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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to be freaked out by delivery drivers doing this

137 replies

Sunnyoctday · 17/10/2020 10:39

Been ordering stuff online for years...various companies....no major issues. During COVID generally deliveries fine...knock, wait, socially distanced handover...cheery banter about weather etc.
In last 4 weeks though on 3 occasions with 3 different drivers from 2 companies....
First thing heard is door being opened..parcel put into hall..door slammed shut. No knock, no bell...
On second occasion I called out to driver to say why didn’t you knock and wait..why did you let yourself into my house...his answer..it’s a porch ( it isn’t) ...you should lock your door ( hubby had gone out into garage so door wasn’t locked)...he was rude and patronising that I was not happy that he simply let himself in.
On 3rd occasion the door was locked. The driver was trying the door handle numerous times...eventually he banged on door really hard repeatedly and seemed very impatient when I opened it,

I have never experienced this in all these years- then 3 times in as many weeks.

AIBU to think delievrry drivers should not let themselves into your home unless there is explicitly a notice to say leave in porch etc ( if you have one)...is anyone else experiencing this weird new behaviour..is it a new thing? AIBU to say it is scary and weird to have random strangers trying to get into your house

OP posts:

NeverAMillionMilesAway · 17/10/2020 11:19

Blimey, I would never leave my door unlocked, even if putting the bins out, but I suppose that depends where you live!
Either way- not on. You should expect privacy in your own home, and they should not be just opening doors. For all they know, you have an aggressive dog or a naked human behind it!

Original poster

Sunnyoctday · 17/10/2020 11:20

Twiglet fairy- if we had inner and outer door, exactly, I wouldn’t mind...but we don’t..it’s one door coming straight into a carpeted narrow hallway

OP posts:

AcornsVsBcorns · 17/10/2020 11:21

We've had this. 3 barking dogs running straight at them while I yelled "what do you think you are doing?!" stopped the postie from ever doing it again

Seriously though, perhaps putting the door chain on might help? Even if just for a few weeks to break the habit?

BarryTheKestrel · 17/10/2020 11:23

My door is always locked because I have an escape artist DS, however a number of delivery drivers have been seen to try the door handle as I'm running down the stairs or through the house to answer the door. I will always question why they tried to let themselves into my home uninvited rather than waiting a reasonable time.

Ariela · 17/10/2020 11:26

They don't dare do that with us, as the dog stands on a chair in the window and barks as soon as the van pulls up. Then flies at the door as soon as they get near.

Moondust001 · 17/10/2020 11:27

I am probably being far too rational about this, but if one is terrified of strangers walking in through ones front door, perhaps one shouldn't leave it unlocked? After all, in this particular instance, it's "just the delivery driver". Who knows who the next person to try your door is?

LindaEllen · 17/10/2020 11:28

I think delivery drivers are under a lot of pressure at the moment, but it doesn't excuse the fact that deliveries should still be made professionally and respectfully. We were waiting for a delivery the other day, but next door have a porch and don't mind us asking for things to be left there, so we always leave a note on the order where possible. On this occasion it was very late and we needed to go out, so we did, knowing the porch was on the notes.

When we got home, the parcel was sitting outside our house. Just sitting there. Not hidden behind the bin even (which it easily could have been). Anyone could have seen it, anyone could have taken it. As it happens it was fine and it didn't contain anything super expensive, but fuck me, they didn't know that when they just left it there!

SlopesOff · 17/10/2020 11:28

Our delivery man has to take a photo of the parcel at the front door now to show he has delivered it. Last year the postman wasn't allowed to leave tracked parcels in the 'safe place' because they were being stolen.

I have my feet photographed frequently, with a tiny box in front usually, have seen them on the confirmation of delivery mail.

Maybe the drivers have been told not to leave parcels outside. There has been a huge increase in online shopping since Spring and they have to deliver within a certain time frame. Could you provide a safe place for deliveries, it can be entered on the order or confirmation e.mail most times?

I do agree they shouldn't be opening your door but are probably allowed to 'leave it in the porch' so just open the door and shove it in and rush off.

It will get worse with the Christmas shopping.

SurferRona · 17/10/2020 11:31

How do they get in though? Do you have handles on your front door? I only have a knob so don’t get this problem. I remember when we got a new door the company kept asking me if I was sure I didn’t want a handle....for the life of me I couldn’t see the point of one. This reassure me why!

MJMG2015 · 17/10/2020 11:31

My front door is usually actually open, so they just put it on the doormat & take a photo.

They're under HUGE pressure to deliver shit loads of parcels.

On the rare occasion the door is closed, they can't just open it because it self locks when it's closed.

Opening the front door to put it inside leaves them open to a lot of risk. I wouldn't want to do it if I delivered parcels.

But if they could & did do it here, I wouldn't mind & I wouldn't keabe the door unlocked if I did.

amatsip · 17/10/2020 11:32

I had a delivery turn up last week, opened door and driver quickly snapped my photo as I picked up my parcel. I know they need to do it for their records but it left me 😳

Crimblecrumble1990 · 17/10/2020 11:38

I've seen threads like this before and am always baffled that people find this normal/excusable behaviour because delivery drivers are busy?

