Free Parcel Locker Trial at Australia Post at Selected Locations [QLD, VIC, NSW]
This was posted 1 year 1 month 2 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal
![Free Parcel Locker Trial at Australia Post at Selected Locations [QLD, VIC, NSW]](http://cdn.ozb.me/n/20/68420.jpg?h=567505c9)
What is a Parcel Locker?
It's a convenient new way to receive parcels. Now, when you make an online order instead of having a parcel delivered to your home, you can have it delivered to one of our secure, 24-hour Parcel Lockers, to pick up anytime it suits you. It's easy, simply register for this free service today.
Register now
Join our free parcel locker trial
We're running a free trial in 3 states so you can try a Parcel Locker for yourself.
Queensland
Brisbane GPO, 261 Queen Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
Victoria
Melbourne Bourke Street Retail Outlet, 111 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
St Kilda Delivery Center, 170-174 Chapel Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182
New South Wales
St Leonards Delivery Facility, 2 Herbert Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065
Comments (Closed)
+1 votegrab_ur_freebies on 22/04/2012 - 08:20 ¶http://auspost.com.au/personal/how-does-it-work.html
"parcels larger than our biggest locker, which is 415mm x 645mm x 600mm"
+13 votesCarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 09:01 ¶You don't get allocated a locker permanently. When a parcel comes in, they'll put it in an appropriate size locker and SMS/email you the locker number that it's in.
sane on 22/04/2012 - 10:59 Comment score below threshold (-10).
+1 voteSane??
Bet you also believe that Telstra should provide telephone lines to other companies for Free, or maybe Woolies should have fridges for Franklins customers.
Why would Australia Post provide loockers for another courier company to use? Might be great for you but how they hell would they make any money out of this.
+2 votesbrucefromaustralia on 22/04/2012 - 10:59 ¶Not quite… They do not have a different address to deliver it to, except the Parcel Locker PO (that is the nearest one). So would be delivered there.
Your new delivery address is
<Name>
Parcel Locker <number>
261 Queen Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 etcWhen a parcel is available, you are notified which physical locker number contains your parcel & given an access code.
It says that if not collected within 48hrs it will be available for collection from counter of Parcel Locker PO. Expect would be same for oversized parcels. So only available within PO hours.
+6 votesthe locker only has limited usefulness:
Parcel Lockers are for parcels delivered by Australia Post.
You can't send the following to a Parcel Locker:
letters and standard mail
Express Post letters
parcels requiring 'proof of identity' or payment on delivery
parcels containing wine or other alcohol
parcels larger than our biggest locker, which is 415mm x 645mm x 600mmso australia post parcel deliveries only, only 1 parcel at a time, no registered post or signatures, limited size
i wonder what happens when somebody tries to have aae deliver a parcel to a parcel locker?
Wow, what a failure. No registered post? It's only registered post parcels that I have to go to the post office to sign for. This is a huge screw up by Aus Post.
Surely being able to unlock the locker with sms/code etc is sufficient identification for reg post parcels?- brucefromaustralia on 23/04/2012 - 09:27 ¶
only 1 parcel at a time
refers to 1 parcel per locker. If 2 were delivered, surely they would just put in 2 lockers? Or else, other parcels would be available over counter in normal hours. There is no way to know when parcels will arrive.
I had 2 registered AAE parcels arrive at home while I was in. The door bell never rang, just a card to collect at a PO which is hard to get to since I am medically unfit to drive. I emailed AAE to have them redelivered or moved to another PO without luck. I took 4 buses & walked a long way to pick up these 'important' parcels. Turned out I was signing for 2 free packets of Vitawheat biscuits from OB deal - and they were broken! Grrr AAE/Aust Post! Well these lockers would not have helped anyway.
Jabba the Hutt on 23/04/2012 - 16:06 ¶no registered post or signatures
Knowing registered post has an optional 'person-to-person' service requiring proof of identity, while the basic registered post doesn't, one would assume the limitation on parcels requiring 'proof of identity' refers to person-to-person type parcels rather than registered in general.
Surely in this day and age they could come up with a better execution of the concept. This is just a PO Box service that allows you to get around the 'no PO address" rule that most online sellers have. Its still limited to not accepting parcels requiring signatures.
