December 20, 2004Remote Postal Pickup StationsDeutsche Post introduces unique parcel service Logistics Management October 1, 2002 Here's how it works: Customers must register for Packstation service and receive a customer card and a personal identification code. For each scheduled shipment, registrants may choose either home delivery or delivery to a convenient Packstation location. When a package is available at a Packstation location, Deutsche Post notifies the customer by e-mail or cellular phone text message. Customers can then use their cards and identification numbers to pick up packages from the lock box at their convenience. They also can place returned items in the boxes for the carrier to pick up. Packstation units are placed at high-traffic locations, such as gas stations and restaurants, in major population and business centers. Deutsche Post also plans to place them in large office buildings in the future. The program was originally rolled out in Mainz and Dortmund, Germany. To date, more than 24,000 customers have registered in those two cities. This month, 50 of the kiosks open for business in Frankfurt, and a trial also is under way in Amsterdam. The biggest users so far, say Deutsche Post officials, have been mail-order shippers like Amazon.com, Yves Rocher and Quelle. |