Amazon's convenience was once unrivaled, with instant shipping, door-to-door delivery, and instant refunds. But as the site expands, delivery hassles and theft reports are increasing. Across the Los Angeles to Winnipeg spectrum, users are experiencing Amazon missing packages, stalled customer service, and risky delivery methods.
Here’s a look at what real users are experiencing, supported by data and possible solutions.
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While exact numbers for Amazon-specific thefts are hard to isolate, multiple industry studies show tens of millions of parcels vanish annually in the U.S., with losses in the $12–16 billion range. Since sources suggest Amazon shipments represent a large share of the “at risk” parcels, the scale of the problem is substantial for any business relying on Amazon delivery.
While not Amazon-exclusive, one source claims that more than half of reported stolen packages are from Amazon deliveries, for example, over 50% in one investigative guide. (History Tool).
The same source suggests Amazon experiences ~1.7 million lost or stolen packages each day across all carriers/retailers.
In a major U.S. city example (Houston, Texas), Amazon-delivered packages accounted for about 32% of stolen parcels in that metro area. (Houston Chronicle)
For companies shipping high-volume goods (e.g., to apartments, urban settings), this means lost packages aren’t just “small annoyances”; they represent measurable financial, reputational, and logistical liabilities.
These numbers show that the risk of package theft or missed delivery is not rare. When you’re shipping frequently (e.g., via Amazon), the chance a parcel goes missing or is stolen becomes a meaningful business risk.
Even if your brand handles claims or replacements, repeated incidents impact customer trust, increase support burden, and can raise shipping/replacement costs.
Apartment dwellers, multi-unit buildings, and busy urban zones show higher vulnerability (e.g., more packages, shared access, less supervision). Some stats indicate apartment residents are twice as likely to be targeted. (Security.org)
Because these issues are systemic (logistics + theft + building access + consumer habits), the strategic value of offering secure pickup options or alternate delivery routes is clear.
The following real Reddit accounts on issues like Amazon missing packages and Amazon stolen packages shed light on recurring issues ranging from refund delays and thefts to off-hour deliveries and costly prevention measures, painting a stark picture of how challenging online shopping has become in the face of rising package insecurity that has left many shoppers frustrated and helpless.
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One user in Los Angeles described being told by Amazon to file a police report after a package theft, only to find themselves trapped in a bureaucratic maze. The LAPD’s backlog meant 20 weeks just to process a report, while Amazon refused a refund without confirmation from the police.
This tale illustrates a disturbing change in Amazon's policies: in areas of high pilferage, the retailer more and more insists on formal documentation to authorize refunds. Consumer Reports in a 2023 survey conducted found that 28% of stolen Amazon packages customers were asked to produce police or insurance documents, compared with 12% in 2020.
The Takeaway: The process favors the company over the customer.While Amazon investigates, the victim remains out both money and merchandise.
Don’t let a stolen delivery ruin your day, learn the fastest way to resolve Amazon package stolen issues here: How to Deal with Amazon Stolen Packages
Another user from Winnipeg shared how packages left outside apartment doors vanished, even in fob-access-only buildings. The management offered little help, no hallway cameras, no accountability.
This mirrors a widespread trend: package thefts in apartments have risen 32% year-over-year according to SafeWise’s 2024 Package Theft Report. Common culprits are fellow tenants or building visitors, and in many cases, delivery personnel ignoring special instructions (like using a secure locker).
“We asked Amazon to deliver to the storage locker, but they left it outside my door a day early,” one frustrated user said.
Why it’s worse in apartments:
In a bizarre example, a user shared how Amazon attempted deliveries at 4:21 a.m. for three consecutive days, when their apartment building was closed. Each morning brought the same notification: “We couldn’t enter your building.”
Amazon's increasing use of contracted delivery drivers (Amazon Flex) is part of the problem. Drivers for Flex create their own routes, which means off-hour deliveries. Business Insider reports 17% of Flex deliveries are made between midnight and 6 a.m., well outside of business hours.
Result: Failed deliveries, disappointed consumers, and late packages.
A user described how a package delivered at 3:59 a.m. was stolen by 4:00 a.m., likely by someone following Amazon trucks. Despite a quick refund, the incident reflects a broader issue: real-time theft tracking by opportunists.
According to Security.org’s 2024 report, over 119 million Americans (roughly one in three households) have experienced package theft, up from 49 million in 2019. The average stolen package value is $112, but the emotional and time costs far exceed that.
“Someone must be following the Amazon driver around,” wrote one parent who lost their child’s sunscreen for daycare.
Faced with thefts, many turn to smart package lockers or lockboxes, but these can cost $300–$600 and take up significant porch space. Others rely on doorbell cameras, but those only help after the theft.
“I don’t want to spend $300+ on a locking cabinet,” one user lamented, “and I don’t want to drive to a pickup spot either.”
This highlights the cost barrier for secure delivery solutions, one reason package theft remains rampant despite technological advances.
The final grievance captures a broader pattern: multiple users reported delays, Amazon missing packages, and misrouted packages across Los Angeles during the holiday season. Some deliveries were left in the wrong buildings; others simply vanished after label creation.
Industry-wide data confirms this:
“Every order I’ve made this month has been a headache,” one L.A. resident wrote. “Three Amazon packages disappeared after the label was created.”
Metric |
Statistic |
Source |
|---|---|---|
U.S. households affected by package theft | 119 million | Security.org 2024 |
Average stolen package value | $112 | Security.org |
Growth in thefts since 2019 | +142% | SafeWise |
Deliveries attempted between midnight–6 a.m. | 17% | Business Insider |
Refunds requiring police documentation | 28% | Consumer Reports |
Apartment theft growth YoY | 32% | SafeWise |
Stowfly offers a simple, secure, and affordable package receiving service as a solution offering verified local package pick up points for your packages. Instead of leaving deliveries at your doorstep or in unsafe lobbies, have them sent to a trusted nearby package storage location, a convenience store, café, or partner business.
Benefits of using Stowfly:
For package recipients in urban centers plagued by theft and delivery delays, Stowfly offers the peace of mind Amazon can’t always guarantee. Go ahead and:
Amazon's delivery model is strained, and consumers are footing the bill. Whether it's bureaucratic refund barriers, evening deliveries, or widespread porch piracy, it's apparent that conventional home delivery no longer ensures safety.
Until large e-commerce players upgrade their infrastructure, tools such as Stowfly are the best safeguard against the daily madness of shopping online.
Over 58 million packages are stolen each year, don’t let yours be one of them.Read our full breakdown here: The Case for Smarter Package Acceptance