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Grand Designs Live and DIY SOS: a memorable week for iParcelBox
Last week was a busy week for iParcelBox. From 2 – 4 October, we spent three days meeting customers and homeowners at Grand Designs Live at the NEC in Birmingham. Then, on Tuesday evening, we sat down to watch iParcelBox make a brief appearance on BBC One’s DIY SOS.
The two events could not have been more different, but both were special for us. Here are a few highlights.
Three days at Grand Designs Live
From 2–4 October, we took the full iParcelBox range to the NEC Birmingham for Grand Designs Live.
Exhibiting lets us put the product directly in front of people. Visitors on Stand B74 could see each model in person and try it for themselves, just as a courier would: simply press the button, wait for the lid to unlock, place the parcel inside and close the lid.
We were asked plenty of questions, including:
- Does the courier need an app? (No. Anyone can make a delivery without a code, passkey or app.)
- What happens when a second parcel arrives? (As the customer, you allow the delivery from your phone, or use one of the optional settings such as auto-open)
- How long does the battery last? (4-6 months in normal use)
- What stops somebody stealing the iParcelBox? (It’s securely bolted down with the provided fixings)
- Can I use it for collections as well as deliveries? (Absolutely!)
These are exactly the conversations we want to have.
A big thank you to everyone who visited the stand. It was wonderful to meet existing iParcelBox owners who came over to tell us how they use their box at home. Hearing directly from customers is invaluable to us. We want to know what you like and what you’d like us to develop next. We were delighted to hear that several of you had also benefitted from our free ticket offer to the exhibition.
And welcome to everyone who discovered iParcelBox for the first time at the show.
From Grand Designs Live to DIY SOS
On Tuesday evening at 8pm on BBC One, DIY SOS told the story of Ahmed and Rifat Ali and their family in Southampton.
Building work on the family’s home had been abandoned, leaving large parts of the house unusable. DIY SOS brought together tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers to transform the property and give the family a fresh start.
We were pleased to make a small contribution by providing an iParcelBox XL for their new home.
Did you spot it?
We weren’t expecting a starring role. But if you watched closely as Ahmed and Rifat came outside, you may have spotted their new iParcelBox beside them at the front of the house.
It was only on screen for a few seconds, but it was an emotional moment for us.
But more importantly, the Ali family now has something practical they will use long after the cameras have gone, fully integrated into the other smart home features added to the house to make their lives a little easier. With iParcelBox, they can receive parcels securely when they are not at home, without needing to be available to answer the door.
We were proud to play our part alongside all the businesses, tradespeople and volunteers who gave their products, skills and time to the project. We wish Ahmed, Rifat and their family many happy years in their newly refurbished and extended home.
You can watch the episode in BBC iPlayer at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032l3x/diy-sos-series-35-3-ahmed-and-rifats-fresh-start
Seven years on
iParcelBox started seven years ago with a simple idea: there had to be a better way to receive parcels when nobody is home to answer the door. It’s rewarding to see more and more people discovering what we’ve built.
Whether you came to see us at Grand Designs Live, spotted us on DIY SOS, or have had an iParcelBox outside your home for years: thank you for being part of the journey. We have plenty more planned.
If you met us at the show and would like to find out more, or you’re ready to order, visit www.iparcelbox.com or get in touch with the team.
The iParcelBox team