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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I shouldn't have to keep complaining about this?

109 replies

YourNewspaperIsShit · 26/07/2016 00:18

This is the 4th time I've rang Royal Mail for the exact same complaint and it's been two different houses although not sure how many different postmen.

They keep opening windows and doors to put my parcels inside if I don't answer Shock The most recent one I nipped out and left my windows on the latch but the door locked, I was due a Glossybox so it was obvious to the postman what it was (not important) and I always collect them from the delivery office after a missed delivery. When I came home it was on my sofa (under the latched window).

I have a big dog and 4 house cats who fortunately did not attack him or escape.

Every time I complain they agree it's out of order and say they will pass the complaint on but clearly no-one is listening Angry

OP posts:
NicknameUsed · 26/07/2016 13:11

You don't necessarily have to go to the sorting office to collect parcels. I always get my parcels redirected to the local post office half a mile away for £1.50 - less than the cost of fuel and parking in town where the sorting office is.

YABU to expect the postman to know what a Glossybox is, even if it says it on the side. I didn't know what one was until it was explained on here.

And please renew your contents insurance. It doesn't just cover burglaries, but fire and flood damage as well.

JudyCoolibar · 26/07/2016 18:16

I bet the vast majority of people on his round are very grateful that he is prepared to do this to keep their stuff safe and save them the faff of going to collect it from the sorting office. It's not really surprising if he can't always remember the one person who doesn't like it.

If you're worried about the dog attacking people, surely you're equally worried that it might attack people besides the postman? So you just need to keep the windows and doors properly secured.

Original poster
YourNewspaperIsShit · 26/07/2016 20:34

Well I'm not grateful for unauthorised access into my property and he isn't allowed to do it. The sorting office is only 5mins away it's really not a trek. Fair enough if he'd asked but what if I thought he was an intruder? God knows what the consequences of that would be. It's just not appropriate.

I'm worried about my dog attacking a strange man climbing through the window of my property. A lot of dogs would do that. No-one else comes inside my house, I don't have any visitors, not one.

There's some people on this post got things absolutely spot on and I've now stuck a note in the window :) I shouldn't have to barricade myself in my house whilst inside it the concept is ridiculous to me honestly. Yes people must usually lock up when they leave and I've said I'll do that although not something we're accustomed to round here. This thread has shocked me a tad how many people think I should be grateful Blush

Oh and with the Glossybox thing I just meant you can tell it isn't perishable like a frozen item that would need delivered that second.

OP posts:
Farfromtheusual · 26/07/2016 20:47

My postman did this not long ago when my DP was in the house and I was gobsmacked. He rang the bell and must of waited about 0.3 seconds before trying the door handle - my DP hadnt even had chance to get to the door!! When he did get there though he made sure he gave him a gob full - like really, how dare he! What I don't understand is our porch is glass from floor to ceiling so if it were unlocked and he were to have left the parcel in there, you would be able to see straight in from the street, anyone could of come up and taken it!

I know everyone has already lectured you about home security so I'd be a bit more mindful with that if I were you but no YANBU he shouldn't of done this and Royal Mail should be escalating tour complaint as 4 times is ridiculous!

NicknameUsed · 26/07/2016 21:11

YABU and NBU.

If the custom where you live is to not close windows or lock doors, and have postmen who will leave your parcel in your house for you then you will have to change your habits. It sounds like you can't have it both ways. You either lock your doors/windows and have your post delivered properly or you leave them open for the dog to attack the postman.

Locking your doors and windows is not barricading yourself in. It is a normal every day thing that most people in the UK do. We live in a rural area with a low crime rate - low crime not no crime.

Where is this utopia of which you speak?

Original poster
YourNewspaperIsShit · 26/07/2016 21:19

Nickname You never open your windows ever to let the air in and you lock your door while you're in the house the entire time? What's the point in windows that open if you never open them :S

Also my window wasn't open it wasn't like he just pushed it through a gap. I hadn't pushed the handle down, the metal lock was on the latch he fiddled with it and undone it then opened my window himself.

OP posts:
Aliasnumberone · 26/07/2016 21:25

Op out posture do the same round here and it drives me bananas. Our hallway leads straight up from the front door and the bathroom is at the top. I have toddlers in the house so more often than not pee with the bathroom door open so I can sing the wheels on the bus at them as they charge around the hall. I have visions of the front door being flung open one day while I'm sat in full glory on my throne at the top of the stairs singing and throwing my arms around in gigantic wheels... Not sure who'd be more mortified but it might put a stop to their current practice Grin

NicknameUsed · 26/07/2016 21:26

We can open the windows ajar and lock them so they can't opened from outside. Also, we don't tend to open the downstairs windows at the front of the house anyway because someone could easily climb in and if I was in the kitchen I wouldn't know. We open the back door and patio door, plus upstairs windows. I dislike stuffy houses as well.

