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Amazon Prime Members Can Now Have Orders Shipped to Their Cars


Leave it to Amazon to push the envelope when it comes to innovation. In the quest to become Earth's most customer-centric company, they have announced a new way to deliver to select Amazon Prime Members. Now, eligible Amazon Prime Members can have their orders delivered to their parked cars via a new service coined Amazon Key.

Amazon Key Service

Always looking to gain an edge, Amazon not only continually comes up with new ideas, they actually make them happen. Recently they announced In-Home delivery where a delivery driver actually opens your house and leaves the package inside. Needless to say, this raised a lot of eyebrows for obvious reasons. Then there’s their Prime Air service where orders are delivered by drones. When announced it seemed so far out that many thought it was a public relations stunt. It wasn’t. While the service isn’t mainstream yet, it does actually exist, and orders have been delivered via drone as seen below.

Amazon Prime Air

But, would anyone really need to have their Amazon order delivered to their parked car? On the surface most would probably think it’s a crazy idea but when you spend a few minutes thinking about different scenarios, one could see some value to the customer. After all, Amazon is once again working to make ordering from their site so convenient, consumers are presented with another reason not to have to drive to a brick and mortar location.

Think about it, it’s Monday and you need that Instapot to cook a big meal for a dinner party on Wednesday. You have a busy week at work and getting out to a store to buy the item is next to impossible. Yes, you can have it delivered to your front door as is the norm, but there have been a bevy of package thefts in your neighborhood and you’d rather not risk it. So, deliver to your locked car while at work and take it home to cook your signature maple smoked brisket.

How Does it Work?

First and foremost it’s not available for everyone. Amazon Key currently works with most Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Volvo vehicles that are 2015 or newer and have an active OnStar or Volvo On Call plan. Customers can see if they are eligible for the service by entering some information on the Amazon Website. You’ll also need to download the Amazon Key App from either the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Once your set up and have made an order, Amazon says to expect your package to be delivered between 11am and 3pm for Two-Day Shipping, or 5pm to 9pm for Same-Day Delivery. The app alerts you when the delivery is headed your way as well as when it’s delivered. Note that your vehicle must be located within two blocks of your delivery address in a publicly accessible area that is open and at street-level. To find all the ins and outs click here.

Security Concerns

Much like the In-Home delivery service, many question the safety and security of giving an Amazon delivery driver who’s a complete stranger, access to their vehicles when they are not present. Amazon says that they have “implemented a number of measures to make in-car delivery secure” but will customers agree?

Will it Succeed?

Only time will tell whether the Amazon Key service will succeed, but it is at the very least, a fascinating service that will get a lot of attention. It also shows that Amazon is by no means slowing down in their efforts to maximize the shopping experience from browsing to purchase to delivery.

They don’t always get it right but it’s great to see a company that isn’t afraid to not only come up with innovative ideas, but actually invests the resources to bring them to reality. Nobody hits a home run every time at the plate but you’ll never hit one if you don’t get up to bat.

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