To expect expensive express delivery services to try the neighbours before taking things back to depot?

[CoffeeCrazedMama]

Had to go to dentist - knew parcel (which I need for Fathers' Day) would arrive while I was gone. Most neighbours were in, but they left a card and scarpered. Now I have to travel to depot miles away 'after 5pm'. Grrrr. It would have been easier to go to the shops in the first place. Plus I have spent a fortune hanging on 0870 number to speak to depot to register I will collect. (No redelivery Saturday when everyone home). Rant over.

Some deliverymen are rubbish, aren't they?

Just had a couple of parcels delivered. Dh has been waiting ages for these.
I happened to be in the house (normally am in garden with the wireless doorbell) and there was a tiny rap at the letterbox - what about ringing the VERY LOUD bell?

Most delivery companies will not try a neighbour unless they have recieved instructions to do so from the sender of the parcel. V annoying I know - but the drivers are just following instructions! If you leave a note on your door (if your area is safe to do so) saying where they can leave the parcel eg shed or round the back of house or which neighbour to try they will do so as long as it is signed and the driver feels it is a safe place to leave the parcel.

This is because if they leave the parcel with neighbour and then neighbour turns out to have long standing feud with you it creates no end of problems......I have worked for a delivery co! can you tell

they only deliver to named recipient, no one else

Most delivery companies will only deliver to the recipient unless you have given them pemission to deliver to another named person.

You need a hippo box

When I was on maternity leave I got really cheesed off pulling baby off boob, making myself decent whilst rushing to answer the door and finding it was ANOTHER delivery for next door from the shopping channel.
I always try to buy from companies who use Royal Mail as we live 2 mins walk from the sorting office so I can nip down an hour after they've tried to deliver if necessary.