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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:
Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:00

I book redelivery online. I wouldn't pick up a parcel from the sorting office. After all, I have paid for delivery. i'd just let them return it to the sender and I'd get a refund.

Cos I'm an asshole like that Grin

OP posts:
Zanymummy · 02/02/2017 20:02

PS meant to say tracked packet items are not allowed to left under any circumstances but standard can be left if that helps, I have my ex postie friend round just now for tea

Janey50 · 02/02/2017 20:03

Unreasonable to ask for your tip back,it was a gift,you don't ask for gifts back! But.....I have caught them out before with the 'not actually having the parcel with them' issue. I mean,WTAF is that about? I'm in the kitchen,hear postie pounding up the stairs,doesn't knock on door but just pushes a card through,saying 'sorry but you were out'. No I am NOT out,I am right here! I quickly open the door just as he's trying to make a speedy getaway down the stairs. 'Excuse me,I'm here! Can I have my parcel?' I say. He looks totally flummoxed for a moment,then says 'I'll have to go back to the depot to get it'. I kid you not. This has happened to me (twice) and my DD (once). Complaining to Royal Mail did nothing.

Backt0Black · 02/02/2017 20:04

What a nasty individual you are!

What have you tried to name him also 'David W' wow! Hmm

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

Why do you feel you have a bespoke postal service.... bought for the VAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST sum of £10. I bet he had to unfurl your fingers to take possession of said tip. I bet it pained you.

Find a grip and get hold of it OP.

On second thoughts ask for it back, you snidey, tight fisted person. Show him what youre really like... it will give him something to tell his mates on his tea break.

thatstoast · 02/02/2017 20:05

Can't believe you've named and shamed your postman Grin

melj1213 · 02/02/2017 20:06

YABU - he does you a favour by leaving your parcels, if you cause a fuss about this one parcel, you might find you have to go to the sorting office for every parcel from now on

I used to live in a house that had a small sheltered porch in front of the door, with a little alcove to one side that was hidden from view from the street ... our postie was more than happy to leave parcels there so we left a recycling type box with a lid for him to put them in to keep them protected from the elements and make sure it wasn't obvious when we had had a delivery. Anything that was too big/irregular to fit in the tote, and would be visible if left on top/without the lid, was taken back to the sorting office if we weren't in to accept it.

Regardless of whether the parcel was left or not, I always got a "While you were out" note through the door - if it had been left it specified that he'd left it "In your nominated safe place" to cover him if it was missing when we returned; and obviously if it had been returned to the sorting office we got a note anyway.

It was a great system that worked for us - it meant we could get 90% of our parcels immediately but then could arrange re-delivery/collection of the large item at our own convenience.

StealthPolarBear · 02/02/2017 20:06

" plimsolls

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"

Me too :o not to mention the fact that any parcels there more than likely mean the house is empty.

StealthPolarBear · 02/02/2017 20:07

Erm I suspect David w is common enough that no posties are quaking in their boots. I know two. Admittedly not postmen but still.

SaucyDough · 02/02/2017 20:09

But I am miffed that he is happy to leave the wee small parcels but not the big one.

You wouldn't be saying that if one of your parcels got stolen.

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:10

Well Amazon drivers seem to manage to deliver all my parcels by leaving them at the door. They are all different blokes though so I couldn't tip each and every one at Christmas. Perhaps they read the sign. And it's up to me if I want to run the risk of the parcels getting stolen.

God, you would think postmen were saints or something they way you lot run to their defence!

You should have seen what I had to go through too, to opt out of the shite they post through the letterbox with the mail!

OP posts:
immathrowstuff · 02/02/2017 20:14

Why are you like this...

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:15

FYI, the parcels are not expensive, it's just random shit off ebay usually.

The postman up until now has put a card thru the door to indicate he left the parcel on the doorstep. I would NEVER complain if one went missing. He could have taken a picture of my sign and it would be obvious it was my fault for running the risk.

If he doesn't want to leave them because it's against the rules then why do the rules only apply to the larger parcels? This particular parcel was probably the size of 2 shoeboxes.

OP posts:
Chloe84 · 02/02/2017 20:15

You're talking crap OP. If they don't get a signature, the delivery is not classed as complete and they get in trouble.

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:17

And I live on the top floor of a block of 6 flats. So it's probably only the postman and my neighbour opposite who goes up there anyway and certainly nothing visible from the street.

I am like this because I when I pay for a service, I want to receive that service. Reliably.

We should go to the US system of having lockable mailboxes where the postman can deposit our goods.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:18

It wasn't a signed for delivery. The notice just says "it's too big for your letterbox". If it was signed for I might have been more understanding.

OP posts:
sobeyondthehills · 02/02/2017 20:18

Oh thank God, I thought I was in for a quiet night and no parking threads.

Thingywhatsit · 02/02/2017 20:19

I am laughing - thanks for the giggle op! I think you should remember next time to put "lighthearted" in the title!

And I think that perhaps sending him to the gallows would be appropriate than asking for the tip back! Or perhaps a public flogging???? 😮😮😮😮😮😮

Fruitellaz · 02/02/2017 20:19

I am a postie, we're not allowed to leave anything apart from tracked items in designated safe places, even then it's at the post persons discretion as to wether they feel this place is actually safe or not, he's just doing his job properly, maybe he thought it looked expensive as it was large etc. He would be the one in trouble if this parcel went missing regardless of wether you wanted it left or not. It's up to him if he wants to put his job at risk!

AnyFucker · 02/02/2017 20:19

I don't think I would like you very much in RL, op

AmeliaJack · 02/02/2017 20:20

You might not complain but other people do.

Perhaps another customer has complained and his boss has come down on him.

Not everything is about you. Your postman probably needs his job. Why should he risk it for your "random stuff off eBay"?

Original poster
ChickenVindaloo2 · 02/02/2017 20:21

Oh I am a total cow in real life you should see me when I get road rage. But I actually thought I was being fairly reasonable on this one.

OP posts:
AmeliaJack · 02/02/2017 20:23

Chicken actually not all parcels fit in the US lockable boxes. Your big box wouldn't and it's up to the discretion of the mailman whether he'd leave it at your door or not.

AnyFucker · 02/02/2017 20:24

Nope

Dontlaugh · 02/02/2017 20:24

I gave my postie a very naice bottle of brandy last Christmas 😉.
Besties we are.

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 02/02/2017 20:24

but I actually thought I was being fairly reasonable on this one

Sorry, no, you are being a total knob. hth! Smile

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