Neighbour keeps taking in our parcels without asking

[StayceGerste]

This is a small thing but it’s starting to annoy me more than it probably should.
Our neighbour takes in our parcels whenever we’re out, which is kind, but she then opens the outer packaging “to check what it is” and comments on it when we collect it. Nothing malicious, just overly curious.
I appreciate the help, but I also don’t love someone knowing exactly what I’ve ordered every time.

That's not a small thing, that's illegal opening someone else's mail surely! Also a massive invasion of privacy! You seem to be minimising this, are you generally a bit of a pushover?

I’d post a parcel to myself that exploded with confetti when opened and a note saying “nosey bitch” and make sure I’m out when it’s delivered. Cannot believe the cheek of someone doing that. Cannot believe you haven’t told her to fucking stop doing it.

Set up safe places with delivery company’s, in the notes ‘do not leave with neighbour or hand to any neighbours’ (incase she is actively coming out to get the parcel for you).

If you need to get another parcel from her…
“thanks for taking in parcels, I’ve set up a safe place for parcels to be delivered to so you don’t have to take them in because I’m not comfortable with you opening them”.

Or have them delivered to a pick up point instead of home so you can collect when you’re ready

Get a block of wood (or a brick) draw ‘edge of paper’ lines as if it’s been wrapped, perhaps add the message “open here” and ‘personal’

One of my old neighbours took in one or two parcels for me and when I went to collect they disappeared into the bowels of the house for minutes before giving it to me, surely you leave these things by the door? I don't think they had opened them but didn't seem keen to give them back!

What does she say when you say please do not open our parcels it is a bizarre and totally unacceptable to do?

@StayceGerste Have you actually said to her please don't open them?
Surely that's the 1st thing to do..?

It's not illegal to open mail addressed to someone else!!!! It's very weird to do it intentionally though. Agree with pp. Note on your door saying 'don't delivery to number 2' even better if nosey neighbour reads it too.

Sounds more like they didn't want you to think think them looking after them is an easy option!

Maybe they were more out of the way in the utility room (say) than in the hall. Why shouldn’t they move them?

Report her to the police for theft every single time

That's nice but a bit expensive. We;ve just got something like this
Neat 80L Storage Boxes with Lids - Red Base & Black Clip Lid Ideal for Home Organisation, Durable, Space-Saving Plastic Box Storage Solutions Great for Bedroom, Garage & Office Use Pack of 1 : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

🙄

My newish neighbours keep taking in our parcels too despite me having safe space set so that doesn’t necessarily work. I think they come out when they hear door knocking although one company sent a delivered photo which was neighbours arm hanging out the window grabbing the parcel so an obvious intercept . At least they don’t open them though 😅

DH’s mother would open all his mail when he was still living at home and read it all and open parcels.
I mentioned it when I was there once and she hit the roof and said it was her right to if it was addressed to her house. Even though it had his name on it!
OP you need to thank your neighbour for her helpfulness but that you will seek out alternatives for packages being delivered to your home but NO the neighbour shouldn’t be opening packages addressed to you, that’s nosy and intrusive!

This! I would be livid, but I can imagine it's the sort of thing that seems so unbelievably rude and shocking that you don't know what to say to her.
The absolute cheek!

😆😆😆

Tha Amazon guy once mixed up mine and next door’s parcels. My neighbour arrived to swap but had already opened mine by accident.
We chatted politely for a few minutes before she left - all the while both of us knowing that I really needed a shit, because my parcel was a big box of laxatives. 🤣🤣🤣

Order this...

Get in touch with the delivery company. They shouldn't be handing pre paid parcels to anyone other than the address on it.
And don't be grateful,she is a nosy neighbour!

Please do this 🤣🤣

is that for real?

It's exactly the same as her walking in your house and starting rummaging through your wardrobe. Who does that?

Opening your parcels is NOT a small thing and she should not be doing that under any circumstances. You absolutely need to put a stop to this immediately. I've never heard of such nonsense!

Isnt it illegal to open someone elses mail?

I sometimes take in parcels for neighbours. I usually put them on the kitchen table and don’t leave them in the hall. If left in the hall they would need to be on the floor as no shelf/table to put them and my dog would make short work of unwrapping them!