Instead, a system of temporary lockers is used with an electronic locking mechanism requiring a pin code to access. The locker will hold the package for up to one week and then release the locker and require the person to collect in business hours. Also, release of the locker will occur when the locker is accessed. Aus Post may even consider whether such an access could be deemed as satisfying the signature requirement given that unique information is required to be used which only the addressee would know.
The benefit with my system is that a larger population will have a use for this for "the odd delivery" rather than maintaining a locker each year. Given space will be an issue at PO centres, the benefit of making the service much more accessible to a wider user group would be a much more efficient use of that space. I accept that there will be a higher cost involved in setup of such a system compared to a fixed locker/key system, but I believe revenue potential would also be greater. I for one have no use of maintaining a locker for 12 months but could see myself having a use for one at odd times.
The address would simply say which parcel locker centre its to be directed to and that centre would then have the addressee registered in their system to send sms/email etc. Various payment options can be used including DD authority, CC, or even those payment machines you see at carparks, train stations etc.
Edit: Another benefit is matching the parcel to the locker size, which would also vary the "access charge" accordingly.
- +2 votesCarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 09:05 ¶
Huh?? That's exactly what this system is. You don't get assigned a permanent locker. They allocate one when the parcel comes in, and send you the locker number & PIN code to access it.
- -3 votes
I would say that doesn't appear to be the case.Before posting I did take the time to look at Auspost site and this is the example given to use for the addressee:
Jane Smith
Parcel Locker C123456
170-174 Chapel Street,
St Kilda VIC 3182http://auspost.com.au/personal/how-does-it-work.html
That seems to make it clear that a specific locker is to be used.
You may be right (and I hope you are), however the site seems a bit unclear. For example, in their T&C's:
"By using the Service you acknowledge and agree that your signature will not be obtained by Us on delivery of your parcel. You agree that your use of the one-off access code will be evidence of your acceptance, and delivery of, your parcel."
http://auspost.com.au/personal/parcel-lockers-terms-and-cond...
The way I read it, the unique code is used to acknowledge receipt of individual parcels. I'm at a loss to explain then why they won't accept parcels requiring signatures?
Edit: Ahhh ok, after going through it all again I saw this:
"We will email and SMS you when your parcel is available for collection. You will be issued with a locker number and access code."
+8 votesI've been using the St Leonards lockers since last year, and there are about 30 lockers on the outside of their delivery/sorting centre. Even though my locker (and address) is X1234, I'll get an email and SMS telling me the parcel is in locker G1 (for example), and a code to unlock that locker.
The biggest lockers are huge (I had a kitchenaid mixer delivered), so there's no way that everyone could get their own. If they did, there'd be a line that would go as far as Crows Nest.
I think the idea behind the locker numbers they allocate to you is so that they have the right contact details only. It has no reflection as to which locker the item actually gets placed in for pickup.
- brucefromaustralia on 22/04/2012 - 11:05 ¶
You get a specific Parcel Locker address for deliveries, not a physical locker. Otherwise 99% of lockers would be empty at any time.
- +1 voteCarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 13:28 ¶
The C123456 is just a customer number. It's there so they know who to email/SMS with the locker number and access code.
-3 votesarcticmonkey on 22/04/2012 - 09:52 ¶"Surely in this day and age they could come up with a better execution of the concept"
This is Australia Post we're talking about. Their attention to detail is lacking in my experience.
I've sent them emails in the past and they have replied and addressed me by the wrong name.
I am one of the early users of the Auspost Parcel Locker trial at St Kilda. I've had more than 10 parcels delivered this way. My experience is:
- The parcel lockers are completely free.
- It's really convenient. You get an SMS (and an email as well) and can pickup the parcel anytime tin the next 48 hours
- I received up to 3 parcels in the same locker. Auspost seems to have a lot of common sense about combining items into the same locker. Last Friday I received two large canvas prints (separate parcels) and one small specialised USB cable. All were placed in the same large locker.
