A couple I used to know ordered a PC once and as soon as they saw it'd been left on the communal landing of their block of flats reported it stolen. The replacement when it arrived went to her sister.

Shortly afterwards the computer company (Tiny) went bust.

I'm glad my local sorting office has extended opening hours on Saturdays and Wednesdays now as before I had no chance of picking up missed deliveries unless I got up at the crack of dawn on the Saturday.

Linky no worky

I would if I were asked too but I work 9-5 like most parcel companies so never in to accept them. Also means I'm not in to accept my own parcels so I'm always grateful when a neighbour takes it in for me.

Still amazes me to this day that the majority of parcel companies don't offer an evening service considering the average person works 9-5. Any time I've asked a delivery driver that I always get the same reaction, "You work 9-5, why can't we?" Difference is your in the service industry which needs to adapt to it's customer base.

As much as I hate the Royal Mail they have done one thing right in my area. The sorting office is now open till 8pm on a Wednesday so people working can collect items in the evening.

Agree or disagree with what exactly? There isn't any need for anyone to agree or disagree with me on this, it's a personal choice. It's just a simple question. There isn't a right or a wrong. I didn't say "No one should accept parcels for their neighbours and here are the reasons why.....". From the comments so far, most people do not turn away parcels, and others think that it was not something they would do, but it's not illegal so no harm done.

I wasn't expecting everyone to think I was doing the right thing, I even expected a few people to say that I was being unneighbourly. However, I didn't bank on absolutely no one coming on and saying they never, ever, ever accept parcels for their neighbours, even if they are in to accept them. I thought there would be at least a few. That is why I asked the question. I now have a better understanding of how it works, and most people seem to suggest that it's only right to accept the parcel for a neighbour because it's a nice, neighbourly thing to do, and unless you absolutely don't get alone with the person then there is no reason not to accept their parcel. With that in mind, it was probably not very nice of me to turn away the parcel, although I did have my reasons. Because I do feel a little guilty about it I will always accept parcels in the future, and assuming that most of the reasons I wouldn't want to are very unlikely to happen, there is no reason not to.

I've never been asked by the royal mail to take in a parcel for anyone, it's only delivery drivers. I think you're right, it would be nice if they all could work on till a little later, or even attempt to just re-deliver during those hours. Could even lead to several job openings, drivers in the early hours could finish and 5pm and hand over to part time drivers for the evening shift. I'm always told that they could deliver up to 8pm, but I've never seen a delivery van at that time of night, or near it.

Or even just start later in the morning and therefore finish later in the evening. I'm sure some drivers would rather do that than have to go back out to the same property two or three times before taking the item back to the depot.

I try and arrange for my deleveries to be made on my days off work, but they never seem to delever them on the day I request. Thankfully my neighbour dosent mind taking in my parcels, and I would do the same for them. It saves me alot of hassel having to rearrange delevery or go to the sorting office or depot myself to collect a parcel.

That would work, too. Where I live we are fortunate enough to have a local shop that is open till late. It's a shame they couldn't leave undelivered parcels there for collection by the recipient at a more convenient time. I've noticed some shops now offer a Collect+ service, which means they leave it at a shop in the local area that is part of the scheme and then email you to inform you that the parcel has been delivered there for collection. It's easy to arrange and is handy for people who think they might not be in. Hopefully more companies will start using it.

I only accept them for my immediate neighbours both sides.

We've always got someone in, and one of the local couriers got to know, and started taking advantage by giving us parcels for anyone in the street. I watched him one day chap on the door of a neighbour further down on the opposite side of the street, find no-one in, and come straight over to us instead of trying their neighbours either side. I refused to accept it and told him why and he never did it again, thank god.

What annoys me is when packages are left with us and the delivery company doesn't leave a card with the neighbour to let them know we have it. I always insist that they do before I accept it now. If I've taken in someone's package, the least they can do is get off their arse and come pick it up themselves.

Was it left without a signature? That's terrible. I would have expected something like that to not be left outside for anyone to take.


It is annoying when you request a date and they don't deliver. I understand why people accept parcels, and I understand why it's handy for their neighbours.

Exactly, but in my experience the driver very rarely leaves a card, or my neighbour lies about it and just can't be bothered coming over. I have seen the driver put through cards in the past, so I know they got one. I always wait several hours after they've returned home before I go over with them, because that gives them time to read any card and come over for it, but they never have done. Maybe he thinks I'm a delivery person, I've delivered his parcels that often.

If they're nice neighbours I'd happily take in their parcels, if they're a pain they can sort it themselves.

The last parcel I took in was from a wine company, it had been incorrectly mailed to an ex neighbour at the same address.

The company told me to drink it and enjoy it. Every good deed.

If a delivery man or woman is so stupid as to let a pc in a communal area, then dishonest or not they're really asking for it.

It can have its advantages then.

That's really nice of them. Did you toast your ex-neighbours?

We've just taken in a big sack of dog food for our neighbour. Rolo does get through some food!

I certainly did, and the wine company too.

I always take in any parcels for my neighbours and they do the same for us, i've even had someone on the next street take one in. I go and collect the parcel off them as soon as I walk through the door and pick up the card, although a lot of the time a card is not even left and so then the neighbour usually catches me when I walk past their house, i always apologise and let them know I didn't receive a card. There is no neighbour I really dislike so I don't mind taking their stuff in at all.

I would and have taken parcels in for neighbours and they have done the same, I am not close to any neighbours here so it is a little awkward but am very thankful for it all the same. I have only refused to take a parcel once, the parcel man tried to convince me to but I said no I wouldn't, that is because I dislike the family and would hope they didn't take my parcels to, if they did happens to which I doubt I would thank them and ask that they didn't again as I don't wish to be knocking on their door.

i accepted a bike once for next door whilst they were on holiday and it was in my kitchen for the best part of a week

i'm not a fan of my neighbours but fair doos, if they're working i don't mind taking a parcel for them - i'm not that much of a bitch - despite what they think.

if ever i'm expecting a delivery i just get one of the kids to sag off school - naughty i know

Yes, I'll accept parcels for my neighbours.
My neighbours always accept parcels for me if I'm out.

Delivering to work anyone?

I wouldn't for the neighbour sending me nuts with his shed. The others I would.

Yes, I do, and so do all the neighbours, its great!--very handy.

Wow! My sorting office is only open 9am til noon.

And yes, i accept parcels for the neighbours, and they do the same for me.

There's only one neighbour I won't take parcels in for, next door but one. About a year ago I accepted a package for her, I was on my way out at the time, the postie caught me as I was locking up. I intended knocking with her package once I got back home, if her car was outside. When I did get back home, I found not one, but two threatening notes accusing me of stealing her package and detailing what she was going to do to me as punishment. I'd only gone to the doctors, it wasn't as if she'd been made to wait all day. Because of the threats I rang the police, they said keep hold of the package and we'll pay her a visit. As she is always in and out, it was a week before she got her package and a very stern telling off from the police, for being what they called, a nuisance neighbour.

My neighbours to my left are diamonds. Not long after they had moved in, a parcel of mine had mistakenly been sent to their house, the company I'd ordered from had put their door number but my name on the label. They went to the trouble of ringing the company, giving the name on the parcel and asking where it was meant to be delivered too and that they would deliver it.