Norwell, Massachusetts family says Amazon vans keep driving through yard
After NewsCenter 5 aired a story late last year about Amazon vans continually using a South Shore woman's driveway to turn around, we heard from several other viewers with even wilder problems. That included a Norwell, Massachusetts, couple who say Amazon drivers keep driving through their backyard, thinking it’s a roadway.
At first glance, the surveillance camera video provided by Paul Bailey appears to show a routine Amazon delivery outside his garage, repeated millions of times a day at homes across the country. However, it becomes anything but routine when the van drives off.
It doesn't leave by the driveway, but instead exits through the backyard.
The video shows the driver hitting the brakes when he hits the grass, but then he decides to go for it. Eventually, realizing the backyard is a dead end, the driver turns around and exits down the driveway.
The video occurs after dark, but in the light, it's clear as day there's no road in Paul Bailey's backyard. He says that hasn't stopped numerous Amazon drivers from thinking there’s a road there.
Bailey even put up cones where his driveway ends to drive home that there's no road. They stopped several Amazon delivery contractors from driving onto the grass, but then the video shows them getting out and walking with a package on foot.
There are three houses far off the road somewhat behind the Bailey's property, but the access point for them is about a hundred yards down the street at a different driveway.
This delivery dilemma is limited to Amazon -- neither UPS nor FedEx drivers make this mistake -- and so the Baileys suspect the prime reason is that Amazon's own delivery GPS keeps sending the company's drivers to their yard.
"When I catch them, they [say] 'Not my fault. GPS,' and they show me their phone saying this is the route," Paul Bailey said.
The Baileys aren't the only ones dealing with delivery issues believed to be caused by Amazon's GPS. A couple in Bellingham say Amazon drivers keep cutting across their lawn to reach a road behind their property. It's led to torn-up grass and muddy ruts caused by larger Amazon vans.
Bailey said the most frustrating part is trying to contact someone empowered to actually correct the GPS.
"You don't really get through to anybody or anybody who seems like they're really listening," he said. "'OK, we'll look into it,' is all you get."
After NewsCenter 5 contacted Amazon, a spokesperson said it did sound like an issue with their GPS, and the company reached out to the Baileys to get more information so they could fix it.
“We’ve apologized to the Baileys and are working directly with them and our delivery partners to address this issue,” said Amazon spokesperson Alisa Carroll.
But the Baileys say they were told this problem must be "escalated," and so they were not given any time frame for a resolution.
Video: Amazon vans keep turning around in Mass. woman's driveway