Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Postman trying to open front door?

170 replies

Bumblebee2302 · 13/01/2018 10:33

Postman just tried my (locked) front door handle when an item wouldn't fit in the letterbox. He hadn't even knocked. I could see this happening from the inside and opened the door - I asked him if he was trying to open my door and he said he was only going to leave the item in the inside of the door. I said that I didn't think he should be attempting to open people's doors and he got a bit shirty.

Is this a thing?! I don't know him and he is not a regular postie - in fact, the postmen in this area change frequently. Just made me feel uncomfortable - does your postman/woman do this?

OP posts:
Whitegrenache · 13/01/2018 10:36

My postie does this all the time and I'm very grateful as we live rurally and it's a pain coming home to one of those postcards to telling you to trail into a depot to collect.

KenAdams · 13/01/2018 10:36

Yes our posted leave parcels in porches around here.

AtSea1979 · 13/01/2018 10:38

My postie does this and i’m very grateful. It saves me a trip to depot. Not surprised he was shirty some people just moan about anything. What’s the problem?

TheVanguardSix · 13/01/2018 10:39

He's your postman, not a thief. Relax.

PopFart · 13/01/2018 10:39

Not our postman but once I had a delivery driver from Hermes walk into my lounge. I was on the floor with DD, there was no attempt to knock at the door, instead he opened the front door, walked through the porch, opened the porch door, walked down the corridor, opened my lounge door and gave DD and I the fright of our lives. For all I know he could have been in other rooms and up the stairs before then.

I don't know why they do it. I'd much rather have to go to the trouble of collecting my parcel from elsewhere, be it a neighbour or depot, than have a stranger come into my home.

JeansAndANiceTop · 13/01/2018 10:40

My postie does this. No biggie.
If you’re that bothered about people trying their luck on your unlocked door maybe you should lock it?

Sparklingbrook · 13/01/2018 10:40

Yes our postman does this. I am grateful because it means I get my parcel and I don't have to trudge down to the Sorting Office or rearrange delivery.

How dare the postman try to deliver your post to you first time and quickly.

crazycatgal · 13/01/2018 10:42

OP has already said that the door was locked.

UnitedKungdom · 13/01/2018 10:42

I've asked my postman to. It's quite helpful rather than leaving something in the shed or me having to try and kev it from the other end of the house where I'm working and currently heavily pregnant.

MissT84 · 13/01/2018 10:43

I am pretty sure (like 100%) theyre not supposed to do this!!!

I would be pretty pissed.... my dog would go mental and would rush at the door, push past and get out. Thats if he doesnt decide to bite the intruder (he hasnt bit yet but not been in that position)

He's lucky he didnt get bitten by a dog.

I would complain. We complained once when "not our usual postman" left a special delivery signed for item hanging out of my letterbox. He got told off, then moaned at us for complaining and getting in trouble. He said he didn't do that, we explained we have cctv and can clearly see it hanging out, then my son getting to the door and pulling it out and walking around the garden with it BEFORE we opened the door.

Strawberrybubblebath · 13/01/2018 10:43

Always pleased when our postman does this.

etap · 13/01/2018 10:44

Just trying to do his job, make his life a bit easier, and supply you with whatever it is you've been sent. Throw him a bone, eh?

mumpoints · 13/01/2018 10:44

We have a large log basket outside that the postie uses to hide things in. I would be concerned if he opened the door purely because my dog might get out if I was upstairs.

Just start locking the door from the inside (bolt or safety chain, easy to do if you haven't got them already).

MissT84 · 13/01/2018 10:45

OP has clearly not asked postie to do this so it is unreasonable for him to do this. If she had asked for this service then fair enough but she hadnt....and how does the postman know she hasnt got a dog??

TheMaddHugger · 13/01/2018 10:45

@Bumblebee2302

Yes OP. It's somewhat normal

DropZoneOne · 13/01/2018 10:46

Couriers think we have a porch but the second door is just an internal door so the first door is usually locked. On the rare occasions I've left it unlocked, people have opened it to leave parcels inside and I've heard them trying the door too when it is locked.

Sparklingbrook · 13/01/2018 10:47

I would imagine if you didn't want them to do this you would keep the door locked.
If you own a dog you should definitely keep the door locked. Anyone could walk in and a) let it out b)get attacked /bitten. But posties usually know the houses with dogs.

SandyDenny · 13/01/2018 10:51

This subject comes up every few weeks and the thread always goes the same way, some people are fine with it, some aren't. As there are no rules on the subject both are perfectly reasonable views.

Sparklingbrook · 13/01/2018 10:52

I don't remember this subject before on MN, I will add it to my list...

Original poster
Bumblebee2302 · 13/01/2018 10:53

Thanks for your replies - just was interested to hear opinions.

The door was locked - always is kept locked.

The item was actually a redelivery that was booked for today, so why even not knock? Just remembered as well, he made a remark about he was trying to save me a trip to collect it .... but I was in the house!

OP posts:
ThisLittleKitty · 13/01/2018 10:54

Wtf are these responses!! He didn't even knock you all read that right!! I wouldn't want someone walking in my house without knocking.

Sparklingbrook · 13/01/2018 10:57

Well then you need to keep the door locked ThisLittleKitty.

ThisLittleKitty · 13/01/2018 10:59

My door is always locked. I think people try to act too relaxed on here like you wouldn't mind a stranger walking in your house (or attempting to!) without knocking.

notangelinajolie · 13/01/2018 11:00

Well your door was locked so it really isn't a problem. The fact that he tried to open the door suggests that many people do leave their doors open. So why not try? You get the parcel and he doesn't have to traipse back to the depot with it. If you live in a high crime area then it's probably a bad idea but generally postmen are nice people trying to get their job done.

Lunde · 13/01/2018 11:03

I am always grateful if the postman tries to find a safe place to leave a parcel to avoid a trip

Had to drive 40 miles on Tuesday to collect 2 parcels that the Postman had helpfully left at collection points in 2 different towns in opposite directions