Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect replacements as delivery stolen from doorstep?

105 replies

Lovetoread123 · 30/10/2024 06:15

I ordered a Christmas beauty calendar from a department store and some new make up from another company. Both were delivered on Monday by the same delivery company when I was out. The delivery photo shows the parcels were left on my doorstep in full view of anyone walking past. Both were stolen as by the time I got home they were not there. Should the retailers replace the items as they were delivered to my address but not received? I’m pretty annoyed as they were a treat and I can’t afford to pay again to replace either of them. AIBU to expect the retailers to provide replacements?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
WelshPool · 31/10/2024 22:29

My name on my Amazon orders is down as “DO NOT LEAVE BY FRONT GATE DELIVER TO DOOR!” as the driver decided he couldn’t be arsed walking to the door anymore.
Its worked really well tbh.

FozzieP · 31/10/2024 22:00

You have a complete understanding of the situation without needing all this conjecture/advice/these opinions. Contact the retailer, explain exactly what happened and see what occurs. But, I suggest that, in the future, you cover your own back by responding to delivery emails.

Bignanna · 31/10/2024 18:28

Auburngal · 30/10/2024 06:32

If you agreed with the courier via app, link on email to leave it in your safe place and they ignored it, then the courier is responsible if the parcel gets stolen.

Or in my case, one courier I put down only give parcels to numbers X and Y. The courier decided to give my parcel to the biggest bitch down my road who has an issue with me. I don’t know why. She has a history of not handing over parcels as well, based on what others have said. The website I bought from gave me the replacements and chased the courier for payment of the replacements. As the courier failed to read my instructions.

Then that is theft and should be reported to the Police. It happened to me. The police went to her door and she reluctantly admitted it once aware that she would have a criminal record if she refused.

Auburngal · 31/10/2024 18:08

Lovetoread123 · 31/10/2024 15:44

Good news everyone, thanks to your help I pursued with the department store and they are sending me a replacement. It took three phone calls but they were helpful and I’m really glad to be getting what I paid for. Thanks again for all your advice on this.

Glad you got the right response - though took you a while.

Online retailers and couriers need to get to grips with not dumping parcels in areas where others can see parcels - esp the rest of the year.

Lovetoread123 · 31/10/2024 15:44

Good news everyone, thanks to your help I pursued with the department store and they are sending me a replacement. It took three phone calls but they were helpful and I’m really glad to be getting what I paid for. Thanks again for all your advice on this.

OP posts:
Edingril · 30/10/2024 21:27

Well it it would simpler if you are not home they take it back to the depot and you collect it from there

And if that sounds inconvenient than unless you or the neighbour/s are home to personally sign for it what do you expect them to do?

Auburngal · 30/10/2024 21:24

The retailers will send you the replacement goods then take a claim from the courier as they are the middle party.

Remember about 6 years ago, I ordered some perfume from a website. Got a delivery confirmed photo of a property I don't recognise. Asked my then colleagues who live in different areas of the town I live in do they recognise the street - it was a Victorian terraced. I live in a maisonette built 2008. None of them recognised it. Went around the roads with Victorian properties and didn't find the property in question. The photo was taken from the other side of the road to the property. Could see the property had a fan shape window at the top and lounge window had a royal blue vase with some silk pompom flowers on the windowsill. No property matched the photo.

Contacted the website saying I don't recognise the property in the photo or can locate it. They sent me another bottle of the perfume sent by RM instead of the courier. Then about 3 months later, got home from work or wherever (can't remember exactly) and the original parcel was by my front door with a note by whoever took the parcel in. Saying sorry. Why did it take that time for whoever to take it round? My road is the only one with that name in the UK.

In cities like Leeds where I used to live, there are 6-10 roads with the same word such as (using examples here) Millbrook Street, Millbrook Close, Millbrook Green, Millbrook Crescent. I bet deliver errors by couriers happen more down these roads than other parts of the UK.

user2848502016 · 30/10/2024 20:49

Yes I think they owe you a replacement unless you specified that the delivery company should leave them on the doorstep. The retailer should claim from the delivery company

Stopsnowing · 30/10/2024 20:36

I have just checked and I DID leave delivery instructions on Amazon to leave with my neighbour and they never have.’

Solmum1964 · 30/10/2024 17:53

It's hit and miss here as to where couriers (particularly Amazon) leave our parcels. Quite often behind the bins but recently inside a bin and also on the doorstep,after knocking but not waiting for an answer (not sure if they heard us coming to the door).
Recently DH had notification from Amazon that a computer monitor had been left with our neighbour and his name was included. On checking with the neighbour, and our home security camera, it became apparent that the driver hadn't even come to our house but used the neighbour's name, as he also had a parcel, and had taken our parcel back to the van. Amazon were quick to replace but we obviously didn't get it as quickly as we'd hoped. Unfortunately it's very clear what some parcels are as quite often they don't come in outer packaging.

sharpclawedkitten · 30/10/2024 15:49

Someone mentioned Amazon Prime - the Amazon guy leaves stuff on the doorstep as well - I think he does ring the bell but he doesn't wait for us to open the door. However, I get a notification that it's there, so I know to go straight to the door and retrieve it, if I've not heard the doorbell.

sharpclawedkitten · 30/10/2024 15:47

Lovetoread123 · 30/10/2024 13:14

@Auburngal Thanks a lot. I called the major department store chain this morning and customer services were sympathetic but said they had to open a dispute or similar with the delivery company. I understood that I may get a replacement but will depend on outcome of communication with delivery company. They’ll call me back on Friday with an update. There were two parcels (one was the beauty advent calendar above and the other was make up from a smaller company). The other company hasn’t yet responded to my message. Hoping they will today. Thanks again. I’ll update when I have more info and really appreciate everyone’s kindness and advice today on this forum. Thanks everyone.

