Ever tried to ship something to an Amazon Hub Locker only to receive the dreaded “locker full” message? Amazon Locker shortages can derail delivery plans. When lockers fill up, packages are either delayed, misrouted to distant locations, or returned—often leading to Amazon missing packages, missed deliveries, and in some cases, stolen packages once they get rerouted into insecure holding areas.
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Amazon Lockers have been a game-changer in the last-mile delivery ecosystem. First introduced in 2011, they offered a secure alternative to home delivery, especially for urban dwellers without doormen or secure package rooms.
Their appeal lies in their 24/7 accessibility (for many locations), privacy, and reduction of package theft risk. Amazon has strategically placed thousands of these lockers in diverse locations, from grocery stores and pharmacies to apartment buildings and gas stations, aiming for maximum convenience.
The primary reason Amazon Lockers are frequently at full capacity is the explosive and sustained growth of e-commerce.
While Amazon continually invests in expanding its locker network, the demand often outstrips supply, especially during specific times.
When your chosen Amazon Locker is full, it triggers a chain of inconveniences and potential costs:
Forced Rerouting/Delays: Amazon will attempt to reroute your package to a nearby available locker or, as a default, to your home address. This can lead to delays in receiving your package, especially if your home address is less secure or you are not available.
Increased Risk of Theft: If your package is rerouted to an unsecured home address, it immediately becomes vulnerable to "porch pirates."
Wasted Time and Frustration: Discovering a full locker after a long wait, or having to track a rerouted package, consumes valuable time and generates significant frustration. Consumers often face the hassle of contacting customer service, rescheduling, or traveling further to alternative pickup points.
Environmental Impact: Rerouting or multiple delivery attempts due to full lockers contribute to increased fuel consumption and carbon emissions, impacting environmental sustainability efforts (Fernhay, 2025).
Lockers also support only Amazon shipments. If they're full, you may temporarily lose access to your package entirely—while UPS lost packages, FedEx stolen packages, and USPS missing packages continue under other carriers.
In r/AskNYC, frustrated New Yorkers share stories like:
“Package thefts from my apartment lobby always pick up around the holidays...” — with building cameras either non‑operational or ignored by management.
Other users mention Amazon missing packages repeatedly, or packages vanishing despite delivery confirmations. Many residents complain that even in‐building lockers or supers aren’t reliable, with lost packages piling up during busy weeks.
Amazon missing packages
When a Locker is full, Amazon often reroutes to alternate sites—or worse, marks deliveries lost before even leaving the fulfillment center. In high‑volume areas, a backlog results in tracking updates that don’t match reality.
UPS lost packages
Reddit users recount stories of UPS delivering to the wrong address—even delivering replacements only for them to appear on unsecured doorsteps again—elevating risks of UPS lost packages.
FedEx stolen packages
Packages left in corridors, lobbies, or exteriors are attractive to thieves. Even buildings with lockers or cameras report thefts shortly after delivery, illustrating FedEx drop risks in urban apartments.
USPS missing packages
Mail theft soared, with more than 25,000 incidents in the first half of FY 2023. USPS parcels left at mail clusters or vestibules are often picked off, fueling USPS missing packages complaints
When your go-to Amazon Locker is full, what are your options?
Other Amazon Lockers/Counters: You can search for alternative Amazon Locker locations or Amazon Counters (often at retail stores) nearby. However, these too can fill up, or may not be as conveniently located.
Carrier-Specific Access Points:
USPS PO Boxes/General Delivery: For USPS parcels, a PO Box offers a secure, centralized location. However, they are limited to USPS packages, and require a trip to the post office during its operating hours.
Direct Delivery Instructions (Limited Usefulness): While you can provide specific instructions for home delivery, their effectiveness in preventing theft in dense urban areas or unstaffed buildings is often limited.
Building Concierge/Mailroom: If you live in a luxury building with a doorman or dedicated package room, this is an ideal solution. However, this amenity is unavailable to the vast majority of urban residents, particularly those in older walk-ups or rent-stabilized units.
These alternatives often come with their own set of constraints: they might be specific to one carrier, have inconvenient operating hours, be geographically dispersed, or lack the secure, self-service appeal of lockers.
In a landscape where Amazon Lockers are hitting capacity and other alternatives offer limited universality or convenience, Stowfly emerges as a highly effective and consumer-friendly solution. Package receiving services by Stowfly provides a robust, local alternative that is designed to handle the overflow and address the core challenges of urban package delivery.
When your Amazon Locker shows "full capacity," Stowfly provides a seamless, secure, and truly local alternative that simplifies your entire package receiving experience.
Discover more package storage and package receiving locations here.
The phenomenon of full Amazon Lockers is a clear indicator of the immense strain on urban package delivery infrastructure, exacerbated by the relentless growth of e-commerce and changing consumer habits. While lockers offer a valuable service, their finite capacity, especially during peak periods, creates significant challenges for consumers, leading to delays, rerouting, and increased vulnerability to package theft.
Navigating this overflow effectively requires proactive strategies. While exploring alternative Amazon Lockers or carrier-specific access points can help, they often present their own limitations. Solutions like Stowfly offer a superior, universal, and more flexible alternative. By providing a secure, local, all-carrier package acceptance network, Stowfly empowers consumers to bypass the "full locker" dilemma, eliminate the risk of theft, and enjoy the convenience of online shopping without the associated anxieties. In an increasingly complex delivery landscape, embracing services that prioritize security, convenience, and reliability is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Read How SoHo & Tribeca Are Fighting Back Against Package Theft