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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:
Flopsythebunny · 30/10/2024 12:12

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.

Actually it isn't

Ozanj · 30/10/2024 12:07

This is why I mostly only do my online shopping via Amazon Prime

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 30/10/2024 12:04

I had this conversation with DPD a while ago and they said that if the parcel was left in a place not agreed with you, they would pay for a replacement. But this would come out of the delivery driver's pocket, not theirs. I hated that idea. Fortunately I found my parcel in the porch of a house round the corner so didn't need to claim.

Ginkypig · 30/10/2024 12:02

I have a front door that is just off street behind a gate but is still very much in view of the pavement.
It won’t be helpful for everyone but if you have a front door with space I put my old (after I cleaned it) kitchen bin (with a bin bag in it to help with water proofing) outside next to the front door with a discreet note with package/parcel written on it taped to it that doesn’t stand out unless you are next to the front door.

it is quite waterproof so keep them dry in the rain and has reduced the amount of parcel getting dumped on the doormat. And it is big enough that unless huge most packages fit in.

from the pavement it’s just a random bin that could be for anything so I think most people think it’s for maybe glass recycling etc

obviously it won’t work for every house but it’s been an easy solution

MasterBeth · 30/10/2024 11:36

Catza · 30/10/2024 09:19

As far as I am aware, there is no mentioning of "hands" in the Consumer Right Act. The company is responsible for delivery of goods to the consumer which they have done. Since then, the goods have been stolen from a private property which is a different matter entirely.
Most delivery companies, including Royal Mail stipulate that they are not liable for deliveries left in a safe place and you have to tick a box to agree to it. Courier insurance won't pay out if they have proof of delivery, which they do. Retailer fulfilled their obligation by delivering to the address (and have a photographic proof). What isn't possible to prove is the fact of theft.
Some retailers may replace as a gesture of good will but it is unlikely to be their legal obligation.

They have not delivered the goods to the consumer, they have left the goods unsecured on the consumer's doorstep. Common sense tells you this is unacceptable.

MasterBeth · 30/10/2024 11:34

susiedaisy1912 · 30/10/2024 07:10

Common sense should have prevailed though. It was an expensive item and the op didn't arrange a safe place or to collect it from the local collection point but instead chose to let it be delivered and left in full view of the general public. Was never going to end well especially this time of year when pitch pirates are out in full force.

No, the courier is responsible for delivering it to you, not leaving it on your doorstep where anyone can take it.

Lovetoread123 · 30/10/2024 11:26

Thank you @ElaborateCushion . That’s really helpful.

OP posts:
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.

ElaborateCushion · 30/10/2024 10:42

Hypermedi · 30/10/2024 09:03

I just think it's basics to contact the company first- a quick call or online chat and then maybe query it on here if you don't get the response you were expecting. No offence intended it's just bizarre to me to not crack on and do that the moment you realised the items were stolen 🤷‍♀️

Unfortunately too many retailers try and pass the buck. I've heard so many stories of people being told "you'll have to take it up with the courier yourself", which is not correct, as the courier is under contract with the retailer, not the purchaser.

There's certainly no harm in posting to find out what the correct approach should be, rather than spending time calling retailers potentially to be fobbed off.

Forewarned is forearmed after all.

Being incredulous that someone might have taken a different approach to you is fine, but to post a comment on it in an attempt to belittle someone or inform everyone about how much better you are than them (in your opinion) is just rude.

@Lovetoread123 - I hope you get it sorted and are able to sort replacements quickly (perhaps to a collection locker instead, just in case!)

I had a brand new iphone left on my doorstep once. Thankfully it wasn't stolen, but the DHL guy had left it there and noted that I'd signed for it and had even added a fake signature.

I contacted DHL to let them know and they took it very seriously.

NameChangePoP · 30/10/2024 10:35

Catza · 30/10/2024 09:19

As far as I am aware, there is no mentioning of "hands" in the Consumer Right Act. The company is responsible for delivery of goods to the consumer which they have done. Since then, the goods have been stolen from a private property which is a different matter entirely.
Most delivery companies, including Royal Mail stipulate that they are not liable for deliveries left in a safe place and you have to tick a box to agree to it. Courier insurance won't pay out if they have proof of delivery, which they do. Retailer fulfilled their obligation by delivering to the address (and have a photographic proof). What isn't possible to prove is the fact of theft.
Some retailers may replace as a gesture of good will but it is unlikely to be their legal obligation.

Completely not true. They have not delivered the parcel to the customer named on the parcel. They left it outside of an address, and have no evidence (as it didn't happen) of the customer receiving the parcel.

In this case the customer did not specify a safe space, and the courier cannot just assume that a doorstep of an unoccupied property is safe.

The courier did not fulfil their obligations and the customer is entitled to her parcel.

Attelina · 30/10/2024 10:26

Always pay dow online items by PayPal so that you are guaranteed a refund in the event of a dispute or non delivery.

PayPal rules stipulate there must be proof of delivery and dumping on your doorstep is not proof of delivery!

ChristmasFluff · 30/10/2024 10:24

I've had a neighbour take in a parcel then keep it and deny they received it (an x-box one Christmas) - Amazon sent me another one.

I also had a delivery not arrive and a picture of a random house sent as where it had been delivered. Pets at Home and Evri wouldn't help (Pets an Home wouldn't even answer the phone or email, Evri were sympathetic and said they'd speak to the driver, but they couldn't do anything more), but PayPal fully refunded - so if you paid via PP, they are another option.

