Neighbour stealing parcel

[Littlesandjoolz]

So basically I ordered an IPad Air for my daughters birthday from Currys. It was meant to be delivered yesterday, but they left a card saying it was delivered to the nieghbour next door but one. I went round and asked about it and they denied all knowledge. I believed them as they have always been pretty good neighbours and taken in parcels for me previously.

I bumped into a different neighbour and mentioned how I was panicking that I'd missed the parcel and the courier was messing me around when the neighbour said they had seen the courier knock at mine and then take the parcel to the other neighbours and they did take it in! I then went on the tracking details on the website and theres a photo of it clearly being handed to the neighbour. I went back round and the neighbour slammed the door in my face.

I've called the police and they've noted it but basically said they aren't going to do anything and aren't even prepared to come and talk to the neighbohr. What can I do? Will curries send a replacement as I haven't had the iPad? or can they at least block the iPad that the neighbour has stolen? Its £600 and is a lot to lose.

I really do hope it's resolved for you! What scumbags your neighbors are!

Same. Police knocked on my door as the previous next door neighbours ( tenants) had an expensive parcel delivered at their address that the new tenants were refusing to hand over. They wanted to know if I was aware of their whereabouts etc. I had only seen them once and they certainly didn’t have the appearance of “ that type”.

Where does @Littlesandjoolz say they gave permission?

I would post a copy of the image you have through their door, along with a note saying that you are sure there has been a mistake somewhere but could they double check that they don't have it before you report the loss to the police. The neighbours aren't to know that the police won't do anything. Give the neighbours a little wiggle room so that they can backtrack and 'magically' find it, whilst at the same time making it absolutely clear that you aren't going to let this go.

You could do with the courier to knock and get it back for you. On your local FB or the Next Door site, ask if anyone knows who he is, I often see people asking on mine.
I don't know if you meant you contacted Currys and they notified DHL? Because DHL need to know that you're involving the police, that might shake them up.
Obviously you want an air pad, but if you're anything like me you want the thieving neighbours to give it up. Good luck with it all.

This ^ and it's specifically covered by s29(2) of the Consumer Rights Act 2015

"(2) The goods remain at the trader's risk until they come into the physical possession of—
(a)the consumer, or
(b)a person identified by the consumer to take possession of the goods."

That means that until the courier has delivered goods into the consumer's physical possession, then Currys remain liable for them. Delivering goods to a neighbour (unless the OP specifically identified that neighbour as a person to whom the goods could be delivered) is not good enough.

The OP needs to reference the above legislation to Currys when they complain. She can also tell Currys that the neighbour denies all knowledge of the delivery

[PS - I'm assuming of course that the OP has approached the correct neighbour and hasn't mixed them up...]

I used to be plagued by delivery people wanting me to take in parcels and then I found a little letterbox sticker from Royal Mail to opt out of leaving my parcels with others. It would be good for you OP.

Best thing is, every courier sees it on your letterbox, knows you're a miserable cow and doesn't ask you to take in parcels either. The whole thing stopped immediately. Fill in the form and RM will send you one.
Delivery to neighbour opt out form | Royal Mail Group Ltd

The OP won't be able to do a chargeback because Currys have proof of delivery.

Daft as it may seem, proof of delivery - even to the wrong address - will defeat a chargeback claim.

If the OP paid by credit card they may have a s75 Consumer Credit Act claim against the card provider, but the card provider will almost certainly want the OP to try to sort it out with Currys first...

Really?? Instead of just saying no we will not be taking the package you think they took it to teach OP a lesson?

"Its not theft though is it."

Yes, it is. And of an item OP could dearly afford to lose.

Police.

Theft of another £600 parcel. Resolved but too tired to read how.
Neighbour stole my delivery? | Mumsnet

I am very surprised that the police aren't investigating. Its very clearly theft, especially if you have proof its was given to the neighbour and they won't give it back.

I hope you get your money or your parcel soon.

It's not you whose nicked the iPad, is it?

Do you have a local Facebook page? I’d put it on there and shame them.

From Which Consumer org.
"If you think that someone has stolen your delivery, regardless of whether you gave permission for the courier to leave it in a safe place or with a neighbour, it is a crime. Contact your local police and provide them with your photographic evidence and any correspondence with the retailer."

I was told by the Police once that the golden words at the station desk are:
"I wish to make a statement."

But this is not a civil matter. It's a criminal matter. It's theft and you have evidence. Tell the neighbours and if they still don't return it, go back to the police with the photo.

It is not a civil thing at all. It absolutely is theft. They have dishonestly taken something that they know is not theirs. The police should take action especially as the OP has evidence.

Can you get to look in her recycling bin? Apparently with these thieves, in case it gets too hot for them or the police call, they conveniently find it in the bin, where the courier must have left it!

We have a What’s App street messaging which is widely used querying where parcels might have mistakenly gone. You could post the photo evidence and see what response your neighbours give as they might well recognise the neighbours house. Local shaming!!!

I've been able to use charge back on my credit card when an item wasn't delivered/stolen or lost (who knows what one it was!) and the sender didn't want to refund. As long as you have all the evidence which you do (photo of it going to your neighbour/reported to the police etc) you'll be fine and get it back. This can be done with both credit cards and debit cards with NatWest.
You also have to show you've been in touch with the retailer so just take a screenshot of the email you send Currys. Might take a while to go through but you'll definitely get it back.

OP - as others have said, the onus is on Currys to deliver the iPad to you, which they have not done. It's not your fault that DPD chose to deliver it to a neighbour when you had not asked them to do so or that they chose to deliver the parcel at a different time of day to what they had advised. Currys will have to provide you with a replacement or refund. Your contract is with Currys and You should not have to wait for ages for them to investigate what went wrong with the delivery with DPD. It's not for you to approach your neighbours any more - you've reported it to the Police, who probably won't take action, but that's not your concern now - just pursue Currys for a replacement. As an aside, I do a huge amount of shopping online and I have always found DPD to be by far the worst delivery company of any, and I've had so many problems with them ignoring my delivery preferences - leaving parcels with random neighbours, not even bothering to ring my doorbell and leaving parcels propped up against my front door in full view of passers by. I try to avoid using DPD wherever possible.

@Ilovelifeverymuch I clearly said I don't agree and honestly it's Pycho behaviour 😂 But I've seen it suggested on MN before!

I would go on the local fb page and put the photo of the proof of delivery and explanation of what had happened.
Just name and shame them locally.

Curry's failed to deliver. I'd ring and say you haven't received it. If you paid on credit card you could also potentially get a refund through your bank.

To be fair to the neighbour , the photo shows them holding a parcel , it can't be proved its was yours, unless you could clearly see the name and address . In any case delivery photos are nowhere near enough evidence for the police , all they show is that a parcel that may or may not be yours has been given to a neighbour and the tracking photo sent to you . If I hadn't stolen your parcel , and you insisted I would slam the door in your face .