Amazon delivery - beware!

[Donaldswife]

Unless the shipper sends the item "signature required" it is generally standard operating procedure for UPS, Fed Ex, ect. to leave items by front door on all residential deliveries. It is not the same for commercial (office) deliveries, they must have a signature automatically. Luckily I work in a small office where my boss does not mind if we ship things to the office, so, I ship all my packages to my office so I know they arrive safely. If your office allows this (I know not all do) it might be a better alternative for future purchases.

For items like a TV, I am one to always pay the set up fee since I am afraid my loving (but clumsy) DH might drop the item trying to set it up. That means they HAVE to schedule a delivery and set up time! Of course, some of you probably have handier DH's than mine!

 

[carymomof3]

I have to disagree somewhat with those who are blaming the carrier and not the shipper. The shipper chooses the method of delivery and any safeguards. The delivery person is merely completing the transaction as ordered.

I ordered a Nook from Best Buy on Friday and added no special shipping instructions. BB sent it UPS and required a signature for delivery. UPS just called me a few minutes ago to let me know it would be coming tomorrow and will require a signature. If BB hadn't done that, then my driver would leave it on the porch because that is what was ordered.

My DH is a UPS driver and he is very conscious of where he leaves packages, but he makes upwards of 220 stops each day - many with multiple packages. He doesn't have time to try to figure out what is in each package. But he will be happy to follow any instructions left in a note on the door

Oh, and they ring the bell and run because they have so much to do! And they're timed!

Be nice to your delivery drivers - they're the ones who will still be working late on Christmas Eve while the family is celebrating!

 

[Donaldswife]

I have to disagree somewhat with those who are blaming the carrier and not the shipper. The shipper chooses the method of delivery and any safeguards. The delivery person is merely completing the transaction as ordered.

I ordered a Nook from Best Buy on Friday and added no special shipping instructions. BB sent it UPS and required a signature for delivery. UPS just called me a few minutes ago to let me know it would be coming tomorrow and will require a signature. If BB hadn't done that, then my driver would leave it on the porch because that is what was ordered.

My DH is a UPS driver and he is very conscious of where he leaves packages, but he makes upwards of 220 stops each day - many with multiple packages. He doesn't have time to try to figure out what is in each package. But he will be happy to follow any instructions left in a note on the door

Oh, and they ring the bell and run because they have so much to do! And they're timed!

Be nice to your delivery drivers - they're the ones who will still be working late on Christmas Eve while the family is celebrating!

Many thanks and good wishes to your DH this season, I absolutely love the UPS driver that handles my office. I ship quite a bit from there, and receive as well. He is always smiling, and working VERY hard to deliver all those packages. I think your post sums it up very well. It is not the driver's fault if they are following how the package was sent and company procedures, if only retailers would just pay the extra to have "signature required" when shipping maybe some of this could be avoided!

 

[MomToOne]

Unless the shipper sends the item "signature required" it is generally standard operating procedure for UPS, Fed Ex, ect. to leave items by front door on all residential deliveries.

Actually, the companies leave it up to the driver's discretion. If the driver thinks there is a risk of theft, they are not supposed to leave it by the front door. Of course, they are only human and make mistakes sometimes.

 

[Sadie22]

UPS used to leave items under my covered porch. I guess they got lazy and now leave the items on the driveway even in the rain. The USPS never does that.

I caught a UPS guy doing that (he was a sub, not the regular person) and he said they are trained to leave items by the nearest entrance to the street. I called to complain but so far sometimes I get items left by the garage downspout rather than on the covered front porch.

 

[carymomof3]

Many thanks and good wishes to your DH this season, I absolutely love the UPS driver that handles my office. I ship quite a bit from there, and receive as well. He is always smiling, and working VERY hard to deliver all those packages. I think your post sums it up very well. It is not the driver's fault if they are following how the package was sent and company procedures, if only retailers would just pay the extra to have "signature required" when shipping maybe some of this could be avoided!

Thanks, Donaldswife! I know there are some slack drivers out there, but I think there are just as many good ones who work hard and keep smiling! I'm glad you've got one of the great ones!

 

[MomToOne]

It is not the driver's fault if they are following how the package was sent and company procedures, if only retailers would just pay the extra to have "signature required" when shipping maybe some of this could be avoided!

