Royal Mail leaving small parcels on doorstep

[Noggin-the-Nog]

I have ordered a few small items online recently (ink cartridges) only to find that Royal Mail has left each one on my front doorstep anfd I find it there when I get home. Granted my doorstep is set back from the road, but I thought that they should retain the parcel and leave a note to collect it from the Post Office if they can't deliver it. What experiences have others had?

[SlackAlice]

If my postman cannot get it through the letterbox, I always get a card to collect from the local sorting office.

[MASS1961]

I normally get a "Sorry we missed you, please collect from local collecting depot.....no sooner than 48 hours" A bit inconvenient, but package is safe.
Totally out of order they are leaving it outside!

[MASS1961]

Other than that, a neighbour often takes it

[starone]

My postman knows where to leave any parcels if I am not at home - in my recycling bin - but he also puts a note through the door so that I know there is something left. If it is not the usual chap they sometimes leave it with a neighbour, but there is always a note and it is always safe.

[Noggin-the-Nog]

Thanks folks, that's whay I thought. I just wondered if they have changed their policy. I guess a phonecall to the boss is in order.

[askyourgran]

Even the parcel delivery company leaves a card through your door if you are out when they deliver. It is inconvenient having to go to the Post Office to pick up your parcel, but I would complain about it being left on the doorstep. If it was small enough to hide OK but it could contain valuables and anyone could take it. I'm sure it isn't the usual practice.

[bluemoon1]

I had a book delivered once, and the plonker must have realised it wouldnt fit entirely through the letter box so left it half in half out, and it was a terraced house with no garden. So think yourself lucky.

[vulcan]

I never get a card and have to rely on the honesty of my neighbours as the parcels are left with them and it could be any one of three, either side. I do despair sometimes, last week he delivered a magazine, if he had offered the shorter side first it would have gone in. Instead he folded it in half, got it halfway and then left it, letting everybody know I was out.

[daisya]

Think our postman took the biscuit last week. Left a parcel for next door neighbour on the dividing wall at the front of the house. No note through their door or ours, if OH hadn't seen the parcel and taken it in to give to neighbour later, don't think it would have been there for a lot longer!!

[DTCwordfan]

No wonder that 3% of mail goes missing - they often just don't care

[lady-janine]

we are very lucky as our postie opens the front door and leaves everything on the hall table. we do have problems when he is on holiday.

[Marijn]

I think the postman only sticks a card through for you to go and pick it up from the depot (if you're out when he calls) if it's something that needs to be signed for, e.g Special delivery or Recorded Delivery. If it's not anything that has to be signed for then he leaves it on the doorstep (ours does, though I wish he would leave it with a neighbour, but I don't think he's obliged to).

[rojash]

Our postman opens the car door and chucks packages on the seat, even ones we are supposed to sign for.

[bluemoon1]

lady-janine where do you live. I know some people who would gladly deliver your post.

[askyourgran]

I've taken in parcels for my neighbours before today, some have been with delivery firms. None of them have looked around to see if a neighbour would take the parcel in. If I see the delivery van I'll take it in to deliver it to the neighbour when they get home, the driver will put a card through the door to say that I have it.

[lady-janine]

bluemoon - the cottage is rather hidden

[paddywak]

We've known our postie for years If we're out and she has anything too big to post she just drops it off at the local post, about 100 yards away, and leaves a note.

[Jemisa]

It all depends, I'd rather find it on my door step because the 'Sorting Office' is 3 miles and 2 bus rides away. & you have a holding fee to pay.

jem

[puternut]

Starbuck - I had an expensive coat delivered and left in the refuse bin.

Two hours later the council emptied the bin .........

[lady-janine]

oooh puter that is awful. what did you do?