I live in Brooklyn too. Not sure if it's a regional thing but lately all packages have been delivered via USPS. I don't currently have the problem that the OP has but that's only because I live in a larger apartment building to which USPS sends a truck with all the packages for the day.
But I can definitely relate. USPS offices are usually in very unfriendly places as far as public transportation goes. Having to travel, wait on line and then carry your package home would be a deal breaker for me as well.
I also live in Brooklyn (no doorman) and pay $9/mo for a USPS registered mailbox at a laundry store so that I never have to deal with the physical post office. I used to go there to pick up packages and it was a hellish experience. $9/mo saves all of that hassle and it is definitely worth it.
No, Amazon Lockers are nowhere near me (Williamsburg). I just don't see how it would be possible for them to scale as large as "neighborhood mailboxes" which are literally everywhere. There are at least 3 cheap mailbox / package drops on Bedford Ave on the walk home from the L train so I never have to go out of my way.
It seems like Amazon is developing quite the relationship with the USPS in New York City. Perhaps the recent increase you see in Amazon USPS deliveries is related to their recent announcement that they'll be delivering Prime orders on Sundays via the USPS in NYC and LA. [1]
It is a mix for me. It all depends on the item being shipped I think and whatever facility it is leaving from. I've had books delivered via the USPS this week to my mailbox and other times via UPS to my door. The item distribution seems random but I believe they have contracts with all kinds of carriers (even local ones that deliver via van in small areas of town I've had show up before).
In my case, I've received my prime packages from every carrier available USPS, UPS, FedEx, even local courier. I can't recall if I received anything via DHL.
I live in Western New York, but we are near FedEx and UPS hubs...which might account for the various delivery methods.
I live in a mountainous area and the Postal Service won't deliver to my house. (FedEx and UPS will). So FedEx Smart Post creates the same problem for me-- I have to go to town during Post Office hours to pick up the package (and usually wait in line). I would also pay for a UPS/FedEx only Prime. I sometimes force the issue for important or large deliveries by ordering it Next Day for $3.99 more, which ensures UPS/FedEx to my home.
That's interesting. I thought that the USPS monopoly on usage of your mailbox was premised on the fact that they don't "cherry pick" easily deliverable addresses, being required to deliver everywhere.
Can you explain more about why you don't have postal service?
I thought the same thing. I'd overlook it as it seems like Brooklyn does get USPS, but he seems to assume this is universal. I've gotten Amazon packages in Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Coachella Valley, Seattle, and rural eastern Washington, and almost none have shipped USPS.
Yeah, I also live in brooklyn, and very, very few of my prime packages are delivered by usps. I order a ton of shit for me and the companies I work for, I'm really surprised OP has this problem.
The last fifteen packages we've ordered were via the USPS. Either someone at Amazon thinks this is hilarious to mess with people, or their system for selecting carriers is oddly tuned.
I will get stuff through I think its called UPS Mail Solutions or Fedex smartpost. it is where UPS or Fedex delivers my package to the Post Office, and then the USPS carrier delivers it to my house.
I've never received a package from Amazon via anyone but UPS.