Signed for neighbour's parcel but...

LyndsM

Hi all
I know this is not technically money saving, but I'm concerned it could end up costing me money - please feel free to move the post to a more appropriate area.

I signed for a delivery a couple of weeks ago for my next door neighbour - the delivery guy asked me to, as it was raining and the houses face right on to the street (nowhere to leave a parcel safely). I told the delivery guy at the time that I had never met my neighbours, never seen them, was not convinced that anyone actually lives there (we've tried to contact them before for fence related matters). I've seen someone go in and out sporadically who our other neighbour says is a relative of the people who live there.
Anyway, against my better judgement, I signed and took the parcel in.
We put a note through their door at the time telling them and asking if they would come and collect. They haven't. We are now sick of knocking and putting more notes through and to be honest I have enough clutter as it is without boxes of theirs piling up.

I have now put a note through telling them to collect by tomorrow evening otherwise we will dispose of it, but I am reluctant do throw it away as the delivery company has my signature. I also don't want to just leave it outside for similar reasons: if it gets stolen/damaged will I be liable?

I don't really know what to do. I'm definitely NOT prepared to fork out to return the parcel to the supplier. I'd have to open it anyway to find out who the suppliers are and I know that's illegal.
Do I contact the delivery company and tell them to collect it or is there anything else I can do?

I'd prefer to leave it on their step, rather than throw it away but in our neighbourhood that amounts to the same thing :rolleyes:

So much for being a helpful neighbour! From :A to :mad:

Thanks all
Lynds

ericthekidstoner

I'd ring the delivery company first and explain the situation.

failing that, just leave it on their door step

mrcow

I'm not encouraging you to break the law, but I would think it's best to open it and see what you are dealing with. There will be paperwork from the supplier and they may even be a contact telephone for the recipient. The supplier should be much more able to help than the courier company.

This could even be a "junk" parcel that you are hoarding for someone, and as it's causing you stress, I know it's what I would do.

It may not even have been for someone at that address (mistakes do happen) and in the meantime, someone somewhere could be waiting for a delivery that's never arrived.

LyndsM

Cheers

From what I can gather from the blurb on the tracking sticker it's company stationery inside.
Hmmm. I'll have a think and decide what to do.
My OH would probably just rip it open and post it through their door bit by bit, box included! Luckily it's buried under all HIS junk so I think he's forgotten about it ha ha

Thanks
Lynds

mrcow

If it's company stationary, maybe there would be their tel number on printed paper/envelopes etc?

I'd open it for sure then and give them a call and tell them to pick it up before you bin it!

Bagpuss1973

Return it to the senders address with a note - obviously you will need to tape your envelope to it but don't put any stamps on it or as said before leave it on their doorstep and in future do not sign for anything else!

Poser

Your best bet is return it to sender explaining the situation

TheFlyingGerbil

You could drop a note through there door saying something like "if you do not reply to this letter within 24h you I will assume you are giving me permission to open and check the contents'. Then at least they cant say you were snooping in their stuff without permission.

Joe

LyndsM

Well, I looked at it again and saw there was an account number for the courier, so I contacted them and asked them to contact whoever the account holder was (supplier or reciever) and get them to sort it out as I was not going to take responsibility for anything that happened to it if I had to return it to them.

So, late last night the neighbour's son appeared and was full of apologies! I don't know if he found out from the couriers or whether he came round to his parent's and couldn't open the door for all the notes we'd stuffed through but I am reassured now that I'm not at risk of destroying or sending something important off to get lost in the post (turns out they were company reports).

Hurray! I love happy endings!

Thanks everyone
Lynds

Jo6673

Good for you Lynds- our posties wont leave parcels with our neighbours if we aren't in because parcels go missing which is a pain cos if they put a card through with a number on you know where it is!
As a result I had a card pushed through last Friday- no ink on it- it was etched on - legible if held up to the light!
I rang the parcel company to redeliver- rang and rang and rang!
I arranged for re-delivery on Monday as its half term I could be in- bit inconvenient but hey and it didn't come!
Rang again and got the complaints option (always a fast answer there) and they are rearranging for tomorrow- no apologies!!!
my parcel is being held to ransom and I haven't got the foggiest what it is- probably a large freebie... if its a pen I'll give it to the postie- he needs it more than I do!!:rotfl:

Marsh_Samphire

I once ordered some clothes from a catalogue and the courier left them with a neighbour. When I went to collect it I found that her daughter had opened the parcel, put on some of the clothes and gone out clubbing! My neighbour was embarrassed and offered to pay for them and the catalogue sent me replacements anyway!