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I used to be at dwelling working in my workplace upstairs when what can solely be described as a loud clonk in my yard startled me and my terrier, Freddie. I guessed it was an enthusiastically dropped package deal, however I could not have imagined the total scope of the incident that originated the noise.

I made my means downstairs to analyze, and located my double chain hyperlink gate had been kicked in by an Amazon supply particular person, who was seemingly unable to determine the objectively easy flip-up lock. The brute pressure entry busted the gate’s picket body, rendering it unusable and necessitating a restore that may require carpentry that’s above my ability stage. 

Two damning items of proof — my Amazon packages — had been dropped few yards contained in the gate. 

To make issues worse, the driving force left each gates broad open, leaving my yard inclined to canine escape. 

Naturally, I reported the incident by way of the retailer’s on-line indicent portal and contacted Amazon customer support by telephone. A well mannered girl instructed me to file a declare. I did so inside a day, together with the restore price estimate of $500 that I had secured from an area handyman, the Amazon package deal supply timestamp and several other images of the busted gate, additionally timestamped moments after the packages had been delivered.

I used to be instructed a call could be rendered inside a few days. Per week and one follow-up electronic mail later, Amazon replied and knowledgeable me that with out visible proof of the incident, they would not be reimbursing me for the harm. 

With no video proof of the Amazon driver busting my gate to ship a package deal, I used to be by myself to have the damaged body fastened.

David Watsky/CNET

After a wholesome bout of cursing this determination from the two.37 trillion-dollar-company, I made a decision I would outfit each entry level of my yard and residential with a safety digicam with video storage so I may pull footage if one thing like this occurred once more — although my canceled account ensures that it will not be by the hands of Amazon. 

For me, this was a no brainer. Safety cameras can price as little as $45 for the bottom unit and $5 or much less per 30 days for storage. Past security for your self, household, pets and packages, these reasonably priced sensible dwelling units could save me a headache in any variety of eventualities from overzealous supply staff with gate latch ineptitude to falling bushes planted in a neighbor’s yard.

I grew up in a no-lock dwelling, and to today do not concern violent breaking and getting into, naive as that could be. However the expertise of a possible underpaid and overworked supply particular person inflicting (most likely) unintentional, however vital, harm to my lower than one-year outdated dwelling was motive sufficient to cowl my bases. I’ve since ordered a video digicam to level on the aspect gate entry, along with the Roku video doorbell that is securely mounted to the entrance door (which was of no use on this scenario).

So the place to search out the perfect dwelling safety at a worth I may abdomen? Our dwelling safety professional Tyler Lacoma has examined all the highest video doorbells and residential safety cameras out there in 2025. He recommends the versatile Arlo Professional 5S as the perfect general, so I promptly ordered it. 

Greatest Purchase dropped it gently on my steps just a few days later.