Packages stolen from side of house.

lallysmum

I am/was expecting 4 deliveries at the moment. 3 of the items were posted on 6.12 and one on 03.12.
2 packages were delivered yesterday by my normal postman. As I was out he left them behind the gate round the side of my house, where he often leaves things if I'm not in. He wrote "packages behind gate" on the envelope of one of my letters.
When I looked when I got home at about 2.30 (he usually delivers around 11am) there was nothing there.
I asked him this morning, he showed me where he left them and there was definitely nothing there. I can only assume that someone saw him deliver them, came back and stole them later. He told me that one was a big Amazon box that I think was a pair of snow boots for my son as that is the only large Amazon delivery I am waiting on and one was a smaller box, that I think contained a dvd set from Sainsbury's. (The other things were handwarmers and a book set - I can see that the book set is being delivered by Yodel at some point after hell freezes over)

I spoke to Sainsbury's Entertainment this morning and explained what I think happened and they told me that it was my fault and they will not replace or refund. They may consider doing so after 14 days which will be too late for the Christmas present they were intended to be.. Obviously it's not Sainsbury's fault, and not really mine, unless I am missing something (and am happy to be corrected on that)

Spoke to Amazon and they said that as it was a 3rd party seller I would have to take it up with them.. which doesn't strike me as fair for the seller to be out of pocket to replace something.

What should I do next? Do I report the theft to the police? Take it up with RM? i really don't want to get my postman into trouble as he is fab, and so helpful. Just grit my teeth and repurchase the missing items?

Hintza

lallysmum wrote: »

Just grit my teeth and repurchase the missing items?

Our postman does the same for (except left in shed) and I realise there is some risk attached so I guess I would grin and bare it.

I wouldn't like to drop my postie in it either.

dalesrider

lallysmum wrote: »

What should I do next? Do I report the theft to the police? Take it up with RM? i really don't want to get my postman into trouble as he is fab, and so helpful. Just grit my teeth and repurchase the missing items?

So you have goods stolen from your property and you have to ask if you need to report to the police ......:rotfl:

I guess that you in the past have asked the postman to leave goods there. In which case, you have no claim against the PO.

Police and home insurance claim it is then.....:T

shocky_2

Hmm. Your contract is with Amazon and Sainsburys so I guess you could take it up to them. However, it is kind of your posties' fault.

vaio

I'm pretty sure legally the responsibility is on the seller to get them delivered to you.

Whether "delivered to you" include your postman leaving them down the side of the house I suppose depends on whether you agreed to it.

If you did then when he left them they became your responsibility.

If you didn't then the sellers will have to replace and your postman is likely in for a bottom kicking from his boss if the seller complains

lallysmum

dalesrider wrote: »

So you have goods stolen from your property and you have to ask if you need to report to the police ......:rotfl:

I guess that you in the past have asked the postman to leave goods there. In which case, you have no claim against the PO.

Police and home insurance claim it is then.....:T

I'm not really sure that I need laughing at for asking a question. Yes, I don't know whether to report something as stolen if I have never taken physical acceptance of the goods.
I assume from your answer that I can. And now will.

lallysmum

Thank you everyone.. the total value is less than £20 (£5 for the dvd set and £12.95 for the boots) so I'll just chalk it up to experience this time and buy new ones.
Postman and I have decided that if I'm not at home he will either shove things through the dog flap, or if they won't fit, hide them at the bottom of my cardboard recycling box thing.
I may be naive, but this has really shaken me. Such a stupid thing and they weren't even "good" things.. but just that someone who lives near me would open my gate, take stuff, close up behind them and just walk away. I know it happens, just never has to me before and it's really affected me. Blimey.. I'm a bit pathetic, aren''t I?

greyteam1959

If you have things delivered fairly often why not get a big box with a padlock ??
You leave the unlocked padlock inside the box & when postie has a parcel for you puts it in the box & clicks padlock on.
If you think the thieving s*ds will nick the box as well screw it to the floor!!

dalesrider

lallysmum wrote: »

I'm not really sure that I need laughing at for asking a question. Yes, I don't know whether to report something as stolen if I have never taken physical acceptance of the goods.
I assume from your answer that I can. And now will.

The laughing was to make it a lighthearted comment. NOT to poke fun at you.

The goods were, according to the postie left on your property. That leaves two options. Either some thieving scumbag has nicked them. Or your posties is a thieving scumbag....
Next time you see him. Tell him it has been reported to the police and see how he acts.

EIther way it was taken from your property.

keyser666

lallysmum wrote: »

I'm not really sure that I need laughing at for asking a question. Yes, I don't know whether to report something as stolen if I have never taken physical acceptance of the goods.
I assume from your answer that I can. And now will.

Well I would say you did accept them but thats not what you will tell the companies that have lost out is it?

lallysmum

Actually yes. I have told both Sainsbury's and Amazon that the items were stolen from the side of my house. I have now reported it to the police and updated both companies with the crime reference number.
I have bought the DVD set again, and will buy the snow boots again when the seller confirms that they have the size in stock. It's showing as out of stock at the moment.
If you were implying that I'm attempting to pull a fast one, then you really couldn't be more wrong. If I were that way inclined surely I would just have, in a couple of weeks, reported the items as not turned up and requested replacements.
It probably is partly my fault as I appreciate it when the postman leaves things round the side as it saves me a trip to the soprting office to collect, and am probably lucky that nothing has ever been taken before.