That would be a nightmare for many people who don't have anyone home during the day! I have a perfectly secure place for them to leave most packages, and want them to do just that.

Really, UPS and FedEx are great at getting packages to people in a timely manner. Sure there are occassional problems, but requiring signatures on every package would be overkill, and increase shipping costs.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

11 years my UPS and Fedex delivery guys have been leaving items on my porch without incident. They are really good about placing them around the back of the brick posts so they can't be seen from the street. The postal service, however, leans the package up against the door in full view of the street. Still, to date, nothing has ever been taken from the porch. Only once did Fedex require a signature on something where I had to go the distribution center the next day to pick up.... a large box with sports gear racks for the car. I don't blame them for not wanting to haul them around another day.

When I order expensive electronics or computers from Dell, I have them shipped to my office where someone is available all day to sign for them. So much easier that way.

I have to disagree somewhat with those who are blaming the carrier and not the shipper. The shipper chooses the method of delivery and any safeguards. The delivery person is merely completing the transaction as ordered.

I ordered a Nook from Best Buy on Friday and added no special shipping instructions. BB sent it UPS and required a signature for delivery. UPS just called me a few minutes ago to let me know it would be coming tomorrow and will require a signature. If BB hadn't done that, then my driver would leave it on the porch because that is what was ordered.

My DH is a UPS driver and he is very conscious of where he leaves packages, but he makes upwards of 220 stops each day - many with multiple packages. He doesn't have time to try to figure out what is in each package. But he will be happy to follow any instructions left in a note on the door

Oh, and they ring the bell and run because they have so much to do! And they're timed!

Be nice to your delivery drivers - they're the ones who will still be working late on Christmas Eve while the family is celebrating!

 

[Donaldswife]

That would be a nightmare for many people who don't have anyone home during the day! I have a perfectly secure place for them to leave most packages, and want them to do just that.

Really, UPS and FedEx are great at getting packages to people in a timely manner. Sure there are occassional problems, but requiring signatures on every package would be overkill, and increase shipping costs.

I agree they do a great job! And you are right, ALL packages would be overkill, what I really meant was for pricey items, like TV's, electronics, etc (maybe over a certain dollar value). Also, I believe they usually leave a slip you can sign and when they return the next day they can leave it on your porch if it is signed. I could be wrong on that though.....I absolutely have been wrong before!

 

[mackeysmom]

My UPS guy is great . If I'm not home, he'll leave any packages on my covered back deck.

Rather than leaving a note that says "I've left packages on your back deck" (which could be an open invitation for theft), he leaves a blank UPS sticky-note on the inside of my screen door (which can't be seen from my stoop).

That is our little signal for me to check the back deck.

 

[SoonerSarah]

I am a distributor for candles/meltys and I live in west Texas. During the summer I have the packages sent to my DH's work (he's a youth minister). The delivery man knows the business hours and delivers during those hours and if we are gone for whatever reason its left in an office.

In our old town, at some point our UPS man realized that DH and I were the people that he would deliver packages to the church as well as at our residence later in the day (I was the secretary at the time). If he was making a delivery at church, he took packages there first (church and our personal), if no one was there, he delivered them at home. It always amazed me that no matter when a package was sent, he always caught on. We really miss him.

 

[Leajess99]

I am sorry - I did not mean to stereotype! I just meant there are several families in her neighborhood that have rented, and there has been an increase in theft - her car was broken into, her yard has had vandalism (fenced yard, her hammock was cut with a knife, twice - once just enough so when she went to sit down, it broke). The people in these homes have teenagers hanging outside, etc, that she never had before. I by NO means think *all* renters are bad!! So sorry!

As far as it not being Amazon's fault - we were told it was coming Monday, which we did have plans for a neighbor to watch for it, and have a sign on the door. While it was great it came a day early, it was never told to us, so we did not know to prepare. I agree the shipper should not have left it.

Sorry, was just trying to warn people to watch for big items being shipped.

I have a teen but he knows he better have his butt inside the house and if he is caught messing around in other people's yards his butt is fried. There is another teen close by that is allowed to hang out outside all hours of the day and night. No one here puts up with it and the police have been called numerous times by the neighbors. Hanging around people's cars gets people a little antsy and I can't say as I blame them.

