Taking in neighbour's parcels

[Reith]

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?

It's just a part of their job though. People are unlikely to always be in when a parcel arrives. I'd just let the postman do his job, that he gets paid for, and stop doing it for him.

I know what you're saying, that I don't owe these young men any favours, but I don't think delivery guys don't have the same pay and conditions as Royal Mail posties.

“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?”

I’ve been a courier and it’s a pretty rubbish job - but if a neighbour said no, they never come get them... I’d think fair enough tbh.

Mrs N has been passed the house and taken the youngest out. She returned about 20 minutes later and parked outside my gate and walked across to her house. My resolve is weakening. I'm going to have to do the running out to them. I can't stand it any longer. It's going to give me a hernia.

"past" not "passed".

Can you ask for her phone number and then if you see her walking past text her. If she doesn’t collect at that time I’d stop taking them in for her

I had this with a particular neighbour (before I moved). I actually just told the delivery driver that I would have to refuse as they never come to collect.

Yes, I could, but I think they're too private/standoffish for me to feel comfortable doing this. I think I've learned my lesson and just won't take parcels in for them any more. Again.

I'm going to have to ask them why they never come to collect them. If they ever do.

I feel like drop-kicking them across the street.

The parcels, not my neighbours.

They probably expect you to take the parcels to them, because you always have done in the past. As long as said parcels aren't getting in your way, just keep them until they come to collect.

We had a neighbour who despite my asking him not, would take in parcels which resulted in a lot of bother as he works all sorts of hours, takes regular short and long term holidays and we would often not get our parcel for days sometimes weeks if he was away.

He thought he was being helpful but it was a huge inconvenience and we now have a sign on the door that tells the postman and couriers not to leave parcels with neighbours.

If you know the delivery company I'd contact and say you want them collected and taken back as no one has collected it from you. Or return to sender if possible.

I genuinely don't mind helping anybody but I've stopped answering the door unless I'm expecting a parcel myself. My neighbour was ordering increasing amounts of stuff and expecting me to take it in, even if their car was on the drive and they were home. They're pleasant enough neighbours but we're not close friendly. They also 'forget' to collect, or don't collect until late and the bloke then comes hammering on the door just as we're putting the kids to bed. The final straw came a few weeks ago when a courier knocked and asked if I'd mind taking in a parcel, fine. He then proceeded to drag a massive heavy box from the van and into my hall. When I commented on its size he said that we were down as the alternative delivery address! CF if you ask me.

There are a lot of these weirdos who don’t seem to want their own parcels. It’s puzzling. I order stuff, track it and if it gets left with a neighbour, I’m over there like a shot to collect it.

Just don't accept them.

Not sure what advice you want OP. You won't not take them over. You won't not accept them. You dont feel comfortable asking for their number. You dont want to leave them on their doorstep. You're unhappy to spend half your life watching out of the window. I think pp have exhausted all options. Until you make a drastic decision, you will continue to get their parcels and they will continue to wait for you to deliver them.

I didn't ask for advice

But people are offering you advice and you're contesting all suggestions. So this is just a rant then. Silly me.

I dunno OP. It baffles me that people order stuff to be delivered, know it's at your house because they weren't in, and they don't bother to collect it. (If I order something, I want it now)

I'd keep them for a day or two and then put them outside my own house. If they can't be bothered to pick them up, why should you go to the effort of walking over? Maybe they'll spot them and pick them up, maybe the bin man will collect them, who knows? It's not your problem if they can't be bothered with them.

It's ok seeleyboo, we can all be silly at times.

I dunno OP. It baffles me that people order stuff to be delivered, know it's at your house because they weren't in, and they don't bother to collect it. (If I order something, I want it now)

I have looked and both parcels are addressed to MrN, so I'm wondering if MrsN is refusing to collect them..? Perhaps he has a hobby she doesn't approve of.

Just shove it outsode your front door.

Take a BIG marker pen write in her name and house number on it and
Delivered 4 days ago PLEASE COLLECT

Every day update the number. Leave it for all your neighbours to see / steal!

Heh! Or on bunting?

BUNTING!!!!! Yes!

Get a sharpie and write in big letters on the parcels-

FRAGILE - EXTRA LARGE DILDO

OR

FRAGILE - XXXL STRAWBERY SCENTED BUTT PLUG

OR

FRAGILE - ANAL LUBE ASSORTED FLAVOURS

Or

CONTENTS- The Big Book of Bum Fun.

Then take them over and they will be mortified and never want to see you again.

@Soola