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Original poster

Taking in parcels for neighbours

40 replies

ILCTM · 08/11/2023 11:34

So where I used to live, it's always been the case that if your neighbour takes a parcel in for you, you go and can collect it from them and thank them. We moved to a different area a couple of years ago and have taken numerous parcels in for next door, but they never collect them. They end up being here so long that we'll just go and knock to give it to them to get rid. The first couple of times, I wondered if maybe they hadn't seen the card saying their parcel's been left here, but there's no way it's happened this often.

I've told my husband to tell the couriers we're not taking their parcels in anymore cos it really annoys me that they don't collect them. We're not a storage nor delivery service for their parcels because they never seem to open their front door whether they are home or not.

Does anyone else have this issue with neighbours and their parcels or is it just mine? I've never known anyone to not want to collect their parcels. Surely when you order something, it's because you want it?

OP posts:
Oxo01 · 08/11/2023 12:16

I take a few in occasionally
Last one was last week for neighbour 4 doors away.
I asked delivery person to let them know its here which he did from my door step.via text / email
The parcel remained in my hallway for 3 days . I knew they were home most of time so waited. Next day at 7am they woke me up to collect it.
I also been thinking what if neighbours say they haven't recived parcel from you so it appears you have kept it,
I would not have proof that I gave it to them unless I wrote a receipt or took a picture of them getting it from me 😄
So I don't think I will be taking anyones in now.

Original poster
ILCTM · 08/11/2023 12:05

@goldierocks OMG, what on earth? That's a whole new level of p-sstaking. I'm just not taking their stuff in anymore. I can't understand why they don't collect. They can't surely think we should deliver it to them. I don't care if they get their parcel or not.

OP posts:
Questionsquestions134 · 08/11/2023 12:04

Yes! Mine told them to deliver to me (without asking) didn't collect.... I kept dropping them around. Parcels got bigger and bigger. The delivery person got them to fill a form in so they could leave in a safe place for them as it was getting ridiculous. Also a bit inconvenient.

I didn't mind at first when they moved in but when it was daily I and they nominated me to deliver to it was a bit much.

goingtotown · 08/11/2023 12:02

I've had neighbours parcels sitting in my hall for 2-3 days waiting for collection. I've now stopped taking in parcels.

goldierocks · 08/11/2023 12:01

I hear you and I completely understand!

I've got a very secure Smart Parcel dropbox next to my front door. There are two houses along my road that have clocked this and have put MY address as their 'safe place' without even asking!!!

Evri, DPD and even Royal Mail have now also started dropping multiple neighbours' parcels in my dropbox if they are out. I'm not even sure they are told where they are, so I have to deliver them myself.

I got the dropbox so as not to be interrupted by the door while wfh. That's not the case at the moment as I have to get to the front door every time I hear my gate so that I can refuse delivery.

I've obviously complained to the delivery companies and Royal Mail. I've even had to put a note on saying 'mail for my name only'.

Ggrrrrrr. That rant feels better!

weaughteaughpeaugh · 08/11/2023 11:59

We have the same with a nearby neighbour who does shift work. I was happy to take in initially but they never came to collect and it drove me mad. Royal Mail and Evri know I won't take for them anymore, and I'm definitely not the only neighbour who's refused. It's just common courtesy.

Original poster
ILCTM · 08/11/2023 11:58

I just never see them to ask, but regardless, I did wonder that initially, but it's a constant thing. Every time we take a parcel in, and we've taken a good few for them now, except one time, we've had to deliver the parcels to them. I wouldn't have taken this parcel in but my husband answered.

I just think it's a bit rude if you know someone's holding your parcel for you. The way I see it, I've done them a favour by taking it in so they don't have to rearrange delivery or go collect from somewhere further than next door. The least they can do is come and collect them. I'll just probably put it over the fence if they haven't collected in a few days.

OP posts:
jc12689 · 08/11/2023 11:56

Simplest way all round is not to take them or answer the door if you know it's not yours. I take in for my immediate neighbour as we know them well. If a courier ask to take it in for someone we don't know I'll refuse.

DuploTrain · 08/11/2023 11:54

Yes that’s rude, if I have a parcel delivered to a neighbour I go and collect it as soon as I get home.

I’d stop accepting them. I might even be petty and put them outside my front door in the rain…

Precipice · 08/11/2023 11:51

Are you sure that they're getting a notification that it's at yours? Sometimes I've had no note and on the 'delivered to a neighbour' online, could only see a picture by which I had to identify the correct place. Have you never asked if they knew about the parcel, since it happened repetitively?

I've never had a problem with neighbours not coming to collect. It's not on for you to have to go to actually deliver them.

SoddingWeddings · 08/11/2023 11:51

I WFH and often take in parcels for the neighbours. Fine, we're all mates, no big issue, it was maybe once a week or so and nothing enormous in size.

However last Xmas one nominated me for all her deliveries. It wasn't discussed with me and it was 1-5 different deliveries every bloody day. In the end I told all of the couriers one by one that this was the last parcel I'd accept for her and not to knock for her again but I'd take in for others as usual. She had the gall to ask me about it a few days later and I said I wasn't taking in anyone's parcels any more as it was causing issues for me during meetings etc (which it was) and pointed out that most of us have outside boxes for parcels now.

Original poster
ILCTM · 08/11/2023 11:47

I doubt they'd take our parcels in anyway as they just never seem to answer the door. When we do take the parcels to them, 9 times out of 10, we knock, no answer, even though I'm convinced someone is home half the time cos I can hear them. Plus I guess they wouldn't know if we refused to take in their parcels, but ours tend to get left with the other side anyway.

I just find it really irritating, especially if they do expect us to take it in and then deliver it. I currently have 2 of their parcels sitting in my hallway waiting to see if they'll bother to collect. I'm being petty I know, but I'm not delivering it to them.

OP posts:
TheJubileePortrait · 08/11/2023 11:46

Neighbours should collect. I wouldn’t take parcels in if they didn’t.

I certainly wouldn’t take them round more than once. Return to sender is your friend here.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 08/11/2023 11:44

I have one neighbour who seems to think I am part of the delivery service.

I asked her for her mobile number on some pretext , and now I just send her a text. One text. It’s here. I am home X am - Y pm if you want to pick it up.
works a charm. I never send a second text, never offer to drop it round.

I have never had to move it out to the garage but that would be the next stage if it got to the annoying point.

Qwertyyui · 08/11/2023 11:38

I always go to get mine (coz I wants my stuff!) But it's hit or miss if they come or I drop them off. Depends if i want it out the house or not. The issue you will have is if you refuse to take theirs they may refuse to take yours?

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