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Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done?

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
wannabeek
Posts: 996
Joined: 27 Apr 2011, 00:49
Gender: Male

Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done?

Post by wannabeek »

Ok, some time ago I knocked on a door - no answer. Tried the neighbour, who was in and happily signed for the parcel. Okey dokey no worries all done...

I only cover this round infrequently and over a week later I'm back outside the same door and that parcel which I delivered to the neighbour (it was distinctive, easily recognisable and the postmark confirmed it to me) was now sitting on the doorstep of the house it was intended for, not with the neighbour whom I'd left it with.

I left it there, reckoning that as it was now an issue between the 2 neighbours and nothing more to do with me & I shouldn't be having anything more to do with this parcel because I'd 'delivered' it, just as I was supposed to nowadays.

Presumably the neighbour I left it with became fed up with the intended recipient not collecting it so dumped it on their doorstep. Has RM a guide on what to do in this scenario? Maybe I should ask the Courier? Any ideas?...
Nobodyshero
Posts: 83
Joined: 16 Mar 2010, 13:44
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by Nobodyshero »

I would've taken the parcel back to the DO and left another docket saying that the item previously left with the neighbour was now being held there, a bit of ballache but at least you would've been covered, and when you see the person who the parcel was intended tell them what happened.
wannabeek
Posts: 996
Joined: 27 Apr 2011, 00:49
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by wannabeek »

Ah, but the 'being covered' bit is what I mean. My own reckoning (possibly/probably wrong?) is that me entrusting the item to someone in the first place means that my obligation regarding that item is concluded. It has been 'delivered' to RM's specification. The neighbour could toss it in a swamp but I'd still be legally covered, no?
cazspence
Posts: 78
Joined: 05 Nov 2011, 06:28
Gender: Female
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by cazspence »

Maybe it had been put out to be collected by a courier for return.
Budfrog
Posts: 893
Joined: 11 Sep 2007, 02:19

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by Budfrog »

I can understand the frustrations of some householders for while DTN works well enough in many cases it does rely on goodwill. I always take in items for my neighbours, not only to assist them but to help the delivery person (whoever he is working for) and have had items as large as a double mattress in my hallway. My next door neighbour is a keen online shopper and most of the items that I/we take it are for her,but not once has she come to collect anything despite the fact that cards are left !!! Householders who know they will be at work when an items that is too large to fit through the post box should either arrange for a redelivery, visit the callers office themselves or use Click & Collect or Postal Lockers.
motherhubbard
Posts: 1001
Joined: 08 Feb 2010, 17:13
Gender: Female
Location: in the cupboard

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by motherhubbard »

wannabeek wrote: Any ideas?...
The neighbour should be coached counselled or conducted.
Actually as an honorary plod you could arrest them for doorstepping.
Never let the hand you hold, hold you down.
doorstepped
Posts: 1063
Joined: 10 Oct 2011, 23:17
Gender: Male
Location: Somewhere west of London

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by doorstepped »

I saw this exact same thing last Christmas.

I delivered to a cul de sac of 10 house's. 4 had packets but 3 were not in, I asked the 4th one ( who was in :) ) if they would take the packets for all of the others.

she said yes, so I gave her them all. once I got back in my van and started to drive off I saw that she took all the packets and placed them on the doorsteps of those who were not in.

needless to say, everything from then on got p739'd without fail.
Jambomatt1874
Posts: 168
Joined: 30 Mar 2010, 19:26
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by Jambomatt1874 »

Just don't leave it with neighbours simple
NWpostie
Posts: 3620
Joined: 04 Aug 2007, 17:32
Gender: Male
Location: Sector 001 Borg Collective, 6 o f 9

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by NWpostie »

P739 simple
Six of Nine loves Seven of Nine, together in Electric Dreams.
MisterPostie
Posts: 48
Joined: 30 Jan 2011, 20:37
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by MisterPostie »

Jambomatt1874 wrote:Just don't leave it with neighbours simple
We're put under pressure to leave as much with neighbours as we can. If they don't have the sticker saying to return to the office, we have to try neighbours and get questioned when we bring stuff back.
postslippete
Posts: 4194
Joined: 14 Jul 2014, 16:27
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by postslippete »

My partner often gets fed up of taking parcels in for the next door neighbour 2 doors away,and has told me she often leaves it on their doorstep because she hates the inconvience of taking parcels in all the time nearly everyday!!! Lol

I believe they complained because she don't get their parcels no more...

If the customer had a note on their door informing couriers to leave parcels with neighbours then I would probably do it;if they haven't just don't bother!!
On the face of it, shareholder value is the dumbest idea in the world.
jimboaby
Posts: 17
Joined: 25 Jan 2013, 21:22
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by jimboaby »

DOor step all parcels and simply claim you gave it to the neighbour :) It's the royal mail way!
coxie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1336
Joined: 09 Oct 2009, 14:57
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by coxie »

If have left it there too, I had one sign for a recorded letter then post it through their letterbox.
ted_e_bear
Posts: 4109
Joined: 03 Sep 2012, 19:37
Gender: Male

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by ted_e_bear »

Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done?

Err nothing why would you, it's not your responsibility/problem you did your job by the book, don't worry about it.
steve1873
Posts: 800
Joined: 08 Oct 2007, 13:55

Re: Neighbour doorstepped a parcel. What would you have done

Post by steve1873 »

jimboaby wrote:DOor step all parcels and simply claim you gave it to the neighbour :) It's the royal mail way!
Absolutely DO NOT do this, under any circumstances. If you value being employed that is!