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Original poster

Taking in neighbour's parcels

81 replies

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:12

I live in a friendly street. Some of us exchange Christmas cards, we take parcels in for each other etc.

Yesterday at about 10 am I reluctantly took in two parcels for the house opposite. Reluctant because this family never come to pick them up, and you end up going there about three times before you get an answer. (I watched the delivery man put a note through their door).

He works normal work hours, nothing unsociable. She is a SAHM to three primary school children. She walks them to and from school, past my house. She goes out in the car about once a day. Her car is parked outside my house. The oldest child is confident and old enough to pop across.

But why don't they come to collect?

OP posts:

BruceAndNosh · 25/06/2019 13:16

As long as they are not bulky and in your way, stick them in a corner and don't take them over. Let them collect them.

lovelilies · 25/06/2019 13:17

When you see them go out just call out of your door to them

Moondancer73 · 25/06/2019 13:18

I'd stop taking them in for them if I was you. Next time the delivery man comes to the door just politely decline.

RonnieScotts · 25/06/2019 13:18

They probably don't come and collect
Because you always bring them over. This time wait for them to come over.

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:19

When you see them go out just call out of your door to them

This has been my tactic in the past, but it gets tiresome. I would really like them to take a bit of responsibility.

As long as they are not bulky and in your way, stick them in a corner and don't take them over. Let them collect them.

I have tried this before, but I give in way before they do.

OP posts:

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:20

I'd stop taking them in for them if I was you. Next time the delivery man comes to the door just politely decline.

I know, and I did hesitate, but it's some young lad with a hard enough job as it is. He said, "oh don't worry, I'll come back later" and I gave in because it's just too petty not to take it in.

OP posts:

KevinKeegansPerm · 25/06/2019 13:22

Take parcel across, put on doorstep, push a note through door saying 'Parcel on doorstep', bang on door, walk away.

Gustavo1 · 25/06/2019 13:23

My neighbour to one side is like that. I have parcels for 3-4 days before they come to collect. Often I’ve had to pop them over and they’ve said there was no note, even though I saw it posted. I now only take small items and refuse anything large or heavy. You could try that, or just apologise to the courier and ask them to try another neighbour

Knowivedonewrong · 25/06/2019 13:26

Like Kevin said, just leave them on their doorstep.

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:27

I think you're right Gustavo, I should, because it's really irritated me today.

OP posts:

cranstonmanor · 25/06/2019 13:30

I refuse to take them in for a certain neighbour who is just like that. I had wine delivered for him. Postmen put a note through his door. I put a note through his door twice. After four months I drank the wine.

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:34

(They don't have a door step, they've enclosed their porch, iyswim).

OP posts:

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 13:37

I have been pondering why it gets to me so much, and I think it's because as a child I was always encouraged to be more socially comfortable than I felt in this kind of context. So we'd be sent on errands to unfamiliar houses and it was just out of my comfort zone.
Does that make sense?
So I think that's why it provokes a bit of a response in me, even though I'm not the one doing the errand, and I'm no longer 9 years old.

OP posts:

MaMisled · 25/06/2019 13:53

Without being forewarned, I once took in a mattress for a neighbour. He'd put a note on his door to deliver here! He ignored about 10 texts to collect and I decided he must be ill. We live in tiny terraced houses and my hallway was clogged for 3 days. He eventually came for it and apologised, saying he had wanted to redecorate his DC room before collecting!!!

ChihuahuaMummy1 · 25/06/2019 13:55

Dont answer when the delivery man comes,hide!

WipeYourFeet · 25/06/2019 13:56

OMG @MaMisled !!
The ultimate CF!

NannyRed · 25/06/2019 13:57

Take parcel across, put on doorstep, push a note through door saying 'Parcel on doorstep', bang on door, walk away.

Do not do this, you’re still providing the cf’s with a delivery service if you do this.

Either take the parcel and await them collecting it, or refuse to take parcels and let them be the one to organise pick up from post office or redelivery at a convenient time.

TrickyKid · 25/06/2019 13:58

I stopped talking parcels in for a neighbour who was hardly ever in and when they were never came to collect. Just say no next time.

Sarcelle · 25/06/2019 14:00

My ex neighbours used to get a lot of deliveries which I didn't mind taking in. I used to knock on their door promptly to hand them over. It was rare they had to take in my parcels.

One time I ordered a hair product which did not arrive. I eventually contacted the company to report it missing and they sent me a replacement. A few weeks later my neighbour saw me and said I have got something for you, it was my missing parcel, and she said she kept meaning to knock. She had it for a month, our front doors are about 5 paces from each other (live in flats). I never took their parcels in after that.

Sickofphd · 25/06/2019 14:07

I think it's fine to take people's parcels. The onus is on them to come collect it though - no one should feel obliged to chase after someone to give it to them.

Original poster

Reith · 25/06/2019 14:14

@MaMisled

You definitely win!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Reith · 26/06/2019 09:43

Start of day 3, still no collection.

OP posts:

Drum2018 · 26/06/2019 09:50

Why on earth do you bother taking them in if they don't bother to collect. If a courier knocks on your door with a parcel that isn't for you, just say No. You are not obliged to take a parcel for anyone. So what if the driver has to come back. That has absolutely nothing to do with you. It's all very well trying to be nice to neighbours, but it's not working with these people anyway so I wouldn't bother. If you happen to have neighbours who appreciate your kindness then continue to take parcels for them if you want.

Rosielily · 26/06/2019 09:57

Drop the latest parcels off as soon as you see them - even if it means watching out of your window for when they're around - you have a rough idea of their movements. Then after that just refuse. It's all well and good being a nice neighbour, but it really does cut both ways!

Original poster

Reith · 26/06/2019 10:17

Why on earth do you bother taking them in if they don't bother to collect... So what if the driver has to come back.

Because I think that delivery drivers have pretty difficult jobs and I am lucky that I have a good job, that I do from home if I choose. So why wouldn't I help him out?

This is pretty much where I got to half a year ago. But I forgot and have fallen for it again! I can't understand how they can keep passing my house and not call in for them. They must have been waiting for the delivery as there are two parcels. And there's a card that was put through their door. I'm always excited to receive a parcel

OP posts:

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