Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want my parcel - woman denying accepting it but I have a photo..

486 replies

BitOutOfPractice · 26/05/2025 16:28

I ordered some stuff off sports direct (about £20 worth) and, because I haven’t ordered off there for a couple of years, stupidly got it sent to my old address which was stored on the web site. Yes I know it’s annoying and stupid so I don’t need that lecture.

So once I clocked on what had happened, I went round there to collect it - couple of days later. The woman who bought the house off me completely denies having received it, despite the courier’s photo showing it being accepted at the front door. I can see two sets of children’s feet at the door on the picture. I obviously recognise the doorstep - I lived there for nearly 20 years.

Please note, I did not shout or accuse, I was very polite, I said I was “puzzled” and that there must have been some sort of confusion but she was adamant she hadn’t had it. It was a shoe box sized parcel so not massive to store and not easy to lose either.

Do you clever lot have any idea if there’s anything I can do?

I half expected her to come to the door wearing my gym gear 😆

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 25/07/2025 18:34

I have lived for the day when I could be the op saying “RTFT”

OP posts:
Allseeingallknowing · 25/07/2025 18:34

AhBiscuits · 25/07/2025 18:28

I'm amazed that the police are taking it so seriously. My friend's 50k car got nicked the other night and the police just sent an email that said investigating it wouldn't be a good use of their resources.

In this case the police know who the thief is!

kittensinthekitchen · 25/07/2025 18:33

DBD1975 · 25/07/2025 18:30

Ring 101 and ask for some advice on what you can do in the circumstances.

I imagine reading the thread would be the first advised step

AuntyDepressant · 25/07/2025 18:33

DBD1975 · 25/07/2025 18:30

Ring 101 and ask for some advice on what you can do in the circumstances.

Read the thread and find out what OP did do.

DBD1975 · 25/07/2025 18:30

Ring 101 and ask for some advice on what you can do in the circumstances.

AhBiscuits · 25/07/2025 18:28

I'm amazed that the police are taking it so seriously. My friend's 50k car got nicked the other night and the police just sent an email that said investigating it wouldn't be a good use of their resources.

Strangerthanfictions · 25/07/2025 18:26

KarmenPQZ · 26/05/2025 16:35

There’s a photo of her looking at the parcel on the doorstep. She could have then handed it back. As I said in my post I’ve done this… taken the parcel, had the photo taken, looked at the parcel and passed it back to the driver.

They don't take photos of people rejecting parcels. They also don't then mark them as delivered

butterpuffed · 25/07/2025 18:24

It would be best to attend court , or it'd be a waste of Police time , they have gone above and beyond for you .

MayaPinion · 25/07/2025 18:22

It may be part of a wider investigation. They may be well known wrong’uns - a bit like Al Capone being a murdering gangland boss who ended up getting done for tax evasion. They might be part of a parcel stealing cartel - you never know. This could be the tip of the iceberg that blows the case wide open.

HotCrossBunplease · 25/07/2025 17:58

Lairymary · 25/07/2025 17:51

Urg, just seen this was from months ago.

if you bothered to read the OP’s posts you’d see that it has been revived for a very valid reason.

diddl · 25/07/2025 17:56

I think one of the "problems" now is that people order so much stuff that getting a parcel is commonplace now.

Previously you might have known that you weren't expecting anything iyswim.

Also, although it was her address, it wasn't her name so not likely to be for her!

RareGoalsVerge · 25/07/2025 17:53

Thanks for the update @BitOutOfPractice

The police will be honestly grateful to you for reporting this and for participating in making a statement and giving evidence in court.

The police performance statistics are based on the percentage of crimes reported that eventually lead to a guilty verdict. They will have wept with joy when they got this in their inbox because it's going to be so easy to prove. It would be more of a waste of police time if you pull out now.

Lairymary · 25/07/2025 17:51

Lairymary · 25/07/2025 17:49

Then she would have told OP that then, not flat out deny any knowledge.

OP, yes she's a thief, but it was your mistake and it was only 20 quid, so I would probably let it go, it's probably already on Vinted.

Urg, just seen this was from months ago.

