Updated 2.9.2025: Stolen packages are common in an era of one-click orders and doorstep deliveries. According to SafeWise, over 260 million packages were stolen across the U.S. in 2023 alone, a staggering figure that’s only climbing in 2024 and into 2025.
With rising order volumes, higher-value items, and increasingly brazen porch pirates, secure delivery solutions are no longer a luxury, they are a necessity.
Analysts estimate that porch pirates snatch about 260,000 packages every day, and unreported incidents push the figure to nearly 1.7 million packages stolen daily. The average stolen package is valued at about $132–$204, and nearly 79 % of victims have been hit more than once, proof that stealing deliveries has become a lucrative, repeatable crime.
What Americans Want from Package Delivery in 2025
Recent surveys show:
And yet:
This is where Stowfly’s model of package receiving services succeeds, a distributed, human-powered, tech-enabled network offering true delivery freedom.
Concerns about theft are shaping these preferences. Over one‑third of Americans experienced a stolen package in the past year(capitaloneshopping.com), and 52 % were worried about package theft in 2024. Urban dwellers face an 18.8 % chance of theft each year, suburban residents 12.7 % and rural residents 9.9 %; apartment residents are twice as likely to have a package stolen as people who live in houses. Despite this, 14 % of shoppers take no precautions, 17 % rely on neighbors to bring packages inside, and only 3 % use in‑home delivery services like Amazon Key.
If you’re tired of missed deliveries or stolen packages, it's time to let Stowfly handle it. Safe deliveries, zero stress, and your first month is free!
Before we compare options, here’s why it matters.
This crisis has given rise to secure alternative delivery points.
The result? Millions of Americans are searching for safer, smarter ways to receive packages, especially in cities, apartments, and neighborhoods where:
Major carriers themselves recognize the limits of “last‑mile” delivery. Once a package is dropped off, responsibility typically shifts to the customer; with Amazon shipping more than 1.6 million packages a day, drivers prioritize speed over security, and claims for stolen packages are often denied. Arrest rates for porch pirates are low, around 10 %, so most thieves are never caught.
To tackle this, three major alternatives to home delivery have emerged:
So which of these is the best for safe, flexible, and convenient package delivery in the U.S.?
In theory, Amazon Lockers solve a modern delivery problem: what happens when you're not home to accept a package, and you don’t want it stolen off your porch?
Launched in 2011, Amazon Locker has grown into a network of automated, self-service delivery kiosks strategically placed in retail locations like Whole Foods, 7-Eleven, Rite Aid, and apartment lobbies across U.S. cities. The appeal is clear, your package gets dropped into a secure locker, and you pick it up at your convenience using a code sent to your phone or email.
As of 2024, there are roughly 2,800+ Amazon Locker locations in the U.S. (Statista), primarily concentrated in urban areas where porch piracy is common and residents are often not home during delivery hours.
In a 2023 survey by C+R Research, 52% of consumers said they would be more likely to use package lockers if they lived in a city where package theft was a concern.
And yet, for all the convenience Amazon Lockers offer, they're not a catch-all solution. They work only for Amazon orders, they come with strict item eligibility rules, and their availability in suburban, rural, or low-density neighborhoods remains limited.
Let’s break down the pros and cons:
Pros of Amazon Locker
Cons of Amazon Locker
U.S. Availability
Approximately 2,800+ Amazon Locker locations nationwide (Statista, 2024).
Highest density in urban cores, especially near:
Real-World User Insight
“I live in a Brooklyn walk-up with zero chance of safe home delivery, so I started using the Amazon Locker at my corner pharmacy. It’s perfect for basics, but when I tried ordering a humidifier, the locker refused to accept it.”
— Grace M., NYC resident & Amazon Prime user
Summary
Amazon Locker is a good option for urban Prime members, particularly those ordering small-to-medium-sized items regularly from Amazon itself. However, its single-platform limitation, restricted item sizes, and inflexible pickup window make it unsuitable for:
UPS is one of the largest and most trusted package carriers in the U.S., delivering over 21 million packages daily (UPS Investor Report, 2024). But even this delivery giant faces a growing challenge: how to securely hand off packages when recipients aren't home.
To address this, UPS created the Access Point network, a system of partnered retail locations like pharmacies (CVS, Advance Auto Parts), grocery stores, gas stations, dry cleaners, and independent shops that act as drop-off and pickup hubs for UPS shipments.
Whether you're returning an item or missed a delivery attempt at home, Access Points offer a safe and reliable alternative, without needing to drive to a UPS Customer Center (often located on the outskirts of cities).
Why It Exists
UPS Access Points aim to fill this gap with a more personal, secure, and localized alternative.
Fast Facts
Real-World Scenario
“I live in the Chicago suburbs and work in downtown. I used to miss UPS deliveries all the time, especially signature-required ones. Now, I just redirect everything to a CVS near my train stop. Super convenient, but it only helps for UPS orders. I still have issues with Amazon or FedEx.”
