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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

SavoyCabbage · 15/05/2020 07:39

I'd forgotten about giving someone 'three rings'. I heard an engaged tone the other day, must be the forts time for twenty years!

B0bbin · 15/05/2020 07:40

I think I probably would have opened it out of curiousity/ tiredness. Don't worry. Take to the post office and don't mention anything about a phone/ smashing. Just say it arrived at your address and please could they return it to the sender saying no such name at this address. Hope it works out ok.

Pinkyyy · 15/05/2020 07:50

Why would you just return it to sender? You have broken something and you need to pay for it. Contact the phone shop on the paperwork and pay for it to be fixed.

Hwory · 15/05/2020 07:50

God not many people like taking responsibility for their actions on here do they.

As if you’d open a box clearly marked IPhone 10 or whatever and then are surprised a phone fell out.

TwistyHair · 15/05/2020 07:51

I thought of the scam too. I think sometimes people wait near your house as they have tracking and the pretend to be you and receive it when it’s delivered. I’d have opened the box because people package things in all sorts of boxes. It could easily have been your item in a phone box. Phone the phone company and ask about it. Don’t mention you’ve opened it and just send it back.

SoupDragon · 15/05/2020 07:51

You clearly write 'No such name at this address. Return to sender' on it and post in a postbox or hand in to post office

Except she has ripped open the packaging and smashed the phone.

G3entlemanjack · 15/05/2020 07:53

FGS! This isn't a post about whether she should have opened it or not! I agree with a PP, I'd look in the box to see if it was my item in wrong packaging.

Fallsballs · 15/05/2020 08:06

I thought it was a phone box old style too and I was thinking that’s a fucking big parcel op had to unwrap.

Beautiful3 · 15/05/2020 08:09

I would phone up the number on the paperwork. Explain what happened, don't say anything about the broken screen. There is a scam where a phone is ordered and delivered to an unsuspecting address. A courier turns up to collect it, who turns out to be the thief really. The home owner gets stung for the cost (linked to credit card fraud). Best thing to do is call up and return that way. I wouldnt pay for post and packaging. You shouldn't give it to an unknown at the door.

londonrach · 15/05/2020 08:10

Sounds like the phone scam. Contact the provider and post phone back. Id have opened box as people did recycle boxes for posting and if you not seen the name on package and expected a package so easya mistake. Expect someone at your door claiming phone re this scam.

SoupDragon · 15/05/2020 08:11

FGS! This isn't a post about whether she should have opened it or not

And yet that is the only part you have commented on ...

tenlittlecygnets · 15/05/2020 08:11

Opening a parcel by mistake is one thing but to then open the phone box inside is another. And to open it so carelessly that the phone falls out... bonkers.

I'd return to sender, op.

Damnloginpopup · 15/05/2020 08:13

Curiosity killed the phone.

pretzele · 15/05/2020 08:19

Op, are you sure it wasn't already smashed?

oralengineer · 15/05/2020 08:22

I recently sold some perfume on eBay and used an old iPhone box to post it in so it is possible that op opened the box innocently.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 15/05/2020 08:22

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?

My daughter will shortly be receiving a plastic parcel bag, when she opens it she will see a Clarks shoe box. She hasnt ordered any shoes so, according to many on this thread, she mustn't open the box.

I will be calling her to let her know she MUST open the box as it contains some treats I’ve sent her.

LOTS of people reuse boxes! I’ve even known companies do it. Had a delivery at work in a big box which had originally contained paper towels - it had been repurposed to hold several smaller items (no paper towels).

user1497207191 · 15/05/2020 08:23

Why would you have needed to open the phone box?

When buying second hand, it's very common for small items (or even bigger ones) to be put into random boxes for postage. I've had all kinds of boxes used for things I've bought and re-use them when I sell things. I've certainly used an old mobile phone box to protect a vintage matchbox car I sold a few months ago. I used a loo seat box to send a small picture.

TwistyHair · 15/05/2020 08:28

Lol at all the old style phone boxers. Such a change of meaning.

twilightcanine · 15/05/2020 08:29

Personally I'd package it back up and return to sender as "No one of that name at this address".

nahnonever · 15/05/2020 08:34

I 100% would of opened the box. If something is sent to my address, I assume it's for me

I don't think you done anything wrong. Accidents happen

Nobodyschilds · 15/05/2020 08:37

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou but presumably you’ll have addressed it to your daughter and to the correct address? Not really comparable

UniversalAunt · 15/05/2020 08:41

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

😉

blueheaven97 · 15/05/2020 08:43

Package the phone back up in the box, drive out to the countryside, dig a deep hole, bury the box, drive home, and never speak of this again to anyone. It'll be our little secret.

heartsonacake · 15/05/2020 08:43

Wow. I can’t believe you did this. I understand you opening the first packaging, but once you did and it wasn’t yours you shouldn’t have opened the actual box. In light of the fact you did I think that makes you responsible for the smashed phone.

Excuses of “it’s not my fault the packaging was poor” don’t wash when you shouldn’t have been opening that part of the packaging in the first place.

Qgardens · 15/05/2020 08:57

I was thinking of a friend's miniature red phone box that holds a retro phone - So yes me too...

I'd probably have opened an unsealed box too.

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