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AIBU?

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Original poster

To send this parcel back to the sender?

109 replies

Movinghouseatlast · 15/05/2020 06:04

I feel really bad about what happened to this parcel and don't know what to do with it for the best.

Yesterday a small parcel got delivered to me by Royal Mail. I was waiting for something of a similar size, so I ripped open the plastic envelope it was in. Inside was a phone box. I don't know why but I opened the box- it wasn't sealed in any way. Anyway, the phone inside instantly slid out of the box as it was balanced at the top ( stupid packaging) and fell on the floor and the screen smashed. This all happened in around 30 seconds.

When I looked at the address on the label it was my address but someone elses name! I'm honestly mortified that I have broken someone elses phone, but it really was an accident.

I'm thinking it might be better to return the phone to the sender and get a certificate of posting.. That way the sender will send her a new phone I think?

I could probably track the perso whose name was on the label down via our local facebook page. IShe isn't in the group, but zi bet someone would know her. I would then have to give her a broken phone though.

I don't know what to do for the best. The packaging really was awful. The phone wasn't protected at all, just resting right at the top of the box. There is no paperwork in the package either.

So shall I return it to the sender with 'not known at this address'? I've tried to ask myself what I would want someone to do, and other than knowing I wouldn't want a broken phone I really don't know! Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Alicemovedtothecity · 15/05/2020 06:31

I know you said you don’t know why, but I am bit confused as to why you opened the phone boxConfused

Anyway...it obviously can’t be brand new if it’s box wasn’t sealed? So is it a person you need to send it back to (for a example could have been bought on PayPal 2nd hand) or is it a company?

Did you sign for the delivery? So the person knows where their parcel got delivered?

Think to be honest your only option now is do what you suggest and send it back. Hopefully they will think it got broke in transit?!

ponchek · 15/05/2020 06:38

It sounds like an odd parcel if not packed well and the phone box wasn't sealed. Probably an eBay purchase of a used phone? You should pack back up as it was and return to sender. Whoever sent it will then presumably claim on postal insurance. If they have it.

Yes it's all rather unfortunate. However it was the wrong address and in that you can't be responsible for what happened to it.

Really you can't get in a situation where you have to buy a new phone, so I'd send it back without discussion. Ultimately it was indeed damaged in transit.

I can understand why it feels bad though 😬

Original poster
Movinghouseatlast · 15/05/2020 06:39

The phone is brand new I think, but the box wasn't sealed, it was from a company- a phone shop- not a person.

I don't know why I opened it, no need for the passive aggressive face thing. I think I was confused as I thought it was the thing I ordered and didn't have my glasses on.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/05/2020 06:42

Isn't there some sort of scam going round where someone will turn up
And collect it. I can't remember the details. But it sounded similar.

TinySleepThief · 15/05/2020 06:45

The packaging really was awful. The phone wasn't protected at all, just resting right at the top of the box.

The packaging wasn't awful, the phone was secure and arrived unbroken because it was in a box. The only reason its broken is because you opened it.

I'm baffled as to why when you saw it wasn't what you ordered you then proceeded to open it up?

It's also pretty obvious that the phone has been purchased secind hand so I'm not sure why you think thr recipient will get sent a new phone?

Your only option is to return it but if it was purchased as an Ebay sale or similar then the person who brought it will be unlikely to get their money back. Therefore maybe you should also continue to try and track them down as they will be left out of pocket because of your noseyness.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/05/2020 06:46

I’m so old. I was thinking a red telephone box.

userxx · 15/05/2020 06:49

I don't understand why you opened the phone box once you realised it wasn't the parcel you were expecting. Seems a strange thing to do.

Alicemovedtothecity · 15/05/2020 06:53

My face was a confused face, because to be honest I am confused as are a couple of other posters that have replied to you. You opened a parcel and saw it wasn’t yours and proceeded to open the box? You say you was confused, but surely you know if you ordered a phone or not. Opening a parcel by mistake is one thing but to then open the protective product box is a another.

catwithflowers · 15/05/2020 06:56

@Dobby. Me too 🤣

missmouse101 · 15/05/2020 06:58

OP, you opened in innocence expecting your own parcel. Totally normal. It was never going to make it to its recipient as it had the wrong address on it. Not your fault at all and a bloody inconvenience for you to have to deal with.

Definitely wrap it up and return to sender with 'no such name at this address' on it. Don't worry any more.

TinySleepThief · 15/05/2020 07:02

OP, you opened in innocence expecting your own parcel. Totally normal.

I think why myself and other are confused is that the above simply isn't true . Opening the outer packaging would be an innocence mistake but the OP then continued to open the box the phone was in despite knowing it wasn't a phone she had ordered. Even without her glasses ob a phone box is obviously a phone box and unless she too was expecting a phone this is the confusing part of the story.

footprintsintheslow · 15/05/2020 07:02

I think most people would've opened the box. How can someone not open a box that's in front of them? A box that has been delivered to your home.

I don't believe anyone here saying they wouldn't have opened it.

Send it back as undelivered.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/05/2020 07:04

@catwithflowers 😆 How language changes. Phone box 10p.

Mobile phone packaging box thingy is how I’d describe the OP dilemma. I’d have done the same as the OP. It’s a normal reaction to open post.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 15/05/2020 07:04

I would package it up along with a letter explaining truthfully what happened and return it to the sender.

There is no point defending on here why you opened the actual box because your action is indefensible. There was no reason for you to open the box of a product you obviously didn't order.

BrownStripePJ · 15/05/2020 07:05

I would send back to sender

TorkTorkBam · 15/05/2020 07:06

Phone the sender. That someone used your address when buying a new phone means there is likely a scam underway.

SunshineCake · 15/05/2020 07:06

Open the parcel? Believable if you really think it is your parcel

Opening the actual box? No. Nosy Parker. Consequence for being nosy is you have to sort this now.

Alicemovedtothecity · 15/05/2020 07:07

@footprintsintheslow I 100% would not have opened that phone box no! You won’t believe it but I actually check parcels are mine as well before I open themGrin but obviously I do understand mistakes happen and not everyone looks at a name on a parcel Especially when they are also expecting a parcel.

STAYTHEFUCKHOME · 15/05/2020 07:08

I’m with the others. Why would you have needed to open the phone box?

Your carelessness is going to cost someone else money. Do you think that is fair?

solocha · 15/05/2020 07:08

It's scary for me to open boxes from strangers

userxx · 15/05/2020 07:08

@footprintsintheslow Fair enough open the parcel, but then when you realise it's something you didn't order why open the box ? You know you didn't order it. Why did she need to open the actual packaging of unwanted/unordered item.

Magpiefeather · 15/05/2020 07:09

Agree I’ve heard of a scam that sounds similar to this... maybe google phone delivery scam?

missmouse101 · 15/05/2020 07:09

I'd have opened it without hesitation in case it was what I was expecting and it had been packed in a used box. Not the OP's fault that they got the address wrong. I'd want to know exactly what it was and what was going on. As I said, she's been inconvenienced by this and did nothing wrong.

TinySleepThief · 15/05/2020 07:11

I think most people would've opened the box.

Some people would have opened the outer packaging without checking the name on the parcel. That's fairly innocent. To then open the box when it's clearly not what you ordered is just odd?
How can someone not open a box that's in front of them? A box that has been delivered to your home.

Because if once I'd opened the outer packaging and I saw it was a phone why would I open thw5 phone box if I wasn't expecting a phone?

JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown · 15/05/2020 07:11

Not sure why everyone's giving the OP a hard time on opening the box. If you've received something that you thought was sent to you, then it'd be a easy to be confused and open it before you think about it.

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