How to stop delivery men knocking my aunt's door to take in parcels for neighbours?

Ivrytwr3

and if they still don't get the message...............

Keep the parcels
Sell on EBay
Go on a cruise with the profit!!!

DigForVictory

If the polite sign doesn't work, chalk up a new one:

"Rehomed Rottweiler on site, with Bad response to loud noises."

For versimilitude, lend Aunt a (lightly sedated) Rottweiler for a morning?

scheming_gypsy

bloss0m wrote: »

I would have thought that any understanding neighbours wouldn't be slightest bit peeved if she put a sign up at door providing she explained to them that she is unable to answer door due to her age and being fragile etc

or just put one on the door saying 'frail old lady living here, please rob my house or pretend to be a gas man while your mate rifles through my pension book'

marlot

Its a shame its causing her stress. When we had an elderly neighbour (who wasn't quite so frail as this lady) it was a great way to build a rapport with her. We reciprocated for her taking in parcels (probably only once a month) by clearing her gutters each autumn and putting her bin out/bringing it back in each week. And of course making sure she had food when the weather was snowy.

marlot

PS. if the neighbour's parcels are mostly small, it might be worth recommending a parcelsafe box. Ours is brilliant.

sassy.pumpkins_2

Oh Betty, your poor Aunt has my sympathies. I'm disabled and find getting to the door difficult. I'm lucky that I don't have to accept packages for neighbours often, however, I would have issues with it if it became a regular thing. As others have suggested, a sign stating no deliveries for other addresses will be accepted is a good idea, although it's unlikely that many of the delivery people will pay any attention to the note (I say this from personal experience). I was trying to domesticate some feral kittens last year and I put a big sign on my front door stating not to ring bell repeatedly, press once only as there were frightened animals being rescued...3 different drivers seemed to have got their finger stuck on the bell (as did the guy from Scottish Hydro)...so either they can't read or just choose to ignore it.

I have a dog who goes batcrap crazy when the doorbell is pushed repeatedly and she goes running to the door (she is only a mild mannered golden lab but running on hardwood floors and barking like a wild beast, she sounds like a heard of rabid dogs and has scared the wits out of several delivery guys (heehee) to the point that when I do finally get to the front door, the guy has gone the other side of the gate, closed the gate and is half way down the steps lol (I could send a recording for your Aunt to play if she needs it :rotfl: )

Honestly, I'd go and visit the neighbours first (you rather than her)...or pass a note through their letter boxes but state that from this point on your Aunt is unable to get to the door to accept packages on their behalf and that in future if they know they are not going to be in when something they have ordered is to be delivered, to please make sure that they have made a note of this to the company stating alternative delivery arrangements (ie stating that the delivery person can leave the package on their doorstep, in a bin, at back of the house, or another safe place, etc but NOT to leave it with the neighbours). I'd go on to say that it's not that she doesn't want to be neighbourly but at her age she is no longer in a position to constantly answer the door for others, that once in a blue moon would have been fine, but that there are some in the neighbourhood who are taking advantage of her kind nature and have simply imposed on her too much and are making her ill with the stress and worry. Alternatively, I'd leave a note specifically with the business person using her as an unpaid employee, stating that no more packages will be accepted on their behalf without a £50 fee per package processing fee (for her time in signing for and babysitting said package) as she's no longer going to work for free. I'm a bit of a mouthy so & so when I get riled, so I'd probably do both (leaving a note with others and a specific one to the person who's really taking advantage)

Then put a post up saying 'No Deliveries for other addresses will be accepted - No Exceptions!' There doesn't need to be an explanation of why on the sign, as others have suggested, this is just an invitation to any nasty person that someone who's vulnerable is there alone.

Oh and as for them tapping on the window, tell her to just shake her head 'No' if they do it and not to feel bad in the slightest, the note on the door makes it clear, no exceptions. And then anyone who breaks this new policy by knocking on the door/window, I'd report them and make a fuss. My DH says I put the fear into any service person when I phone to complain if I'm riled and they give me a run around and don't sort things out to my satisfaction :eek: so if you should ever need assistance complaining after the 'No Deliveries' sign has been posted, just give me a shout.

Good luck and please do let us know how your Aunt gets on. I hope she gets to relax near her window soon and enjoy watching the world go by!

- Sassy

sharnad

Tweaker wrote: »

A simple sign on the door saying something like 'PARCEL DELIVERIES: Sorry, I can only accept parcels for this address only, no exceptions, thank you for your consideration' should suffice.

