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AIBU?

to complain about the delivery driver's incessent banging?

68 replies

WazFlimFlam · 01/12/2017 12:10

I have just complained to both the company I bought the goods from, and Parcelforce about the behaviour of one of their delivery drivers.

I am working from home today, and was in the middle of an important phone call when the bell was rung, in that kind of BUZZZzzzz buzzz buzz BUZZZZ kind of a way.

I thought 'oh bum I can't take that delivery right now and will have to rearrange, how annoying!', hoping the person on the other end of the phone didn't hear the bell.

I carried on my call and seconds later there was another BUZZZ buzz (etc....) and then some banging on the panes of glass on the front door. I think 'oh fucking hell', and still try to ignore it.

Then it comes a third time 'BUZZZ BUZZZZ BUZZZ' and more hammering on the door.

I'm now thinking 'oh chuffing heck, someone is trying to tell me the house is on fire/someone has collapsed on the street outside and they are panicking and need someone to help'

So I reluctantly paused my telephone conversation and went downstairs to find a furious delivery driver with his face pressed up against the window, all this time the bell's BUZZZ BUZZ buzzing and he's hammering on the glass with his fists. He then just wordlessly passes me the parcel and sods off.

Was he being a dick, or AIBU complaining about a poorly paid member of the gig economy who was just at the end of his tether?

OP posts:

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Curiousgeorgey · 01/12/2017 13:10

Read this thread. Went for a nap during DDs nap. Heard the doorbell ring. Then again, then knocking, then more ringing. Thought please just leave and ill collect the package from the post office!!

As I thought this I heard my front room open and the postie toss the package on the floor then close the door. I'm livid.

MaroonPencil · 01/12/2017 13:10

I can understand where you are coming from OP. I also work from home. It's possible I could be on the phone with, for example, a government minister in a conversation that had taken months to arrange. I also would find it very difficult to pause such a conversation, and yes it would feel (and be, in my opinion) unprofessional.

However I can also see it from the other point of view - working from home as I do it is vastly more common for delivery drivers to stick a note through the door having not even tried to knock (or if they did doing it very quietly) so in most cases I would appreciate a loud knock. So I am on the fence!

Curiousgeorgey · 01/12/2017 13:11

Went for a bath, not a nap!

Jaxhog · 01/12/2017 13:13

YANBU. I also work from home and am often on a teleconference. I can't just drop the call to answer the door! Sometimes I'm on the loo or in the shower, or just busy in the middle of a complex task. I don't answer the door then either.

There is no obligation to answer the door just because you are physically present. I wish more people understood this.

Outbackshack · 01/12/2017 13:15

I was verbally abused by a driver 3 days post giving birth as i was in bath, jumped (ish) out and races downstairs. He was furious at me for keeping him waiting and shouted "you shouldn't order a parcel if you cant be in to collect ". Then pretty much threw parcel at me and stormed away. It was some lovely flowers to celebrate new born. The knocking woke baby as well. I sat behind closed door and sobbed. Reported him but never had a response

Medeci · 01/12/2017 13:20

I'm often unable to answer the door immediately.
So if a delivery is due that day I stick a note on the front door saying I'm in but may be delayed answering the door so parcel can safely be left on doorstep.
This works well, never had any problems.

jaimelannistersgoldenhand · 01/12/2017 13:24

Yabvu and over dramatic thinking that it was some emergency.

Yanbu to not answer the door. Sometimes it's just not possible to get to the door.

But according to a tradesman I know, 70% of doorbells don't work so you don't know if it's been rung of the person outside can't hear it. Many elderly people need loud knocks and time to get to the door. Could a neighbor have mentioned to the delivery driver that you're in hence him making more of an effort? My experience is that delivery drivers are often too quiet and I can't hear the door over household noise like kids, ps4 etc

WazFlimFlam · 01/12/2017 13:46

Thanks for your responses, I have written to the company I ordered from to encourage them to consider the way the delivery drivers are treated by this company, and to Parcelforce itself saying I don't want to cause the driver any 'trouble', but did feel it ought to be reported as he could really scare more vulnerable people with that attitude.

Yes, I was pissed off because I don't think I do have an obligation to answer the door, all the time, every time, though I have never failed to answer the door before. I am now wondering what would have happened if I genuinely wasn't in. How long would he have continued his hammering for? He could really have pissed off the neighbours!!

It was Sod's law that one of the few times I was indisposed today he turned up. I do think it is odd people think I genuinely had control over the cruel and random universe we live in and could have somehow prevented the situation.

OP posts:

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 01/12/2017 13:58

I am now wondering what would have happened if I genuinely wasn't in.

That’s what I would like to know. How did he know you were in?

WazFlimFlam · 01/12/2017 14:07

GreatDuck, he didn't. He couldn't. He certainly didn't know that I was able to answer the door at that exact moment in time.

OP posts:

FireCracker2 · 01/12/2017 14:08

I don't think you will get anywhere with reporting to the delivery company

you are not the customer- the seller is
2)the WANT the parcel delivered frst time so they don't have the xpense of storage /redelivery
they will not want to piss of delivery drivers at this time of year!

crrrzy · 01/12/2017 14:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 01/12/2017 16:01

I think it’s an unnecessary complaint. I hope for the driver there’s no repercussions

MiraiDevant · 01/12/2017 16:17

Usual story - people don't want to pay a reasonable price for delivery - expect it for free - but don't make it easy for the drivers who don't get paid if they don't deliver.

Stick a notice on your door saying "Please ring doorbell and then leave parcels in porch" - then you are covered. And he gets paid.

Medeci · 01/12/2017 16:54

YABU and weird to make a complaint.
The delivery man was just trying to do his job.
You should have put a note on the door if you didn't want to be disturbed.

WazFlimFlam · 01/12/2017 17:22

Mirai I think one of the reasons I was a bit pissed off was that the delivery wasn't cheap, it was £10 for a small parcel. But that wasn't his fault....

OP posts:

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 01/12/2017 17:37

Delivery costs nowt to do with the driver.
He wordlessly gave you item because you arrived with a kop on,not inviting small talk

jaimelannistersgoldenhand · 01/12/2017 18:03

I do think it is odd people think I genuinely had control over the cruel and random universe we live in and could have somehow prevented the situation.

I think that people assumed that a courier like DPD had warned you that the package would arrive during an assigned 1 hour slot. Most companies deliver out of the blue between 9am and 7pm

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