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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should they have kept my parcel?

115 replies

Sandybval · 07/05/2020 13:12

My sister ordered me a birthday present to be delivered directly to my house, unfortunately she got the house number wrong, so the courier company etc didn't deliver it to the wrong house or do anything wrong; but it means that it was obviously delivered to the wrong house, but with my name at the top. They are only a few doors away, so I knocked early evening last Monday and there was no reply, which is fine- their perogative to answer the door or not. As some people might be nervous to answer at the moment, instead of keep randomly trying I posted a note, just saying really sorry for the inconvenience, I can pick the parcel up whenever is best for you, or if you would prefer feel free to leave it outside my house (I left my phone number and house number). They must have been near the door already as I saw a shadow and heard it being picked up, so I am assuming they have read it. It's been well over a week now and nothing, so it seems that they just aren't planning on returning it. If it was me I might have returned it to the company if I didn't know who it was for, so we waited a bit to see if they had done that- but no. Do I knock again? I don't want to be rude and it was DS' error, but it seems a bit savage to keep a £150 pair of shoes that you know aren't yours, and you know are a neighbours. I guess maybe technically have they done anything wrong? First world problems I know, part of me is trying to let it go, the other part feels annoyed about it. £150 is a big amount to both of us, but she wanted to get something special because of everything going on.

TLDR- parcel incorrectly addressed to neighbour, asked politely for it back no response, would you let it go, or ask again?

OP posts:

JasonPollack · 07/05/2020 20:04

Knock again and leave a final note saying that unfortunately you will have to contact police if the shoes are not returned.

Then speak to police, it's £150 worth of stuff! Hardly trivial. Your local community policing team should help you.

CalmdownJanet · 07/05/2020 20:08

I would pop a note through the door and say

"Me again, I was hoping to catch you. I have been on to to the police and have a crime number, I have given them your details so they will be in touch with you & the courier. I'd appreciate any help you can give them as I really am determined to get my parcel back. I'll be out for a walk later so I'll try knock on again, it would be great if I could save police time, thanks x"

GJAK9729 · 07/05/2020 20:09

If it was me I’d keep knocking every day maybe even twice a day until I get what’s rightfully mine. 🤣

I can’t believe someone would keep something that’s clearly not for them.

overtherain · 07/05/2020 20:09

Gosh you need to knock again. If no answer, post another note stating that if they don't want to give it to you they must return the item as otherwise it is theft, package not addressed to them. You will get the police involved.

Original poster

Sandybval · 07/05/2020 20:18

Thank you all, it is giving me the courage to keep trying, as sad as it sounds I have become a bit of a pushover in honesty! I needed a confidence boost, thank you all.

OP posts:

Changedname1468 · 07/05/2020 20:19

Oh and about an hour after the courier had left with the rejected parcel, said neighbour called me saying she was informed the parcel had been delivered. I don't know how it works but I'm hoping she also has something that tells her it was returned to sender.
I would hate for her to only have a notification of delivery and thinking I've kept her parcel and not giving it to her.

aWeaponCalledtheWord · 07/05/2020 20:21

i once lived in a road that was a mile away from a road in the next village with the same name. post would inadvertently be mid-delivered. no biggie.

except the people at the other ‘number x, same road name, different postcode’ once happily took delivery of a £500 solid oak wardrobe they knew they hadn’t ordered then pretended they hadn’t seen it, even in the face of photographic evidence from the delivery driver of the front of their house, and their signature on the paperwork.

we had to involve the police in the end. people are batshit.

Original poster

Sandybval · 07/05/2020 20:24

@Changedname1468 it does sound odd that there's lots arriving. I would worry that it's someone using someone else's PayPal or debit card that doesn't want the deliveries attached to their address. It might not be of course, but you are doing the right thing by rejecting them in my opinion, always best to follow your instincts.

OP posts:

SonnyRobes · 07/05/2020 20:25

YANBU
Legally, this is theft - they cannot keep the shoes.
However, have you considered that they might not be in?

AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff · 07/05/2020 20:26

Keep trying - say that you’ve had confirmation that it has been delivered to their address. Shouting it for all to hear if necessary.

It wouldn’t hurt them to leave it outside their door.

