What Are The Odds?

[sunny-dave]

I've been up since sparrowcough - an unfeasibly early start, at least for me - waiting for a sequence of deliveries to begin. I'm lurking as near as possible the front door with my security camera set to go 'ping' for good measure.

Not a sausage yet, but it should go

Royal Mail Timed
APC Overnight
Royal Mail Standard
Amazon
Ocado

What are the odds on :

1. All the couriers actually getting the day/time right?
2. Me not being in the shower, on the loo, or asleep when they attempt the "knock quietly and run away" trick?

I reckon Ocado are favourite to get the time right, with Royal Mail Standard odds on to cock something up ...

sleepy dave

[Smowball]

My favourite was when I was sat in lounge in silence reading a book. I could see front path and door. Courier walks up path, doesn't ring bell but shoves card thru door and walks off quickly. I'm up like a whippet to grab note which said. Sorry you weren't in when we attempted delivery..... I run outside and catch him just before he drives away. Had a right go at him - he did go rather red, silly man!!

[murraymints]

as long as no Yodel ! they are the pits

[Islay]

I had 4 deliveries yesterday, not one rang the doorbell just left them on the step - I was inside and wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the dogs.

[GenuineclAss]

When I joined The Book People, I couldn't understand all their negative feedback, till I read it and realised it was all about Hermes and their idea of 'safe delivery'. One person had to climb up and retrieve a parcel from their porch roof and several have witnessed Hermes delivery men throwing their parcels over their fences into their gardens. Disgraceful!

[mikey4444]

I have been in this situation before Dave. Some couriers will sneak up to your front door, knock very, very quietly and the beggar off.....be warned !

I used to rely on my Yorkie to let me know, but he is getting dear by the day !

[Cloverjo]

I think it's the individuals that are sometimes bad, rather than the courier company itself. I've always had very good Hermes and Yodel deliverers.

[mikey4444]

Meant deafer !

The trouble is that these Couriers are over worked and expected to visit far too many addresses.

[ummmm]

What do they have to gain by not delivering the package?

[murraymints]

time to deliver if not through door, more parcels and higher commission

[bhg481]

Ummm - time. When they've finished they gp home. If they wait for you to answer the door it takes longer.

[-Talbot-]

Don't forget to hand them their car sponge back if they do the knock quietly and run trick.
They will claim it isn't theirs.

"Isn't it? ... sorry, I thought it was what you used to knock on my door"

I really should get a life I suppose!

[mikey4444]

I live in a three story house, and most of my regular couriers now that it take me a couple of minutes to answer the door.

But its the irregular ones that I have difficulty with. A modicum of patience would not go amiss !

[mikey4444]

Meant storey !

[ummmm]

So for the sake of a minute or two they'll inconvenience people.

[Prudie]

I ordered a coat from the sofa Saturday night, got home from work Monday and it was discretely placed in the porch. Delivered by Hermes. Happy days.

[sunny-dave]

Two arrived (thumbs up for Royal Mail x2) and three to go.

Amazon 'out for delivery'
Ocado have confirmed slot
but APC tracking shows 'still at depot' ...

[sunny-dave]

Hermes are very variable, Prudie - I used to have a lovely courier-lady who came at times when she thought I'd be in & left with neighbours if I wasn't.

My current one is a grumpy bloke - who left my last parcel in my (not terribly clean) garden waste recycling bin ... with a virtually illegible card though the door as the only clue.

[aelmpvw]

i can almost guarantee that as soon as my bum hits the toilet seat my doorbell will ring

[Dazzleflash]

Couriers are self employed and have literally hundreds of parcels to deliver per day. If they can't deliver one day they have to redeliver, on top of that days parcels. They get pennies for each delivery and do not get their fuel paid for ( well according to my friend who delivers for Hermes) At least they are working, trying to make a living instead of sitting on their backsides. There are good and bad in most walks of life.

[trt]

Cant remember the name, but one that is excellent send me a text to say dispatched, then another to say, being delivered that day, and finally one that says, will be delivering between, so and so time, and they always are.