Edited as I misread this.

Your contract is with them. THEY should open the dispute with the delivery company and arrange for a replacement to be sent.

It isn't for you to do their work for them. They choose the delivery company and contract with them - it's not your choice.

So I am glad that they have contacted them rather than expecting you to.

HollaHolla · 30/10/2024 15:33

Don't. Evri here don't even bother knocking the door any more. The guy just leaves it on the front doorstep. At no point did I ever say to use that as a 'safe place' (because it's not....) I've had stuff stolen from there a number of times. I'm sick of it. I complain, and they say they will let the courier know not to do it again, and he continues to do so. I've spoken to him in person, but his English isn't great (and I don't speak his language.)
I've had to have stuff replaced and/or refunded a number of times.
I hope you have some success, OP. I'm watching for tips on how to resolve this. Except not buy from companies who use Evri - which isn't always clear until AFTER you've purchased.....

prescribingmum · 30/10/2024 15:26

Stopsnowing · 30/10/2024 14:43

If you ask them not to leave on doorstep what do you ask them to do?
alsi when I place an online order I often don’t even know who will be delivering let alone get an option to leave delivery instructions!

Most retailers have a box for delivery instructions when placing an order even though they don't let you know who the courier is in advance. I explicitly state not to leave parcels unattended on my doorstep in that box.

There is someone home most days so it is rare that no-one answers the door - this is why it further infuriates me when they leave a parcel in plain sight to be stolen without so much as bothering to ring the bell. They can also knock on neighbours' doors (which neighbours don't mind as we both take in for each other) or take to local collection point and leave a card.

Auburngal · 30/10/2024 15:14

prescribingmum · 30/10/2024 13:10

As others have said, you can only be liable if you asked the drivers to leave it there in your absence. I am so sick of drivers leaving things on the doorstep and usually not even bothering to ring the doorbell that have resorted to requesting they do not do this in delivery instructions whenever ordering online. If something goes wrong, this clearly shows they acted against my request

Had three parcels delivered today - DPD, DHL and Amazon in that order. Only DHL rang the doorbell as needed a photo of parcel received by me. Other two which I have used, left the parcel behind the wheelie bins. I refreshed the delivery status pages every 20 mins and then got a photo of the parcel behind bins.

Stopsnowing · 30/10/2024 14:43

prescribingmum · 30/10/2024 13:10

As others have said, you can only be liable if you asked the drivers to leave it there in your absence. I am so sick of drivers leaving things on the doorstep and usually not even bothering to ring the doorbell that have resorted to requesting they do not do this in delivery instructions whenever ordering online. If something goes wrong, this clearly shows they acted against my request

If you ask them not to leave on doorstep what do you ask them to do?
alsi when I place an online order I often don’t even know who will be delivering let alone get an option to leave delivery instructions!

Lovetoread123 · 30/10/2024 13:14

@Auburngal Thanks a lot. I called the major department store chain this morning and customer services were sympathetic but said they had to open a dispute or similar with the delivery company. I understood that I may get a replacement but will depend on outcome of communication with delivery company. They’ll call me back on Friday with an update. There were two parcels (one was the beauty advent calendar above and the other was make up from a smaller company). The other company hasn’t yet responded to my message. Hoping they will today. Thanks again. I’ll update when I have more info and really appreciate everyone’s kindness and advice today on this forum. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
ElaborateCushion · 30/10/2024 13:13

swimlyn · 30/10/2024 12:56

@ElaborateCushion is 100% correct on all points.

Talking of points, posters should bear in mind that their thoughts and ideas are irrelevant to the matter. You don’t gain MN points by providing incorrect information.

It’s Consumer Law that counts.

Grandstanding here is pointless.

God damn this for being an anonymous forum - I'd print out that first line! 😜😂

ElaborateCushion · 30/10/2024 13:12

Auburngal · 30/10/2024 11:14

@ElaborateCushion you were so lucky not to have an iPhone stolen. Think the small package helps as it could be anything.

Hopefully the courier got a stern telling off.

I know! I had asked for it to be delivered to my work, because I knew I wouldn't be home, but they messed up and sent it home.

I got a notification that it had been delivered and dashed home ASAP!

prescribingmum · 30/10/2024 13:10

As others have said, you can only be liable if you asked the drivers to leave it there in your absence. I am so sick of drivers leaving things on the doorstep and usually not even bothering to ring the doorbell that have resorted to requesting they do not do this in delivery instructions whenever ordering online. If something goes wrong, this clearly shows they acted against my request

Auburngal · 30/10/2024 13:05

@Lovetoread123 have you contacted the retailers yet? Any news?

swimlyn · 30/10/2024 12:56

@ElaborateCushion is 100% correct on all points.

Talking of points, posters should bear in mind that their thoughts and ideas are irrelevant to the matter. You don’t gain MN points by providing incorrect information.

It’s Consumer Law that counts.

Grandstanding here is pointless.

BobbyBiscuits · 30/10/2024 12:21

A decent retailer will replace the items. Presumably you did not specify your doorstep as a safe place to leave parcels? I've had stuff go missing before and they've always replaced it immediately. Could you buy one of those lockable parcel box things?

PickAChew · 30/10/2024 12:16

susiedaisy1912 · 30/10/2024 06:21

No it's up to you to provide a safe place for the delivery driver to leave them or you choose to collect them from your nearest collection point.

It doesn't always work like that, though. I ordered something at the weekend and specified for it to be delivered today, when I would be home. It arrived yesterday, while I was out.

Swipe left for the next trending thread