For becoming a delivery woman 🤨

Babs03

We are at home a lot due to caring for my DH, so quite often delivery people will ask if we can take a parcel for our neighbours, no problem, we have lovely neighbours so are happy to do so. The delivery person always says they put a card through the door to say we have taken the parcel but nine times out of ten nobody comes to pick up their boxes, so I end up delivering them instead in all weathers and often having to make repeat journeys because the neighbours are out.
Is now getting silly with our hall cluttered with boxes, I suppose I could pretend I’m not in like some of our other neighbours must do, but I haven’t done this so far. When a delivery man called just now I showed him the boxes in our hallway and said I really can’t take any more or you are going to have to pay me commission.
It just really ticks me off that neighbours can’t be bothered to come and pick up their boxes, especially seeing as sone are quite heavy and they know I am caring for my husband so have a lot on my plate.

Just say no to any further requests otherwise the delivery drivers will just keep on delivering to you if they know you will take the parcels in

Put a note through all the neighbours doors that you’re holding parcels for and tell them to collect by a specific time, otherwise they will be put outside, come rain or shine! Also tell them you are taking no more parcels I due to having to care for a sick husband and you simply cannot have the trip hazards cluttering up your home.

I used to take in parcels when I was working from home. It got ridiculous every November/December. Like you, neighbours never collected their parcels, I always had to take them round and on the few occasions they took in my parcels, they'd never drop them round to me. The final straw came when I took in a large very heavy parcel which I couldn't lift so I just waited for them (very able bodied young family) but it took them 4 days to fetch it. From then on I never answered the door to delivery drivers. Do the same before you have a nasty trip.

If your neighbours are taking the P like this, I’d just tell them, sorry, but I won’t be accepting any more parcels.

Or (if you’re being nice) unless you come and collect very promptly on every future occasion, I won’t be accepting any more.

What you describe is shocking Babs.

Whilst I'd happily take in parcels for neighbours and often took in quite a few for our next door neighbours where we lived previously, only occasionally where we are now. I'd certainly object to having my hall cluttered with other people's stuff. I'd have to put a note through the neighbour/s door/s and tell them they need to pick up their deliveries asap and when they do, show them how these items are stacked up in your hall. With that in mind, I'd also say "I'm afraid I've reconsidered, please nominate someone else to receive, I feel I'm fast becoming a holding depot and with numerous trips over to yours to request you pick up, all in all it's a real annoyance."

If you take in the parcels and don’t mind, that is as long as the neighbours collect them then give them an ultimatum.
You must know who they are so pop a note along with the next parcel. If they then continue to expect you to deliver then just refuse to accept the parcels. They will have been warned.

Is true, I suppose I got sucked in because our neighbours are generally very nice and helpful. But obviously this is getting silly.

You've got to refuse to take them in Babs, you don't have to explain why but if you feel you need too then just be honest; there are too many and they don't bother to collect them.

Do not accept them from the driver. He/They will realise and stop bringing them to you.

Just say no

I think I will need to say something before Christmas, when I dread to think how many parcels will be delivered to our street. Am sure people can track their parcels to see when they are being delivered and suggest a safe space will suggest they do this, which they should be doing anyway.

Tahe a photo of your hallway and put a post on saying the parcels are going to the first person to collect them.

I haven't had to take more than a few for my neighbours and would never try to deliver them myself (ring Jeff Bezos and ask for a payout because he relies on people like you to do the job for nothing).

Refuse to accept the packages from now on- you are under no obligation to do so.

We had a situation a few months ago when our neighbour was redirecting their parcels straight to us.

I don't mind but we are not at home all the time and it is polite to ask first.

I think you’ll have to explain to your neighbours that you’re no longer able to take in parcels for any of them as they are creating a trip hazard while waiting to be collected.

I’d tell your neighbours what you’ve just told GN. That it’s too much for you to keep so many boxes and you can’t keep delivering them. They’ll either have to make alternative arrangements or be more prompt about collecting them.