How many parcels is too many to take in for a neighbour? Post Reply

[tooposhtopush]

I've a new neighbour and they're really lovely. Honestly. But they have a lot of online deliveries and although they work from home they're very busy and so often can't get the door. I'm obviously happy to take the parcels in but as Xmas approaches they've been getting more frequent and today we have four.

I like them, honestly, but our hall is just too small for these.

Do you think I can say no to the delivery people and if so how do I do it?

Happy to be told I have to say yes!

[chorister]

We had a very similar problem and solved it through an amicable agreement that they would schedule deliveries to a pick up point unless they were really urgent in which case we would take them in if they couldn’t. In practice they ended up usually warning us if something was likely to come - and gave us a good bottle of wine for Christmas! Hope that helps.

[muddyboots]

I hear you !
I’m basically the concierge service for my neighbours.

I often think, next time I will say no, but I always feel sorry for the delivery person trying to get on with their job and I would feel like an total so and so for saying no.

I once accepted a massive box and wasn’t keen, the delivery man said it was the last delivery before Xmas . I reluctantly accepted, only for me to have this bloody box for the whole Xmas period whilst I had staying guests the whole Xmas as my neighbours had already gone away.
The box was really in the way and my kindness cost me.

Maybe if you prepare a phrase like sorry I’m going away can’t accept any for now.
Or say no after after 2 parcels etc

[muddyboots]

Ps in your case, if they are at home they are taking the p—s

If they can’t get the door then they can walk to the pick up place or post office in their own time.

Nobody is that busy .

[tooposhtopush]

an amicable agreement that they would schedule deliveries

this is a good idea but I'm a bit too much of a coward to actually say something. And they're new and I don't want to be a pain!

The box was really in the way and my kindness cost me.

yeah that is what I'm worried about for Xmas.

Thank you both for your replies.
 
I will get braver!

[chorister]

Thank you for the thank you .....

One further  thought  - if they are new get them trained now - it will be much harder to do anything once a pattern is established.  A stiff brandy before talking to them might help!

[Dontfeelbad]

Don’t feel bad about saying ‘no’ to deliveries. We are often out when parcels come and click on the link we’re sent beforehand to nominate our front door as a ‘safe place’.

You often have to proactively suggest a neighbour and name the house number for a delivery to be sent elsewhere. Sounds like they’re taking advantage of your kindness.

Just turn the delivery drivers away and they’ll soon stop coming.

[FortT59]

Hello

The fact they work from home and dont want to be disturbed coming to the door is their problem not yours. I think this is very selfish behaviour on their part and I would ask the delivery driver to keep ringing their bell as they are there. Also one never minds taking parcels in for neighbours but this is too much and selfish behaviour on their part. You could be busy too and do not want to be interrupted either!!

Either dont take in and they will get the message or say something. I would do the former!

Good Luck.

[SWtastic]

You don't need to speak to your (p*** taking, lazy) neighbours - just say no each time a courier knocks.  There are plenty of options to pick up parcels at other locations these days so they should be doing this.  I rarely have parcels delivered to home now, mainly because I'm worried about them being stolen, but have them delivered to shops near my work.  So much easier all round.
Our neighbours were like yours and I put a stop to it by saying no to couriers.  The neighbours got the message and we've had no parcels since.

[Londoner2004]

Wow - I have never even thought about this being annoying before to be honest. I accept LOADS of parcels for my neighbours and I don't mind at all.

Am so grateful for my lovely street community and if accepting loads of parcels helps people out then am happy to do it !

[tooposhtopush]

Am so grateful for my lovely street community and if accepting loads of parcels helps people out then am happy to do it !

I think you're right, as in I didn't want to come across as a Grinch.

[Flowermummy]

Errr .. just say no to the courier?!
I do if it’s not convenient. The neighbours will find a way to sort themselves out.
Also - dpd for ex tend to send the same delivery driver. So the delivery people may be getting used to you being the default other location , and you probably don’t want that.

[tooposhtopush]

Also - dpd for ex tend to send the same delivery driver. So the delivery people may be getting used to you being the default other location

This!

I think they're already on their way to me after 5 seconds