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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour asked me to take in her parcel whilst she went out

137 replies

ready4sunshine · 14/02/2026 13:50

So yesterday I got a message from a neighbour who lives two doors down to me to ask if I would be able to take in her parcel to my house.

Her parcel had already been delivered and was left in a safe place in the side where she usually had her parcels delivered.

It was raining and she wanted me to bring it in.
I did it but was slightly annoyed as why order a parcel if your going to be out?

This is the third time this has happened now.

I am aware our mutual neighbour refuses to accept her deliveries and even has a Royal Mail Opt out sticker on her letterbox.

I have only ever spoken to her three times. All related to her deliveries. She dosent even say hello usually.

I don't want this to be a regular thing but as I am on the neighbourhood watch group chat she just messages me now.

I don't want to be seen as rude or ignorant but I don't want it becoming a regular habit.

OP posts:
Original poster
ready4sunshine · 14/02/2026 19:59

A few times I have seen her she has defo ignored me.
The delivery company was Evri as we all know the driver round here - lovely man, so she would have had the 2 hour time slot but went out shortly before it was due to be delivered.

My other neighbour outright refuses to accept her parcels as I have heard her ask the postman/ driver
"What number is it for?" And then declines when it's her house number.

She must of got back at 10pm last night and then knocked on my door for her parcel which I think is quite late considering I have young kids and never even bothered to thank me.

I really dont want to be doing it again.

OP posts:
TheMorgenmuffel · 14/02/2026 20:23

Noluckcatchingthemswansthen · 14/02/2026 17:38

Yeah agree!
I’m so confused others are telling the OP to ‘ do the neighbourly thing’ and just take the packages in when this woman isn’t even polite enough to say hello or speak to her other than to ask for favours.. it’s not that I think everything in life should be tit for tat exactly but surely at some point you reap what you sow and have to treat others as you would want to be treated - if this neighbour won’t even extend the bare minimum of neighbourly behaviour ie say hello in passing how can she expect others to do favours when ever she asks?!

Show quote history

I think they are just ignoring the fact the op has clearly described how the neighbour ignores her when she says hello and literally only communicates when she wants something.

Lavender14 · 14/02/2026 20:27

"Why order a parcel when you're going to be out"

Sometimes you don't get a clear delivery date. Sometimes your plans change and you can't avoid going out, but you also can't change the date of delivery. Not all delivery couriers are good at leaving a collection slip and trying again so they'll just leave it lying in the rain.

I don't think it's necessarily her fault. I wouldn't have an issue doing this for my neighbour if I was able- I'd see it as being 'neighbourly' and would expect her to be willing to do the same for me.

I don't really get the irritation to be honest, if you don't want to help then be a grown up about it and say no.

Plmnki · 14/02/2026 20:34

You are far nicer than me. If I had a neighbour who behaved like this, including saying horrible things about my pet who had died, I’d probably throw their parcels in a skip, not hand deliver them. She sounds vile. I would block her at the very least.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 14/02/2026 20:35

ready4sunshine · 14/02/2026 19:59

A few times I have seen her she has defo ignored me.
The delivery company was Evri as we all know the driver round here - lovely man, so she would have had the 2 hour time slot but went out shortly before it was due to be delivered.

My other neighbour outright refuses to accept her parcels as I have heard her ask the postman/ driver
"What number is it for?" And then declines when it's her house number.

She must of got back at 10pm last night and then knocked on my door for her parcel which I think is quite late considering I have young kids and never even bothered to thank me.

I really dont want to be doing it again.

Sometimes you still have to go out, even when Evri give you their two hour slot. I can't pause my life because Evri sent me a two hour slot, often sending it half an hour INTO the slot.

I've also had it where I've had the slot and then an update to say it'll actually be tomorrow. When I have plans.

I always aim to be in if I've got something coming but it's not always possible, even if I've been sent a two hour slot.

AllAbouttYou · 14/02/2026 20:44

I don't mind taking in parcels for neighbours but I'd be annoyed if it's someone who doesn't usually say hello to me and I had to actually go to her house to get the parcel... As PPs say, say no or don't respond, sometimes. It sounds like she expects you to be there so you may have to show you're not.

novalia89 · 15/02/2026 12:05

feathermucker · 14/02/2026 13:56

Not everybody can arrange to be there when a parcel is delivered, especially with companies such as Evri. Delivery times can change and you often don’t get an estimated delivery time until the day. So it isn’t always as simple as being there every time to collect the parcel.

However, it obviously bothers you so just say no. If you’re there and it saves a parcel getting wet, I don’t see the problem but it is as easy as just saying no.

Edited

Same with Evri. I got an email saying that they had received the parcel yesterday morning. (I only ordered the item on thursday night and it said that it would take much longer).
The tracker button in the email didnt work when I checked on saturday morning and I thought that it was because it wasn't in the system yet. Went out for the day on saturday and about 10:30am got an email with a picture of the parcel just left outside!

Economicsday · 15/02/2026 12:09

And never thanked you?
Really?
Come on OP.
Why would you tolerate such rudeness and entitlement?

