Neighbours not collecting parcels

[Babyyodasmacarons]

I understand that you can’t always be in for parcels and they don’t even turn up when planned a lot of the time. I also am very happy taking in neighbours parcels and grateful if they take in mine, but I ALWAYS collect them as soon as I am back and get the note/message.

Our neighbours on one side have at least 1 or 2 parcels delivered every day (understandable this time of year) but they never collect them. We see them come home from work at different times in the afternoon and then they are home all eve, but never come and get them.

At first DP or I would take them over and they’d always answer the door and take their parcels but after he took another 2 over Monday I said we should wait for them to come over and get them. Well, there are now 3 parcels clogging up the hallway (2 since Tuesday) and DP just wants to take them over, but I feel like they are being CFs, it’s expected and so we shouldn’t. AIBU?

They are definitely in and I know they are getting notes as the postman always says he’ll pop a note in. Unless their dogs are eating them they must be aware

The other issue I have is that in the summer a valuable package came for me and they must have taken it in as when I got back at lunchtime, I had a card through the letterbox but the package was just left by the doorway (not even disguised a bit in our front garden) for anyone to see.

So the AIBU I guess (and a boring one at that) is:

YABU - just keep taking them over
YANVU - let them pick them up

..part of me wants to just put them on their doorstep but I won’t be that petty... maybe

[Babyyodasmacarons]

If your not expecting a parcel just don't answer the door.

Unfortunately we are getting parcels of our own too for Christmas and the delivery windows sometimes span a few days do you never know. Difference is DP is WFH so there’s always someone in.

[JemimaTiggywinkle]

Yes, definitely stop taking them.
They’ve probably put you down with Royal Mail as their preferred neighbour to take parcels. (Which is rude if they haven’t asked you first).

[Babyyodasmacarons]

Thank you all, I have decided that I won’t accept them, can’t force DP if he’s around but he can take them over if he accepts them, he can store the parcels in his ‘office’ so we aren’t tripping over them. I’m sure he will change his mind then.

[Simplyunacceptable]

Drop them off this time then refuse to take any more in.

I used to take parcels in for one of my neighbours in my previous house and they would do the same for me. We generally always delivered them to each other tbh but we didn’t mind doing so because it was a fairly equal arrangement. I took one in for the neighbour on the other side once and he didn’t come to collect it so I tried to drop it off a few times and he wouldn’t answer the door! I ended up giving it back to the postman.

[Sweettea1]

Got 2 sat in my hall for neighbour point blank refusing to take them to there's as I know there home seen them coming and going will refuse to take any more parcels for them.

[ForTheLoveOfCatFood]

Note on the door to say only accepting parcels for this address sorry

Job done

[LindaEllen]

My neighbours are doing my head in with this at the moment, they have at least 3 parcels delivered every day, knowing full well that they're not going to be in to receive them, and that they will come to me (our driveway is shared so it's always our door that they knock on).

My hours have been strange recently as I work freelance but have been working with an Australian team meaning I'm basically working nights - so sleeping a lot of the day.

I could really do without being woken up 3 times during this time, and then again early afternoon when their daughter gets home from college and comes to pick things up.

[emmathedilemma]

I'd take those over and then stop taking them in. I've taken things in for one of my neighbours a couple of times and won't do it again as they don't come for them and when I've knocked they don't answer despite there being lights and the TV on! In the end i just left it on their doorstep when I saw them go out one day.

[Letsgetbizzy]

take them over this time but say "would you mind coming as soon as you know there is a parcel? It was starting to look like a sorting office HA HA HA"

Problemo solved... and if not.. stop taking them in.

[Babyyodasmacarons]

Got 2 sat in my hall for neighbour point blank refusing to take them to there's as I know there home seen them coming and going will refuse to take any more parcels for them

That’s me DP was going to take them and I thought why should we go out our way. I’m so stubborn and petty but meh. Not taking anymore, if they have to drive somewhere to collect them rather than just walking 10 steps it’s their problem.

[ImnotCarolineHirons]

@justicedanceson not here it's not. The etiquette is to go and get your parcel. The person taking it in has done you a favour already, so why should they be further inconvenienced by having to traipse out in the cold and dark to deliver it to you? surely the person whose parcel it is should be the one collecting!

[FatCatThinCat]

Keep them for a few days and if they don't collect, send them back.

[scoobydoo1971]

I have sign on my door, no cold-callers or uninvited callers. I have another sticker stating no fliers or marketing leaflets. I added I refuse parcels for the neighbours on the stickers. I have refused couriers a few times but never get bothered now. If I liked my neighbours, I might accept parcels as I work from home. But they are abusive idiots and have refused parcels for me. It is rude not to collect a parcel, so start refusing for the neighbours as they will start to think of you as a Click and Collect service on their doorstep.

[babybunny123]

Hi, i put a note on my door stating that i do not accept parcels for other households.

[CakeRequired]

They have no care for your packages, why are you caring for theirs? 😂 Leave them on the doorstep and ban anyone in the house from accepting anymore.

[Babyyodasmacarons]

@CakeRequired I’m tempted to leave these now on their doorstep but I always wonder what would happen if they go missing. It’s be our responsibility to prove we haven’t stolen them wouldn’t it?

[mouse70]

I did not mind taking in parcels for neighbours Pre March,as I and they always collected as soon as returning home to find the card from delivery company. If some one delayed collecting from me I would then decline to accept any more parcels for them. Have noticed since March NO delivery companies have asked to leave parcels with me and at the moment I would decline to accept them.

[Eckhart]

Put them in DP's armchair.

[viccat]

I would drop them off this time and say to them you would prefer they collect them in the future. If you have been taking them round all this time, they are probably expecting that.

When I take parcels in for neighbours I actually prefer to drop them round to them - at least then I can do it when it's convenient for me instead of getting a knock on the door when I'm cooking/in the loo/already in pyjamas...

[Babyyodasmacarons]

Put them in DP's armchair.

[lockdownalli]

I have voted YABU because you are continuing to accept parcels for these CFs, knowing they won't come and collect.

[MrsTwitcher]

Can you ring them or put a note thru and say you have 2 parcels to be collected my a certain time today and that you are no longer able to store parcels for them.

[CakeRequired]

I’m tempted to leave these now on their doorstep but I always wonder what would happen if they go missing. It’s be our responsibility to prove we haven’t stolen them wouldn’t it?

Well if you're worried about that, take them round, knock on the door and make sure they have them. Definitely take no more in.

Technically it's your fault too now if the item is broken, because it wasn't checked and sent back. So there's a reason for you to not bother anymore.

[Calmandmeasured1]

YABU for continuing to accept them. Once they'd failed to collect a parcel for the 2nd time, I'd have not accepted any more. I'd be disappointed in my DH if he continued to allow himself to be such a pushover.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

I think it's okay to do it once or twice but to keep on doing it is taking the proverbial. I recall having some massive parcel clogging up the hallway for five days one Christmas. The 'neighbours' were a few doors down so I didn't have a clue when they were in or not. It was too big and heavy to keep lugging back and forth on the offchance that they were home and would accept it.

I only take parcels for one immediate neighbour now as it's easy to tell when they are at home, otherwise, I wouldn't.