The Parcel

I think I may have posted this before but will repeat myself!

I always take in parcels for neighbours as they tend to be out all day. One time I took in a case of wine (neighbours were wine buffs). The delivery driver put a note through the door telling them where it was. Over the next few days I telephoned and left several messages asking that it be collected (I would see them drive out every day for work so knew they were home).

After it had been sitting at the foot of my stairs for a week I rang and left a message saying if it wasn't collected I would assume they didn't want it and would start drinking it - it was collected within the hour!

You seem to know what time they go to work and come back. Is there any chance you could lie in wait at one of those times and if you see them nip over with the parcel? Otherwise as others have said it may be that they are away and have security timers switching on and off.
The other thought is can you see who the sender of the parcel is? if you can then I would get in touch with them and see if they can help as they should have a contact email and probably phone number as well.
One thing I would not be doing - I would never take in a parcel for this couple ever again! This has been a real nuisance and a worry for you.

Dillyduck if you return the parcel to the sender you are hardly going to encourage positive or friendly relationships with your neighbours. PS it is the season of goodwill!

actually i would call the 101 police and get some advice, say you are worried that you are getting no answer,and could they send someone round to investigate...have you tried banging on the window where the tv is...someone might have fallen or taken ill.

You've done all you can. It's their parcel, they know where it is, the ball's in their court now. Don't you fret about it or waste anymore effort running around. If they want it, they'll have to come get it

I had this once ...very annoying.... they might be people who do t even look at their post as it’s usually junk mail!? So what did was to write out , on an A4 piece paper , that the parcel was at my house ( giving number)...sellotape it to their front door ( eye level) and if they didn’t pick it up within 24 hours I would leave it in the doorstep and my responsibility was over .They picked it up within two hours!

also there has to be a return address and the company who delivered it,see if you can arrange for them to pick it up from you.dont take in parcels again..

Have you knocked on another neighbours door near them to see if they know anything?

If the receiver has a contact no on the parcel I would call the no instead after having tried severally.

On the face of it chewy it sounds like they're taking advantage or just can't be bothered. I'd be annoyed too.
If you see them return from work at say, 6.15, I'd wait by their door at 6.10 and pointedly tell them that you have a large parcel and would appreciate it if they'd collect it right NOW. Accept no excuses - it's large and is cluttering up the hall.
Then NEVER accept parcels on their behalf again.
We like to be helpful but we don't like to be taken for a ride.

You must not dispose of the item under any circumstances as you could later be held responsible for its value!

Put it in a black plastic bin bag.
Secure it well.
Put it in your damp shed.
Forget about it.

If it's still there in six months time, open it "accidentally". Extract the delivery note, and contact the suppliers and get it collected.

I have put a dated note through one "neighbours" door saying that I had had their parcel for over two weeks and that if they didn't collect it by xxx date then I would return it to the sender. That worked but no apology so now I say no!!

Oops should have said both the delivery guy and I had left previous notes!!

Two things cross my mind : when I went away my lights were on a timer, as well as the radio. My neighbour had a key and opened and closed the curtains and re set the burglar alarm, plus taking any parcels, etc home with her (must add likewise, I looked after her two dogs when she was on hols, although this involved a 5.00am walk before I went to work, then her mother came and too over the dogs.....I walked them and had them in my house overnight when I got home from work ! I also just stayed in the house of a friend (young couple, very hi tech !) the tv came on, lights and the coffee machine, the blinds opened at sunrise and closed at sunset automatically ! even the front door had a remote lock he could open from his phone !! ha ha ...I put a light on manually one night and couldn't turn it off …..ha ha...their neighbour went past dog walking at 4.00am and said the next morning he was concerned the bedroom light was on and was I ok (fortunately he didn't knock at 4.00am !!)….talk about confusing the old ha ha …..I was glad to get back to my low tech house that doesn't speak to me !!!

Take it in, or if you are really of a mind, send it back to the address from whence it came …………….or go and put it on their doorstep from whence it may disappear ………...wait until the normal time they are due home !! good luck

How about putting it on there doorstep an hour or so before they are due home,and just keep an eye on it,so it doesnt get pinched,then if they dont arrive home by say 8pm then take it in again.Or ask her nieghbours either side of her to take it in.
I also take neighbours parcels in,but have never had this problem.

Ok, I've been across again this morning and left another note, on A4 paper, telling them again that I have their parcel and please would they call to collect it asap. Another neighbour has confirmed that they're not away on holiday because they've seen them about so I'm a bit as to why they've not responded so far.

Now that someone else knows I've genuinely tried to deliver it, I'm happier to just shove it in the spare room and forget about it if they don't call for it this evening.

I'd do what thecatshat suggested and put it in a bin bag in the shed and forget about it until they come to collect it. You've put yourself out more than enough already, and they know from your notes that it's waiting for them to collect it. And I'd never take in parcels for them again.

What a fuss about nothing! Y

I wish I had a neighbour like you - had a delivery in the summer that the Hermes driver left somewhere 'safe'. Never found that place so, in the end, had a refund. Recently parcel due from overseas. Message to me saying 'parcel delivered no signature'. Don't have any near neighbours and have looked everywhere it could possibly have been left with no success.

I might be tempted to email the company they ordered it from, if it’s visible on the outside of the package and describe your problem. Ask them, the company to come and get it. Take a few photos to accompany your email, especially with the order reference if visible on the outside.

Good luck!

What a fuss about nothing! They will collect it sometime probably so don't worry. On the other hand a friend asked me to take in plants she had ordered as she was going away. When they arrived they were plugs,very small and frail. I had to pot up 70 little pansies and they have been sitting here since September. Yesterday I finally packed them up and left them at her daughters house .

Are they dead?

Do they have a car parked outside? If so, stick a big note on their windscreen, facing inwards in front of the driving seat.

How rude! Leave it until they call for it. Store in a bin outside if you have no room. I have a neighbour who gets a Christmas card addressed to us every year. Each year I've delivered it myself. Last year I mentioned it might be best to advise the sender of the correct address - the result? Cold looks and blanks me. So, I get the yearly card again this week. Not saying any more.