'Signing' For Things

[Etch]

I wasn't sure where to put this but I'll use CB since that is where allenlondon put his 'Grrr, Hermes!' thread. The good news is that I did receive my parcel, via Parcel Force, so I have no cause for complaint. However, by the time I got to the front door, after the doorbell had rung, the delivery man was already on his way back to the van and although I stood in the porch holding the parcel he got into the van and sat there for a minute or so before driving off, without even a glance in my direction, so I wasn't able to give him a thumbs-up to acknowledge receipt.

All well and good so far, but according to the online tracking the parcel was "signed for by [my surname and first initial]" and the "Recipient's signature" is clearly not mine: there seems to be an "X" at the end but I don't think it was intended as a kiss :-) Now I quite accept that with the Covid situation "bending the rules" is a sensible way to minimise contact, but I have had the same happen before Covid-19 ever came along, so my question is: what does it actually prove? Surely there is at least one law to guard against someone else pretending to be me, but it appears to be flouted on quite a large scale!

[pixie374]

I've quite often found delivery people signing "for" me. Which would be fine if they recorded that, but they often suggest i actually signed it myself.

[Maydup]

Its been the norm throughout the pandemic. I think you'll find the Term & Conditions will describe contactless delivery. The driver takes a photo, knocks the door and goes. I suppose the idea is that we should be staying in as much as we can so we're likley to be there.

[Old_Geezer]

As mentioned, it has occurred before all this cov stuff.
I don't think signatures can mean much any more.

[chelle7272]

They should take a photo as proof of delivery under contactless delivery rules. Probably done before you got to the door, mine often are.

[Old_Geezer]

As a matter of interest, got to the front door shortly after the bell had rung to see delivery guy had left the parcel in the porch (no issue with that bit) but was getting into his van and then driving off. The parcel wasn't for here ! Luckily it was for next door. Unluckily it was raining.

[Bazile]

So they leave parcel on doorstep .
It starts to P&&s down - parcel gets soaked .

What then ?

[chelle7272]

No one has left the parcel on the doorstep in the rain. They are only placing it there to take a photo...

[aelmpvw]

//I don't think signatures can mean much any more//
i don't even recognise my own after trying to sign a touchpad screen

[tiggerblue10]

I went to the post office at lunch time on Thursday to post my signed contract paper for my new house by registered post. I paid £6.70 for guaranteed next day delivery by 1pm. I checked track & trace and it showed as being delivered at 9.49. When I contacted my solicitor she hadn't received it. I called royal mail who said that the post person signed it showing that it was with him. As it said 'delivered' this tacking entry is false. He told me that it could take till 9.30pm to be delivered. Not helpful as this is an office.

The contract still has not been delivered! I'm fuming...

[Etch]

I am not trying to question delivery methods in general - I had an Amazon delivery the other day where the "proof of delivery" was a photo of the parcel on our doormat, which is protected from the elements by the front porch - fine. What I am questioning is the validity/legality of the "signature". As aelmpvw says, touchpads make it difficult to produce anything recognisable, but what proves it is your signature, or conversely how would you prove it isn't? With thumbprint recognition available on (some) mobile phones using the same technology for deliveries would at least involve something that could be tied to an individual if needs be.

[Old_Geezer]

And folk like me will refuse to give it. Criminals are identified by fingerprints. Decent citizens ought not have such data collected.

[barry1010]

Lots of 'decent citizens' have to have their fingerprints on record, OG. It doesn't make them criminals