Postman signed for letter when we were not at home

saltnvinegar

Hi All

Before I call Royal Mail and make a complaint I just want to find out the position on this.

Yesterday we were out most of the day and return home to find a letter (which required a signature) had been delivered, so I assume has been signed for by the postman.

The sender, obviously is now claiming we have signed for it, when we have done no such thing.

What would is the position here? Should the postman have signed for it?

What if this were a legal letter and we had not received it but had been signed for by the postman?

Thanks in advance

SnV

Sambucus_Nigra

You got the letter though?

No further action.

You don't HAVE to kick off just because you can.....the postie has surely saved you time and fuel by not taking it back and posting it.

saltnvinegar

Yes I got the letter but thats not the point.

As it happens, it was a letter from our solicitors with important documents in it.

If we hadn't received them, our solicitors would have been saying 'but you signed for them'.

The whole point of paying for a 'signed for' service is that you know the recipient signed for it., and as a recipient I know it shouldn't be delivered unless I sign for it.

If I'm not in at the time, thats my problem. Its not up to the postman to decide whats in my interests in terms of time and money.

So, back to the original question which is should the postman have done this or not?

custardy

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

You got the letter though?

No further action.

You don't HAVE to kick off just because you can.....the postie has surely saved you time and fuel by not taking it back and posting it.

all good unless the recipient doesnt want the letter

Sambucus_Nigra

saltnvinegar wrote: »

Yes I got the letter but thats not the point.

As it happens, it was a letter from our solicitors with important documents in it.

If we hadn't received them, our solicitors would have been saying 'but you signed for them'.

The whole point of paying for a 'signed for' service is that you know the recipient signed for it., and as a recipient I know it shouldn't be delivered unless I sign for it.

If I'm not in at the time, thats my problem. Its not up to the postman to decide whats in my interests in terms of time and money.

So, back to the original question which is should the postman have done this or not?

If you hadn't had the letter - you would be arguing with the solicitor that you hadn't signed it, and you would get them to check the signature, see that it wasn't your signature, and take it from there.

What is it you want - to sack the postie?

jane130

i would just be grateful that the postie has saved me a trip to the sorting office

Hintza

jane130 wrote: »

i would just be grateful that the postie has saved me a trip to the sorting office

Exactly my thought.

Sublime_2

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

What is it you want - to sack the postie?

Looks like it.

Pollycat

I see what Sambucus Nigra is saying - but I'd want to know if the postie signed HIS name or YOURS.
If he forged your name, it could cause problems in the scenario that Sambucus Nigra outlines.

FWIW, I think the postie acted with the best intentions.

But to answer your question:

So, back to the original question which is should the postman have done this or not?

Of course he shouldn't have done it and you know he shouldn't have done it.

I'm pretty sure it would be a disciplinary offence (my friend who's an ex-postie signed for a CD for one of his customers and got into trouble with the Delivery Offie Manager for it).

The REAL question is what are you going to do about it?
Are you going to drop him in it by complaining?

If it were me, I'd have a word with the postie and tell him that if there are any items that require a signature and I'm not in, he should leave a card and I'll collect it from the Sorting Office.

Sublime_2

Pollycat wrote: »

If it were me, I'd have a word with the postie and tell him that if there are any items that require a signature and I'm not in, he should leave a card and I'll collect it from the Sorting Office.

Best course of action imo.

barnabee

Yesterday we were out most of the day and return home to find a letter (which required a signature) had been delivered, so I assume has been signed for by the postman.

How do you know the postie signed for it? The item may have been pushed through your door without anyone signing for it. I am not defending this sloppy behaviour in Royal mail but some of the recorded stickers are now white, not orange, and they are easy to miss.
Before you start any complaint first check whether it was signed for, if it was then find out who signed for it. If it wasn't then decide if you still wish to complain.