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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour won’t give me my parcel

334 replies

Cheeseboardandmincepies · 13/01/2021 11:25

I ordered some things from a friend who accidentally sent my parcel to the wrong address (she put 1 in front of my actual number).
I know the neighbour has it as it’s been signed for on Hermes, I’ve knocked and knocked and I know they’re in but they won’t answer the door to me so I can’t get my parcel.
I can’t ask the seller as they have personal things going on and a very poorly DC so it’s not fair to put this on them. Anyone know where I stand please other than mailing them an envelope full of glitter? It was a lot of money and I’m very pissed off!

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 13/01/2021 12:15

@GoldenLabbie

BTW, what kind of weirdo doesn’t answer their front door? What if it was someone important knocking?
Loads of us, especially if you live in a rough area.

Police will shout if it's them or I can see through the peephole.

ComDummings · 13/01/2021 12:18

@Tiktokersmiracle

Knock again, if they are obviously in and ignoring, post a note saying if you do not receive your parcel in 24 hours you will call in police for theft. I would also make sure neighbors know you have theives living on your street. Do they have a landlord? If so I would find out and tell them
Why would their landlord care 🤣 wtf

Anyway it’s the seller at fault OP, their mistake so take it up with them.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 13/01/2021 12:19

It was the seller's mistake but consumer law says for the neighbour to keep it is theft and the onus is for them to contact the seller.

Someone upthread set out a really good note re evidence of delivery/police crime number. Send that.

Btw I don't necessary answer the door at the moment. Not if I can gesticulate through the window, or if I don't know the person.

GoldenLabbie · 13/01/2021 12:19

That’s ridiculous! Even if you live in a rough area I’d say the chances of the person knocking being a serial killer or someone who means you harm are minuscule. Also what’s to stop a psychopath shouting that they are police? Mumsnet is such a fucking weird place at time , it really is. So many of you dont seem to live in the real world.

By not answering their door and refusing to hand over the parcel this person is actually committing theft.

WombatChocolate · 13/01/2021 12:20

Just out a friendly note through the door.
If you want, mention you've been round (don't mention lots of times) and have missed them. Leave your mob no and ask if they could either text you a suitable time or if it's more convenient bring it round. Say if you don't hear back you'll try knocking again in 48 hours.

You will have to be a bit patient here.
Getting cross and threatening the Police etc in a first communication about it is over the top and won't help. You need to save that for if you've tried a couple of notes and more visits and got nowhere.

Keep it friendly and light and not accusative. It's more likely to deliver the result you want.

user1497207191 · 13/01/2021 12:23

@WombatChocolate

Just out a friendly note through the door. If you want, mention you've been round (don't mention lots of times) and have missed them. Leave your mob no and ask if they could either text you a suitable time or if it's more convenient bring it round. Say if you don't hear back you'll try knocking again in 48 hours.

You will have to be a bit patient here.
Getting cross and threatening the Police etc in a first communication about it is over the top and won't help. You need to save that for if you've tried a couple of notes and more visits and got nowhere.

Keep it friendly and light and not accusative. It's more likely to deliver the result you want.

Fully agree with all that.
Feetoflead · 13/01/2021 12:24

I wouldn’t answer my door at the moment if I wasn’t expecting anyone, I’m on the shielding list for COVID so avoiding any non essential contact

Meowchickameowmeow · 13/01/2021 12:25

@Tiktokersmiracle

Knock again, if they are obviously in and ignoring, post a note saying if you do not receive your parcel in 24 hours you will call in police for theft. I would also make sure neighbors know you have theives living on your street. Do they have a landlord? If so I would find out and tell them
Wow! What a weird over reaction, telling landlords and neighbours because a parcel was wrongly delivered? The seller is to blame here, she should be the one to sort it out. Calmly.
SamsMumsCateracts · 13/01/2021 12:25

I had this once with a neighbour where we used to live, and an Ipad I'd ordered. They point blank refused to answer the door and for the first few days I could see the parcel through their porch window, then it vanished. We end up having to get the police involved, but I never did get it back and ended up out of pocket. I hope your neighbours answer soon! Ours was obviously an extreme case.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 13/01/2021 12:25

Wombat is right, friendly firm note with option to deliver to you, first. So that you can be more insistent later if need be.

