To think postmen etc should not be allowed to deliver parcels to neighbours without explicit permission

[Czerwonitz]

it's insane in 2026 this isn't a country village in a miss marple

I have to say I am completely bamboozled by this post/thread. I cant for the life of me understand why knocking at a neighbour's door to retrieve a parcel they have kindly accepted on your behalf is problematic. Maybe it's my age. I'm 62 and see this as further evidence of the breakdown of society. Just something else to feel deeply saddened by.

I get these texts and corresponding emails for every parcel (image being approved) If I follow the link I go to live tracking and can see exactly where it is. This is being delivered 10.40-12.40 because it’s with my postie on his round.

i find RM excellent. Their infrastructure means things are moved quickly and when there are mistakes ie sent to the wrong sorting office they are rectified next delivery.

If you live in an area where you have no idea who your neighbours are (but are certain they’re possibly sex offenders) then you don’t live in an area where leaving a parcel on the doorstep is the best option.

Lucky you. I don't get those.

I work from home sometimes and I always end up signing for at least 2 parcels for other people. I don’t mind tho and people do it for us too.
I’m not getting the whole “private parcels” rubbish tho - that makes no sense to me whatsoever. What are you ordering?????? Most stuff comes in plain cardboard or Amazon boxes so nobody will have a clue about what is in there anyway!!!!

This is not necessarily the case. It depends on which service the sender has paid for.
I often get parcels that the tracking only updates after delivery. Fairly useless.
I'm talking about RM here

it makes no sense that you don’t though. I haven’t anything special to get it. Do you not provide your number when you order goods maybe?

@ElenOfTheWays if it’s not tracked that surely just means the sender sent it by normal second or first class delivery? That’s not a courier service, that’s the same as letters. Your letters aren’t tracked either.

I provide the information I'm asked for.

Arguably, sex offenders are the most reliable people to leave a parcel with. They're only interested in porn, so won't be fiddling with your parcel.

No. There are different parcel delivery services. Tracking is technically provided. It's just essentially useless. I did mention that the tracking updates AFTER the parcel arrives. The "7am till 5pm" style deliveries are also a real thing It's nothing to do with geography. It's about which service the sender bought. I've had several different types over the years. Most larger companies use the 48hour tracked which gives updates because they have a contract with RM which makes it worth their while. Smaller sellers use cheaper options.

Well no, the population of the UK in 1952 was considerably less than what it is now!
1952: 50.4 million
2026: 69.3 million

More people = more sex offenders

Ok but I know the technology it uses so what you’re saying doesn’t really make sense. Anything that isn’t first or second class is tracked. Tracking data is accessible via their website using the tracking number. If they don’t send you this usually the company your purchased from do. It’s just what you’re saying doesn’t really make sense in terms of the actual service they use. But maybe something went wrong with your orders and it was some kind of malfunction.

And everyone else who has told you they don't get updates or a 2 hour slot I suppose?
When I enter the tracking number on the RM website it states clearly on there that it cannot update until the parcel is delivered. This has happened several times with different companies. Sometimes I get updates and a 2 hr slot. Sometimes I get this. It depends on the service purchased. It's not a glitch. And, no I don't know why this is the case.
Why can't you accept you are wrong?

In any case, I prefer Evri around here. My local courier is great although I know it's not the case everywhere.

True.. but does that mean your neighbour is more likely to be a sex offender? Say If 1% of the population were sex offenders then and 1% of the population are sex offenders now (for arguments sake) then dos that mean they you had a 1/100 chance of living next to a sex offender then and a 1/100 chance of living next to a sex offender now?

I take any and every neighbours parcel, unless I'm too ill to take it in. I am the unofficial neighbourhood depot.

Sometimes though the person collecting doesn't even give me any thanks believe it or not, and this thread is reflective of how increasingly detached people feel from other people.

Nothing constructive to add here, except to say how much I'm enjoying this thread. Peak Mumsnet nuttiness, where all neighbours are strangers and potentially on the sex offenders register, where it's "mortifying" to have someone knock on your door and calling round to collect a parcel causes "haunting stress". I mean, what the actual blue buggering fuck is going on here? 😬

Our postie is brilliant, he tends to leave in our secure porch. But we’re lucky we live on a friendly street (city not a village). I don’t mind taking in parcels for neighbours and they don’t for me. (As I say we’re friendly so I tend to text them to let them know I have their parcel and they just collect when back home from work/day out) as do them to me. But then we do live somewhere where each other drop off keys if away or come asking for supplies/DIY tools etc. Only issue is you go to collect your parcel and leave 30 minutes later after an cuppa and chat!

I work in online retail customer service.
The amount of people who order when they know they won’t be home to receive a delivery is unbelievable.
If you don’t want your parcel leaving with a neighbour or in a safe place then order it to be delivered when you know someone will be home to accept the parcel.

Yep. When did post parcels become a drama? 🙄🙄🙄🙄

Oh well, WE’RE sorry that WE have jobs and lives that necessitate us being out. Jesus.
Maybe trying to redeliver later or on another day?
Bearing in mind the footage we’ve all seen about Royal Mail blatantly not delivering I wouldn’t be so sanctimonious.

He's the pedo who sniffs Amazon boxes

Of course she isn't. She'll be able to get a replacement, since the item was delivered unsafely AND get the courier/postie sacked in the process. Win win

Why is it stressful? Just be nice to them and say thank you. We all take each others parcels in here - a couple of us WFH on different days so there’s usually someone around.

If I can I will rearrange for a day we are in but they don’t always let you do that.

It actually is - unless you happen to catch the 3 second window they allow you to reschedule.

Where on earth do you live?

Even if they are on the register, it’s a parcel, it is very unlikely they r0p£ you on the doorstep. Perhaps just don’t go inside their house?