Neighbours using me as a parcel drop off!

[SecretNameforMN]

Is this cheeky-fuckery or am I a miserable old scrooge?

I'm nearly 70 and disabled (physical mobility issues). I have a large pre-printed sign on my front door saying that I am disabled and so no cold callers etc.

Just lately I have been answering the door quite a few times to couriers asking if I would take in parcels for my (fit and active) next door neighbours. This causes me inconvenience thrice - once in having to hobble to the front door with my zimmer frame, and then having to grapple with the parcel and my zimmer frame and lay it down on the narrow hall floor, and then again later when the neighbour calls for his parcel and I have to manoeuvre my frame around the parcel, lift it and hand it to him on the doorstep.

Him calling for his parcels, between 4pm and 9pm depending on when he gets home from work, has interrupted me when I've been right at the back of my house, cooking, it has made me leave my hot dinner on the table to answer the door, disturbed me during a counselling session, disturbed me during a long-awaited phone call with my GP, disturbed me whilst I have been on the toilet and woken me up from a much-needed nap. If I don't open the front door within 30 seconds, both the couriers and the neighbour will keep ringing the bell again and again until I open it.

Today I decided that enough was enough! I am on good terms with my neighbour but we are not friends or anything and I don't owe him any favours or anything like that. So when I was once again called away from my cosy, wrapped up in blankets TV session on the sofa to open the door to yet another courier, I told him NO, I will not take in a parcel for my neighbour, not today and never. He then showed me, on his phone, a note from my neighbour instructing the couriers to always leave parcels with me because I am "always at home".

I can't get over the cheeky fuckery of the man. How dare he give such an instruction without even asking me if I minded?

So, am I right to be livid, or am I a curmudgeonly old grump?

Just say no, because of your mobility issues. It’s easy to solve.

I do think a Ring type doorbell would help you but can understand you being overwhelmed by the choice.

Could you get a friend or relative to help with choice and installation?

You could then check with the delivery driver if the parcel is for you, decline it if it isn't or tell them you'll take a couple of minutes to get to the door if it is yours. Win, win 😊

You should never answer the door if it is inconvenient. That's on you.

He might need to change his settings to say don’t deliver to neighbours. I would stick a sign on your door saying you can only take parcels for your address

The one yesterday, as I explained in my OP, I finally said no.

I stopped taking my neighbour's parcels in, he works from home repairing computers etc l think so always sending for parts etc. Trouble is he's a bit of a recluse, hardly ever answers the door so the parcels were coming to us even when he was in. I snapped one time after walking three times to his door with a parcel and ringing and ringing no answer, when he finally surfaced he actually looked really pissed off with me !! I flatly refused the next parcel and ever after that.

They're generally safe from vandalism as the person attempting to vandalise would be caught on camera so they don't bother.

How do you know they can't read English? Surely they could, they'd need to make sure they're on the right road for a start!

The only German I speak is Auf Vedesein
(and I can’t spell it!) but I can (and have!) find a street there. I know my letters.

I would struggle in China or Russia as the alphabet is different.

Most of the couriers that come to us are not fluent in English.

Just say no to the deliveries. It’s too awkward for you.

Unpopular opinion no doubt but having to get up and struggle to the door might be good physio, think of it like a workout.
then be sure to lean on your neighbour for errands or taking your bins out etc.

I refuse to take parcels for neighbours generally, I'm perfectly fit and well but we work from home so don't want to be disturbed constantly. I made the mistake of accepting parcels when I was on mat leave a few years ago and I realised that the delivery drivers delivering for several houses on the street would try their house and then just come straight to ours even though we may not be the closest to try. I put a stop to that. If you put a note on your door and reject each time if they still try they will stop, they are up against time so will head for the house that accepts other's parcels and avoid yours.

Just tell your neighbour you won’t take anymore parcels and to remove you as their safe place.

Unpopular and just weird

If you get a ring, don't get the chime that plugs into the wall. I share a path and the constant tinkling when someone walks past the ring drives me batshit sometimes.

You can't blame OP for answering the door when she doesn't know who it is. It might be a parcel for her (not all announce exactly when they are coming), it might be a friend popping round on the off chance etc.

The blame lies with with CF neighbour who has placed his convenience over OP's.

You need to speak to your neighbour and get them to change the address for if they are not in.

If your not keen on confrontation do you have a family member to advocate for you?
And if you don't mind enjoy telling the CF how it is.👍😁

Leave a note on your door, will not take in other people's parcels and do not ask'. They are cheeky buggers and need to be told to stop doing it.

Had the same here, took em for years but now other than one side I no longer take them.

I would tell neighbour exactly what you said here. The reasons why it's not convenient

We had this with NDNs, Very Busy and Very Important People, perfectly able to track their A~n and Evri parcels but who always went out five minutes before the drivers appeared. I’d be tempted to immediately put up a sign with a large ❌ over 📦 10 High Street or whatever his address is. Even if the driver doesn’t speak English it will be understood. Then install a Ring doorbell.

I once didn't answer the door as it was 9pm and wasn't expecting anyone that late. She rang again. Thinking they'd just ring until I answered I answered the door. I was met with "aren't you going to let me in?' Well no. I have no idea who you are so why would I? She then realised she had the wrong door. No apology. She acted as though I was the one who inconvenienced her

This is something I would share with your neighbour.

Sure, your neighbour should have asked, but possibly didn't realise.

I’d get a ring doorbell for starters and only answer the door to people who call for you!!!
my hallway is looking like a sorting office too I have 6 parcels stacked high for 2 lots of neighbours but I always text them and say and they’ve both said they’re gifts for their kids they’ll come when they’re in bed - 2 delivered today and 4 yesterday!
im waiting until 8pm tonight tho and phoning the neighbours and saying - they’re on your doorstep because we’re tripping over them and need to be able to move especially over the next few days!

I’d like to add one of them is a Barbie dream house so it’s absolutely massive!!!!!