Big plans for Bob Box smart lockers

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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Bob Box smart lockers pick up steam

Bob Group's smart locker service — Bob Box — is proving popular among residents of South Africa's townships, with six locker locations near informal settlements and plans to expand its network.

The group also has plans to launch a locker-to-locker service, which lets customers send packages from one Bob Box to another, in the near future.
 
“While it’s still early to pinpoint the exact reasons, we believe it’s a combination of factors such as the convenience of having a pickup point close to where people live and work and the cost savings associated with using lockers for deliveries, which typically come with lower shipping rates.”

It's exactly those reasons. I don't like to sit around waiting for a courier to deliver or collect, and the reduced cost is a bonus.
 
how is it they haven't broken in to those boxes and stolen the contents out of them,
at least the DSV boxes are in high traffic areas.
 
This should become the norm and home delivery the exception.

These couriers are such a pain in the A$$ honestly and it is wasteful in terms of missed deliveries etc
 
No frikken locker for me. We might as well go back to mail order.

The reason i use a courier is so that i don't have to drive ANYWHERE to collect.
 
I also like using collection points. Not knowing when some random delivery will happen is a PITA.
 
RudderVator said:
This should become the norm and home delivery the exception.
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fck that. Then i'll go back to brick an' mortar.
RudderVator said:
These couriers are such a pain in the A$$ honestly and it is wasteful in terms of missed deliveries etc
Click to expand...
Dumb systems. An automatic sms when the courier comes into a certain radius of you. Even an extra call from the driver on a company phone fo a missed delivery, is more cost effective than a 2nd delivery attempt.

For townships, courier can drop off at 3rd party point with those Velocity bikes. There's even guys now that buy those bikes in bulk and rent it out to drivers at around R600 a week. They already use 3rd parties anyway.

I predict the Chinese will have to once again show them how streamlined logistics are done.
 
BBSA said:
I tend to choose pick-up points where there are human assistants, probably because I'm not entirely sure how the locker boxes work.
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You get sent a pin ,touch the locker screen, enter pin and the door to your goodies opens ,or to deposit ,very easy ,use it daily for spares ,very cheap and you don't have to go out to the gate looking like a grease monkey ,stays at locker for 36 hours then gets taken back to depot .
 
soulie said:
You get sent a pin ,touch the locker screen, enter pin and the door to your goodies opens ,or to deposit ,very easy ,use it daily for spares ,very cheap and you don't have to go out to the gate looking like a grease monkey ,stays at locker for 36 hours then gets taken back to depot .
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I might just test it out someday!
 
JustAsk said:
fck that. Then i'll go back to brick an' mortar.

Dumb systems. An automatic sms when the courier comes into a certain radius of you. Even an extra call from the driver on a company phone fo a missed delivery, is more cost effective than a 2nd delivery attempt.

For townships, courier can drop off at 3rd party point with those Velocity bikes. There's even guys now that buy those bikes in bulk and rent it out to drivers at around R600 a week. They already use 3rd parties anyway.

I predict the Chinese will have to once again show them how streamlined logistics are done.
Click to expand...
I 100% agree, going through this today with Buffalo, order was taken back to the warehouse without even bothering to call me :mad:
 
Obieone said:
I 100% agree, going through this today with Buffalo, order was taken back to the warehouse without even bothering to call me :mad:
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They did the same thing to me recently as well.. A quick call to Buffalo the next day sorted it all out and the package was delivered less than an hour after I called...

Likely just a lazy courier driver who didn't feel like working too hard that day.
 
ToxicBunny said:
They did the same thing to me recently as well.. A quick call to Buffalo the next day sorted it all out and the package was delivered less than an hour after I called...

Likely just a lazy courier driver who didn't feel like working too hard that day.
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What number did you call? The 010 number had me listening to endless elevator music and the numbers on the website are in china. I sent a message via the chatbot and the reply was that package is returned to the warehouse and they will notify me for a secondary delivery. I'll wait and see what happens but not holding my breath.
 
"with six locker locations near informal settlements"

Why would I have a new MacBook delivered there? If recent truck looting is anything to go by, wait until people discover what these lockers may hold.

Sad, but that's SA.
 
Obieone said:
What number did you call? The 010 number had me listening to endless elevator music and the numbers on the website are in china. I sent a message via the chatbot and the reply was that package is returned to the warehouse and they will notify me for a secondary delivery. I'll wait and see what happens but not holding my breath.
Click to expand...

I phoned the 010 number and was on hold for maybe 3 or 4 minutes before a really nice and efficient young lady sorted it all out.
 
bixt said:
"with six locker locations near informal settlements"

Why would I have a new MacBook delivered there? If recent truck looting is anything to go by, wait until people discover what these lockers may hold.
Click to expand...
I take it you care because you live there in the township, right?

Also, i've heard about these Apple fanbois in townships. SASSA grants really can buy a whole lot. I've learned on mybb they are all sassa grantees.
bixt said:
Sad, but that's SA.
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No, sad for you. Read the article and see how ridiculous you post makes you look.
 
Paid advertorial from a has been. Move along.
 
JustAsk said:
fck that. Then i'll go back to brick an' mortar.

Dumb systems. An automatic sms when the courier comes into a certain radius of you. Even an extra call from the driver on a company phone fo a missed delivery, is more cost effective than a 2nd delivery attempt.

For townships, courier can drop off at 3rd party point with those Velocity bikes. There's even guys now that buy those bikes in bulk and rent it out to drivers at around R600 a week. They already use 3rd parties anyway.

I predict the Chinese will have to once again show them how streamlined logistics are done.
Click to expand...
You can choose. I'd rather not deal with incompetent couriers. Other countries solved this by dropping it at your door on your unfenced property. They sent me the proof.

unnamed (2).jpg

I don't recognise the bear, or the door, or the stuff I "ordered".
 
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