Unless it is obviously a porch/instructions say leave in the porch, who on earth just opens a front door! Also most people I know don't have a porch, not in new builds anyway.

I don't keep my door locked when I'm in the house and no one has come close to just walking in in the last 30 years. Maybe it's the area I live in. Or the noisy dog.

goingtogetsomesleep · 17/10/2020 11:41

I would complain. I can't believe there are people here who think it's ok!
Being a woman home alone and having someone that I don't know walking into the house would completely terrify me.
Absolutely ridiculous and I would not be ok with this at all!
Also i have an indoor cat that could escape.
I actually feel angry on your behalf op
And yes the delivery drivers are under stress etc, but just leave the parcel by the door OUTSIDE, after knocking or ringing the doorbell, what's wrong with that??!?

frewer · 17/10/2020 11:43

I'm always fascinated by how many MNers have front doors with outside handles.

I've never seen one ever, just on the back door.

Shellingbynight · 17/10/2020 11:45

A couple of years ago we had one courier who did this - a woman. She was very cheerful and seemed to think it was fine. I didn't! There is no porch, the door opens into the hall. But she was only around for a short while, and generally the door was locked so she tried the handle to no avail. None of the male couriers has ever done this, they knock/ring and leave the parcel on the doorstep. They are usually down the steps and away before I even get to the door.

Starheart · 17/10/2020 11:45

I honestly can't believe you leave your door unlocked . A few years ago this was how a thief got car keys for a number of houses in my parents street . Just in and out of a few houses in seconds . Also I'm not sure your insurance covers you if a break in happens and you haven't taken due care and attention to lock your property . Sorry but delivery driver aside leaving your home unlocked is not something that's very sensible .

SBTLove · 17/10/2020 11:45

@magicstar1
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That’s hilarious

SBTLove · 17/10/2020 11:47

@frewer
I’m amazed you’re fascinated by this, majority of doors have handles on them 🙄

PerveenMistry · 17/10/2020 11:50

@SimplyPizza

YABVU. If you don’t like it, go out and do your own shopping. Complaining that someone left a delivery in the hall, then complaining that a delivery wasn’t left because the door was locked, what would you be happy with? They haven’t got time to wait around for people shuffling around their house waiting for them to find keys to let them in.

This.

They're doing you no harm.

SlopesOff · 17/10/2020 11:51

[quote SBTLove]@frewer
I’m amazed you’re fascinated by this, majority of doors have handles on them 🙄[/quote]
None of the ones round here have handles on the outside. In fact I have never seen a front door with an outside handle, only back doors.

Ours just has a knob to pull it shut.

DeliciouslyFemale · 17/10/2020 11:54

Put up a beware of the dog sign. That should make them think twice. They probably think you want them to leave it through the door, because so many of their customers deliberately leave the door unlocked when they’re expecting a parcel. I’m so glad I have a porch for them to leave it in, but if I didn’t I’d put some sort of lockable box out front for them.

I feel awfully sorry for delivery drivers. They get criticism for not knocking loudly enough, knocking too loudly, not leaving parcels on the step, leaving parcels on the step, dropping it through the door, not being sensible enough to leave it through the door. They really can’t win.

Original poster

Sunnyoctday · 17/10/2020 11:55

@SlopesOff

I have my feet photographed frequently, with a tiny box in front usually, have seen them on the confirmation of delivery mail.

I do agree they shouldn't be opening your door but are probably allowed to 'leave it in the porch' so just open the door and shove it in and rush off.

It will get worse with the Christmas shopping.

Hi, there is a safe space listed...but they aren’t even ringing the bell to wait for a few seconds to answer...just trying to open the door

Yes, some companies need photo now- they’re not the issue....

OP posts:

mumwon · 17/10/2020 11:59

many delivery drivers are on zero hours they are given an unrealistic schedule & number of deliveries & no doubt if they cant prove the parcel is delivered to right address (photo) & the parcel has to be redelivered they may find themselves out of a job -I note in our local facebook the number of people who have random photos of wrong address deliveries & requests if someone knows what address the photos come from.
Some of these drivers have no breaks factored in & or issues with road works traffic jams parking etc - & they can find themselves working 11 hours for 8 hours pay
Its not right that they delivery this way but equally when you see the pressure they are under you can understand how it might come about & why some of them may be grumpy. It also explains white van driver syndrome with delivery drivers - which is a very dangerous side effect.
I wish that all delivery drivers no matter what size of vehicles had tachographs & the rules that entails but that another subject.

MarinPrime · 17/10/2020 11:59

Don't be freaked out. Just make sure the door's always locked.

malmi · 17/10/2020 12:02

For those who claim they have NEVER seen a front door with a handle...

Behold!! An entire street full of them! And all different types,too!

maps.app.goo.gl/BrH5wESU72RMbsKZA

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