Helping the delivery man

[newboe]

Large item was being delivered today- delivery man knocked on door to say he had my order and was bringing it in.

3 minutes later he knocked again and said he couldn't carry it in alone and could I help. I went outside to chat with him and he basically told me that he gets sent alone and he couldn't carry it in on his own so if I couldn't help he'd need to return it as he psychically couldn't bring it in alone.

I really needed this to be delivered today and had no one else in the house to help, so I helped him bring it in. It was mildly heavy and very big and on the way from taking it out the truck, my side fell onto my thigh. It really hurt and my thigh is completely bruised now and very painful. Nothing that needs medical attention but was nonetheless painful.

Aibu to think they shouldn't send a delivery driver alone if it's apparent they won't be able to carry it alone? And it's not fair to ask the customer to help. He wasn't a small guy or anything like that.

Wondering if I should put a complaint in but don't want to get the poor delivery guy in trouble

I think its perfectly reasonable for him to ask for help. You could have said no.

I agree that they shouldnt send delivery drivers alone though, where some of their items are a two person lift.

Did the shop/website specify where they could deliver to? Except for AO, most websites I've used recently have specified that they can't come into the house due to covid. I know it's not exactly that issue, but if they had specified that then they could expect there to be enough people to move it from the front door I guess.

Sorry you got bruised though, would definitely feed that back to them

@Letsallscreamatthesistene thank you :)

I don't think I worded it right, like you said, I don't think it's wrong to ask a customer to help but I think it's wrong for the company to send the poor guy out knowing that he can't carry it alone.

What did their website say regarding delivery? I often seen an additional cost if a 2nd delivery person is required, but then, its often mandatory for a very heavy item.

Check the T&C's, but it doesn't hurt to write a letter of complaint with a photo of your bruising.

I'd email to complain but try to word it really carefully to try and avoid getting the driver into trouble. It's not his fault if he's been sent out with items that really need a 2nd delivery person.

What kind of item was it? If it was a piece of furniture or a fridge/washing machine then i would absolutely complain. Poor delivery guy.

I had this recently with a bath, I was asked to carry it in as there was only the driver. It seemed odd as he didn't know who was going to be in when he arrived or whether they would be able or willing to help him - no idea what his plan B was. He ran as soon as we were in the hall.

Then I found out DH had paid £35 for two man delivery upstairs

What if you’d be disabled or pregnant or had a bad back? The company need to make sure the driver can deliver it into your house

@RoseGoldEagle

What if you’d be disabled or pregnant or had a bad back? The company need to make sure the driver can deliver it into your house

Then you say 'no I cant help', but you also dont get your item, which is pretty bad tbh.

I wouldn't complain because I'd worry I'd get the other person in trouble.

Poor man having to deliver on his own. Shameful really.

The company would appear to be in the wrong.

I’m assuming it’s not a courier delivery of an unusually sized item, but a delivery driver from the company you’ve bought from.
They should be provided with suitable manual handling equipment and the appropriate number of people in a crew, and most packaging these days is marked with information about heavy loads etc

In the current climate companies are likely to only deliver to the door, and ought to be advising you of that when you order. Then you can think of how you will get the big/heavy item inside ((((Sometimes that can be opening the box outside and taking in a bit at a time))))

In the combined covid / Brexit times there are problems in logistics with shortages of drivers (particularly for larger vehicles) at a time of more home deliveries.
He should have been provided with manual handling equipment which could be the obvious of a hand trolley (with step capability) or the less obvious of carrying straps (for two people)
Unless he had the MHE such as a trolley and the access to your door prevented using it then there has been a failure - either the company not providing equipment and training/a full crew, him not using it or their process nor identifying that your item needed them

Making a complaint is the right thing, but it could backfire on him. The right thing to do is to report it, otherwise nothing will change.
The compromise is to only reference that he was unable to carry it alone and keep quiet about dropping it and your bruise —— but only if absolutely certain you aren’t going to have any knock on issues. Remember that pain is a message from your body

I have a spinal injury which means I wouldn’t be able to lift/help. I love alone. What would they do in that situation? Ridiculous expectation on the delivery driver.

Yes I've had his before. The only time I said no was when o was 8 months pregnant and it was an enormous oak wardrobe.

It'll depend on the weight and the type of delivery. The standard max weight for a parcel delivery company is 25 - 30kg, considered safe for a single person to lift if it's a regular size, shape etc.

But - a lot of companies mis-declare weights when dispatching goods. If the courier company haven't spotted that the label says 25kg but the item actually weighs 45kg, it's neither the driver or the courier company's fault that he can't lift the goods. Complaining to the people you bought the item from would be the best course of action in this scenario.

Of course, if you paid for 2 man delivery of a sofa or something, YANBU and can disregard everything I've just said

If they offer delivery they shouldn't be asking people to help, especially if you've paid extra.