Australia Post to Photograph Safe Drop Items.

[sydney-diecast-kingdom]

Q.) What is a safe drop item?

A.) A safe drop item is one that does not require a signature and does not fit in the letterbox.

Safe drop items sometimes have written instructions on the package like:

MAY BE SAFE DROPPED. PLEASE LEAVE IN A SAFE PLACE OUT OF THE WEATHER.

or have very customer specific instructions like:

PLEASE LEAVE ON FRONT PORCH BEHIND POT PLANT.

Other items specifically state:

SIGNATURE REQUIRED. DO NOT SAFE DROP.  IF NO ONE HOME PLEASE CARD TO NEAREST POST OFFICE.

As of Monday 6 June 2016 all signature items which have a non-signature safe drop option i.e. (SIGNATURE REQUIRED UNLESS CUSTOMER NOT PRESENT) will require a photograph from delivery personnel as proof of safe drop. Like a mobile phone each scanner is fitted with a camera.

I realise that it won't prevent all dodgy posties or parcel contractors from stuffing up but it may lead to many being more careful with delivery as they will have to provide proof of correct/safe delivery.

Not sure but in the same way parking officers now take photographs of illegally parked cars as proof for people, Australia Post customers may be able to ask for photographic evidence as proof of correct delivery. This is just a guess. 

[lyndal1838]

You must be joking surely.

The average contractor/courier delivers up to 80 parcels a day.   If only half of those require a photo for proof of delivery you can add at least an extra day to the average delivery time.

[sydney-diecast-kingdom]

Unfortunately you are 100% correct. I'm sure they will be told a photograph only takes 2 seconds. 😉 

[mbselections00]

While I appreciate lyndals comments, that is the best news I've heard in ages.  I've had too many Express parcels claimed not received, reasonably high value (by my selling volumes) and in each case I must say I have no reason what-so-ever to doubt the buyers.  Aust. Post were absolutely useless when it came to follow up and proof, I was quite disgusted actually at their lack of concern and action.  They should be made accountable & the photo idea will surely help.   (Of course, I then had to replace.)

Admittedly they were Express Satchels sent without requiring signature, because buyers wanted the items urgently and did not want to risk having the delivery carded.  Needless to say, I now refuse to send Express without signature - therefore adding to the cost and the risk of non-delivery if no-one home, but I lost 100's$ in products & postage so won't take the risk anymore.

I could never really understand how Safe Dropping could possibly be proven anyway.  When I made enquiries, I was told the postie just has to sign as being delivered on your behalf - are you kidding ?

Taking a quick photo probably won't take any longer than knocking at the door & waiting for a response - they could in fact take the photo while waiting, that way if there is no response it hasn't really taken them any extra time and the jobs done.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

if the scanner, or technical thing-a-me-jig, has a built in camera that logs the photo to the tracking number then I can't see it taking more than ten seconds to half a minute at the most, especially as they would have the tracking device ready when they try to deliver the parcel. 

I know that when I go to Bunnings to buy timber I often take a photo of the yellow price tag on the shelf of the timber so that the counter person can enter the FineLine number (F/L) of the timber to bring it up on the register screen rather than having to search through a folder with their timber range F/L numbers (see example below).

Only takes me a few seconds and I imagine it would be the same for taking a photo of a safe dropped parcel.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

if the scanner, or technical thing-a-me-jig, has a built in camera that logs the photo to the tracking number then I can't see it taking more than a ten seconds, half a minute at the most.

I know that when I go to Bunnings to buy timber I often take a photo of the yellow price tag on the shelf of the timber so that the counter person can enter the FineLine number (F/L) of the timber to bring it up on the register screen rather than having to search through a folder with their timber range F/L numbers (see example below).

Only takes me a few seconds and I imagine it could be the same for taking a photo of a safe dropped parcel.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

I have no idea why my post appears twice.  It must be a glitch when I edited it.

[mbselections00]

Hahaha, when I saw it twice I thought to myself (nah, haven't been drinking), it's ok sir, we get your message   !!

[digital*ghost]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

You must be joking surely.

The average contractor/courier delivers up to 80 parcels a day.   If only half of those require a photo for proof of delivery you can add at least an extra day to the average delivery time.

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Would half of the day's parcels fulfil all the criteria, though?

i.e. Requires signature, no one present to sign, safe-drop arrangement in place for such items.

I actually thought (though of course readily admit I can only speak as a recipient, having never been a delivery driver etc) if they had to knock on the door to check if anyone was home, placing the package and taking a snap probably would take a comparable amount of time to getting the signature on the little device thingy if someone had been home.

[lyndal1838]

But how is a photograph of a parcel going to prove anything unless it is photographed in such a way as to show where it was delivered....a photo showing the actual house/address etc.

There is still the potential for a driver to leave it at the wrong address and no-one would know....or a dishonest driver could just take a photo of the parcel and take it home with him.

Photo says delivered....sorry, we have done our job and you (the customer) lose AGAIN.