Marysunshine · 27/07/2016 17:51

Lock your windows - problem solved. Postie obviously thinks he is being helpful!

cabbage67 · 27/07/2016 17:53

What is a glossy box??

dodobookends · 27/07/2016 18:05

People who live in small farming communities often do leave their door unlocked precisely for this very reason - so that the postman (or other local tradespeople) can leave parcels etc. It happens a lot, and is all part of the service in very rural areas.

pollymere · 27/07/2016 18:16

Use the complaint from on their website. I had problems that magically disappeared after I did that. I also got an apology and a load of first class stamps by way of apology. Phone calls did nothing.

Cantgetmyoldnameback · 27/07/2016 18:19

Several people have mentioned not locking their front door when home and people being able to all in. I've always had front doors with locks that mean the door is locked (so you can't open it from the outside but can just turn the latch from the inside) as soon as you shut the door. Doesn't everyone have a lock like this?

Marysunshine · 27/07/2016 18:28

Lock your doors - if it is such a safe area leave a note saying 'leave all packages on the doorstep'. If you don't want them leaving leave a note to the contrary. If the neighbourhood is so safe only the postie will see the notes.
Frankly, I don't think leaving doors and downstairs windows open in an unoccupied house is safe or sensible - wherever you live. Of course - your decision........

Beeziekn33ze · 27/07/2016 18:36

Catnip - LOL! Both the typo and the correction, thanks for that 😹

Noshowofmojo · 27/07/2016 18:44

Send a letter to yourself ie your address, and on the bottom of the envelope or postcard put FAO THE POSTMAN and tell him on that. He or she can't fail to get the message then, surely?

Craigie · 27/07/2016 18:48

FTLOG lock your doors and windows. If the postie can gain access so easily so can a burglar.

ChicagoBullz · 27/07/2016 18:55

If it's rural/safe enough for you to leave things unlocked then all you need is a box or some such outside for parcels.
I don't but my neighbour has something like this

To think I shouldn't have to keep complaining about this?
ChicagoBullz · 27/07/2016 18:56

And my postie just leaves them behind my big plant pot (which we prearranged)

Rainbow · 27/07/2016 19:05

YABU. The postman is only trying to save you a trip to the delivery office. Instead of complaining about an act of kindness, lock your window.

Rainbow · 27/07/2016 19:11

You are also at risk of losing your dog should someone be attacked as you have not taken reasonable steps to prevent it. I had to prove that the person who broke into my house and was attacked by my dog did not have easy access to my property.

NicknameUsed · 27/07/2016 19:14

Would a "Beware of the dog" sign not sufficed Rainbow?

boo2410 · 27/07/2016 19:40

Chicago, that is exactly what we used to do when we lived in a rural location (4 houses, bloody lovely until the landlord sold Angry). We had 2 or 3 regular posties who we were friendly with and we used to have an old plastic box in the garden and they used to leave parcels under the box. We trusted them and even told them to sign for us if we weren't in. And before you all start shouting that we wouldn't have a leg to stand on if things went missing (they never did) we knew that. If it was special delivery mind they used to rearrange the round so we got the parcel in time (it was all rural as they did the villages).

However with a dog it's a different matter and they need to know not to open doors/windows as your dog may bite.

So in conclusion YANBU.

Lozzamas · 27/07/2016 19:42

Please lock your doors and windows - even when your at home. A self closing Yale lock as described earlier sees to that automatically- I have that - locked ground floor Windows that I only open when I'm in the room and a further Mortice lock on the door to double secure when I leave. I am rural but gave up the unlocked door practise when a family in our village was robbed at knife point in their home. Being rural actually means if an undesirable gains entry there is unlikely to be any help so you could be assaulted or worse. They had a big dog the assailant just shut the door of the room they were in, dog neutralised. Worse still given they had a big knife had the dog attacked they would probably have stabbed it. The police were very keen to ensure we all got the message there are nasty people out there and the days of open windows and unlocked doors are over anywhere.

Bake · 27/07/2016 19:50

I was surprised to arrive home one day to find a box inside on the doormat, when no-one had been home. We live in London, so front door is always double-locked when we go out.

I have a catflap, but it is locked and should only open for my microchipped cat. I was very confused, so I checked my 'catflap cam' a camera that I have pointed at the catflap. It records video when there is movement (I am a bit of a crazy cat lady, it means I can check what time the cat went out/came in while I'm at work). On the video I could clearly see the Amazon delivery guy arrive, ring the doorbell, and when there is no answer he tried the catflap. He couldn't push the parcel through, so he used keys to open the catflap outwards, unfortunately the video cut off before he posted the box through, but the parcel was the perfect size to fit through the flap.

I was pleased to have my parcel, but also concerned at how easy it was. It just reinforced how important it was to always double lock the door. It would be easy to stick something through and open the handle otherwise!