Tier 1: Basic
About $15 to $45Everything the core Protocol needs: a laminated sign, a holder to stake it by the item, and bags. This is the complete system. The tiers above are upgrades, not requirements.
Displays2Go 8.5×11 Acrylic Sign Holder
Made in Fall River, Massachusetts. Stakes into the ground next to the item and holds your laminated QR sign where buyers can't miss it. The most important piece of Tier 1, because it's what keeps buyers from knocking on your door.
Check priceScotch Thermal Laminator (3M)
Laminate your QR sign once and it survives rain, snow, and a full season on the porch. Rather skip the machine? Most office-supply stores will laminate a page for a couple of dollars.
Check priceTier 2: Recommended
About $50 to $100The setup I run. Adds a lockable cash drop box so envelopes never sit out, plus lighting, because in winter the sun sets around 4 PM and a well-lit porch keeps everyone visible.
Evjurcn Lockable Cash Drop Box
Cash buyers drop the envelope through the slot and the box stays locked. Look for an envelope-wide slot and a plain exterior, so it reads as "utility," not "cash here." Bolt it down or weigh it down.
Check priceRing Solar Pathlight
No wiring. Charges by day and lights up when a buyer approaches. It does two jobs: the buyer can find the item, and nobody moves around your property unseen.
Check priceTier 3: Ultimate Security
About $200 to $400For high-theft areas or higher-value items. The lock matters more than the box, and the pick below was chosen because it works where cell signal doesn't.
igloohome Smart Padlock (SP1E)
Picked on function. You generate a unique PIN for each buyer in the app, and they punch it into the keypad. No app, Wi-Fi, or cell signal needed at the lock. Bluetooth-only locks make a stranger install an app in your dead zone. This one just works. The Smart Padlock Lite (about $50) is the budget version.
Check priceSuncast Deck Box (99-gal)
Made in Batavia, Illinois. Weatherproof and lockable. The padlock goes through the hasp and each buyer gets their own code. Lifetime (made in Utah) is the other USA-made option.
Check priceRing Stick Up Cam (Battery)
A visible camera over the porch is a simple deterrent. Battery powered, no wiring.
Check priceThe Secure Porch Kit
The full Tier 3 setup in one shopping trip, for high-theft areas or anyone selling higher-value items:
- igloohome Smart Padlock SP1E: a unique code per buyer, works offline
- Suncast 99-gal deck box: USA-made, weatherproof, lockable
- Ring Stick Up Cam: eyes on the porch
Gear is the easy part. The guide is the system that makes it work.
Get The Porch Protocol · $19