Threatened by the courier on my doorstep - very upset

krissys

Please bear with me....

To cut a long story short, I run a business from home. I ordered some stock from a supplier who I have had a long relationship with. The stock never arrived but the courier company sent an email saying it had been signed for and the name of the person who signed.

I phoned up my suppliers and they contacted the courier who said that they had delivered somewhere else by mistake. The courier then called my husband trying to get him to pick it up as the people he delivered it to might not hold it but I said no as I wanted to inspect it fully before signing.

The courier told my husband he would be back the next day to sort it out. He didn't show up and I was going away for 2 weeks and so I called my supplier and they said they would sort it out.

A week into my holiday, the supplier called to ask if I had picked it up as the courier was claiming that he had been back and I had picked the goods up. I said not the case, supplier believed me and I was refunded. they said they would sort it out.

Today my 4 children and a friend were in the living room and there is a knock at the door. A man was just staring at me when I answered so I asked if he was Ok. He said he was not and I suddenly got a barrage of abuse. He was shouting in the street calling me a thief and saying he was getting the police involved. I told him I had not picked it up but he said that he had to pay out of his own pocket and It was because I was a thief etc.... He was claiming the people he delivered it to were his witnesses etc

I finally got rid of him and went into the living room where my eldest daughter was crying because the police were coming to get mummy!

I phoned my suppliers straight away and they are refusing to use the company again. I also called the company and they were disgusted but said they would have to put it through to the depot and took my number. I have not heard back from them.

I am also thinking about making my own police complaint. I was thinking they might turn up on my doorstep and save me a trip to the police station!

I am just very sad that this could have an impact on my relationship with my supplier and my neighbours. And taking my daughters friend home made a very interesting explanation for her mum too.

krissys

Sorry so busy ranting. I forgot the point. I called the courier company at 2pm today and did not hear back. How long would you give them for something like this and is there someone you can complain to further if neccessary.

fluffnutter

I've replied on the Praise, Vent and Warnings thread but because you've asked a specific question... the supplier assigns the courier, not you, and has already decided not to use this guy again after your experience. What else are you hoping to achieve? I'd try to forget about it. Sometimes you just wind yourself up further by pursuing something.

arcon5

Write a formal letter of complain to their head office. This should at the very least be placed on his file in case it happens again.

texranger

Yes make a written formal complaint to the courier company.
Most couriers now are francised owner/drivers, so the courier would be upset incase he lost his franchise, which i think he deserves too of he abuses customers etc.

scoped1

firstly, i'll point out i'm not a lawyer - just know small bits of law, so i'd recommend doing your own research :P

Surely the person who did this is committing a public order offence?
under the whole harassment (alarm or distress) part of it?

S4A(1)(a)
Used threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour OR used disorderly behaviour
Towards another person
With intent to cause harassment/alarm/distress
And caused that/another person harassment/alarm/distress

you could say he used abusive/insulting words against you, in that most people would be insulted to be called a thief, and if he was shouting in an aggressive manner i would imagine most people would consider that abusive, and the fact your daughter ended up in tears - would mean she was clearly distressed?

and any rational person driving to someones address to shout in the street that they are this and that, surely knows the results their actions will have, giving you intention?

It might be worth talking to someone with vastly more knowledge than me, like the police to see what they make of it

as well as writing an abundance of complaints :P

so you could inform the police?

arcon5

Although I agree they are committing an offense, lets be realistic here -- the police won't care, she will get a crime reference number than it will be files in the filing cabinet (or the recycling bin).

Her best approach would be a complain via head office.

krissys

Thank you for your response everyone.

I didn't sleep a wink last night. I was so worried he would come back and was scaring myself silly. I am almost regretting calling the work now in case he loses his job and seeks revenge. He didn't make any personal threats but he was in my face shouting and I ended up letting the dog run past my legs so that he stepped back a bit. Dog didn't do much but just stood between us.

The suppliers are great but with him calling me a thief and saying I collected it etc. Well I said I was happy for the police to come and let them investigate but it would be embarrassing with the neighbours and the kids wouldn't like it.

Paul you are right. Had my husband been there, I am not sure he would do the same.

bigpound

Kind of late to report it to the police, if you report it now they are less likely to take it very seriously.

It just sounds like someone can't do their job properly, and in their company policy it states that they are responsible to for the goods, so he has to pay.

NoSatisfaction

Op should report it to the police, just in case the loony delivery guy decides to do something stupid like put a brick through the window or treats someone else the same.

You will probably just get a crime number but this will be cross referenced against other incidents so may prove useful if a prosecution is ever needed.

Yogibear

fluffnutter wrote: »

I've replied on the Praise, Vent and Warnings thread but because you've asked a specific question... the supplier assigns the courier, not you, and has already decided not to use this guy again after your experience. What else are you hoping to achieve? I'd try to forget about it. Sometimes you just wind yourself up further by pursuing something.

I 100% agree with you it`s difficult to let go as I find as it preys on your mind and makes you ill,let it go?!!