Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask my neighbour to pay for the meat they spoiled?

[Deleted User]

I had some cheese delivered, the package is labelled as needing to be kept in the fridge. Royal Mail sat on their bums with it for 3 days before the bank holiday even though it was next day delivery then tried to deliver it on a Saturday to work when we were closed (hence I ordered at the weekend for Monday dispatch/Tuesday delivery). Eventually got it on the Tuesday a week late, clearly was just stuck in a warm warehouse not a fridge as one of the wax shells was damaged and cheese "juice" for want of a better word had leaked in the box. Complained to the sender who refunded me the price of the damaged one and did an upgrade on my account for future discounts. I hope they claimed off Royal Mail

Davebingham1979

As per usual there seem to be some holes in this explanation, but this just seems slack on everyone's part. 
> Possibly slack for the delivery company to not knock or ring properly and just leave with neighbour (but not uncommon)
> Slack of your neighbour to do the right thing (and accept the package) but then stitch you up by going out all day without bothering to check with you FIRST before going (isn't it logical?)
> Slack for also putting someone's delivery on the radiator.  I am not sure I even believe this one.  As others said, what sort of size radiator and package is this?  Who thinks this is a good idea?  They have the whole property and left an unknown package on a radiator?
> Slack of you not to mention to your neighbour that it's perishable so please let me know when you're back and I'll pop by to pick it up (if they can't pop it around themselves)

But as many said, even if your neighbour is a complete idiot, it's not worth starting a war over £40.  I had a neighbour who opened my flagship phone parcel, opened the inner box and only "realised" after opening the phone box and getting the phone out.  What could I do other than thank them for being honest and giving me the phone?

dysucker

Easy: no.

You were in, but the parcel was delivered to your neighbour.

I'd complain to the company who sent it and say it was erroneously delivered to your neighbour when you were in, and the contents had spoiled.

Whenever I received a parcel for the neighbour, I never read what it was, I just left it in my porch until the neighbour collected. I never take responsibility for the contents.

If you came asking me for money for your parcel, I'd probably laugh at you then never talk to you again.

MalMonroe

The problem doesn't lie with the neighbours, as others are saying. The company you bought from used a delivery company who got it wrong. Therefore, as others are also saying, you should take this up with the company you bought the meat from. They can then berate the courier. You don't need to have photos of the spoiled product (sorry, as a vegetarian I'm finding the story a bit grisly!) because the company and the courier will have details of what was delivered and when. Most couriers these days  though keep in touch with people they're delivering to so that people know when to expect their parcel. It's a pity the person delivering to you didn't, especially given the nature of the parcel.

The supplier of these goods will be insured against such things, so I'd definitely contact them, tell them what happened and ask for a full refund.

I have to say that if I were your neighbour, I'd have just tried knocking on your door before I went out to check whether or not you were in, so I could hand you your parcel (in a safe manner, obvs). 

MalMonroe

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't know what perishable goods meant.  
Not their fault.

You must be having a laugh! You can always google it, even if you don't know what it means. (Surely you did though?!)

You're right though, it isn't the neighbour's fault.  

Mickey666

Ah, but what does 'perishable goods' mean with no other context?  What if it was something that could be damaged if not kept at room temperature?  Should it just be kept cool in the fridge or frozen in the freezer?  Some things can be damaged by freezing.

Nevertheless, if the neighbour readily accepted delivery of the package they must surely accept some sort of responsibility to take reasonable care of it.  Whatever 'perishable' might mean in terms of storage conditions, it's surely clear that the contents are time-limited in some way and so perhaps ought to have made better efforts to give it to the rightful owner before going out.  If they knew they were going out then perhaps they should have refused to take it in and suggested the courier found another mug neighbour to look after it?

Haviing said all that, no it's not the neighbour's fault.  Anyone buying perishable goods should make more effort to be readily available for delivery.

Marvel1

ireallycantyodel said:

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't know what perishable goods meant.  
Not their fault.

Nope, moved out 14 years ago.

nettienettie

Why didn’t the delivery driver knock on your door? If they did perhaps you were indisposed & didn’t hear them knock. That is the route I would take. I wouldn’t blame my neighbour. £40 not worth upsetting a good neighbour. 

Marvel1

MalMonroe said:

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't know what perishable goods meant.  
Not their fault.

You must be having a laugh! You can always google it, even if you don't know what it means. (Surely you did though?!)

You're right though, it isn't the neighbour's fault.  

Why would I google someone's package?

shalton

It is not your neighbours fault or responsibility whatsoever. If you want the luxury of your neighbour accepting your delivery in the future, I suggest you leave them out of it.
I have accepted parcels for my neighbour, even when she is at home. I have a bad back, the simple activity of getting to the door to accept someone elses parcel is very painful - but I do it anyway. You should be grateful that your neighbour will accept a parcel for you, which is helpful for you.