Another thing, I am amazed at how many drivers don't require a signature. I have to sign for everything no matter how cheap it costs. I only ever had 1 driver not make me sign and he literally threw the package at me when I opened the door. It was only some soccer jerseys but kind of shocked me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We all realize that the Fed Ex and UPS guys have nothing better to do than come to your house several times to try and deliver a package. They have no other deliveries or pickups except for yours. They would just love to come back after 5 when you are home because they haven't been at work since 6 am and don't have families waiting for them.

They also love when you don't shovel and expect them to deliver your package right to the door.

They also believe you when you say your dog won't hurt a flea and then get bit.

They love when you are tracking your package online and call 17 times and ask why your package has not been delivered yet.

They love shippers who send big ticket items and don't require a signature so they might have to leave a package when they would rather not, but are under pressure to get everything off their truck.

They love when people get cranky at them because certain items require an adult signature and they can't let your kid sign for it.

Maybe next time people might want to give a little consideration to those who make sure they get all their deliveries....especially during the holiday season.

Don't get me wrong, most enjoy their jobs....but they are people too and deserve your consideration.

Wow.
Just - wow.

Carriers don't come to my door several times a day. They come once. Best of my knowledge, that's standard. I don't know where you ever got the idea anybody expects anything different. The drivers determine the schedule. No, wait, I take that back. Once I missed FedEx and called to arrange to pick up at the facility (I do that a LOT, with all three companies) and instead on his own the driver came back and redelivered.

The 'don't shovel/deliver to door' doesn't apply to me, since I'm one of the dreaded renters. We have maintenance. They shovel and plow. But you know, that same scheduling issue sometimes forces people to go to work and let the snow pile up while they're away.

The "FedEx and UPS guy" don't have the slightest idea who's tracking what online, and they're not the ones who get those calls. When your sarcasm wears off, how about a little sympathy for the customer service reps?

I don't get big ticket items from FedEx, but the UPS driver/facility, and the post office, require signatures for everything. Must be that sketchy apartment living

Not sure how if there's no adult present to sign anyone can get cranky, but okay... kids certainly won't.

Customers are people, too.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That would be a nightmare for many people who don't have anyone home during the day! I have a perfectly secure place for them to leave most packages, and want them to do just that.

I don't. I'd rather pick everything up, unless it's really big/bulky. I had one package sent to my sister's house, with instructions where to put it. Nope. Right on the front steps in full view of everyone, for about twelve hours Good thing she lives in a safe neighborhood.

Also, I believe they usually leave a slip you can sign and when they return the next day they can leave it on your porch if it is signed.

InfoNotice from UPS, similar from FedEx, delivery slip from USPS. Except in apartment complexes. Our UPS driver crosses out the back of the slip. He won't allow you to sign the slip and leave it.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I'm a USPS employee, and really the best way to get your package delivered the way you want, is to communicate what you want best you can. I always try to follow any requests I get, like 'put in breezeway' 'don't leave at step', 'leave tomorrow' whatever.

It's impossible to read everyone's minds. One person might get mad that you left a package, the next person might get mad if you left notice for them to go pick it up

When I've had apartments to deliver to, I had to leave notices, if it won't fit in the often tiny mailboxes. You can't just leave them out, because they often get taken. It's not an offense to apartment dwellers (I was one) but it's reality.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I'm a USPS employee, and really the best way to get your package delivered the way you want, is to communicate what you want best you can. I always try to follow any requests I get, like 'put in breezeway' 'don't leave at step', 'leave tomorrow' whatever.

It's impossible to read everyone's minds. One person might get mad that you left a package, the next person might get mad if you left notice for them to go pick it up

When I've had apartments to deliver to, I had to leave notices, if it won't fit in the often tiny mailboxes. You can't just leave them out, because they often get taken. It's not an offense to apartment dwellers (I was one) but it's reality.

ITA with the above. I am in charge of delivering products. Apartments account for about 5% of my sales, and over 90% of my complaints for missing items. I am phasing out apartment deliveries altogether as my income is based on complaint numbers, and I just cannot afford to lose money due to theft.

As for UPS-I get deliveries weekly and the doorbell is rung everytime they deliver. The US Mail carrier will bring it to the door, but Fed Ex can show up anywhere at anytime for delivery.

 

[donald&daisy]

When we got our TV from Amazon, it was shipped to a local delivery service, who contacted me to arrange for a time that someone would be home to accept it. They set it all up, turned it on and let me verify it worked fine and wasn't damaged in any way, and had me sign for it.