- I travel a lot, so three times I have received parcels while I've been interstate. The 48 hour limit is an issue, here. Twice I was able to pickup the parcel at around 10pm on the way back from the airport. Once I was unable to pickup the parcel within the 48 hour period, and I had to wait for a card from Auspost so I could get the parcel. It added an extra few days to the delivery (some of those days I was interstate).
- One oddity is the PIN code you enter is "***" out on the display. Why? Each PIN is unique, so there is no risk of a stranger shoulder surfing.
- When I order an item, I have to decide how large the parcel is likely to be and whether it will fit into my letterbox. If Auspost thinks the parcel is too small to justify a locker, they put an oh-so-polite sticker on the parcel. This is the only downside I have experienced.
I think parcel lockers are a great idea from Auspost.
+1 voteThis is the way of the future - Amazon have parcel lockers in 7-11's in the US and in the UK they are in shopping centres.
Here is how it works in 7-11:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-JU768SXrcNot sure if having them at Post Offices is all that convenient, they'd be better in Woolworths or Coles foyers, places generally open and safe late at night.
Not sure if this is technically a bargain though, overseas it is a free service, and I assume it will be here too.
- +3 votes
I can see the appeal of having them at Coles/Woolworths, but from my perspective and from using the St Leonards lockers, being able to pull up directly outside and pick up a parcel 24x7 is great. And no temptation to go and buy anything from the supermarket.
One thing I've yet to check out is what happens if I don't pick up a parcel after 2 business days.
+1 voteWhat would be good was if, when a parcel is delivered to the home, and no one is home, and slip and a unique code are left at the door, which would then unlock a 'generic locker' and the post office, for convenient pickup. ie instead of renting a box, one is assigned on a per parcel basis…
Yeah??
I mean, are they planning having hundreds of parcel boxes…? How in the hell..
- +3 votesCarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 09:07 ¶
They are assigned on a per parcel basis. But I think the main benefit for why Aus Post would offer this is that they don't actually need to deliver to your house - saves them the cost with the driver.
- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 09:09 ¶
People seem to be confused about how this works. You're not actually renting a particular parcel box. You get assigned a customer number that you put in the address for delivery. When Aus Post receives it, they put it in any parcel box that's available, and SMS/email you the box number & access code.
- -2 votes
To be fair, the site doesn't say that anywhere, and does give an example that suggests otherwise.
But I'm hoping the "Parcel Locker C123456" part of the address is simply a user ID number.
Jane Smith
Parcel Locker C123456
170-174 Chapel Street,
St Kilda VIC 3182- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 13:29 ¶
The C123456 is a customer number: "When you register you will receive a Parcel Locker address and your unique Parcel Locker Customer ID."
+1 voteI use this service and it's great.
- you dont get assigned a locker, it's always different. The ID I believe is just to differentiate you on the system.
- The lockers are of varying sizes, but I've had my laptop, some kids toys, a package from the UK was even succesfully delivered to my locker.
- The sms/email is sometimes a bit flaky, e.g. I redirected something and it took two days from the redirection before I got the email.
otherwise very happy with the service
thanks
for your 3rd point, I've seen that once or twice. I'm assuming that there's been a 'rush', so all the lockers have been in use. No doubt, there are times that half of them are empty, and other times where they could use many more.
I also believe that even though St Leonards is open 24 hours (they have people sorting etc there), that even if 20 people pick up parcels after 6pm, the lockers won't get restocked until the next day.
+1 voteproductred on 22/04/2012 - 10:17 ¶I have been using the service for more than 3 months now.
The address you are given is like a user id. You are not given a dedicated box like a PO box. Instead the post office has like 50 boxes of variying sizes. They will put your parcel in the largest box that will fit it. If it will not fit, you are notified via sms and email as well that you need to pick it up during office hours. Otherwise you are given the locker number and a pin to unlock it. Just like the library lockers in the city.
This means that in one parcel you may be given locker B3 for it. Then be given A5 the next.
+1 voteFor those who care, Newcastle is in the process of having theirs installed at the Warabrook Mail center (the business center is directly out front to the left of the main driveway) should be up and running within a few weeks.
Now, with the parcel lockers, as the product is sorted, it will be available as soon as it goes into the locker, so it is possible to get same day parcel 'delivery' with the lockers, from local areas, or sub metro areas.