Single50something · 15/02/2026 18:01

Our old neighbour used to do the same... would see it arrive on their doorbell amd message me asking me to go get it from their back door step and take it in.
Our back gardens v safe and I would say was sure would be fine but he would say it was expensive so could I get it. Thankfully no longer am parcel collector:)

notacooldad · 15/02/2026 18:06

I cant see it being a problem for me.

If im around I'll help. If not I'd message back saying " sorry, I'm out for the day'

She called it ugly and scary looking because he is a black cat, not a very nice thing to say about an innocent animal.
Im sure the cat was heartbroken by those words! However it can be ugly, scary looking and innocent all at the same time!

Flowersforyourchocolateprettyplease · 15/02/2026 18:24

She's treating you how you allow her to.

You're agreeing to taking the parcels in, so can't begin surprised she keeps asking.

When you say No, she'll eventually stop, so all up to you.

exaltedwombat · 15/02/2026 18:25

It’s a tiny thing to do. Even if it got to be every day.

Greennuttysmoothie · 15/02/2026 19:03

Just say sorry I cant. And if she keeps asking just repeat sorry not today or that you're busy. No further explanation needed. Don't feel obliged. No one minds a one off but when it's regular, and the person is rude, it would be a no from me. She could get a secure store for her parcel or reschedule but she's choosing to make it someone else's problem.

Adifferentcorner · 15/02/2026 19:06

Personally I’d be happy to help, but at the end of the day, if you’re not happy doing it, that’s your choice to say no. I feel we’ve become a nation where we feel reluctant to help others out, or put ourselves out a little for others, it’s a bit sad. I don’t mean when you get people who obviously take the p*ss, but taking someone’s parcel in when it’s tipping down with rain is a small ask imo.

Happyjoe · 15/02/2026 19:23

I never know when deliveries will arrive. Royal Mail I have to wait in until it arrives, from 7am to 8pm. Evri will give a time slot but never stick to it, often an hour or two earlier. The only one I have any luck with is DPD. But even with all that, when order things, I never know what day they will despatch it so not always in, hospital apt etc.

My neighbour on one side and I take each others parcels, but then we do actually like each other! My other side are hell on earth, I'd not take a parcel for them and I hope they never take one for me.

Happyjoe · 15/02/2026 19:26

ready4sunshine · 14/02/2026 14:08

She called it ugly and scary looking because he is a black cat, not a very nice thing to say about an innocent animal.

Oh, just saw this. Nah, she can sod off, love cats me, she needs to leave them alone!

Kimura · 15/02/2026 19:30

exaltedwombat · 15/02/2026 18:25

It’s a tiny thing to do. Even if it got to be every day.

Why would you do anything, tiny or not, for a neighbor who was rude to you and who only speaks to you when they need a favour?

And every day is ridiculous, unless your neighbors are extremely close friends. If someone needs mail taken in that regularly, they need to invest in a parcel box.

Iris2020 · 15/02/2026 19:32

Such a small thing to do to make the world a better place...

Worried198423 · 15/02/2026 19:36

@ready4sunshine it doesn't matter she knows your home on a Friday. You could ge busy
Just tell her no

Anyhow how did she get your phone number.

user1471453601 · 15/02/2026 19:40

I've never really understood the mumsnet reluctance to take neighbours parcels in.

We have very nice neighbours on both sides (so I guess that colours our judgement) and happily take our neighbours parcels.

In fact, we've been sent texts to say a parcel has been put in a very visible place (we all have ring door bells) and would we mind getting it until they get home from work? Why should we mind?

I'm nearly always home but it takes me five minutes to get to the door because of my disability. Neighbours know this and infrequently take my parcels in and text me to tell me so. And are happy to wait until my able bodied child or their partner comes in.

I guess I can understand why someone with a baby who doesn't sleep well might get irritated. Otherwise I really don't understand.

Gingercatlover · 15/02/2026 19:52

Hmm if she messages you to take her parcels in but can’t be bothered to even give you the time of day when she sees you at other times, I’d just say you’re not in or ignore her requests.

I mean she doesn’t speak so it’s no loss to you.

LadyCrustybread · 15/02/2026 19:55

I mean I don’t mean to be out when I order parcels but usually you’re given a window of ‘3-5 days’ for delivery not an exact time slot.

ALJT · 15/02/2026 20:09

Wow, I personally take in everyone’s parcels in the street as I work from home, I haven’t spoke to some of them but I honestly don’t mind. I can’t see how this is an issue. Also I order parcels and I don’t know if I’ll be in, none of us do really as the post can be choppy as best for timings. I feel like this is a none issue personally and just awkwardness.

Viviennemary · 15/02/2026 20:13

ready4sunshine · 14/02/2026 14:08

She called it ugly and scary looking because he is a black cat, not a very nice thing to say about an innocent animal.

That does sound a little bit of a ridiculous thing to get annoyed about, maybe she doesn' t much like cats, And I dont think your cat will be that bothered about what the neighbours think.

OnTheBoardwalk · 15/02/2026 20:18

I refuse neighbours parcels and even my own because I WFH. I’m on calls to people in the US and India at the same time who don’t take kindly to me disturbing calls going to the door

i pay extra for named day deliveries and if not possible put a note on my door asking to put in safe place as I’m on a call

next door fell out with me after I told him to take his note down on his door saying ‘if not in deliver to boardwalk’ wouldn’t mind but it was at least 4 or 5 parcels a day