Delivery issue, anyone been asked to go in the van to get your items yourself ?

[8misskitty8]

Think I might have had the most ridiculous delivery just happen. Ordered kitchen worktops from a well known kitchen company. Driver came to the door and asked if it was just me, yeah me and my children.
He said I wouldn't be able to lift a worktop would i ? Well no, surely that's what I've paid delivery for ?
He told me he was on his own and can't get the worktop out of the van alone and into the house so needs someone to help him !
Explained that at no point was I told someone would have to help their drivers get the items out of their van.
He hummed and hawed then told me he'd come back this afternoon with another guy to deliver it.

I really couldn't believe it, just hope they do come back later. The place is only at the bottom of the road and it was a standard delivery fee regardless of the distance from the showroom/warehouse so not like it was a fiver to deliver !
Anyone else had this, expected to go into a delivery van and deliver your own goods to your house ?

[arethereanyleftatall]

For a work top, this is normal. Ours is granite, extremely heavy, they queried first whether anyone would be home to help driver, I said no, so they sent two men.

[DollyMcDolly]

I have had deliveries where they are only supposed to deliver the order and that's it. I had to unwrap the stuff that was on the pallet and take it in myself. I am not sure if that's what you mean. I would have helped him though.

[Paddleslowly]

Absolutely not he is taking the piss. He should be making the delivery to your door and its upto him to do so.

[8misskitty8]

The worktop is a formica one, so not as heavy as granite.

The showroom never mentioned anything to me when I ordered them. Just said it was the same delivery cost regardless of were I live.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Did you let them know you'd be in? If so, they probably just assumed you'd help the driver, and thus didn't send two people.
I would have helped him personally.

[8misskitty8]

DollyMcDolly. He actually wanted me to go in the van to get it out. He had heavy boots and workgloves on for lifting heavy stuff. I didn't.

In one of our last houses we had a kitchen delivered from somewere else and they brought everything into the house as until I signed for the delivery they were responsible for any damage to the items.

As i said, no-one had said to me that i'd have to hop in the delivery van and take the worktop out myself when i ordered them !

[montysma1]

To be honest i would just have helped. Whether he is right or wrong, its a bit arsey not to help.

[8misskitty8]

I wouldn't have been able to physically lift a 3.6 metre worktop, that's why I got it delivered.
The showroom is at the bottom of my road, so if i could have lifted it, I would have walked back with it with my husband , the day I ordered it. Instead of paying a huge delivery charge.

[Eva50]

We had some wet wall delivered that the driver said he couldn't manage himself. I can't lift anything awkward or heavy but luckily one of the teenagers was home and gave a hand. The driver had to wait for him to get up and dressed though!

[Felyne]

I don't think the company should assume that the delivery driver could be helped by the recipient, especially not with huge things like that. So you've got both hands full of half a massive worktop and your toddler decides 'hey look the door's open, I'm going to see what the road looks like'. Or maybe you physically can't lift heavy things like that - I know I couldn't personally without risking a dislocation.
I agree with OP, if you've paid for delivery then they should deliver.
If you can help, sure it's a nice thing to do but they shouldn't assume anyone can.

[Hatespiders]

Our lovely neighbours often have delivery vans bringing heavy items such as parts for machinery (for his business) We often have to give the man a hand with them, and don't mind a bit. But what would he do if no-one was at home? Or as in this case, just a woman and some children?
I think if heavy items are coming, then 2 men should be in the van.

[Famousfor5]

I had this exact same scenario for a worktop as well. They had to go away because I was pregnant and just couldn't do it. Tried to redeliver later the same day and luckily I had a very kind man there measuring up for flooring and he helped unload it. Would have been a right pain otherwise because had the fitter booked. One man deliveries are presumably much cheaper but it's ridiculous for heavy stuff.

[LurkingHusband]

They would have been stuffed at our household if I wasn't in. MrsLH being in a wheelchair, and all.

Besides, what about Health and Safety, and insurance ? Suppose you injured yourself getting in the van (easily slip on the step). Or strain yourself lifting. Or, as you are handling one end, the driver slips and you get injured. What if you damaged the worktop getting it out of the van ? Who would be liable ?

Too many questions - not enough answers. YANBU at all.

[FreeWee]

It must be a cost cutting thing because I've never experienced it in the past but have recently read online this is a one man delivery item. If you require the item to be xyz'd then someone will need to help. Except these are items like washing machines and fridge freezers. I don't order from those companies. But then you didn't know that when you ordered it OP so I'm not blaming you!

[DeeCayed]

My dm had bought a mobility scooter online when it turned up it was a massive and very heavy box on a wooden pallet! There was only one delivery man, I had the joy of helping him as he said that the delivery company wouldn't send two men.

I was so annoyed having to lift it from shoulder height (I'm only 5ft) with no gloves etc. I jammed my finger underneath but luckily there was no damage to my finger.
Of course both the scooter company and the delivery driver didn't give a toss.
I'm fuming just thinking about it.

[DeeCayed]

There was also there was mention when she ordered the scooter that someone would need to help get it out of the van.

[chillybits]

we've refitted kitchens and multiple bathrooms in 3 houses and have never been asked to help.

[MariosYoshi]

I've never been asked to help with a delivery nor would I be able to lift anything heavy either as I have something wrong with my pelvis. I would expect to be told if I needed to have someone at home to help them bring it to the door.

[molesbreath]

Just going through kitchen renivations now myself and at no time have I ever been asked to do what you have op.

Sold some granite on ebay and categorically stated that I would not be able to help. Still didn't stop the eventual buyer from asking if I thought it could be lifted onto the roof of a car ???? Thing is these things are heavy and if you are not used to lifting and handling heavy bulky stuff it can be really really hard work.

Stick to your guns op and call the showroom tell them you can lift anything and expect it to be brought into your kitchen

[MoanCollins]

I don't think it's arsey not to help. My husband would if he was home, but not me at home with children, who would mind them for a start? And from a safety point of view I just wouldn't feel safe getting in the back of a van with a stranger. They should have said if they needed help, very disorganised of them.

[Damnautocorrect]

Sainsburys asked me once, I couldn't leave my children. So I had to call my partner home from work!!!!

[8misskitty8]

Just had the oven and hob delivered and it was taken straight to the kitchen, by the 2 delivery men. Jokingly mentioned that I thought i might have to get the stuff out the van myself.
They said I should never have been asked by the kitchen company as I could have hurt myself or damaged the worktops, It wouldn't be covered by insurance either.
They said i should phone and complain. I might do that once the worktops get redelivered (Hopefully this afternoon !) And suggest that they should inform customers that they only send one person with the delivery's and they expect you to take them out the van yourself.
Or perhaps that isn't usual and they were just thinking they could cut costs since i was so near and just send the one person but charge me a full delivery charge. It's not like it is a small local company, it's a big nationwide company !

[WhispersOfWickedness]

We had delivery of an oven once through a courier company. Even though I helped, the delivery driver was still arsey at me for ordering a heavy item I did wonder if she would have been worse if I had been unable to help as well! The worst bit was that the oven didn't work, so she had to collect it again She was very unimpressed when she realised! It was a different delivery driver who brought the replacement, they were fine with it though.

[fairnotfit]

Get in the van to get the items myself??

No way. Have you seen Silence of the Lambs?

[weaselsquirrel]

No but once I was waiting on a parcel and the man comes to the door, but he said I could only have my parcel if I take in the delivery for the person up the road as he didn't want to knock there as they had an argument the last time he did!