Does everyone open packages on the doorstep as the courier waits?

[Fordian]

I’m talking bathroom cabinets, that sort of thing.

The T&Cs say you have to do that before you sign for a delivery! I can’t see DHL standing there as you go get scissors!

A cabinet arrived 7 days ago, intact packaging. Our plumber just opened it and one of the mirrors is broken.

Obviously we’ve emailed with photos, but we have no chance, do we?

You aren’t obliged to check it on the doorstep and it absolutely doesn’t preclude you raising a concern with the company you bought it from if you didn’t and it arrives damaged.

The issue is an evidential one - you want to be able to make it as clear as possible that the damage happened in transit (seller’s issue to take up with their courier, they need to refund or replace) and not after arrival (your responsibility). So, if you’re not going to open a significant or fragile purchase on the doorstep (which is not always practical or possible) then you would be best served to open as soon as possible after it arrived (so waiting a week wasn’t ideal) and ideally even film you opening and inspecting it. If there is any issue follow up with the seller immediately. Again, most companies will accept damage happens in transit and none of that is required to be able to raise with the seller but it helps protect against any suggestion any damage happened after arrival.

If the seller uses a 3rd party company for deliveries then they should be able to claim against the courier for damage/ loss in transit. So I would always try to check on delivery or very soon afterwards. If the customer and seller can easily demonstrate that the damage is from the delivery company it will be much easier to resolve.

If you wait before inspecting then it’s harder to prove where the damage happened- with the seller, the transporter or with the customer.

I always write ‘received but not inspected’ in those circumstances

Anything like that I sign for with "not checked"

This happened to us a couple of months ago. We didn't open it up straight away either. We sent photos and they sent us a new cabinet with next day delivery.

Thanks everyone. A clarification: we ordered the cabinet ourselves, not the plumber who was just going to install it; and the company, upon receipt of more photos (showing the same damage from different angles…🤔) replaced the item.

But I will be more wary next time!