TOLLESON, Ariz. — The next time you order something, you may want to look up because one company is giving customers the option to have it delivered in a way that's sure to turn heads.
Amazon is giving a whole new meaning to dropping off one's packages by delivering customers' items in less than one hour by drone.
"It's flying and it's ready to deliver to lucky customers in the West Valley," said Amazon Spokesperson, Zoe Richmond. "Almost everybody expects their package in two days or less and now we continue to raise the bar. So this is just that revolution of innovation to continue and find innovative ways to delight our customers."
The company originally announced plans for the service back in April. Arizona was one of several states to extensively test it and in November became one of the first to officially implement it.
"Other places the drone has been tested, we did begin in California and Texas," Richmond said. "There is drone service in Texas but that's still under that testing umbrella, they're much more limited in what they can do. The West Valley is the first place where we could have claim to fame where the drone became part of the network and infrastructure."
So how does it work? A customer finds one of the 50,000 items eligible and selects that particular delivery method at checkout. It then takes off and drops on the person's property. However, there are restrictions. Delivery must take place during the day and the weight of the item must be five pounds or less. Customers also have to live in the West Valley, specifically about seven miles or so from the Tolleson Facility near 107th Avenue and West Van Buren. The delivery should be made in an hour or less.
"One of our great perks for customers is speed," Richmond said. "Being able to get those items quickly, efficiently and safely is one reason why we've been innovating this new delivery system. The West Valley is where all the growth and opportunity and innovation is going on and you already have that infrastructure in Tolleson to include drone service within the existing infrastructure."
The service is taking deliveries to new heights, and Amazon officials say it's just the beginning.
"Amazon is ready to deliver smiles all year round but obviously right now during peak holiday season specifically on Cyber Monday, we're definitely excited, ready to go and with all the other options," Richmond said. "Drone is one more way to surprise and delight our customers."
There is an extra fee for drone delivery. For Prime members, it's $9.99 and for others, it's $14.99.
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