This combined with the rollout of dedicated business hub areas, and the new express pickup service (same as what most couriers have now, except you wont require an account with post to have articles collected) looks to be very interesting.
They are also overhauling the tracking service as well, along with streamlining the linehaul process (interstate parcel movement via B-doubles) and intrastate is included.
The ultimate goal is to have metro to metro interstate delivery within 48 hours, with outers to be 72 hours (ie adelaide to brisbane in 72 hours, Syd to Bris/GC = 48 hours, Melb to Bris = 48 hours and so on)
+3 votes"Brisbane GPO, 261 Queen Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000"
In QLD, only really good for you if you live/work in the city. Otherwise, your options are:
* Pay a lot for parking nearby
* Pay to catch a train/bus in and out
* Park well before/after business hoursDuring the day, you'd be lucky to find (inexpensive) street parking.
- brucefromaustralia on 22/04/2012 - 11:11 ¶
CBD location is handy for many offices & businesses. There will be other locations later. When a suitable location becomes available, you can change your account settings (& address) to it.
+1 voteQueue Danoz Direct type salesman voice:
Having a parcel delivered straight to your home is sooo inconvenient! (Show a black and white image of someone struggling to open their front door)
Now Australia Post will hold your parcels for you to come and collect (like you have to do now) but now they'll charge you for the privilege!
Hats off To AusPost for finding a way to do less work and charge you for it.
- +2 votes
Its perfect for people who are not at home during the day (ie 9-5 white collar workers) who may struggle to make it to the post office during business hours. With this setup, you can pick it up 24/7, so if you wish to pick it up at 7pm you can, without issue. Also it is much more secure, as the contractor cannot 'safe drop' parcels or have them bounced around in the back of a van all day.
+4 votesAusPost will start charging after 12 months for sure! ;-)
what we can see here is AusPost trying to get rid of high cost delivery drivers,
and the parcel handling fees at the local/small franchise Post Office,
in other word: AusPost get more $, and more people losing their job/money!
it also make you move your ass and drive to their NEW PO BOX to pickup the parcel,
instead of Post Office delivering to you or a Post Office near you.if this service is available to EVERY post office(the one close to you)
then I would say this is a great idea, as they making you more convenience,
instead, they trying to sell you more services to save on their own cost.by the way, do you guys know AusPost made millions in profit in their parcel delivery service?
- +2 votes
I don't know whether they can start charging for it, the cost is in theory embedded in the postage fee already paid. But you are right, what they will save heaps on is the staff that were handing out parcels all day long, the delivery guys coming to your door, transport costs by consolidation. It's effectively automating the process normally done by people. The price won't come down though, simply more profit for Australia Post. Humans are an expensive hassle that talk back and want superannuation and compensation. Eventually we will have automated ourselves all out of a job and the jobs that do get done by humans, get done in India and China.
+1 voteCrownanchor on 22/04/2012 - 12:05 ¶"Australia Post's latest net profit of $241 million for the 2010-11 financial year was up from $90million this time last year.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-post-increases-prof... "
That was for the entire group, not sure about the parcel post service profit but this is a very strong and profitable part of the business.
Also AusPost is headed by ex NAB CEO.
- +1 vote
Parcel service and retail prop up Australia post, the mail section is in the red to the tune of 90 million a year (it actually costs Australia post money to deliver mail)
That being said that profit figure was propped up by lots of asset sales (mainly land, and center consolidations)
- +1 voteJabba the Hutt on 22/04/2012 - 12:39 ¶
This sort of scheme would be less sucky than getting carded and having to queue at the post office during opening hours, but only if a delivery attempt were made before the parcel is put in a locker - as it is it's one step forward, two steps back.
But the first thought I had on hearing about it a few months ago was I'd much prefer the option of a home "parcelbox" equivalent to the traditional letterbox. At the basic end it would function similarly to an Australia Post street posting box perhaps with a bigger opening, while a more sophisticated system might use RFID to give access to the home owner and authorised delivery drivers, record the consignment details and update the tracking data, and feature a status indicator and an internet link. Drivers wouldn't have to stand at the door waiting for a signature, and the issue of them not waiting long enough before carding you would be diminished.
