Delivery man asking for signature!

[makingmyway10]

I had a parcel delivered yesterday from the worlds most grumpy delivery driver. He tutted and rolled his eyes at me because I said I could not use his machine to sign for the parcel!
Since Lockdown all the delivery drivers and post man just leave items on the step and ring the bell,some take a photo of item on step to prove delivered.
I was shocked he even asked, well shoved the hand held machine thing at me but more shocked that he was so rude when I politely declined!

This is odd behaviour isn’t it?

Yes, there should be no signing for stuff at the moment. Which company was it?
A lot of them take a picture now.

It was Hermes.

Had similar with DPD. They wouldn’t leave it either!

I had this. I just signed it and washed my hands.

Just sign and wash your hands

That’s odd as I’ve been getting lots of dpd and they even send and email stating they do not want customers signing, even others couriers are doing the same, with half not even ringing the bell, and just posting it if possible.

I suspect some drivers are getting into grief with “missing parcels” so insistent on signing, because we don’t have to sign for it I guess many recipients have clicked on to the fact couriers don’t have any proof that they delivered the item, even if they leave it in a “safe spot” if you live in a property like mine, there is no safe spot and anyone from the block can take it

Maybe your attitude and history is suggestive of someone a bit "dodgy" and the poor guy didn't want you making a claim for damaged goods etc.

One delivery driver wanted my brother to stand there with the parcel and be in the picture.

In what way was the OP being 'dodgy'?

Royal Mail have twice made me sign for deliveries and the postman would not let go of his machine for me to sign it. No, he preferred to be in my personal space and, sadly due to a speech disability, was spraying me with spittle. I felt so annoyed.

I'm waiting for masks which have been despatched by Royal Mail and hoping the postman doesn't expect them to be signed for. I might put a sign on the door that I'm not prepared to sign and request he takes a photo instead.

@Noteverything

It may be on the RM website re rules on how items are delivered. If it states items do not need be signed for or the signing machine should be left on the door step and then postie steps back 2m then stick that on the door. I can’t say I’d be keen on getting sprayed, although I’ve actively stopped ordering anything that is sent out via RM primarily Because we are hardly getting any post in my area.

@Floatyboat what a crappy thing to suggest.

All my deliveries are being left outside my front door whether I'm home or not! Drivers can't get away quickly enough.

Royal Mail asked me if I could sign or if I would prefer him to sign - I asked him to. He was happy to do so, no issues.

Husband is a postie. He says the RM guidelines are to leave the parcel on the step, knock/ring, take a pic or sign FOR the customer.

I've had Hermes deliver recently and they just left it by my fire door! (I live in a block of flats). They buzzed first, though.

Goodness Floatyboat ! In what why am I dodgy?

Hmmm.... totally revolutionary idea here... but maybe you could, I dunno, just sign and then... wash your hands??

FGS. So much fuss over nothing.

My regular postman rings the bell and leaves larger post on the step, the items he brings that need signing for he makes sure that I answer the bell. DPD emailed saying that they did not want anyone to sign.
I was shocked he asked. I have never complained about non delivery or had a problem so not 'a known issue' or anything.

Ok Cannon I could do that. I just thought given the current situation is was an odd request. I did not make a fuss and wont lose any sleep over it. Just scroll on by if it offends you

You did make a fuss, though. You refused to sign and then went online to chat about it in a forum.

Most of these delivery drivers are rushed off their feet with numerous deliveries to make in a very short time period. Some may be reluctant to leave a package without proof of your signature as they might be liable for non-delivery/ damage to parcels later.

The Hermes man doesn't know about this thread does he? I don't think you made a fuss OP.
With what's going on currently no delivery drivers should be surprised that customers don't want to handle shared devices.

In fairness to the OP cannon, the delivery driver is in the wrong as the companies they work for are saying we should not be signing for the items, so the OP isn’t being a Princess, it is the courier basically saying I don’t want to stick to the safety rules my bosses have set out, and if he/she doesn’t want to them fine, but they can’t visit that on someone else.

I totally get they may be getting higher than usual losses but there is nothing stopping the courier putting their signing machine on the floor and stepping back. I don’t think the issue is so much the signing, it’s the fact if you are close enough to hand over a scanner/signing machine, unless you have very long arms that is less than 2m distancing.

I'm wondering if it's the senders policy that it is signed for?
I have just ordered a switch and a note flashed up saying that this item would need to be signed for on delivery.

Was it an expensive item?
I have been having hermes deliveries and haven't needed to sign

CannonCaboodle, or the employee could abide by the law, in place. Unless they, like you must have, unusually long arms so could be 2 metres away.

@Floatyboat god, you can’t resist coming on and having a dig. Someone else said you’re constantly being goady on other threads too! It’s unnecessary!

@cats

I said MAYBE

Just someone who gets bothered about it and then complains on here is likely quite a vexatious complainer so I think it's fair enough the driver wanted to cover himself. He's not earning much and has no job security.

I had Hermes deliver and it required a signature, but I didn't sign. In fact he didn't even knock and left it on the door step. Checked the app to see if it had been delivered and it was on the step.