My mam has one of these on the door don't knock night shift it works great. Have to keep an ear out for the Chinese now as if we forget to take it off they don't like to knock

theforumking

NOTE ON WINDOW

Dear Delivery man,

"SOD OFF"

bargain_betty_3

sassy.pumpkins wrote: »

Oh Betty, your poor Aunt has my sympathies. I'm disabled and find getting to the door difficult. I'm lucky that I don't have to accept packages for neighbours often, however, I would have issues with it if it became a regular thing. As others have suggested, a sign stating no deliveries for other addresses will be accepted is a good idea, although it's unlikely that many of the delivery people will pay any attention to the note (I say this from personal experience). I was trying to domesticate some feral kittens last year and I put a big sign on my front door stating not to ring bell repeatedly, press once only as there were frightened animals being rescued...3 different drivers seemed to have got their finger stuck on the bell (as did the guy from Scottish Hydro)...so either they can't read or just choose to ignore it.

I have a dog who goes batcrap crazy when the doorbell is pushed repeatedly and she goes running to the door (she is only a mild mannered golden lab but running on hardwood floors and barking like a wild beast, she sounds like a heard of rabid dogs and has scared the wits out of several delivery guys (heehee) to the point that when I do finally get to the front door, the guy has gone the other side of the gate, closed the gate and is half way down the steps lol (I could send a recording for your Aunt to play if she needs it :rotfl: )

Honestly, I'd go and visit the neighbours first (you rather than her)...or pass a note through their letter boxes but state that from this point on your Aunt is unable to get to the door to accept packages on their behalf and that in future if they know they are not going to be in when something they have ordered is to be delivered, to please make sure that they have made a note of this to the company stating alternative delivery arrangements (ie stating that the delivery person can leave the package on their doorstep, in a bin, at back of the house, or another safe place, etc but NOT to leave it with the neighbours). I'd go on to say that it's not that she doesn't want to be neighbourly but at her age she is no longer in a position to constantly answer the door for others, that once in a blue moon would have been fine, but that there are some in the neighbourhood who are taking advantage of her kind nature and have simply imposed on her too much and are making her ill with the stress and worry. Alternatively, I'd leave a note specifically with the business person using her as an unpaid employee, stating that no more packages will be accepted on their behalf without a £50 fee per package processing fee (for her time in signing for and babysitting said package) as she's no longer going to work for free. I'm a bit of a mouthy so & so when I get riled, so I'd probably do both (leaving a note with others and a specific one to the person who's really taking advantage)

Then put a post up saying 'No Deliveries for other addresses will be accepted - No Exceptions!' There doesn't need to be an explanation of why on the sign, as others have suggested, this is just an invitation to any nasty person that someone who's vulnerable is there alone.

Oh and as for them tapping on the window, tell her to just shake her head 'No' if they do it and not to feel bad in the slightest, the note on the door makes it clear, no exceptions. And then anyone who breaks this new policy by knocking on the door/window, I'd report them and make a fuss. My DH says I put the fear into any service person when I phone to complain if I'm riled and they give me a run around and don't sort things out to my satisfaction :eek: so if you should ever need assistance complaining after the 'No Deliveries' sign has been posted, just give me a shout.

Good luck and please do let us know how your Aunt gets on. I hope she gets to relax near her window soon and enjoy watching the world go by!

- Sassy

Thanks Sassy for your thoughtful message, we are trying out the polite sign on the door this week and I'll keep you all posted!
Betty

bargain_betty_3

zippybungle wrote: »

This is from the Royal Mail website: (see the bold and underlined paragraph) obviously this will only apply to parcels which are delivered by Royal Mail and not any other couriers


Opt out of Delivery to Neighbour

You can opt of Delivery to Neighbour by displaying a sticker at your address. Please note, senders of items will not be able to opt-out from Delivery to Neighbour.
You can opt out by calling 08456 113 420

• I understand that by opting out of Delivery to Neighbour, any mail items which cannot be delivered to my address because I am not at home, will be returned to my local Royal Mail Delivery Office, for me to collect or to arrange a re-delivery.
• I understand that by opting out of Delivery to Neighbour, I am opting out of taking receipt of my neighbours’ items also.
• I am aware that opting out of Delivery to Neighbour applies to items delivered by Royal Mail only.
• I understand it is my responsibility to display the sticker at all times. If the sticker is not made easily visible at my address, items may be delivered to a neighbour if I am not at home or I may be asked to take receipt of my neighbours’ item(s).
• I understand that if at any time I change my mind and decide not to opt-out, then I need only to remove the sticker.
• I confirm the sticker will be displayed at my address so it is easily visible to the Royal Mail postman or woman.

http://www.royalmail.com/delivery-to-neighbour/#Opt%20out

Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to posting this - it's fantastic.