Rather than being placed a long the nature strip, they'd be situated on the porch where parcels are traditionally dropped, available in various colours/designs so that they fit in aesthetically.
+2 votesYeah, but you point up that it's a more sensible forward looking option and you get downvotes by those that like the idea of going to the post office to pick up parcels…
Honestly, do people not see that the next step is "we will NOT be delivering to the house, you have to pick up from boxes at the local post office"? And then that you have to pay for those boxes?
- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 14:01 ¶
At which point people stop using Australia post for parcels and they lose business. In other words, it's not going to happen.
+4 voteshighdealer on 22/04/2012 - 12:40 ¶This kind of service should be free anyway
Aus Post are making a killing with the booming ebay business
And what is it good for?
Doesn't accept regular mail and letter
Doesn't accept register post parcel
It also only available in 4 location in all of australia
This clearly is a case of auspost trying to cut cost while looking good at the same timeIts in trial phase, more sites will be rolled out over the coming months. Ebay is a very very very small portion of Ausposts overall revenue. For example two of our major customers (Australian wine selectors and Print) do over triple the revenue combined then what ebay/personal parcel revenue does.
Money is in customer lodgements and bulk shipping, not so much from personal/ebay.
It wont accept anything that needs a signature, for the obvious reason, everything else except mail is fair game.
- -1 votehighdealer on 22/04/2012 - 13:26 ¶
no registed parcel, no mail
So what exactly is everything else?
would never sent an unregistered parcel as it could just get lost in the mail and there is not a thing you can do about it.
The funny thing is the recently increase their flat rate satchel
500g from $5.50-$6.20
3Kg from $9.20-$10.55- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 13:35 ¶
Well, that's you. I'm sure you'll find there are craploads of unregistered parcels being sent that people will love a service like this for.
- -2 votes
You can thank the ginger ninja's carbon tax for that.
While our diesel costs wont change in the next two years, the gigawatts of electricity used daily throughout the entire company is subject to the carbon tax.
base costs go up (wages, building maintance, rents etc) product cost goes up, pretty simple.
+2 votesCarbon tax hasn't even occurred yet and won't for another few months, so you're claiming that Aust Post is just profiteering by increases its charges when the costs haven't risen?
No, the reality is that they increase their parcel charges at least twice a year, the past few years, because they can. When fuel charges went up a few years back they claimed it was because of that. Then fuel charges went down yet prices didn't.
So if this reduces Aus post's costs does this mean for normal parcels(not express/register post) there will be drops in parcel rates? I'm don't think so! and these lockers should really be free, that's the main difference with po boxes, one is permanent, the other temporary
- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 13:32 ¶
I doubt it'll reduce parcel rates as offering this service still does cost them money (building the secure lockers, sending email & SMS), just that it might save some in the long run. And atm they are free - I haven't read anywhere that they'll be charging for the service, so no need to assume atm.
Costs some money, but saves more money - surely the cost they pay a parcel post contractor per parcel is greater than the cost of an SMS message? And they save labour costs in the branch from collection as well. As for locker cost, they'll likely be on existing property so the extra expense there is a one-off cost i.e. minimal compared to annual, ongoing expenses and labour costs.
Plus there's the likelihood they'll charge for this anyway, which would also then likely cover those minimal costs.
- CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 13:33 ¶
It's a trial. I'm sure at the end of it they'll start offering lockers at more locations.
The Land of Smeg on 22/04/2012 - 13:41 ¶I hope I can get AAE to deliver there becuase those morons can never find my address
- -1 voteCarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 14:03 ¶
It'll be for Australia Post parcels only. They're not going to offer a service like this if Australia Post isn't being paid for and/or saving money with this service..
-
tulkn on 22/04/2012 - 04:02
-
CarbonTwelve on 22/04/2012 - 09:01
-
monarocv8 on 22/04/2012 - 09:31
-
zzyss on 22/04/2012 - 07:07
-
mattgal on 22/04/2012 - 09:16
- Login or Register to Join The Conversation
- Top Comments
35
These are a great idea I think. Having to get to the post office when they are open is always a pain!