AIBU to point to the doorbell and tell the delivery driver to use it - that is what it is for

[bigbluebus]

Had a delivery earlier which I had forgotten was coming. I was sitting doing some work when there was hammering on the front door. Jumped out of my skin then got up and went to the door to see delivery driver smiling at me. I pointed to the door bell and asked him to use that instead of trying to knock my door down. He said he often delivers to old people and they don't hear the doorbell. I pointed out to him that I am not that old (more middle aged) and that the doorbell is there for a reason. Hopefully he has got the message as this is a new monthly delivery but tbh he would have given a heart attack to an old person if he'd hammered on their door like he did mine.

AIBU to wish that people would at least try the bell first and then knock 2nd if they don't get an answer (as it is always possible the bell doesn't work, especially if you can't hear it from outside.

[Sirzy]

Yabu. They don't want to be waiting for a bell that is broken or someone doesn't hear when they can knock and be more certain it will be heard.

As long as you are aware he is there why does the method used matter

[bigbluebus]

Because he didn't knock - he hammered. And he is delivering medical supplies to sick people so making them jump out of their skin might not be such a good idea!

[EssentialHummus]

The poor guy probably needs to do a huge number of deliveries per day, so he sticks to knocking. Having missed multiple deliveries because drivers only tried my three (non-working) doorbells they came free with the flat, lucky me I don't mind this.

I absolutely hate it when they knock, and then knock, and then knock some more. I work all of 20 feet from the front door, so 2/3 knocks are enough. I frequently whip open the door to catch their hand in the air mid-knock

[irlouise13]

YABU

what's the problem as long as you heard? did you fear he would damage your door or something?

I was expecting to read you hadn't heard the knock and then he p*ed off with your package in tow and you had to go collect it...

[irlouise13]

crossed posts

meh - knock = heart attack, bell = heart attack

[LurkingHusband]

They don't want to be waiting for a bell that is broken or someone doesn't hear when they can knock and be more certain it will be heard.

Not our house. If MrsLH is out back, no amount of knocking can be heard. Whereas the doorbell, with a radio receiver can.

My favourite lie is when drivers have the bell pointed out to them, and their reply is "but they don't always work". Somehow I doubt they use the stairs all the time because the lift sometimes doesn't work.

However, generally, in the Lurking household, it's Lurkers 1, delivery drivers 0, since my home office overlooks the front door, and I can see them coming up the path. The fact some look guilty surprised when the door magically opens for them speaks volumes.

I've had a downer on deliveries (Royal Mail especially) ever since I physically caught a postie trying to sneak a "while you were out" card through the letterbox (I wasn't. I was behind him, in the shared hallway) and have him admit he didn't have the parcel, and I would have to collect it from the depot (which is open 07:20-07:21 on February 29th in years ending in an odd number).

[Waltermittythesequel]

Fucking hell, how rude.

You. Not him.

[CosyNook]

YANBU, but I doubt he cares.

[bigbluebus]

Lurking we also have a doorbell system like that.
Seriously mitty you think i am rude asking him not to hammer on my door and pointing out there is a working doorbell, when he is likely to be visiting my house every month. I was definitely not rude - quite polite in the circumstances, I thought!

[SirChenjin]

I pointed to the door bell and asked him to use that instead of trying to knock my door down

Rude

"Hi and thanks (as you take the delivery from him). Could I ask you to use the doorbell from now on please?"

Not rude.

[ShowOfHands]

If you're happy you've done the right thing and politely, why the thread? I am not being sarcastic, genuinely wondering if you are open to the possibility you were in the wrong.

[LurkingHusband]

Of course, a doorbell can trigger any number of aids and adaptations for a less-able householder. A flashing light, a remote sounder, or even triggering a connected app on your smartphone - maybe make it vibrate in your pocket.

A doorknocker is just a door knocker.

[Waltermittythesequel]

I pointed to the door bell and asked him to use that instead of trying to knock my door down

That's rude.

Saying; "Please can you use the doorbell in future?" is perfectly fine.

[lamiashiro]

I had to tell one delivery driver off for using his effing clipboard to bang on our nice new very expensive wooden door, despite the fact there is a bell and a knocker.

[lulucappuccino]

You were ridiculously rude!

[LurkingHusband]

Saying; "Please can you use the doorbell in future?" is perfectly fine.

Not on my planet - in a city you can have 12 different deliveries from 12 different drivers. So asking any individual is a waste of time, breath, and courtesy.

[daisychain01]

YABU.

We have some fantastic delivery drivers. They go way above and beyond. I'm often working from home when they either collect or deliver. They have become "The extended team" of DHs business since we moved to a rural location.

Treat them like human beings who are doing a very tough job, talk to them nicely and if you don't like something they do, just ask them to do it differently. You will make their job much nicer. Don't be horrid.

[SirChenjin]

It's no more a waste of time, breadth and courtesy than pointing to the bell and telling someone not to hammer on your door.

If it bothers you that much then put a big sign up on your door.

[Waltermittythesequel]

So asking any individual is a waste of time, breath, and courtesy

More time than pointing to the doorbell and telling him not to hammer on a door?

[bigbluebus]

Might just do that sirChenjin but as he didn't see the doorbell he would probably ignore the sign too. So on second thoughts....... waste of time.

And there is a difference between knocking on a door and hammering - which is what he did!

[SirChenjin]

I imagine it would be harder to ignore an A4 sign pinned to the middle of the door than it would a doorbell. It's probably worth trying before you deem it to be a waste of time.

[Fratelli]

You were really rude! You got your parcel, your door's still intact, let it go.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Yanbu because I agree that doorbells could be there for any number of reasons. I used to know a deaf couple. Their doorbell would flash their lights so they knew someone was at the door. No amount of knocking would have got a response as they wouldn't have heard it. And I don't see that someone should have to advertise the fact that they are deaf, therefore use the bell, on their front door as it would be far too attractive to someone who wanted an easy burglary.

[NeedACleverNN]

This does wind me up.

I cannot hear anyone knocking even if they bang to high heaven.

Door bell is needed so I can hear

I have mentioned it nicely plenty of times and they still don't use a door bell.

I would put a sign up but we live on a primary AND a secondary school route and I'm worried some idiots will take the piss

[IoraRua]

You sound incredibly rude. Poor driver.