To be a bit cross with the cleaner?

[Standbyeknee]

My wonderful cleaner, who’s been with me for years, is great at taking initiative, but sometimes it backfires. Today, she unpacked and set up a household item from an opened Amazon package, tossed the box, and I realised too late it was actually for a friend (a gift for her husband) who wanted it left in the box and unassembled. She’d had it delivered to my house so he didn’t see it.

I’d mistakenly opened it, thinking it was mine. I said to the cleaner that I must’ve ordered it without realising it. It is something I’d been in the market for and I can be forgetful!

I did NOT ask her to unbox and construct it.

Then my friend asked me if it had arrived and I realised…..

My friend is understandably upset, and I’ve offered to replace it, but it’s expensive. I love my cleaner and know she meant well, but I’m a bit frustrated by the situation.

Never mind. Just give the cleaner an extra 20 quid and donate the gift. Be alright.

This …

You've lost perspective. You like your cleaner very much. She does a great job for you. You've been together for years. She did something with the best intentions. Don't switch into strict employer mode over one incident. It's a bit dickish to be honest.

Would she have assembled the item if the package hadn't been opened?

What is it? Can it be disassembled? Can the box be saved or maybe somehow in here would have a spare box?

OP take it on the chin, keep the item and help source a new one for friend.

BUT tell the friend not to order anything to your home in future. That you are not always at home to oversee deliveries etc.

Sounds like she was just trying to be helpful. Just mention it to her and kindly ask her just to leave the packages alone next time.

Keep/sell and order a new one for your friend.

Please tell us what it is. You've already identified yourself, her and your friend. I can't imagine this is a regular occurrence among cleaners....

It’s probably something like a chromecast and friend’s husband would enjoy unboxing and setup.

I don't understand, why can't you just...unassemble it, and either give it to friend, or return it to amazon and she orders a new one? They're usually really good with returns in fairness.

Accidents happen. Let it go.

That’s on you. Set them boundaries and expect her to stay within them

Unless it's the Lego Death Star that she's assembled, can the item not still go to the intended recipient?

Pelvic floor trainer?

For a man?

Honestly wish anyone in my family had a ratio of 99:1 on this stuff. My cleaner (pedants would call her a housekeeper) is similar, but I wouldn’t waste a moment thinking about it.

Maybe I'm being thick but does it really matter that this item has been assembled? Surely your cleaner had saved your friend having to do it?

You would be U to be annoyed with the cleaner. You opened the parcel, forgot that your friend had spoken to you about getting it delivered to you, commented on it to the cleaner.

She was trying to be helpful. Had you opened it and remembered it was your friend's, then she wouldn't have put it together. Had you commented that you didn't remember ordering it and would have to check and return it, she wouldn't have put it together.

If you want her to stick to explicit instructions only, then tell her that. If you want her to use her initiative then you have to allow her to do that.

Why have I read this full thread and still don't know the item. JUST TELL US.

Your cleaner sounds great. No way should you be cross.

Still not understanding why anyone here is annoyed. Either friend gifts it put together, and laughs with her DH about the incident. Or you buy an extra one as you wanted one anyway; you, friend and cleaner laugh about the incident.

Friend should address parcel to herself, and next time be clear if you want something left.

Our old cleaner (before moving too far away) was big on initiative, it was wonderful. An occasional hole would be stitched, never had to point out cobwebs, once a cupboard door was fixed etc. I miss her.

OP you'll have to tell us what it is! I couldn't be cross with your lovely cleaner over this. Is it expensive? If you wanted one yourself just keep it and buy your friend a new one. But tell us what it is!! 🙏🏻

Wonder why OP has buggered off and declined to tell us what it was

If someone had said that to me I would assume it was going to be returned, or that you may have been a victim of a scam. I certainly wouldn't be throwing away packaging and setting it up! Also, I usually give items a week or so before throwing away packaging just in case it turns out to be faulty. I think the behaviour was totally unacceptable.

Unfortunately I think you're going to have to write it off as a very expensive mistake.