The delivery actually turned up 6 months later with another Evri delivery, covered in cobwebs and woodlice.

SoMentallyDrained · 30/10/2024 10:15

Is this Evri by any chance OP? I live on a main road, they recently left a parcel taller than me standing up on my doorstep. It was stolen. I contacted the retailer who sent a replacement. Evri left the replacement in exactly the same place. Guess what happened....

Now I feel terrible contacting the retailer to tell them it has happened again.

Evri really are incompetent.

Catza · 30/10/2024 10:05

sharpclawedkitten · 30/10/2024 09:59

I disagree. Leaving them on the doorstep is not "delivery" if the consumer hasn't said that's where they want them left.

But the legislation isn't clear, you'd need a court ruling to decide properly.

Fortunately, most retailers are sensible and as they are the ones who choose and contract with a courier, they can claim off the courier.

Oh absolutely, I haven't really had issues with retailers replacing. I do however, have a number of outstanding claims with couriers as a sender and they argue their way pretty much out of everything. So I can see how, say, a smaller business might be tempted to argue that this isn't their responsibility because getting insurance payed even on missed and damaged packages is absolutely impossible and they do technically have a proof of delivery.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 30/10/2024 10:04

Ime some delivery people simply can't read....
I ordered a huge order of fresh fish for big Easter meal. Delivery message asked for it to be left in the porch. Porch door always open. Sign on front door states please leave parcels inside porch. No mistakes I felt sure..
Dh came home to an empty box in our hallway..
And a very fat and filled ddog... Quick Google told me raw fish can be dangerous to ddogs. . Luckily ddog has a cast iron gut.. They replaced the order but ffs read the 2 opportunities to do your job correctly...

sharpclawedkitten · 30/10/2024 09:59

Catza · 30/10/2024 09:19

As far as I am aware, there is no mentioning of "hands" in the Consumer Right Act. The company is responsible for delivery of goods to the consumer which they have done. Since then, the goods have been stolen from a private property which is a different matter entirely.
Most delivery companies, including Royal Mail stipulate that they are not liable for deliveries left in a safe place and you have to tick a box to agree to it. Courier insurance won't pay out if they have proof of delivery, which they do. Retailer fulfilled their obligation by delivering to the address (and have a photographic proof). What isn't possible to prove is the fact of theft.
Some retailers may replace as a gesture of good will but it is unlikely to be their legal obligation.

I disagree. Leaving them on the doorstep is not "delivery" if the consumer hasn't said that's where they want them left.

But the legislation isn't clear, you'd need a court ruling to decide properly.

Fortunately, most retailers are sensible and as they are the ones who choose and contract with a courier, they can claim off the courier.

DiscoBeat · 30/10/2024 09:48

I had a beauty calendar delivered too, and it was left outside our front gate in view of a footpath. For some reason some delivery drivers choose to leave things there rather than walk 100 yards to the front door. Luckily it was still there!

CountTo10 · 30/10/2024 09:47

Have you actually checked with the neighbours? I know he's taken a photo of them on your doorstep but possible a neighbour was returning and offered to take them in?

This happened to me recently. I was given a delivery date for a large item 2 weeks away. No issue as it was a sale item and I was in no rush. Next weekend I was away Friday to Monday. As my plane touches down I receive a notification that that they've delivered the parcel that day(2 weeks before they were due to and with no prior warning). I clicked on my ring doorbell and saw him putting the huge box in front of my front door and taking a picture.

I contacted my cat sitter asking her to take it in when she arrived but that wasn't until next morning. When she arrives there's no parcel. Check ring doorbell and nothing but it only films for 10 secs even if the movement continues so entirely possible someone has immediately removed the parcel.

Thankfully it turned out my lovely next door neighbours had taken it in. They have done that before but on those occasions I could see on ring doorbell bell. Maybe worth a check?

RedFronds · 30/10/2024 09:42

I just think it's basics to contact the company first- a quick call or online chat and then maybe query it on here if you don't get the response you were expecting. No offence intended it's just bizarre to me to not crack on and do that the moment you realised the items were stolen 🤷‍♀️

This is a talk forum though. For talking.

If you had someone with you at home you would more likely than not say 'that parcel I was expecting has been pinched off the doorstep! Shall I ring Boots do you think or shall I live chat with Evri'.

peacejoypancakes · 30/10/2024 09:41

This has happened to me and the retailer replaced it when I contacted them. I just provided the doorstep photo.

Stopsnowing · 30/10/2024 09:37

I hate this. I get messages saying “left in safe space” when parcels have been left on the doorstep and I haven’t left any instructions about a safe space (Because there isn’t one!) Complain and if you used a credit card seek a charge back.

BlueMum16 · 30/10/2024 09:36

I would first check with the neighbours either side just in case they have been left there and if not contact the Retailer. It's their issue to chase the courier and/or replace. Your contact is with tey retailer

MinnieGirl · 30/10/2024 09:33

Contact the store you bought the items from. Explain that you have a picture of them outside your house but the courier stated he left with a neighbour, so is not being truthful. Your contract is with the store. They have to sort it out with the courier.

Raindropskeepfallinonmyhead · 30/10/2024 09:31

Absolutely should send you a replacement unless you told them to leave it on the doorstep

Lovetoread123 · 30/10/2024 09:29

Thank you. I didn’t list the front doorstep as a safe place for this delivery.

OP posts: