Autumn 2007

Dropping home deliveries off with a neighbour or leaving them in a shed - always an unofficial remedy to the 'customer not at home' problem - has been given the official nod under a scheme called Safeplace launched by Royal Mail. The organisation appears to have trademarked the term.

Etailers using the Royal Mail Tracked no-signature service can now sign up for the system and start offering their customers the option of specifying a 'safe place' to leave goods if they aren't at home to receive them. The location can include a drop-box, a shed or a neighbouring address.

Suppliers have to make provision for the customer's instructions to be shown clearly on a packaging label. They can use their own software for this, or take advantage of Royal Mail's Despatch Express software.

Consumers can ask for items to be left in any secure, weatherproof area of their property, so long as it is safely accessible. The organisation warns in its small print that the delivery driver still has discretion not to leave the package in some circumstances - for instance, if it would be in plain sight or would be at risk of rain damage, or if the driver couldn't access the named location safely.

Royal Mail is not charging anything extra for this service, presumably hoping that the savings resulting from reduced handling, enquiries and delays will more than cover the cost.

One of the problems with unattended delivery, highlighted frequently by Home Delivery Network chief Walter Blackwood, is that many deliveries require a signature even when the cost of redelivery would probably outweigh the cost of potential theft. But that is a strategic issue; at least the Safeplace system formalises the drop-off option where there are no other service constraints.