We just bought a 50 incher and this is how ours was handled too. The carrier was very polite and did help with set up too.

 

[spacemountainmom]

Wow.
Just - wow.

Carriers don't come to my door several times a day. They come once. Best of my knowledge, that's standard. I don't know where you ever got the idea anybody expects anything different. The drivers determine the schedule. No, wait, I take that back. Once I missed FedEx and called to arrange to pick up at the facility (I do that a LOT, with all three companies) and instead on his own the driver came back and redelivered.

The 'don't shovel/deliver to door' doesn't apply to me, since I'm one of the dreaded renters. We have maintenance. They shovel and plow. But you know, that same scheduling issue sometimes forces people to go to work and let the snow pile up while they're away.

The "FedEx and UPS guy" don't have the slightest idea who's tracking what online, and they're not the ones who get those calls. When your sarcasm wears off, how about a little sympathy for the customer service reps?

I don't get big ticket items from FedEx, but the UPS driver/facility, and the post office, require signatures for everything. Must be that sketchy apartment living

Not sure how if there's no adult present to sign anyone can get cranky, but okay... kids certainly won't.

Customers are people, too.

I say WOW to you too!

I can assure you of the following:

1. Customers call and request redelivery all the time and they want you to come back right this second and do not care that you are 10 miles away and have other deliveries and pick-ups.

2. People who work at home and get deliveries every day and do not EVER shovel. I really hope their homeowners insurance is paid up.

3. Customer service calls the delivery person to let them know that customer x is on the phone and wants to know why the package has not been delivered since they know it is on the truck.

4. People are cranky if they have to sign for something and they are cranky if they don't have to sign. That is determined by the shipper, not your poor driver.

5. The people who have to arrange for redelivery because the driver cannot leave your "wine of the month" club shipment with your minor child are often quite unhappy and let the driver know it.

Trust me.....this is a very mild representation of what my Fed Ex driver dh deals with every day. It was even more fun when drivers were charged for "stolen" packages. I so enjoyed having to cut my budget because people were claiming packages were stolen when they were delivered.

I have worked in customer service quite a bit and I try real hard not to be
"that customer" and so does my husband. It is frustrating, when other people are not so understanding and are rather demanding. Spend a day with him, trust me.....it's eye opening.

 

[dzorn]

I'm a USPS employee, and really the best way to get your package delivered the way you want, is to communicate what you want best you can. I always try to follow any requests I get, like 'put in breezeway' 'don't leave at step', 'leave tomorrow' whatever.

It's impossible to read everyone's minds. One person might get mad that you left a package, the next person might get mad if you left notice for them to go pick it up

When I've had apartments to deliver to, I had to leave notices, if it won't fit in the often tiny mailboxes. You can't just leave them out, because they often get taken. It's not an offense to apartment dwellers (I was one) but it's reality.

Well I'd be happy if he rang the bell or at least knocked. Ours package of electronic items were left on the side of the house in the pouring rain. I purposely stayed home so I would not have to worry about them turning up missing or getting soaked. Doubt if a passerby could have seen it but the only way I could have was getting in my car and backing out the driveway. We also have a dog that barks when the mailman comes and even she missed it. So I looked on line to see when it was delivered though it may have been before we were even up but nope delivered about noon and location said front door. Heck if they would have even left a sticky note I would know to check the side of the house.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

We all realize that the Fed Ex and UPS guys have nothing better to do than come to your house several times to try and deliver a package. They have no other deliveries or pickups except for yours. They would just love to come back after 5 when you are home because they haven't been at work since 6 am and don't have families waiting for them.

They also love when you don't shovel and expect them to deliver your package right to the door.

They also believe you when you say your dog won't hurt a flea and then get bit.

They love when you are tracking your package online and call 17 times and ask why your package has not been delivered yet.

They love shippers who send big ticket items and don't require a signature so they might have to leave a package when they would rather not, but are under pressure to get everything off their truck.

They love when people get cranky at them because certain items require an adult signature and they can't let your kid sign for it.

Maybe next time people might want to give a little consideration to those who make sure they get all their deliveries....especially during the holiday season.

Don't get me wrong, most enjoy their jobs....but they are people too and deserve your consideration.

Well I love it when they ring the bell or knock.

Denise in MI