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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to regret giving my postman a Christmas tip and confront him on Saturday am?

108 replies

ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 18:58

I do a fair bit of online shopping and shock horror, have a 9-5 job. I have told my postman (David W) to PLEASE LEAVE PARCELS AT THE DOOR (it's sheltered and not in view of the street) and I also have a yellow A4 sign to that effect permanently displayed. I thought we had an understanding now and gave him £10 at Christmas which he seemed very pleased with.

But lo and behold today, when I'm expecting a LARGE parcel, oh, I have a "sorry we missed you" card signed from him. It's not even a "signed for" parcel so why did he not just leave it at the door? Am I right to suspect he never had it with him in the first place?

I have booked a redelivery online for Saturday am. WIBU to ask for a refund of the tip?!!!

OP posts:
Bantanddec · 02/02/2017 19:00

Perhaps he's on leave and you have a cover postman?

sum1killthepawpatrollers · 02/02/2017 19:01

if its a large parcel then more than likely it wasnt the usual postie who came. round here, if its bigger than, err say large flora tub size it comes seperately

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 02/02/2017 19:01

May not have been him delivering for starters.

TheWitTank · 02/02/2017 19:01

Of course YWBU. It was tip, not payment for a service. Maybe he couldn't leave it for some reason. Just ask him instead of flying off the handle.

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 19:01

A cover postman who can't read a yellow A4 sign and is also called David W?

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 02/02/2017 19:02

Am I right to suspect he never had it with him in the first place?

DH has caught them out with this however.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 02/02/2017 19:02

WIBU to ask for a refund of the tip?!!!

Please do, I would add interest to it as well actually. And perhaps an admin fee?

Then come straight back here and tell us what David W says.

Thumbcat · 02/02/2017 19:10

You know they're not actually allowed to leave it at the door? Many do but technically he could lose his job for it.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 02/02/2017 19:18

So the one time he doesn't leave the parcel you want to take back the tip?

The tip was for the favours he'd already done you, which he didn't have to do.

So you've rearranged for Saturday and will get your parcel, all is good. Marvellous.

Manupprincess · 02/02/2017 19:23

If you ask for the tip back you will never get another parcel helpfully left for you. You need him more than he needs £10.

plimsolls · 02/02/2017 19:24

Off topic but I'm imagining a big yellow sign saying "EXPENSIVE PARCELS TO BE HIDDEN IN HERE PLEASE -->" and OP wondering why there's no parcels there when she gets home.

Sorry OP.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 02/02/2017 19:25

😂

AnyFucker · 02/02/2017 19:26

Oh, we've got a live one here Grin

3luckystars · 02/02/2017 19:28

You can't take back a gift.

Anyway £10 is not that much if you are ordering things all the time, it's less than 20p a week for several deliveries.

Just don't tip him next year if you are still mad.

ShatnersBassoon · 02/02/2017 19:28

Definitely confront him and definitely ask for the tenner back. It would give him and his colleagues something to laugh about back at the depot.

Perfectlypurple · 02/02/2017 19:29

I expect he isn't allowed to leave items outside. Maybe it seemed expensive and he was worried it would get stolen.

And the tip was for the previous year not payment to doing what you tell him.

My postie is lovely. He will put stuff in the garage for us or sign recorded delivery. He also checks to see if our curtains are shut as he knows we work nights. If they are he pops stuff in the garage and leaves a note. I always know when he is off as parcels get taken back to the depot.

Reality16 · 02/02/2017 19:29

Oh ffs Biscuit you want to ask back your tip!!! Is that serious, because it is a really dickish thing to do.

Perhaps David has been told from above that he should no longer leave items outside. Perhaps David had a new postie shadowing him so had to do things 'to the letter' today. Perhaps so many people have complained about stuff being left outside that our friendly and helpful posties have no choice anymore. Or maybe £10 only covered you for January Wink

7SunshineSeven7 · 02/02/2017 19:30

Sorry but ten quid tip or not, I wouldn't be leaving parcels at your door just incase. What if it got stolen? You might turn around and blame him (he doesn't know that). I don't think you can complain that you tipped him for working hard and after the tip he's done something you didn't like so you want it back. Its a tip for his good work, not to buy him off to do what you want!

Imagine if you got your Xmas bonus in work for hard work that year and someone came along and said they regretted giving it to you because after Christmas you were just doing your normal job and not above and beyond.

Also a yellow sheet of A4 on your door telling the world where you parcels are? Not a great idea.

pasturesgreen · 02/02/2017 19:31

God, unclench!

Ordinarily · 02/02/2017 19:31

Perhaps his boss received complaints from others who've found parcels outside their door.

MegaClutterSlut · 02/02/2017 19:32

Probably wasn't him, as already said we have a van that delivers the bigger parcels

Chloe84 · 02/02/2017 19:32

YABU. Presumably the tip is for the parcels he left up to Xmas 2016, so you would BU to ask for the money.

Maybe the parcel was so big he was worried it would be visible on its sheltered accomodation.

Whisky2014 · 02/02/2017 19:33

Lol amazing!

ImpetuousBride · 02/02/2017 19:34

Asking for a refund is ridiculous and uncalled for.. there are many reasons for the note , e.g package too large and postal guidelines. If you continue being unhappy with his service simply dont tip him next year. You can't expect a refund on a tip.

fleuricle · 02/02/2017 19:34

I had a postie once who was so lovely.
I was b/f pfb and was disabled so chances of me getting to door were zilch.
He would knock, open storm door, leave parcel and call out: are you ok, mrs F (very rural area) - another nice parcel for you today
I'd say: yes thanks Pat.
Twas the highlight of my day some days.

OP, don't be daft!

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