— Ryan L., Illinois
Pros of UPS Access Point
Cons of UPS Access Point
U.S. Availability
22,000+ locations across the country (UPS, 2024)
High concentration in:
Often co-located in pharmacies, convenience chains, and mom-and-pop stores
Typical Use Case
You order a new pair of sneakers from Zappos. You’re not sure you’ll be home to receive them. During checkout (or via UPS tracking), you redirect the delivery to your nearest UPS Access Point, a Walgreens open until 9 PM. The package arrives securely, and you pick it up after work with your photo ID. Convenient, secure… but only works because it shipped via UPS.
Summary
Want to streamline returns or rerouted deliveries
However, for those shopping across platforms (Amazon, Etsy, Shopify D2C brands), or for anyone needing a single, universal solution, Access Points fall short due to their carrier exclusivity and limited flexibility.
In today’s fragmented e-commerce world, one-size-fits-all solutions like Amazon Locker or UPS Access Point often fall short. What if your package isn’t from Amazon? What if your courier isn’t UPS? What if you want a secure delivery location no matter who you order from—be it FedEx, USPS, DHL, Etsy, Shopify, or a friend sending you something?
That’s where package receiving services by Stowfly stand out.
Stowfly was created to solve one of the most frustrating modern problems: package theft and missed deliveries, regardless of which courier you use. Unlike Amazon Locker or UPS Access Point, which are limited to specific platforms or carriers, package storage services by Stowfly offers a truly universal solution by turning vetted local businesses (like cafes, salons, and retail stores) into secure pickup points for your packages.Stowfly holds packages safely until you’re ready to pick them up.
Founded with a mission to democratize secure delivery access beyond just major metro areas, Stowfly is gaining popularity across U.S. cities as consumers increasingly seek smarter, more flexible delivery options in 2024 and beyond.
How It Works
Stowfly offers a simple, scalable solution that works regardless of what you're buying or where you live.
Pros of Stowfly
U.S. Availability (as of 2025)
Real-World Scenario
“I shop from everywhere—Amazon, Etsy, Target, and a bunch of DTC brands. I used to lose sleep over porch pirates or missed FedEx deliveries. With Stowfly, I just ship everything to a salon near my apartment and pick it up after work. No apps, no stress.”
— Lena R., Brooklyn, NY
Summary
Stowfly is a modern, carrier-neutral solution built for the way people actually shop in 2024–25. Whether you're receiving a package from Amazon, FedEx, or a local Etsy maker, Stowfly offers a secure, private, and flexible delivery alternative that doesn’t force you to commit to one ecosystem or carrier. You’ll no longer have to deal with Amazon missing packages, FedEx lost packages, USPS missing packages or UPS stolen packages again.
It’s ideal for:
If you're looking for true delivery flexibility in a porch-pirate-prone world, Stowfly might just be your smartest option.
Feature | Amazon Locker | UPS Access Point | Stowfly |
|---|---|---|---|
Courier Compatibility | Amazon only | UPS only | Any courier |
Package Size Restrictions | Yes | Some restrictions | Up to 2 feet in each dimension and 50 pounds in weight. |
Pickup Deadline | 3 days | 3 days | Flexible |
Human Interaction | No | Minimal | Yes- Real Hosts |
Signature Packages Accepted | No | Yes (UPS only) | Yes (any courier) |
Cost | Free (Prime only) | Free | Affordable subscription plans start at $7.50/month |
Ideal For | Ideal For | UPS shippers | Locals, Renters, travelers, nomads |
National Reach | High in cities | High in suburbs/cities | High in suburbs/cities |
Remote Worker in an Airbnb in Brooklyn
You don’t want packages piling up outside the host’s door.
→ Stowfly wins for flexible, nearby package pickup from any courier.
College Student in Boston with No Mailroom
Amazon orders work in lockers, but what about textbook rentals from Chegg or family mail via USPS?
→ Stowfly offers wider compatibility and safer storage.
Suburban Family Ordering Exclusively from Amazon
You have a Whole Foods nearby and don’t mind picking up packages every few days.
→ Amazon Locker is a decent fit, if your items qualify.
Small Business Getting Regular UPS Inventory Shipments
You want a place to reroute your deliveries when you’re out.
→ UPS Access Point fits, though Stowfly works too,if available.
With package theft on the rise in 2024–25, choosing the right delivery option matters more than ever. Whether you’re loyal to Amazon, ship with UPS, or buy from everywhere, Stowfly offers true flexibility and security, no matter the courier. Peace of mind starts with where your package lands.
If a package does get stolen, experts advise contacting the seller and carrier for a refund or replacement, filing a police report, sharing any camera footage with neighbors, and considering whether insurance might cover the loss(safewise.com). Taking these steps, along with using secure pickup services, can minimize your risk of stolen packages.