Camden Complex Won't Hold Packages For Resident Pickup

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A major, national apartment property owner is telling tenants at more than 160 properties it won't pile packages for pickup at its office any more. Camden Property Trust is on record as saying holding packages for residents is becoming a larger and more time consuming job every year.

But the growth in online buying for daily necessities has made the convenience of office pick up a must-have option for some renters.

"Yeah, I mean I pretty much exclusively shop online," said Justin Burks who lives in the Camden Farmers Market complex in Dallas

Burks and roommate Matthew Limpede use online shopping for everything from coffee to clothing. But Camden told them and tens of thousands of its residents the front office won't hold packages for its renters anymore.

"We can no longer walk over to the front office and get it," Limpede explained. "We have to coordinate with UPS, FedEx or the post office and go to the post office to get it."

"You have to drive to the post office and you have to wait in line, and then they have to look for your package," Burks said. "I think one time I timed it and I was there for an hour and 15 minutes."

The national property leaser sent letters to its residents at Burks' complex telling them the change would give residents more flexible pick up options and peace of mind knowing their shipment is safe.

But the company told the Wall Street Journal its offices were swamped with packages, receiving a million of them last year. Camden figures it costs them $3.3 million in lost worker productivity every year.

Limpede and Burks say the zero package policy may cost Camden tenants.

"Yeah, It's definitely affecting our decision about whether we renew or not," Limpede said.

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