How to stop delivery companies flattening my shrubs :(

[Toastnjams]

By my front door I have a well established area with lots of shrubs that go up to the window. I have a heather on the edge which is lower. I've lost count of how many times deliveries are left on top of the heather. I had a bright yellow sign made saying please do not leave parcels here. I came home the other day to find 3 very large, heavy boxes just left on top of the heather, right in front of the sign, it's completely flattened, I'm so angry!! Trying to sort it out with the company but my reason for this post is

How do I stop deliveries being dumped on my shrubs? Please don't suggest click and collect or just buy from a shop.

Anyone have any good ideas that will look nice and not to expensive?

[BlahBlahBlerg]

Be in for your deliveries.
Collection locker.
Have things delivered to work address.
Have things delivered to alternative address of someone who is going to be in.
Build parcel delivery box.

[Clymene]

Is there anywhere else for them to leave parcels?

[wildfirewonder]

You need to create somewhere obvious for them to leave parcels.

If you know a parcel is coming, you could have a bench/table of suitable height that you stand over the lavender, for example.

You won't get delivery drivers to care about your plants/parcels/anything, which is why I use click and collect if I am not going to be in.

[hedgehoglurker]

Yellow signs often indicate where TO leave a parcel, rather than not, so they probably aren't reading the sign carefully and going on autopilot.

Where do you want them left? Make that obvious instead. Hope the heather recovers.

[daffodilandtulip]

I've switched to lockers where possible. I work from home but I'm in and out, and they always manage to disturb me when I'm working. I know IABU because I order the thing in the first place, but I do get irrationally irritated by the hammering on the door! Lockers are life changing!

[BreehyHinnyBrinnyHoohyHah]

As a temporary measure, can you use some bamboo sticks and bird netting to create a cover? I had to do this recently to protect some plants from some tradespeople who initially ignored my pleas.

[stingypeasant]

Is there a clear space where you would like deliveries to be left?

[Toastnjams]

Thanks for all the replies.

Unfortunately, I can't always be in for deliveries because sometimes I'm only told it will be delivered between this day and that day. Can't have it delivered to work either because I work in a school.

I often tell delivery companies to put parcels over the side gate, this normally works well but the problem with this delivery was there were 3 very heavy, large boxes which would be hard to put over the side gate. The gate has to be locked (for various reasons). I also do have a neighbour who will take parcels in for me but on this occasion it wouldn't be practical because of the weight and size (stairs involved) and I wouldn't be able to carry them back.

Does anyone know how I get compensation for the damage? The seller has contacted the delivery company but they have given the job to a sub contractor. They have contacted the sub contractor but that's where it ends. I'm doubtful this will get sorted unless I keep pushing but I'm not sure what my options are. I feel that they shouldn't get away with damaging my property and then just ignoring this.

Is there an ombudsman (or another route) I could take to get this sorted?

On the original question, I'm thinking of buying a couple more big shrubs to plant there but I'm worried it would happen again. Also thought of a large garden ornament but they will probably just move it . . . arrrrgggggggghhhhh!!!

[coffeecupsandwaxmelts]

You need to create a space for parcels to be left - drivers really only have time to dump and run these days.

[user50316]

We have a sign saying "leave parcels here" with an arrow pointing down and they are always left there (even if we're in they no longer bother knocking). We're the same - flowers etc on one side of the door - so we wanted to make sure they left them where we wanted them to leave them!

[Bluevelvetsofa]

I usually open the door to see the van disappearing down the road, so they really have to dump and run. I worked in a school and did have some things delivered there, but I appreciate three large heavy parcels wouldn’t be suitable.

Can you move the heather and replace with something hardy? Or create another area for deliveries. Or use a local locker.

I don’t think a complaint, other than the one you’ve made, with get anywhere. You might just have to arrange large deliveries for a time you’re at home.

[Clymene]

This is a problem of your own making. Your order large heavy things to be delivered to your home when you know you're not going to be there and you have designed your garden in such a way that they can't leave the parcels without damaging your plants.

Replace the heather with a couple of paving slabs.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

We hardly have any lockers near us. The few there are, are always full.

