I used to be at dwelling working in my workplace upstairs when what can solely be described as a loud clonk in my yard startled me and my terrier, Freddie. I guessed it was an enthusiastically dropped package deal, however I could not have imagined the total scope of the incident that originated the noise.
I made my approach downstairs to analyze, and located my double chain hyperlink gate had been kicked in by an Amazon supply particular person, who was seemingly unable to determine the objectively easy flip-up lock. The brute pressure entry busted the gate’s picket body, rendering it unusable and necessitating a restore that can require carpentry that’s above my talent stage.
How I discovered my gate after an Amazon driver busted their approach by way of it.
Two damning items of proof — my Amazon packages — have been dropped few yards contained in the gate.
To make issues worse, the driving force left each gates large open, leaving my yard vulnerable to canine escape.
Naturally, I reported the incident by way of the retailer’s on-line indicent portal and contacted Amazon customer support by cellphone. A well mannered lady instructed me to file a declare. I did so inside a day, together with the restore price estimate of $500 that I had secured from a neighborhood handyman, the Amazon package deal supply timestamp and a number of other pictures of the busted gate, additionally timestamped moments after the packages have been delivered.
Extremely, the supply driver did not even hassle to shut the gate they’d simply then damaged down.
I used to be informed a choice can be rendered inside a few days. Every week and one follow-up electronic mail later, Amazon replied and knowledgeable me that with out visible proof of the incident, they would not be reimbursing me for the harm.
With no video proof of the Amazon driver busting my gate to ship a package deal, I used to be by myself to have the damaged body fastened.
After a wholesome bout of cursing this choice from the two.37 trillion-dollar-company, I made a decision I might outfit each entry level of my yard and residential with a safety digital camera with video storage so I may pull footage if one thing like this occurred once more — although my canceled account ensures that it will not be by the hands of Amazon.
For me, this was a no brainer. Safety cameras can price as little as $45 for the bottom unit and $5 or much less per thirty days for storage. Past security for your self, household, pets and packages, these reasonably priced good dwelling units could save me a headache in any variety of eventualities from overzealous supply staff with gate latch ineptitude to falling bushes planted in a neighbor’s yard.
I grew up in a no-lock dwelling, and to at the present time do not worry violent breaking and getting into, naive as that is likely to be. However the expertise of a probable underpaid and overworked supply particular person inflicting (most likely) unintentional, however vital, harm to my lower than one-year previous dwelling was purpose sufficient to cowl my bases. I’ve since ordered a video digital camera to level on the aspect gate entry, along with the Roku video doorbell that is securely fixed to the entrance door (which was of no use on this scenario).
So the place to seek out one of the best dwelling safety at a value I may abdomen? Our dwelling safety professional Tyler Lacoma has examined all the highest video doorbells and residential safety cameras accessible in 2025. He recommends the versatile Arlo Professional 5S as one of the best total, so I promptly ordered it.
Finest Purchase dropped it gently on my steps just a few days later.
