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Original poster

How do delivery drivers get away with lying?

22 replies

DontPissingDeliver · 08/07/2023 19:00

Paid next day delivery for something to be delivered today. Was sent a one hour window. Made sure to be home in plenty of time for said one hour window.

Sitting in the room right next to the front door. I have a very loud doorbell.

Why would the delivery driver just blatantly lie about having "missed" me and then send a blank photo and leave no delivery card?

How the hell do they get away with it?!

OP posts:

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 08/07/2023 19:03

Because there's no way to prove otherwise and they're doing an utterly shit job with unrealistic time goals so they have to cut corners just to get the basics done.

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 19:04

If he’s taken a photo he was obviously there though. I’d assume he came earlier when you were out, he’s hardly going to go around taking photos of peoples doors and not knock is he.

Bubbleses · 08/07/2023 19:07

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 19:04

If he’s taken a photo he was obviously there though. I’d assume he came earlier when you were out, he’s hardly going to go around taking photos of peoples doors and not knock is he.

I think the OP means that they took a blank photo - ie a photo of just black and not of the door.

This has happened to me before too. You need to contact the retailer and tell them what has happened - this is why the delivery driver is supposed to take a photo, so that they can prove they were at your door. This driver cannot do that so the retailer should refund you for any extra amounts you paid for delivery that same day.

Leverageup · 08/07/2023 19:08

They don’t always have time, from what I’ve heard. But, their employers have GPS so it doesn’t make sense.

I don’t want you to feel pity for someone who has cruelly stolen your parcel and then lied- so he’s probably just a terrible person. Was it anything important?

Original poster

DontPissingDeliver · 08/07/2023 19:09

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 19:04

If he’s taken a photo he was obviously there though. I’d assume he came earlier when you were out, he’s hardly going to go around taking photos of peoples doors and not knock is he.

I was home 3 hours before the window, and the update on missed delivery was literally sent minutes before that window was up.

No, the photo is literally blank, if you can call it a photo

How do delivery drivers get away with lying?

OP posts:

CC4712 · 08/07/2023 19:09

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 19:04

If he’s taken a photo he was obviously there though. I’d assume he came earlier when you were out, he’s hardly going to go around taking photos of peoples doors and not knock is he.

Did you miss the part where the OP said it was a BLANK photo and NO calling card???

OP- I've had this also. We have cameras and sensors to know when someone comes to the door- plus my office is at the front and I have full view of the front the garden. Its infuriating to wait in and then they claim that I wasn't in!!! And then the notes say they left a calling card- well no they didn't!!! I too assume its due to tight deadlines that they cannot manage. I hope you get it tomorrow.

AppleKatie · 08/07/2023 19:10

they're doing an utterly shit job with unrealistic time goals so they have to cut corners just to get the basics done.

this. I’m sure if they did it too often they would lose their jobs BUT I also don’t imagine there’s a queue of magic people who are prepared to do the impossible for shit wages so their employers accept the failure rate as collateral.

Humidititties · 08/07/2023 19:24

AppleKatie · 08/07/2023 19:10

they're doing an utterly shit job with unrealistic time goals so they have to cut corners just to get the basics done.

Isn't delivering the actual parcel a basic? I've had couriers not even arrive and still say they missed me

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 08/07/2023 19:28

Our fb is littered with pictures of random door mats and walls where parcels have been left.

WeAreTheHeroes · 08/07/2023 19:29

I've had this happen then they've delivered next day.

IncreasinglyGrumpy · 08/07/2023 19:33

They are set unrealistic targets and penalties for not making them - they have no back up from the bosses - I used to do the job and it was the worst - my parcels would turn up after 12 and then I'd have timed deliveries which were unrealistic - I never faked my attempts though which is probably why I don't do the job anymore !!

Original poster

DontPissingDeliver · 08/07/2023 19:37

I have already called JL and had a refund for delivery. Not an issue with them, great customer service there.

But it's really infuriating. I now have to wait and see what slot I get tomorrow and possibly change arrangements.