Do they know you OP, the neighbour that is?

SchrodingersImmigrant · 13/01/2021 12:26

@Feetoflead

I wouldn’t answer my door at the moment if I wasn’t expecting anyone, I’m on the shielding list for COVID so avoiding any non essential contact
I assume that having someone's parcel there would mean you would at least speak with them...
VeniVidiWeeWee · 13/01/2021 12:26

@GoldenLabbie

"By not answering their door and refusing to hand over the parcel this person is actually committing theft."

Really?

How are you going to prove an intention to permanently deprive?

Bookworming · 13/01/2021 12:28

@Feetoflead they managed to answer the door to accept the delivery... strange that!

starfishmummy · 13/01/2021 12:28

@Daisydoesnt

Have you taken this up with Hermes? That's what I'd try next.
How is it Hermes fault? They delivered it to the address on the parcel. Not their fault that the sender got it wrong.
CleverCatty · 13/01/2021 12:29

@SaltyTootsieToes

Post a letter through their door explaining what’s transpired and you know from Hermes that they have signed for the package and have GPS tracking, give your mobile number to please text you when they put it outside their door so you’ll pop by right then to collect so a) no inconvenience on their part b) no need to hand over in person so you’ll be socially distanced. Ask them to text you if they dispute Hermes tracking so that you can contact the police for mail theft as a crime reference number is required to lodge a claim with Hermes.
this. would definitely do this.
Same4Walls · 13/01/2021 12:31

@Feetoflead

I wouldn’t answer my door at the moment if I wasn’t expecting anyone, I’m on the shielding list for COVID so avoiding any non essential contact
Presumably yoh wouldn't have opened the door to accept the parcel in the first place.

I agree with others a firm but polite notr is the way forward. I hope they do the right thing and you get your parcel.

Morana23 · 13/01/2021 12:31

This happened to me before, my husband just kept going round until they answered. First they said they didn't have it, then we showed him the signature he had used to sign for our parcel and he magically remembered he had it Hmm

Mally2020 · 13/01/2021 12:31

I can understand not opening the door during lockdown at the minute but they didn't have to sign for the package and you just send it back if it isn't yours, they would've known given it wouldn't have been their name on it. It isn't the responsibility of the seller because it should've been returned to sender. I would politely drop a note through saying you're aware they signed for your package and ithey could text you about you receiving the package like above said if they ignore again after like 3 days post another note saying you're not sure if they got your note but you would like your property back.

coffeelover3 · 13/01/2021 12:33

Can you see them from your house? Watch when they go out or come back and run over before they close the front door? How weird people are lol

Reinventinganna · 13/01/2021 12:34

I would ring the bell repeatedly Grin

fairydustandpixies · 13/01/2021 12:37

I had a similar thing. The courier delivered it to X South Road (made up roads obviously) instead of me at X South Avenue. Different postcodes. The people took the parcel in, insisted it was theirs when the courier went back to collect it and now the police are involved as it is technically theft.

Glenorma · 13/01/2021 12:37

I’d try my best to get the parcel back, note though the door and threaten with police etc. But if it eventually became clear they weren’t going to hand it over I’m afraid they’d get a brick through the window.

EspressoExpresso · 13/01/2021 12:37

I'd give the note 48 hours and then go to the local social media page

"Does anyone know the family who live at 123 church road? They have received a parcel that was meant for me (post photo of the doorway if you have one from Hermes) and I've been unable to get a response by knocking or after posting a note. Please could you ask them to contact me?"

Social compliance is a powerful thing!

NoGoodPunsLeft · 13/01/2021 12:37

Unfortunately if they never answer/refuse to hand it over you'll have to go back to the seller as it was her error. Not great for her but she should have better attention to detail when running a business!

puffinkoala · 13/01/2021 12:38

@Feetoflead

I wouldn’t answer my door at the moment if I wasn’t expecting anyone, I’m on the shielding list for COVID so avoiding any non essential contact
Presumably you wouldn't have opened the door to get a parcel that wasn't yours, then.
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