Going back to the subject of recorded deliveries not being signed for, I find our postman...oops...postal delivery officer...will ring our bell for a signature and usually I answer and sign for the package.
Sometimes, however, if I'm in the bathroom for example, when I can't get to the door in time, he'll then proceed to post the package through the letter box and not hang around for a signature.
I guess this is common practice and so I never use recorded delivery - it isn't worth the extra postage, is it?