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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to stop taking in neighbours parcels?

23 replies

lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 14:21

Its nearly every day, sometimes more than once, the same neighbours, the run up to Christmas was twice as bad.
Im on maternity leave and it seems im either feeding, changing, bathing etc the baby when the parcels are dropped off or collected.
Its really annoying me but at the same time I feel a little mean, but then the delivery man hammers my door waking the baby and I am left fuming. AIBU?

OP posts:
LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 29/01/2014 14:29

Start by refusing deliveries that are not for you. Maybe put a note on your door that says "Baby sleeping, do not knock".
Then have a word with the neighbours. Explain that whilst you are sorry you can not take their parcels anymore, the deliveries are causing issues. Explain that your baby is being disturbed by the banging on the door and you are not happy to continue to take parcels in any more.
YANBU. If it was once every few months it would be different, but that many times in a week is too much to expect from a neighbour.

newyearhere · 29/01/2014 14:34

YANBU. Have you thought of getting a Royal Mail opt-out sticker, so they won't ask you to take other people's parcels (or other people to take yours)?

Only1scoop · 29/01/2014 14:36

Sign.... Polite notice "Baby sleeping Do Not Knock"
Thank you
Job done Smile

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 14:37

I wouldn't mind if it was once in a while.
I wouldn't get a chance to explain to them as I only see them when they're collecting the parcels.
I usually feel sorry for the delivery driver but I guess ill just start saying im not taking them, itsusually the same drivers for each delivery company so I would just need to tell each of them once.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 29/01/2014 14:38

Pop the sign up and don't answer the door a couple of times. It worked here.

DidoTheDodo · 29/01/2014 14:39

Are you my neighbour? If so, I'm very sorry.

I do have a safe place for parcels and the old postman was really good at putting them in there (indeed, many of yours end up there too!) but the new postie doesn't seem to have got the message.

Sorry!

(Actually, I don't think you are unless you are exaggerating. It's been twice in the past two months...)

Socks555 · 29/01/2014 14:42

YANBU

I'd happily take a few parcels in for them over the space of a year.

I'd just tell the postman nicely, that you can't do it anymore, I think he'd understand

Socks555 · 29/01/2014 14:44

Oh it's probably not the same old postman anymore though is it, it's all been privatised.

In that case, just say no, put a sticker up or don't answer the door.

Reduction · 29/01/2014 14:49

Honestly? I think you should just take them. It always pays to have a few favours in the bank, especially from your neighbour when you have a small child.

PleaseJustLeaveYourBrotherAlon · 29/01/2014 14:51

Every day? Obviously no yanbu. Someone ringing the bell and waking up a sleeping baby for a present that isn't even for you!?

Sorry but no. Just leave a message on the door that you can not accept parcels for neighbors

Belacoros · 29/01/2014 14:52

The neighbours won't know you've refused. I'm going to start refusing a particular house because they never come and collect them. Apparently I'm their mail slave.

Socks555 · 29/01/2014 14:56

Delivery bloke is probably on a zero hours contract, earning 80Pence a parcel drop. So don't take it out on him whatever you do.

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 15:20

Its not the postman, its several different delivery companies ie yodel, dpd etc.
I wouldn't take it out on the driver I know they're just trying to earn a living.
DIDO no I am not your neighbour, I wouldn't care less at a few times a month, theyve had 3 different deliveries already today that ive seen, they must be in for a change!

OP posts:
SEmyarse · 29/01/2014 15:27

Just for information's sake, many drivers get as little as 45p a drop, and they have to take their costs out of that.

But that's not your problem, if it's disturbing your baby put up a sign, it shouldn't be hassle for you, the driver'll either find somewhere else for it or leave a card.

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 15:30

Now I feel even worse for the driver's !!!

OP posts:
SEmyarse · 29/01/2014 18:40

No don't. It's not going to make anything better by one neighbour refusing, in the course of a day we get easy drops, and more awkward ones. You don't owe us anything, especially if you're trying to get a baby to sleep.

But how the delivery industry is set up needs more publicity. Many areas, the conditions and pay are so poor that only those who are cheating the system can afford to take the jobs, hence the dreadful rep of couriers.

MoominIsGoingToBeAMumWaitWHAT · 29/01/2014 18:55

If it's YODEL, please don't hold it against the neighbours! My most recent delivery, he knocked at the door and seemingly went straight next door, without dropping a card through or anything. I'm 6 months pregnant and couldn't get downstairs in time. I opened the door just as the neighbours closed theirs, and the delivery guy saw me, ran to his van and sped away.

Barstewards.

oldgrandmama · 29/01/2014 19:08

I happily take parcels and recorded delivery stuff in for neighbours ... all except for No. *, as they are a miserable, sour and rude lot of wankers, sorry, smug City types, who slam the courtyard gate in one's face when one is walking behind them, NEVER say 'good morning' etc. when one says it to them, just blanks one and anyway, the few times I've taken in stuff for them, I've been stuck with it for DAYS as they never answer their door, even when they're there. And when I DO finally get to hand it over (collect it? With notes through their door telling them I have it? Ha ha ha ... think they'll walk a few metres to my front door from theirs?)

Having said that ... (it's SO BLOODY GOOD to vent) I do think OP has a valid excuse, in that she doesn't want her baby woken by delivery people ringing/knocking. Agree with putting a note on your door. I'm sure that nice neighbours will understand.

gamerchick · 29/01/2014 19:15

The drivers are coming back to you because they know you'll take them. They have time windows (well dpd do) and any parcels that are returned or delivered outside of ETA it's the shift manager who get's his arse kicked and owner drivers don't make any money on that stop if it's returned.

Leave a note on your door telling the drivers that you are unable to take in parcels anymore. Either tell your neighbour or put a note through the door that they need to sort out a safe place that isn't your house.. don't explain why, you don't have to.

Then ignore the door when they knock. They won't fuck about trying to persuade you for long.

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 21:29

I honestly dont mind now and again, its just sooo blooming often then they come to collect in the middle of a feed and not even a thank you.
I do feel shitty about the drivers though, I know another neighbour got fed up with it and I guess thats why im getting it all. They're house must be like an aladdins cave with all that stuff !!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 29/01/2014 21:34

you could start charging an hourly fee for taking them in Grin

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 29/01/2014 21:36

I would be rich then gamerchick, I could stay off work forever !!

OP posts:
lilyaldrin · 29/01/2014 21:36

Put a note on your door saying you don't take in parcels for other addresses.

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