Lairymary · 25/07/2025 17:49

KarmenPQZ · 26/05/2025 16:35

There’s a photo of her looking at the parcel on the doorstep. She could have then handed it back. As I said in my post I’ve done this… taken the parcel, had the photo taken, looked at the parcel and passed it back to the driver.

Then she would have told OP that then, not flat out deny any knowledge.

OP, yes she's a thief, but it was your mistake and it was only 20 quid, so I would probably let it go, it's probably already on Vinted.

AnotherNameChange1234567 · 25/07/2025 17:48

Firealarms · 25/07/2025 17:37

Nooo keep following this all through!

You would definitely be wasting police time if you cease engaging.

Ultimately the police never investigate things like this, there’s gotta be a reason they are interested. Maybe she has previous, maybe they found something suspicious, maybe they caught her wearing the item or trying to sell the item ie evidence beyond reasonable doubt that she stole your stuff as opposed to innocent mistake? The police can’t give you all the evidence because it would influence your statement. I genuinely think this is one of those “trust the process” moments especially as it’s just ticking over in the background.

Police do indeed investigate theft. What they don’t do is investigate crimes where there are no viable lines of enquiry. That is not the case in this instance.

PetsPalace · 25/07/2025 17:43

I'd be tempted to send her something like one of those glitter bomb parcels

IVbumble · 25/07/2025 17:43

It's not likely to actually go to court - more likely to be settled prior.

Sunshineandoranges · 25/07/2025 17:42

I say good on you for reporting it and on the police for following it up because if this happened more often the uk would be a much safer place. Too much petty crime goes unchallenged. I bet the poor shopkeepers constantly being targeted by shop lifters would love more police response and support.

Firealarms · 25/07/2025 17:37

BitOutOfPractice · 25/07/2025 17:11

@kimonok I was more irritated by the way you were saying it, than what you were saying iykwim. It sounded supercillious to me, but if it wasn't meant like that, fair dos. I am going to drop it, I think but just wanted to ponder, talk it out with BF and DP first then move on

Nooo keep following this all through!

You would definitely be wasting police time if you cease engaging.

Ultimately the police never investigate things like this, there’s gotta be a reason they are interested. Maybe she has previous, maybe they found something suspicious, maybe they caught her wearing the item or trying to sell the item ie evidence beyond reasonable doubt that she stole your stuff as opposed to innocent mistake? The police can’t give you all the evidence because it would influence your statement. I genuinely think this is one of those “trust the process” moments especially as it’s just ticking over in the background.

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/07/2025 17:35

Let the police deal with her.. Why would you not accept her being punished? .. She's a fucking thief!!
AND I bet my last rolo she'll be wearing your stuff to court...
Your dc will be proud you stood up for yourself. And it's an example to them as teens not to steal!!

IberianBlackout · 25/07/2025 17:34

BitOutOfPractice · 26/05/2025 16:32

It looks like two kids accepting it (let’s not go there about them answering the door and accepting parcels) but they are too young to have been there by themselves (6 and 4ish?). She must’ve been in.

there was no sort of “oh let’s have a look at the picture, that’s a mystery” sort of chat, just flat out denial.

Edited

I know it’s unlikely as it was on her door but there’s a slim chance she legit didn’t know and the kids just took the parcel and never told her.

When I was little my brother and I used to go to the arcade while my mum had her hair done. One day out of pure stupidity we decided to steal something and hid it in her bag. When leaving the shopping centre we were approached by the security guard, my mum and him got into a bit of a tense back and forth but eventually he gave up and let us all go.

Let’s just say she wasn’t happy when later she saw something bright orange in her bag that wasn’t there before….. kids are stupid.

HotCrossBunplease · 25/07/2025 17:33

Maybe also talk to the police about your prior experience as a witness and find out exactly how this one might play out? Could be totally different.

ThisTicklishFatball · 25/07/2025 17:29

I forgot to wish you good luck and hope everything goes great for you.

WickWood · 25/07/2025 17:28

Shamelessly placemarking!

ThisTicklishFatball · 25/07/2025 17:26

I've seen Mumsnet moderators remove threads when there was formal police involvement and an inquiry, sometimes before I could catch the OP's update. I wonder if they'll do the same with yours, OP.