Who is BU here?!

[confused14453]

Our local courier for a well-known delivery company, is a smoker and packages often arrive smelling heavily of cigarettes. Personally, although I don’t smoke, it doesn’t bother me because when you take the outer packaging off and throw it in the bin, then the smell has gone away.

I have a family member who lives in the next road along from ours, and therefore also has things delivered by this courier. They messaged me earlier to say that they are thinking of reporting the courier to the company because of the smell of the packages! I think this is an incredibly selfish thing to do, to potentially get somebody into trouble. She has delivered to us a lot, especially since lockdown when we have bought so much more stuff than usual online because of the situation. Always with a smile on her face and on time. I absolutely don’t think she deserves to be reported for this at all. Thoughts?!

That’s grim. They would have to be smoking in the delivery van for the parcels to smell.

It doesn't bother you but clearly is a problem for others. If the packages are getting infused with the smell of smoke then I'd say that was not acceptable. OK as a one off, shit happens, but not if it's a regular thing.

The delivery person doesn't need to smoke inside their van. I assume that's what is happening, I can't imagine the mere act of carrying the parcel from van to house would cause the package to stink like that.

I can see it’s annoying but it’s a shit, badly paid job that this courier has presumably continued with additional risk due to the pandemic so reporting isn’t a very nice thing to do to someone. If anything mentioning it to the courier (in a non confrontational way) would be the best option, I’d presume the person thinking of reporting is lacking in empathy a bit (plus chances are if they think their report would be anonymous, it’s unlikely & the courier will be more pissed off if they’d just mentioned it nicely!).

This would be a problem if your actual goods smelt of smoke, but as you say the packaging goes in the recycling bin.
Maybe appeal to your family members self interest and point out that you could get a replacement that leaves packages at the door in the rain, or sorry we missed you notes when you don't answer the door quick enough....

The packages should not smell of smoke. It’s a horrible smell and really does linger.

I once received a takeaway pizza where the box smelled of smoke (local takeaway probably using a driver who uses his own car). I’m not suggesting that the driver smoked whilst driving with my pizza, but the smell obviously lingered in his car an permeated the pizza box. I contacted the takeaway, returned the pizza, and will never use that takeaway again.

If your family member doesn’t report the delivery driver then I’m sure someone else will.

I'd find it pretty gross to have parcels delivered that stank of smoke. How much must he be smoking for all his deliveries to be exposed to enough smoke to smell when delivered!

I always thought a work vehicle was classed as a workplace and therefore smoking not allowed inside it. He shouldn't be smoking in his van at all.

He should take outdoor smoke breaks if needed, but obviously that will slow down his delivery rate.

@Lindy2

OP has stated that the driver is female.

@DownWhichOfLate

That’s grim. They would have to be smoking in the delivery van for the parcels to smell.

It's often the family car!

Family member could of course have a word with delivery person. Then report if it doesn't improve.

I voted YANBU. I agree that it's a shit job and that complaining is a bit petty in the circumstances. I am guilty of buying lots of stuff that I don't need on line. I am grateful that I can. Now if it is food or medicine ( necessary stuff) it is a problem. But I would still have a word before complaing.

Packaging goes in the bin, I always wash clothes when they arrive, but if you had order a baby mattress, some soft toys, books, some food... It IS grim. Some things you wash and forget about it, but others you can't do much against the smell.

I am not sure I'd want my 5 years old reading his new book stinking of smoke in bed.

I must admit I wouldn't like that at all. It's not good practice at all and I don't suppose the del company would take a good view of it either

I wouldn't blame her for reporting tbh.

I probably wouldn't bother to do it myself, but at the end of the day it's unprofessional to be smoking in a delivery vehicle to the extent that everyone's parcels stink of fags.

I’d report it - solely because having a word with the driver first means she’d know who did it if a report needed to be made after.
Also some packages I’ve ordered arrive in very nice boxes that I keep for reselling the item/gift boxes - I’d hate for them to have be thrown away because of the driver

I wonder throw many of you would last a day doing the same job?

Driving in all weathers, fingers pinched on letter boxes, abuse from customers, moans about delays, collecting parcels, not to mention dogs and gates!

I suggest you leave the poor woman alone, it’s clearly not affecting her ability to actually deliver the parcels you don’t want to go to the shops for.

Sorry, but I’d complain about that. He must be smoking a lot in his van to get the packages so smelly.

I often want to reuse the outer layer of packaging, and even if I don’t then i don’t want stinky packaging in my recycling bag all week.

I would report also even though I am an occassional smoker. When I smoke I do it outside, and wash/change clothes as soon as I'm finished because I hate the smell. I don't want my new items stinking of smoke. It doesn't matter if its "only" the packaging, because having the packaging in the bin still makes the whole kitchen smell of it.

So you’d change your clothes and wash - bit leave packaging in a kitchen bin rather than an outside bin? Double standards.

Not all parcels actually come packaged either some boxes just have a label slapped on imagine ordering a present and it coming sticking of smoke. I’d report it.

I agree with you once the packaging is binned then it shouldn't still smell. What is wrong with people! It's a stressful job especially with the pandemic. Why can't people just leave others alone 🥺

The recycling system here is that I have to put paper and cardboard outside in an open box on the day of collection. I can’t put it out earlier as it gets soaked in rain/blown around etc. So it stays in a bag in my kitchen until the bin lorry is due - and I don’t want it to stink of smoke!

No one needs to be smoking while working, including couriers. Reporting is completely reasonable.

I don't think your family member is selfish just because they are bothered by something that doesn't bother you.

I do think they should speak to the delivery person before reporting it. As PP says they may not smoke while delivering but the smell could linger. Smokers wouldn't notice it as much so they might not realise. If she is bothered she should speak to the delivery person about it and point out the issue. I think if it then continues she wouldn't be unreasonable to report it.

I do think they should speak to the delivery person before reporting it

Yes, they all her parcels will be wet and crushed instead

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to smoke in a 'work vehicle'?

I'm a smoker and never smoke on the job. Tbh I'd report. Peoples personal lives and habits shouldn't impact on customers.