And yes, I'd definitely consider delivering the parcel as a basic requirement of the job.

Just needed to get it off my chest as it really is just a blatant case of lying and to hell with the impact on the customer.

OP posts:

AppleKatie · 08/07/2023 20:03

I get that’s it annoying- I’d be annoyed to.

but you are forgetting the impact on the courier if they are seen to miss these crazy targets.

you are assuming laziness when it’s prob corporate greed at fault.

Precipice · 08/07/2023 20:07

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 19:04

If he’s taken a photo he was obviously there though. I’d assume he came earlier when you were out, he’s hardly going to go around taking photos of peoples doors and not knock is he.

He might. Have you never had a card put through that they 'missed you', but you were at home and nobody ever rang the bell? Seems equivalent.

Original poster

DontPissingDeliver · 08/07/2023 20:37

AppleKatie · 08/07/2023 20:03

I get that’s it annoying- I’d be annoyed to.

but you are forgetting the impact on the courier if they are seen to miss these crazy targets.

you are assuming laziness when it’s prob corporate greed at fault.

But surely they get found out in the end? When people call and complain, and companies then have to refund delivery charges, and when the photos they take are clearly not proof of any attempt at delivery?

OP posts:

AppleKatie · 08/07/2023 20:41

Yes, you’d think so right?

Which leads me to conclude the companies look the other way because they know damn well what they asking for can’t be done.

it’s the principle of - ask for C you get B, so ask for Z and you might get F.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 08/07/2023 21:52

Pay proper money for delivery.

Problem solved.

Catsmere · 09/07/2023 00:09

We get this all the time at the retirement village where I live. It's more likely to be Australia Post drivers lying, too. One will claim to the village manager that so-and-so isn't home so he'll leave (ie dump) the parcel at the office. Manager knows full well that the recipient is at home, because she just saw them. Driver's done it to me, too, leaving my things not just at the office, but at the wrong office (there are two)! All because he cba to walk a few more yards to leave it at my door.

springtome · 09/07/2023 08:40

We once bought something via Amazon that we needed that day. We just got an email saying not in. Except we have a ring camera so know that they never even came to our door.

We rang and complained and they came the next day but it was too late then 😕

Stormyinacoffeemug · 09/07/2023 10:42

I had this yesterday too. I was right by the window looking for him as there was heavy rain and I didnt want him to have to stand at the door too long. Driver told the company he attempted delivery but couldn't access the house. The customer service agent said they could see his GPS was nowhere near my house. I asked what they would do, they said they couldn't do anything and redelivery was refused as it was perishables. I contacted the company I bought from who said the driver told them he couldn't deliver as there was a road closure near my house - there was no road closures. The picture he sent as proof of the road closure was a recognisable road in my town but not near my house, with a car in front of him as though they were sat in traffic and you could see all the rain.

If he was late due to the rain or traffic from the rain I could understand but lying about a missed delivery and then lying about a road closure are the parts that bug me.

SerendipityJane · 09/07/2023 10:56

It would be simple and possible - trivial even - to add a panel to a Ring doorbell that shows a QR code that changes at random every minute that the driver would have to include in their photo to prove they were there are that time.

Now all you have to do is sell it to a delivery outfit. I can save you time by advising not to start with Amazon (in case you were going to be alphabetical).

MargaretThursday · 09/07/2023 11:46

I had similar. I was in the house (and dh was working, which is right next to the door) when I got a text telling me that it had been delivered, and a photo which wasn't our door, and I suspect not the parcel either.
So I texted straight back and said it wasn't our door, and that no attempt to deliver had been made.

Within an hour the parcel arrived.

I have no idea whether:

He made a genuine mistake, and went back to collect the parcel and sorted it out.
He couldn't find our house (difficult to find) so tried dropping it at where he thought it was, then when he got the text, realised and went back and got it.
He was hoping nothing would be said so he could pinch it.
It was late by the time I got the first text, so maybe he was behind on delivery and was trying to meet a schedule officially and I'd have got my parcel at that time anyway.

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