I stumbled across something interesting in my new nomad location of Troy, NY that I wanted to share it with you: Amazon Hub Locker+. I ordered a few items and had them delivered to the closest Amazon Locker. I then walked there only to discover that it wasn’t a locker within a store like I’m used to, but an entire storefront with “Amazon Hub” in bold letters above it.
It turns out that Amazon Lockers have gotten an upgrade in some places and are now Amazon Hubs Locker+: an entire store that houses an Amazon Locker, including receptacles to recycle the packaging your items came in so you don’t have to do that at home and even a staff member you can talk to who can help you with returning an item or answer any questions you have. Now that’s different!
My Concerns
I’ve mentioned on this blog before that I have a complicated relationship with Amazon. I don’t agree with how they treat their warehouse workers, but I do buy things from them on occasion when I can’t find what I need locally (I’m obviously not perfect – just always trying to be better) . As a result, I wrestled with whether I should review this new service they provide.
However, similar to regular Amazon Lockers, I didn’t know Amazon Hubs existed and it’s possible that other people don’t know about them either and that it could help them in some way if there are no other options. So I’m going to talk about it.
Helpful For Nomads
Amazon Lockers and Hubs are an interesting concept for nomads because unlike shipping something to the address you’re staying at, if you ship it to a locker and the items are late and you’ve already moved on, Amazon will ship them back to the company at no additional cost to you while also sending you a refund for your items.
It takes a lot of the stress and guesswork out of deliveries when you’re moving around frequently, especially in the time of pandemic delays. It can also help if you’re not sure how reliably you can get packages delivered to a new address, such as when you’re living in an apartment or hear that package thieves are running amok (I’m looking at you Seattle 🙂 ).
Finding A Locker
Amazon inexplicably makes it difficult to find out if there is an Amazon Locker near you. They direct you to change your address to your new location when checking out, and then they might deem you worthy to know if there’s a locker nearby.
However, I want this information upfront so I can decide based on the locker’s distance if I even want to use it or just have my package delivered to my new address. So I found a workaround. If you go to this link you can see where the nearest Amazon Locker is based on an address, zip code or landmark.
You can then add that locker address to your address book and choose it at checkout to have the package delivered there. Once my item arrives, I’m sent an email with a date I have to pick up my package by, which differs based on location, but for me has usually been a 2 week window.
Picking Up Your Package
Once I receive the email that my package is ready, I head out to the Amazon Hub. A staff member gave me a pro tip that to reduce waiting, I should hit the “I’m here” button in my “Your stuff is ready” email before I get to the Amazon Hub. That way I’m given a code before I even walk through the door and can scan it without delay.
Heads up that a code is only active for 15 minutes. However, if you run out of time and need a new code just push the button requesting one on the webpage the above email links to and it gives you a new one immediately in my experience.
So, I’ve scanned my barcode at the Amazon Locker’s display screen. Then it tells me which locker contains my stuff and that locker pops open. I grab my stuff and then unpack it in the Amazon Hub so I can recycle the packaging and don’t have to bring the packaging home. Then I pop my stuff, sans packaging, into my backpack and head home. Easy.
Conclusion
So I will begrudgingly admit that Amazon Lockers are very helpful for nomads and the Amazon Hub concept is even more so with its ability to return items, recycle packaging and talk to a staff member if you have any issues. For the rare occasion when I order from Amazon, this is a very helpful option to have. However, if anyone knows of a similar service that doesn’t feed into Amazon, please let me know 🙂 .
What’s the most interesting delivery solution you’ve heard of lately?
I had noticed a locker location that was recently installed not too far from where I live and had no idea how it worked. This was very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so happy it was helpful!
not yet available in my country, but we can ask to delivery to a delivery point where the package waits me 10 days.
p.s. I have shared at Amazon. not many, just 20, so each time I order I don’t feel guilty at all as I am a shareholder 😁😁😁
The ability to redirect shipments to a locker is really handy for people who are constantly on the move. But I share your view on their employee treatment practices.