The cyber shopping games have begun.  Retailers and sellers looking to cash in on the holiday season will spend the next month doing as much as they can to capture your attention, business and dollars.

Who is not willing to give up the fun time of endlessly circling the mall or the shopping center looking for that ever elusive parking space?  Instead there is a certain amount of seduction in the convenience of kicking back, firing up that favored electronic device and with a few click of the mouse, the rest of your holiday shopping has been completed from the comfort of your own office or home.  Now you can relax and wait for those deliveries to come pouring in, right?  Well maybe.

Incidents of package theft continue to rise.  A nearly constant stream of news stories filled with examples caught on camera and in person are important reminders that your purchases are extremely vulnerable when they sit all alone within easy public viewing on your porch or doorstep.

As the purchaser, it is your responsibility to ensure that your shipped items are delivered to a secure location.  This means that long before you click that “complete purchase” button on that electronic shopping cart you have already formulated a plan or made arrangements for packages to be delivered to a person or place you can trust.

Shipping and package delivery companies do what they can.  During the holiday season their systems are loaded to the max with packages and seasonal help.  To ensure that as many customers and deliveries as possible are completed during the course of the planned working day, stops per route or even per minute count.  That means delivery drivers and their helpers are hustling for eight, 10 or even 12 hours a day.

Improvements in package tracking and routing have made it possible for consumers to monitor their packages from start to finish.  If managed properly changes in where those packages are delivered or held can still be made while the items are still in transit.

As the purchaser there are several things you can do to protect your purchases and avoid or reduce the chance of them being stolen out from under your nose.

Have your packages delivered to your office or place of employment.

Make arrangements with your post office to hold your mail for pickup if you are expecting a number of packages or high-value packages.

See if who you are purchasing from has an “in store” pickup option.  An added benefit to this option is that many retailers will waive the shipping fees if you choose “in store” pickup.

Make arrangements with your neighbors to accept and hold your packages for you.

Be mindful if your packages require a signature of an adult or someone over the age of 21.  Delivery drivers will not be able to leave these types of packages without that signature.

Most importantly print and keep those shipment confirmation and tracking numbers.  Share those tracking numbers with the intended recipient if it is not going to be you. Sign up for exception and delivery notifications from the shipping provider if possible.  Use that tracking information to check often on your packages while they are in transit.

Some simple advice and tips that will save you time, money and frustration this holiday season:  Order items as early as possible to ensure there is plenty of time for them to make it to their destination for the big day.  Avoid last minute purchases with expedited delivery promises from sellers that seem too good to be true.

Take the time to thank your delivery drivers as they are working very hard, for long hours in conditions that are less than ideal to make many holiday wishes come true.

To reach Colleen email her at colleensmidt@gmail.com.