As Americans decide to do more of their shopping online each year, there has been a rise in package thefts. It can happen to just about anyone and there is not much you can do to prevent it. A new Kickstarter funded smart lock called BoxLock can offer 24/7 protection from parcel theft and is the “first internet-connected padlock specifically designed to safeguard your home deliveries.”
No one can argue against the convenience of receiving goods delivered to your doorstep. However, what happens when the package you ordered isn’t at your door when the carrier’s tracker says it already arrived? An estimated 23 million Americans have fallen victim to “porch pirates” who steal deliveries off doorsteps. When this happens to you it can be frustrating to try to replace what was stolen.
When you have the BoxLock and are expecting a package, you can just leave it attached to a storage bin at your home. Then, when the delivery driver arrives, they can press a button on BoxLock to scan your package to unlock it. Only items addressed to you and that are out for delivery that day will unlock the BoxLock. The driver opens the bin, places your package safely inside, closes the bin and locks the lock. You’ll even be able to get a notification on your smartphone when your merchandise has been secured at your home using the BoxLock app.
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BoxLock will work with any locking storage container and you just attach it like any other padlock. It’s also compatible with just about every package carrier out there, from Amazon, FedEx, UPS and even the US Postal Service. BoxLock connects via Wi-Fi to confirm your package’s tracking status and then will only unlock if the package is currently listed as “out for delivery” to you.
If you do a lot of online ordering and frequently receive boxes, BoxLock may be for you. A pledge of $99 or more will get you one from its Kickstarter campaign site. That’s $30 off the expected retail value and the lowest it’s being offered for. If all goes as planned and BoxLock gets fully funded, shipping will begin in August of 2018.
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