[Itisyourturntowashthebath]

@Clymene

This is a problem of your own making. Your order large heavy things to be delivered to your home when you know you're not going to be there and you have designed your garden in such a way that they can't leave the parcels without damaging your plants.

Replace the heather with a couple of paving slabs.

This

If you order lots of big heavy parcels, you have to make a space to put them.

[coffeecupsandwaxmelts]

@Clymene

This is a problem of your own making. Your order large heavy things to be delivered to your home when you know you're not going to be there and you have designed your garden in such a way that they can't leave the parcels without damaging your plants.

Replace the heather with a couple of paving slabs.

Yes, exactly.

If you know you're not going to be in for your parcels, it's down to you to have a safe space to leave them. It's not the drivers' job to go looking around for somewhere safe and secure that doesn't squash your plants.

[Toastnjams]

Sorry, but I disagree. I shouldn't have to have a safe place because parcels SHOULD NOT be left in full view of the road and then said handed to resident. The driver should have taken the parcels back and then I could (hopefully if they offer that service) rearrange a day I would be in. I couldn't pick the first delivery, I was told delivery would be between 3-5 working days!

[ChocChipHandbag]

Can you post a picture?

[ChocChipHandbag]

It's a bit confusing, you asked for ideas that would look nice, but now you're saying that the parcels should not have been left at all.

So are you looking for a sign that says "do not leave parcels", but one that looks nice?

[Bluevelvetsofa]

But they all say ‘handed to resident’ when what they mean is they’re left somewhere at that address. Most companies now offer tracking, so you could have opted for a different day for delivery.

I can’t see the driver lugging three heavy parcels back and forth, like the TV advert.

[Zingy123]

Don't order things if you aren't going to be in. As a delivery driver it's difficult to know what to do. Not all neighbours will take parcels in.

[blackpinkinyourarea]

Delivery drivers dont have time to lug your heavy parcels back into their van, just to come back the next day and find that you are still not in! They arent providing you with a personal courier service lol....
The delivery drivers have put your parcels in assumedly the only available/accessible place on your property. So you are in the wrong here, not them.

[hedgehoglurker]

@Toastnjams

Sorry, but I disagree. I shouldn't have to have a safe place because parcels SHOULD NOT be left in full view of the road and then said handed to resident. The driver should have taken the parcels back and then I could (hopefully if they offer that service) rearrange a day I would be in. I couldn't pick the first delivery, I was told delivery would be between 3-5 working days!

If that's what you want, try a retailer that offers that delivery service, as it would cost a lot more than a standard Evri/ Yodel type delivery.

Weren't you given a tracking link? They usually have the option online to delay delivery or advise a neighbour to leave with if you won't be in.

[coffeecupsandwaxmelts]

@Toastnjams

Sorry, but I disagree. I shouldn't have to have a safe place because parcels SHOULD NOT be left in full view of the road and then said handed to resident. The driver should have taken the parcels back and then I could (hopefully if they offer that service) rearrange a day I would be in. I couldn't pick the first delivery, I was told delivery would be between 3-5 working days!

If you're unable or unwilling to provide a safe space for large items, then yes, you need to arrange your deliveries for when you know someone will be home.

We have no safe space (terraced house) so anything that won't fit through the letterbox gets sent to DH's parents round the corner, or we arrange for weekend delivery so someone can be at home to take it in.

Every single courier company I've ever used has provided live tracking and an option to specify a safe space or neighbours house for delivery. If they then say it'll be delivered on Tuesday and I know I won't be home, I've always been able to rearrange for another day (free of charge).

So yes, it might say "between 3-5 working days" at dispatch but you can always check the tracking information online and update your preferences then.

[Toastnjams]

I understand what you are all saying but that still doesn't give the driver the right to put it on my shrubs in full view. Surely it should have been put back on the van. I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Thanks everyone

[LookWhosInsideAgain]

You can’t put a claim in to the “ombudsman” because your heather got squashed 😂🤦‍♀️. Heather is a very springy, short plant anyway, unless it was under an item of furniture for many hours then it’ll bounce back.

Leave a clear space for your parcels to be delivered or move your Heather away from your front door.