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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parcel for neighbours but they’re in!

62 replies

MinesaBottle · 21/01/2022 12:11

Delivery guy just knocked with a parcel for the upstairs flat, after knocking their door and getting no answer. I thought they were out but DH whose work area is below their living room said he heard them react to the knock! They clearly just decided not to bother answering. They always leave it days before they collect parcels too. AIBU to think if you’re at home watching telly you can answer the bloody door?!

OP posts:
AsYouWishButtercup · 21/01/2022 12:14

They must be MNers as apparently it’s perfectly normal to never answer a door!

KatherineofGaunt · 21/01/2022 12:15

When they knock to collect it, pretend you're not in.

Iggly · 21/01/2022 12:15

Leave it outside their door.

Lockheart · 21/01/2022 12:16

Most posters on MN never answer their door, they must be regulars around here.

Stop taking their parcels.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/01/2022 12:17

We had a delivery earlier. I was in the shower, so no i didn't open the door. It was left on the driveway for me.

Lots of reasons you couldn't answer the door... feeding a baby, work call, toilet, sex...

FourTeaFallOut · 21/01/2022 12:18

Why have you decided that they are watching the telly? Can you see them doing this?

SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 12:18

Maybe they didn't hear the door?

If I'm in the back part of my flat I often don't hear the doorbell. I've also missed the door when I'm in the bathroom.

If you don't want to take a parcel in for a neighbour you can always refuse it.

CheshireChat · 21/01/2022 12:19

I have neighbours like this, I take their parcels in because they take mine in as well so don't really care why they don't answer the door.

RedCandyApple · 21/01/2022 12:19

Tbf I had a knock and before I even got down stairs he was gone and trying to knock on my neighbours door! He barely even waited 30 seconds so I think YABU

Landof · 21/01/2022 12:21

Maybe they didn't hear the door? Maybe they are under a sleeping baby? Maybe they are on a work call with headphones in? There could be all sorts of reasons they didn't answer the door. If you don't want to take a parcel in, don't. Maybe they won't for you in future too.

Returnoftheowl · 21/01/2022 12:22

Just drop it around, knock on the door and leave it on the doorstep.
And don't accept any parcels for them in future.

RedCandyApple · 21/01/2022 12:22

Just don’t take it in, you’re acting like you have to, I was getting dressed when door knocked which is why I wasn’t quick enough I started flinging my clothes on and ran down but he had already gone to my neighbours, it was one of those all day delivers so I wasn’t sure when it was coming

Toanewstart22 · 21/01/2022 12:22

Unlikely
Nor effort surely to walk to you and carry it back up to heir flat
Makes no sense

Toanewstart22 · 21/01/2022 12:25

If my neighbour collects or me or vice versa
We simply leave in communal hall
No biggie

twominutesmore · 21/01/2022 12:29

I never understand the mn issue with taking a parcel in. It takes seconds to answer the door.

If you are too busy to answer the door, don't answer it.

If you are able to answer the door, do so and spend the required three seconds accepting the parcel and putting it down somewhere.

Ignore the parcel until it is collected by your neighbour.

If it is in your way, take it round some time when you know they're in.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 21/01/2022 12:30

If they are in an upstairs flat and the delivery driver has access to their front door, I'm going to assume that their front door is at ground level so there is a flight of stairs before you reach their living space (which is also often separated by another door) so there is a very good chance they didn't hear if they knocked.

I mean, does it really matter?

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 21/01/2022 12:32

FourTeaFallout it’s a flat, we can hear their TV, not loudly but can hear it from the room below.

I don’t mind taking in parcels at all, especially as recently there have been thefts of parcels from doorsteps round here so I wouldn’t want a neighbour’s parcel getting stolen! This isn’t the first time this has happened, it does feel a bit like they now just assume we’ll take it in even if they’re in. Yes I guess they could be busy but we’re working too and can still answer the door.

OP posts:
2pinkginsplease · 21/01/2022 12:33

Could they be isolating?

fairgame84 · 21/01/2022 12:34

I missed a delivery once because I was on the loo. Couldn't really answer the door mid dump.
I've taken in for next door before because they've been in the shower.
Sometimes you just can't get to the door.

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 21/01/2022 12:35

No, saw one of them yesterday and had a ten minute chat outside the door. I guess it’s possible they didn’t hear the guy knock - they have a doorbell so no idea why he couldn’t use that!

OP posts:
Serendipity79 · 21/01/2022 12:35

I work from home and wear a headset for Teams calls - I've had couriers wave through windows at me before now, but I cant just get up and stop the call if I'm leading it. They've dropped a couple off with a neighbour now, who did say they thought it was odd as my car was there but once I explained I was working they were fine. Could they be working from home in a similar way?

RedCandyApple · 21/01/2022 12:37

@2pinkginsplease

Could they be isolating?
Why would that make a difference, they would still have to answer the door to the op if she takes it round (how is that different from answering the door to the delivery person?) or they would have to go round themselves which would be more difficult?
Original poster
MinesaBottle · 21/01/2022 12:38

I also don’t get the not bothering to collect the parcel thing, I always end up messaging them or taking it to them. If I’m expecting a parcel I’m checking tracking! If delivered to a neighbour I go round as soon as I get home.

OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 21/01/2022 12:39

DH whose work area is below their living room said he heard them react to the knock!

What do you mean by this?

Original poster
MinesaBottle · 21/01/2022 12:40

Serendipity79 one of them is in the entertainment industry and isn’t working atm. Although of course he could be out/in the shower/on the loo etc! This has happened a few times and for some reason just hit me the wrong way today. We get on very well and they take in parcels for us too so I’m whinging on here rather than to them Grin

OP posts: