home by foot. It especially sucks in winter.

Just put your own Amazon package outside, and put a bomb in it. Then just wait for the fun to start

I was debating something similar but with a glitter bomb lol

You could install a camera for your own curiosity (could easily be a neighbour). We had such a case in my building, and I live it a pretty nice building, was a bit of a shocker. As far as giving the video to Police, they won't do much with it. Just isn't worth their time especially considering that Amazon will just re-ship.

You can also have Amazon deliver to a hub locker near you: https://www.amazon.ca/b?ie=UTF8&node=21156835011

Same at my last place. There were cameras so when I told the concierge my package had been stolen, he looked at footage and showed up with the retrieved package. He never told me who it was but I never had anything stolen after that lol

I realize the camera can only act as deterrent but not really do much in the way of actually catching the person unless I recognize them. But it's only a deterrent if they notice the camera and if it's the same person they might not even notice one has been installed. So I was thinking of leaving a bait package to annoy them and let them know I now have them on camera. Hoping that would stop them.

Of course it's good that Amazon will refund but it's still trouble to have to wait 24-48hrs before contacting them, explain, wait for the refund, then re-order and wait for the delivery again. Especially if it's a repeat issue. Also, 2 of the items weren't available anymore when I went to re-order this time, so I'm not even able to replace what was stolen. Another item had a discount that is no longer offered. So it's a pain.

Paint a mural of a ton of Amazon packages on one side of your house. When the thief bends down to pick them up, they'll whack their head against the flat wall and get a concussion.

Anyone low down enough to steal packages will be too dumb to know you learned the trick from Road Runner/Wiley Coyote cartoons.

Lol not sure my landlord would go for the murale unfortunately

 

[bodick7]

The whole appeal of buying online for me, is to have it delivered to my door. So drop off at post Canada or another location kind of defeats the purpose. There's also the fact that they have limited business hours and doesn't work if it's too heavy or too many packages for me to carry home by foot. It especially sucks in winter.

In my case, it makes me walk 2 blocks so I don’t mind.
I remember once I gave a special delivery instruction to put parcel on the other side of backyard fence.
If they can’t see it, they won’t stole it.

 

[Anna Bijou]

In my case, it makes me walk 2 blocks so I don’t mind.
I remember once I gave a special delivery instruction to put parcel on the other side of backyard fence.
If they can’t see it, they won’t stole it.

Yes, I have instructions. Problem is that some of them don't follow the instructions lol

 

[bodick7]

Yes, I have instructions. Problem is that some of them don't follow the instructions lol

Too bad…

 

[Halloween Mike]

The PO box is the best option. Otherwise when i know something very expensive is on the way i just wait til it arrive, check my notif every 30 mins. That said i only VERY rarely order anything expensive. Once i did a new laptop and i was so nervous. Delivery guy did hide it in front of the car, so not visible from the street but thanksfully it was not a rain day cause thats where the water go on those lol. It would had been flooded if it rained and/or i didn't picked it up fast.

A while ago i lived in small streets and/or when my postal box was very far from the street or on second floor, stuff like that. Felt safer. Now im on a busy street but my box is actually at the far end of the drive way so its a bit better than lets say my neighbors wich is litteraly 2 feet from the walk (trotoire).

Anyway i heard there is package stealers even here in my small town. Some peoples just have no decency.

I was debating something similar but with a glitter bomb lol

Diarrhea explosion would be funnier

 

[CaptRenault]

Moving Day is coming up. Just move to a safer building in a safer neighborhood.

 

[Anna Bijou]

Moving Day is coming up. Just move to a safer building in a safer neighborhood.

Packages are stolen everywhere. I don't think there are any unsafe neighbourhoods in Montreal tbh. I can't really think of any unsafe ones. The nicest neighbourhoods probably have the most packages stolen lol

Besides, anyone moving for other reasons than being forced to is insane. If they have a dog, it would be Stupid to give up an apartment & expect to find something else right now. The rental markets is shit. I gave up trying to move, it would be ridiculous. Everything is so expensive.

 

[Mika xx]

Moving Day is coming up. Just move to a safer building in a safer neighborhood.

Some buildings have 24/7 concierge and security. They store packages for you and send you an email. When you pick it up, you have to sign. Centris.ca—> filter——> features
In downtown, the “popular” moving day is actually august 1st, then September 1st bc of international students.
@Anna Bijou you have plenty of times to find a safer building if you want to move. Installing a fake camera will do the trick too. However I would install a real one, and then confront the thief at their doorstep. Always fun to watch their reaction XD.

 

[urquell]

Cameras are not a deterrent, really, because experienced thieves know that the police do nothing at all to run down porch pirates, and inexperienced thieves don't even bother looking for the camera (same reaction from the police either way). From a serious standpoint the best way is to either have it delievered to a more secure location that you can access, have it delivered to someone else who is always at their home/office and can receive it for you, or depending on who you order from online choose the option that requires a signature in the shipping method. Couriers have specific rules to follow. Local rush couriers require specific instructions to leave things at your door. Overnight couriers like Fedex are required to get it inside your front door if you live in a building, in which case the thief either piggybacks off another resident or is someone in your building. Houses they leave it at the door. Basically you should always have it delivered to a business or to someone who is always home if possible. For glitter bomb revenge plots watch Mark Rober's series of annual glitter bomb porch pirate revenges (I'm actually assuming you already have if you mention them, but just in case. lol) Good luck!

 

[DrJ_TheGhost]

As others mentioned, cameras will not deter much. It will provide you with proof though if you order from somewhere other than Amazon. Also if it keeps happening then it is a good proof to hand to Amazon.
Honestly this whole “leaving it outside” thing needs to be outlawed. UPS does not bother ringing the bell and they leave my package outside on a busy boulevard. Now if I do not get it handed to me, I just claim it as stolen and I will not order again. If enough people keep claiming packages are stolen, even if they are not, maybe they will stop leaving packages outside.
What is also annoying is when the delivery driver takes a picture of the package on the ground as proof of delivery as if he or someone else won’t steal it after the picture is taken.

 

[GreyPilgrim]

So here’s a little something for all of you while you patiently wait for karma to kick in, courtesy of my very favorite YouTuber, Mark Rober…

Mark Rober vs Porch Pirates, a.k.a. The Glitterbomb Series

You’re welcome!

 

[TooSexy4MyCat]

In a condo buildings, management have cameras but are only legally allowed to give the videos to the police. The police will not investigate because it is below 5k$ and they are short staff. I mean look at the number of stolen cars in Montreal area. Each stolen cars worth at least 20k$ and the police is absolutely overwhelmed. Basically in this situation forgot your 40$ packages. If you live in a house, you have more control because you can install cameras and you have access to the tape. But then what... Laws is Canada are highly favourable to criminals. For instance, you cannot broadcast his face on social medias without a trial because that would be defamation and you would easily lose a civil lawsuit against you. There was even a lawsuit where a thief hurt himself stealing in a house being renovated that was not compliant with safety measures and he sued the owner and fucking won!!! That's the legal way. The Fat Tony way is not worth it either.

So, I know it is annoying but it doesn't worth all the trouble. Just have it deliver to a UPS store, Canada Post and something Amazon does business with nearby.