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AIBU?

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Original poster

To keep removing this sign

53 replies

DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 14:28

It's one about deliveries.

Background:
Live in flats, my building itself has 10 but it's in a gated compound with lots of these buildings. We have small mailboxes outside and then one door to enter but with no trades button. 3 floors.

Whenever I've not been in for a delivery, which is 95% of the time as I go out to work, courier gets buzzed in by another neighbour and packages are left in communal area or sometimes outside the door. I've never had an issue and am always grateful that they are left as it can be a pain to arrange a re delivery.

About a week ago, I came home to find a note taped on the front door (has glass and was facing outside) saying that a package for them had been left in the communal area but had been taken and they were asking for it back. They then ended it with 'its not nice to steal' which I was a bit Hmm about as I've once had a package accidentally left outside my door and I didn't realise until the next day when I went to open it. I of course gave it to its rightful owner. I've also never had an issue in the time I've lived there (over a year).

Anyway I assumed they were jumping to conclusions and it was probably a case of courier listing item as delivered when it hadn't been. Note eventually disappeared and all was quiet.

Then a couple days ago I found a new typed note taped in the door, something to the effect of 'deliveries: DO NOT leave items in the communal area as it's not safe.' It isn't an official notice form the property management company. I assume it's from the neighbour, and I removed the sign as I don't want it putting delivery drivers off leaving things.

Well last night another one was taped again. Slightly different words but essentially the same message, but now it's 'dangerous' to leave packages in the communal area.

My AIBU: was IBU, to remove it again this morning? I had a delivery due, and wanted to receive it! I've since received an email stating that it has in fact been delivered and left in the communal area.

To reiterate, this is not an official notice, those are always headed and signed and pinned to a notice board. I just feel like if one tenant isn't happy with their items being left then they need to put that in their delivery notes, and not dictate how everyone else in the building receives their post?

OP posts:
Daisydoesnt · 13/12/2021 15:46

OP it’s interesting that the notes have changed from “not safe” to “dangerous”. That’s a really odd way of saying they are likely to go missing - it sounds as if the concern is more related to fire risk and cluttering up the communal area.

tanstaafl · 13/12/2021 15:48

Maybe there’s two flats in dispute , one thinks the other makes too much noise maybe and it’s unfortunately got to the point where one is nicking the parcels of the other? ( or binning them ).

Iamnotamermaid · 13/12/2021 15:56

Don't most couriers have this as a setting for each address. Leave at door - safe place - leave/don't leave with neighbour 123- etc. Some provide a photo of the parcel in its 'safe place'.

tara66 · 13/12/2021 16:02

I think all deliverers are mostly leaving packages in communal entrance areas of flat buildings - even if there no porter because of the Covid regulations. They actually say this and send messages to that effect.

HowRudeolfYou · 13/12/2021 16:08

Most places leave a photo. If where the package is left so if they've been getting delivery notifications, especially with a photo of their parcel in the communal area then I don't think it's unreasonable that they don't want other stuff going missing.

Your parcels being left outside your actual door instead of the general communal area may also be a reason why you've not had any problems.

I can totally understand why they've put a sign up if items have gone missing. I worked in a small daycare place and worked with the same people for years, about six years after I started there, someone had valuables stolen from coat pockets or handbag. A sign went up warning people that things have gone missing and to use the lockers provided instead of leaving things unsecured and it didn't go down well some staff because they thought because it's only happened to one person then it's probably a mix up and they felt they were being accused. The person was actually never caught either but owner made it clear that valuables left laid about are at their own risk.

I can see both sides here. The risk is it worth the convenience for you because you've not had to chase up missing items. I can see why it's not worth it for someone else if they're trying to find missing parcels, contacting companies for refunds or even having to pull out and buy a second item.

OnlyonemoresleeptilChristmas · 13/12/2021 16:10

@SoupDragon

It might be a pain having to arrange a redelivery but not as much of a pain as it is for the person having to accept 95% of deliveries for 10 flats.

Yes... what poor person has to keep letting couriers in?

Why order stuff if you aren’t at home for deliveries? Have it delivered to a parcel shop, collect from store or collect+, Amazon locker or wherever.

Also, listening to a delivery driver on Radio 2 recently, some are financially penalised for items that people report as missing.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 13/12/2021 16:27

sorry ...but if you are not in for 95% of your deliveries ...get them delivered somewhere else ?

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 16:55

@chesirecat99

Neighbours don't actually 'take in' the package, they are just buzzed in.

It is still a huge pain having to answer the door multiple times a day when you are in meetings or trying to concentrate.

I had absolute dramas with Yodel because they refused to deliver without a signature

Yodel have collection points. I think all couriers do.

I don't know how it works, but I think the company using them has to make the option available. When i was at checkout, it was just basic delivery or express. No collect point was an option as I would have chosen that.

Yes I understand that answering the buzzer can be a pain. But as this is about what happens to parcels once they are buzzed in, it isn't really relevant.

OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 16:59

Why order stuff if you aren’t at home for deliveries? Have it delivered to a parcel shop, collect from store or collect+, Amazon locker or wherever.

I've already explained that this isn't always an option. I work 6/7 days a week every other week and live alone. If only I could be at home!

OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 17:01

@Dontforgetyourbrolly

sorry ...but if you are not in for 95% of your deliveries ...get them delivered somewhere else ?
I've explained upthread that it's 95% of the deliveries where delivering at another location isn't an option. I chooses collect points and safe places where available
OP posts:
Xenia · 13/12/2021 17:04

It may be against the terms of the lease and a fire hazard to leave parcels in the communal area and render insurance invalid! So unsafe may in fact be 100% correct and those allowing it to on are the wrong doers,

chesirecat99 · 13/12/2021 17:09

I don't know how it works, but I think the company using them has to make the option available

No, they don't. When you get the delivery info/tracking no email from the courier, if you click through to their website, you can reschedule a delivery, set a safe space, nominate a neighbour to take delivery, rearrange for it to be delivered to a collection point/locker.

ShinyHappyPoster · 13/12/2021 17:10

I think they have as much right to be annoyed at you for removing it, as you are at them for putting it up.
Parcels are a fire risk and a security risk because if a parcel is left lying, it can be a sign that the no-one is in the flat at that time.
Why don't you contact the property managers and ask them to clarify? Otherwise, you're going to be caught in an endless loop of passive aggressive notes to delivery drivers.

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 17:19

@Xenia

It may be against the terms of the lease and a fire hazard to leave parcels in the communal area and render insurance invalid! So unsafe may in fact be 100% correct and those allowing it to on are the wrong doers,
This is a fair point
OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 17:21

@chesirecat99

I don't know how it works, but I think the company using them has to make the option available

No, they don't. When you get the delivery info/tracking no email from the courier, if you click through to their website, you can reschedule a delivery, set a safe space, nominate a neighbour to take delivery, rearrange for it to be delivered to a collection point/locker.

When I did that on the Yodel app, the option was blanked out with 'this option is not available from seller' or something. Believe me, after I missed it the first time I tried to do this.
OP posts:
Kshhuxnxk · 13/12/2021 17:22

If it's a communal area it should be kept clear in the event of fire, far less the fact that someone obviously stole a parcel - which ultimately did happen. It starts with a parcel then it's a bike then a buggy - just either be in for your parcel or arrange to collect it at a click and collect location.

SoupDragon · 13/12/2021 17:26

Yes I understand that answering the buzzer can be a pain. But as this is about what happens to parcels once they are buzzed in, it isn't really relevant.

Translation: I don't give a shit if it pisses people off.

Clymene · 13/12/2021 17:28

I don't live in a block but WAH and my neighbours WOH. In the summer, I was getting daily packages for them, sometimes more than one. I'm not their Amazon locker. In the end I told couriers to try other doors as I was no longer willing to interrupt my working day to be their post room.

I'd guess your neighbour is pissed off with the packages but is asking you to stop getting deliveries when you're not home in a very British pass agg manner.

PaxRomana · 13/12/2021 17:35

If parcels are going missing it may not be anybody who lives in the building. It doesn’t take a lot to wait outside (or opportunistically) and see a delivery driver/courier follow them in, pretend to go up the stairs as if going to your flat then pop back down and help yourself. Pretty certain that’s what’s happening in our block of flats at the moment! In our experience once a block is marked as an easy target it ramps up so you maybe find more parcels going missing in the future.

I realise this makes me sound like a parcel thief but I promise I’m not - just the victim of a prolific parcel thief!

CatNoBag · 13/12/2021 18:02

I live in a communal block (6 flats) and others have had parcels and bikes stolen from the communal area more than once (couriers hardly ever bring them to the flat door, they just leave everything downstairs) so lately we tend to take parcels in for our neighbours when possible. One or the other of us is in most days, and the main postie knows this so will always ring our bell. I would prefer not to have parcels left outside, if there is a chance I won't be in I have it delivered to local drop off point instead which is easy enough to collect from.

mumwon · 13/12/2021 18:07

I like the idea of things being delivered to sites aka small shops & petrol stations or cupboards in supermarkets etc you do have to keep checking but it does seem to work for me

PatsyJStone · 13/12/2021 19:06

Assuming it is the person who had a parcel go missing, then they won’t be giving their address for any packages unless they don’t leave the apartment ever. However if they do work then they should have redirected all packages. The rest of you can continue with your delivery choice. Maybe have a word with them and explain they can’t make a blanket statement for the whole block and should be addressing their own delivery methods only.

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 19:11

@SoupDragon

Yes I understand that answering the buzzer can be a pain. But as this is about what happens to parcels once they are buzzed in, it isn't really relevant.

Translation: I don't give a shit if it pisses people off.

They don't have to answer it, or agree to buzz people in.
OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 19:12

@Clymene

I don't live in a block but WAH and my neighbours WOH. In the summer, I was getting daily packages for them, sometimes more than one. I'm not their Amazon locker. In the end I told couriers to try other doors as I was no longer willing to interrupt my working day to be their post room.

I'd guess your neighbour is pissed off with the packages but is asking you to stop getting deliveries when you're not home in a very British pass agg manner.

I definitely think it's to do with their package disappearing but your theory is noted
OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 19:13

@PaxRomana

If parcels are going missing it may not be anybody who lives in the building. It doesn’t take a lot to wait outside (or opportunistically) and see a delivery driver/courier follow them in, pretend to go up the stairs as if going to your flat then pop back down and help yourself. Pretty certain that’s what’s happening in our block of flats at the moment! In our experience once a block is marked as an easy target it ramps up so you maybe find more parcels going missing in the future.

I realise this makes me sound like a parcel thief but I promise I’m not - just the victim of a prolific parcel thief!

Also hadn't thought of this. I personally don't think it's anyone on the building, so this is possible
OP posts: