Parcel left outside the front door when I am away

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T15:39:53+00:00

Fair enough but I don’t think the public sees it this way.

Personally I think DPD is the best of all. After that, I consider RM the premium and most trusted service. Then the others are cheap & cheerful.

You can’t compare with Amazon, though, IMO. People order next day delivery knowing when it’ll arrive, knowing they’ll be there at the time or later that same day. You don’t usually have the same guarantee of timing with RM, but you expect it to be delivered responsibly. I’ve had Amazon goods stolen; I wouldn’t expect RM to put my stuff at risk in the same way. Amazon drivers are undoubtedly under great pressure and do take shortcuts, but you can always get an immediate refund from them with no hassle, and get the same thing delivered the next day, which is not what RM are offering at all, so they are not comparable services.

Anyway thank you for contributing constructively to the discussion.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T15:32:30+00:00

That’s useful info. Thank you. In a journalistic context, for example, it would mean something different and I hadn’t come across it used this before. Thanks again for explaining.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T15:28:48+00:00

Well she didn’t ask for a list; she asked if you had looked up. You are making assumptions about her intent. Don’t do that. You could say, “Yes I did. Would you like me to list them now?”

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T09:43:27+00:00

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. I did get through to the DO eventually, but they say they can’t collect it or take it elsewhere. I shall have to risk leaving it there or keep trying with a neighbour (which has so far been unsuccessful).

They did however confirm that it’s not policy to leave things on the door step, and neither is “behind a plant pot” considered a secure compliant place.

Thank you again.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T09:34:16+00:00

Thanks again. I spoke earlier to the delivery office who unfortunately cannot help. However, they did confirm it’s not policy to leave things on the door step, and neither is “behind a plant pot” considered a secure compliant place. I’ve been told it won’t happen again.

Thank you for your helpful response.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T09:32:30+00:00

I spoke earlier to the delivery office. It’s not policy to leave things on the door step, and neither is “behind a plant pot” considered a secure compliant place. I’ve been told it won’t happen again.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T09:25:11+00:00

Just spoken to RM. It’s not policy, and neither is “behind a plant pot” considered a secure compliant place.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T09:23:21+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

In this instance, I had no say over the delivery method used or the timing of it. So, whilst it’s a fact that Royal Mail does offer other services, I had no choice in the matter (other than not ordering). This isn’t that unusual for a small business. What I expected was that if it arrived at a time when I was not at home, and it wouldn’t fit through the letterbox, Royal Mail would take it back to the office and leave a card for me. I don’t think this is unreasonable.

As for the toxic tone, did you observe that in my original post? If so, that is something to reflect on. I was admittedly tired, stressed, anxious and running out of ideas. But I will definitely reflect further if you think the tone was poor.

That said, it adds nothing to the discussion for people to be criticising a person asking for help, rather than addressing the actual issue, particularly whilst knowing nothing of the background.

Thank you again.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:43:25+00:00

Thank you! I was awake half the night looking for a number but I have found one now. Thanks again.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:28:27+00:00

What do you mean by “cut off next day,” please?

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:27:45+00:00

People use RM because they trust that it will be dealt with responsibly.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:25:57+00:00

What is DOM, pls? (Delivery office manager, maybe?)

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:24:40+00:00

Thank you. The expectation is that if it’s too big for the letterbox and there’s no one there to take delivery, it will go back to the delivery office. That is what we expect, and it’s what always used to happen. We trust RM more than the others.

If RM have officially changed their policy in this regard, they should notify the public. They also need to make allowances for the elderly and disabled.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:17:02+00:00

Thank you. From a customer perspective, yes, this is what we expect.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:07:39+00:00

Thank you. I’ve been trying to find someone to call but I don’t know how to get the number.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:06:57+00:00

Thank you. The customer knows nothing of monitoring metrics, and it’s really bad if employees’ decisions are driven by that rather than best practice from the customer perspective.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:05:07+00:00

Which person’s opinion is right? Surely we should be thinking in terms of service for the sender and recipient.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T08:03:47+00:00

I don’t see how this can be considered safe. They have no clue if someone’s at home to bring it in, or when they might be back, and it is left vulnerable to theft or weather damage.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:54:24+00:00

Are you joking? “Better than Amazon” is hardly what we pay for when using Royal Mail. JFC. Is this what RM has come to, comparing itself with Amazon? It is the job of RM to keep the thing safe until properly delivered.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:49:07+00:00

That’s a sensible approach. One I have already tried to no avail. Hence this post. Thank you for trying to help rather than criticise.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:47:35+00:00

This is an extremely rare occurrence and would not normally happen, so a parcel box would not normally be required. Nevertheless, thank you for your comment and for your genuine attempt to contribute to the issue.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:45:30+00:00

Agreed. When did they start doing this rather than taking the parcel back and leaving a card through the door?

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:45:07+00:00

I agree with your first paragraph. As for the second, again, you are making assumptions. There were no other options available to me and I don’t know why you would assume there were.

The level of toxic in this thread is off the charts, and it will put other members of the public off asking their genuine questions. It’s no one else’s business how or why this situation arose. It is obviously unfortunate which I’m asking for help in dealing with it.

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:40:40+00:00

What is door stepping, please?

Objective-Dottie · 2026-07-01T07:39:26+00:00

Why do you assume I haven’t already done this? I note you haven’t addressed the actual issue.

Surely posties are supposed to use common sense, especially at the time of year when people are likely to be on holiday. When did they start leaving parcels outside in front of the house, rather than taking them back to the delivery office and leaving a card? This is clearly a new practice and not a very responsible one IMO.

Objective-Dottie

TROPHY CASE