Parcel dropped onto wrong property + stolen

on_a_sixpence

Hi all,

Sorry for the new thread but I can't see a specific one relating to this problem!

We received a "something for you" card from Royal Mail last Friday, saying "parcel left behind gate", with no other details. The gate in question is 8 feet tall and actually a neighboring property, not ours. The gate was locked and therefore deemed by RM to be secure. An old couple live there and they are generally rude and inconsiderate for no apparent reason.

When RM did an investigation and told me it was delivered there, I approached the neighbour and they said that they had left the parcel outside my front door on the day it was delivered. This is a street where all front doors step straight on to the street, which is a common cut through for kids from the town centre to McDonalds.

I asked them why they did this, and they said "it's not our problem", and rather than putting a note through the door to say they had something of ours, they just left it out in public.

Surprise surprise, 9 days later the parcel is no longer there and probably been stolen. It was a replacement games controller that costs around £50 new and for some reason was not sent by courier or recorded delivery.

I haven't yet gone back to Royal Mail to tell them this, however I assume when I do they will tell me it is now a matter between me and my neighbour.

Where do I go from here? Should I ask my neighbour to pay for the controller or just tell RM it is lost?

pinkshoes

You need to go back to the person who sent you it and tell them that you do not have it, and THEY either need to send another or refund you.

It is THEM who then need to take it up with RM and seek a refund for failed delivery.

SouthUKMan

Despite the actions of your neighbour and the decision made by a Royal Mail employee, I would say your contract remains with the online store / retailer. This will not be the first time this has happened, and most retailers realise it is best practice to issue a replacement item to the customer and then they claim from the delivery company / Royal Mail. I am however surprised that such a relatively high value item wasn't sent as 'signed for' or via Parcel Force, as I believe the 'insurance' value on this is £50.

m0bov

As others have said, just go back to who you got it from and let them sort it out.

neilmcl

As soon as your neighbour took possession of the parcel it became their responsibility to look after it.

Billy_Bullocks

neilmcl wrote: »

As soon as your neighbour took possession of the parcel it became their responsibility to look after it.

I can't disagree with that however unless the op informed the seller to leave the parcel in a safe location or with a neighbour I can't see that's his problem.

neilmcl

Isn't it part of the T&Cs for Royal Mail parcel delivery that they will now, as a matter of course, attempt to deliver to a neighbour if the recipient is out? You need to explicitly opt-out of this if you don't want that to happen or use a different courier. Presumably the OP was aware that the parcel was being shipped by RM.

Billy_Bullocks

neilmcl wrote: »

Isn't it part of the T&Cs for Royal Mail parcel delivery that they will now, as a matter of course, attempt to deliver to a neighbour if the recipient is out? You need to explicitly opt-out of this if you don't want that to happen or use a different courier. Presumably the OP was aware that the parcel was being shipped by RM.

It's an interesting one. Technically the Royal Mail failed when it's was thrown over the neighbours gate, but it was received by them. Given what's been posted the issue is with the neighbour failing to take care of the parcel.

The only way the op can take it up with the seller is to be dishonest.

shaun_from_Africa

neilmcl wrote: »

Isn't it part of the T&Cs for Royal Mail parcel delivery that they will now, as a matter of course, attempt to deliver to a neighbour if the recipient is out? You need to explicitly opt-out of this if you don't want that to happen or use a different courier. Presumably the OP was aware that the parcel was being shipped by RM.

But RM still failed as they didn't deliver to a neighbour, they simply left it behind the neighbour's gate, something that goes against their "delivery to neighbour" policy as this states that the neighbour must be available to accept the order.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/delivery-to-neighbour#faq-19350918-35835065

If your nominated neighbour is not available to accept an item, we’ll try to leave it with another neighbour

Billy_Bullocks

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

But RM still failed as they didn't deliver to a neighbour, they simply left it behind the neighbour's gate, something that goes against their "delivery to neighbour" policy as this states that the neighbour must be available to accept the order.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/delivery-to-neighbour#faq-19350918-35835065

But the neighbour did get it. Yes it's against their policy so have the Royal Mail lost it?

iammumtoone

neilmcl wrote: »

Presumably the OP was aware that the parcel was being shipped by RM.

How do they know that?

When I order online I just generally get told delivery time (ie 4-5 days) not what carrier is sending it (with the exception of ebay where sellers often use different to they state anyway).

I think this situation is unfair on the OP neighbours and they can't be held responsible as they weren't asked if they would accept the parcel. I generally take in parcels for my neighbours but sometimes its not possible if I know I will be out for the evening etc meaning neighbour wont be able to collect their parcel when they might need it, in this instance I refuse.