Changedname1468 · 07/05/2020 20:27

What I meant to say was, maybe they returned it but you only got the message it was delivered?

overtherain · 07/05/2020 20:34

@Changedname1468 most companies it's standard to send an email once the refund has arrived and then again once it has been processed. I have accidentally sent a parcel to the wrong address when I'd moved house and although added my new address had forgot to tick the 'make default address' box. Numerous parcels is suspicious though and as long as you're returning them you're doing nothing wrong. They can reorder to the correct address which is what can hopefully happen for the op if the neighbour won't give her the parcel directly.

Changedname1468 · 07/05/2020 20:38

@Sandybval thanks. I honestly don't know what my gut is telling me. On paper it seems very off but when speaking to her, she did seem nice and to have made a genuine mistake. But, as far as fraud goes surely she would have a lot more to lose than me. I've been going backwards and forwards on this for two days. I've given this fast too much headspace (not much else to fill it with, I guess).

CSIblonde · 07/05/2020 20:39

They've either opened them so want to keep them or are embarrassed you'll know they opened them. They're counting on you giving up. Don't.

Original poster

Sandybval · 07/05/2020 20:44

@Changedname1468 unfortunately being chtarasmatic and nice is often a nice little cover. I'm not saying this is what is happening, but personally it seems you are doing the right thing by refusing them. Even if it is above board, at least they will get their money back etc. I wouldn't have minded at all if they had done that.

Yes, i do have quite large feet and they're quite unique (they don't do huge runs of each design, and it was from their 'vault' which are old styles). So might keep an eye out actually for local listings on eBay etc, not that I could prove it but eurgh.

OP posts:

Changedname1468 · 07/05/2020 20:46

@overtherain thanks. She would have to wait several days for the return to be received though or would the courier keeping the parcel trigger some kind of notification?
I guess she placed one massive order and is expecting it to come in various packages over the next few weeks.
I just don't understand why she can't contact the courier or change billing/delivery details online (at least for the stuff that hasn't been dispatched yet).
She did sound lovely on the phone and very apologetic but it just seemed odd to me.

Changedname1468 · 07/05/2020 20:51

@Sandybval that's the problem when you never met each other.i don't want to be that kind of neighbour but I also don't want to be a mug. Not sure what the worst that could happen be but don't want to find out.
I was almost hoping you'd be the neighbour then maybe we would be laughing about it now and come to an agreement.
I do hope you get your shoes or a refund.

overtherain · 07/05/2020 21:07

@Changedname1468 the courier keeping it should trigger an email but if it's Hermes they're useless at the best of times often triggering the notifications a day late. Now, I realised straight away when I'd made the mistake but the company wouldn't change the address so it was delivered to the wrong one and I had to leave a note. They did hand over the item but I wouldn't of minded if they'd returned it and I had to reorder.

Fisharefriendstoo · 07/05/2020 21:32

I’d be camping in their garden if I was waiting for Sophia Webster shoes and someone was holding them hostage.

Original poster

Sandybval · 07/05/2020 21:33

I've wanted them for so long as well, and they finally went into the vault- and in my size which never seems to happen!

OP posts:

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 07/05/2020 21:51

With regards to legality, this constitutes 'theft by finding' and the police will take it seriously if you contact them about it, which you definitely should, after posting one more note asking them to return your item and getting proof from the company that it was delivered to that address. If after that they still choose to ignore you then the police will kindly ask for you

IntermittentParps · 09/05/2020 14:24

However, have you considered that they might not be in?

The very first post says ‘I saw a shadow and heard it being picked up’.

OP, call the police and knock/ leave another note informing them you’ve done so.

Ineedaduvetday · 09/05/2020 14:27

Go over and do not stop knocking. They are cf's.

LutherRalph1 · 09/05/2020 14:31

Go back! If you are imposing or bothering them, they could end it sooner by just giving you your bloody parcel

ManualFlusherSnot · 09/05/2020 14:36

We had the reverse of this happen to us. Around Easter time, my daughter opened our mail, amongst it was an Easter card for a couple of children with £20 in, but it was our address on the envelope. I tried knocking on the same number of similar sounding street names, but nobody knew of the children. I also asked the local shop keeper, but she doesn’t know them. So now I have left the card in a drawer in my side board hoping the people will collect it.

You should definitely go back. It is your parcel, no matter what address it had on it.

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