(New York, NY) — If you live in Manhattan and have a doorman, you can rest assured that the expensive wallpaper you purchased from Thibaut will be delivered to you.
But according to the Real Deal, a ton of residents who live in doorman-less buildings are ordering too many goods online. Amazon is the major reason why, as they have unbeatable prices found nowhere online. From cat litter to Harbinger workout gloves, Amazon will deliver these things free of charge in just two days if you sign up for Amazon Prime. And because of Prime and the low prices, tenants are taking advantage of that and, as a result, their packages are being delivered in record-breaking amounts.
LANDLORDS PISSED OFF IN TAKING CARE OF DELIVERIES
PHOTOGRAPHER: TIM SCHUTSKY FOR BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK
Now, many New York landlords are voicing their concerns that they have to deal with making sure their tenants receive their many packages ordered online. This is a hassle, of course, but last week Jet.com, Walmart’s online shopping platform, teamed up with real estate startup Latch to rectify the problem.
As Luke Schoenfelder, the co-founder and chief executive of Latch said,
“People are ordering so many things online. . . [A]ccess is holding that back because you need to be home in order for that to happen.”Also, without landlords, packages would be left in lobbies with the potential that some people may steal them. Worse, when packages arrive and the delivery people can’t access the lobby’s front door, they often leave them outside the building,
THE LATCH AND JET.COM COLLABORATION
Latch and Jet.com have collaborated on a keyless entry system in the lobbies of 1,000 New York buildings that are free of charge. This is how it works. Delivery men or women will access an apartment building by using a temporary passcode created by Jet.com. That’s it.
In addition, there’s a bonus for the installation. Residents will be able to use their phones like a key to grant access to guests and receive packages while they aren’t home.
A Jet spokesperson, according to Retail Dive.com. clarified in detail that matter:
“The partnership will enable residents to seamlessly arrange for secure delivery directly in their building lobby, avoiding many of the urban last mile pain points such as missed or stolen packages, and the burden of having to either be home at scheduled times or reroute packages to work locations.”
JET.COM A WAY FOR WALMART TO ENTER FORBIDDEN MANHATTAN
This collaboration is yet another way for Wal-Mart to make inroads to Manhattan. The juggernaut company has tried and failed to enter the real estate market in Manhattan because lawmakers and community groups have successfully curtailed the discount store.
AMAZON TO POSSIBLY COUNTER JET.COM
This new program represents a challenge to Amazon. In their quest to make deliveries to buyers as fast as possible, the company is hoping to use a high-tech “delivery system in which the flying vehicles will drop packages at customers’ doorsteps,” according to the Jewish Voice. If Prime delivers in two days, will this sci-fi setup make deliveries on the same day you ordered them?
This could be a real success. We already have seen this work with the beleaguered Barnes and Noble, which has same day delivery (only) in Manhattan. If your place an order by 12 am EST, Monday through Friday, your packages will be sent to you until or before 7 pm that day.
While the rivalry between Amazon and Walmart is still strong, the good thing about it is that customers can now choose to shop at not only Amazon, but also Walmart thanks to Latch. This is a great way to get a bargain, as now Manhattanites can compare prices between the two companies. Let’s hope that works.
