Package stolen off my porch - what now?

[minniecarousel]

So, I half-jokingly posted last evening that someone must have stolen a package off of my porch on Wednsday afternoon. I order low-fat muffins from a site and had a box delivered. UPS said they delivered them on Wed. afternoon. I was gone for a few hours, but there was no box on my porch when I returned home. I have E-mailed and spoken to the business owner and her last E-mail said that she'd call me to see what I want to do next. (UPS siad that since the package didn't require a signature, their job is done - they delivered it.) When I told the business owner, that I should have it sent requiring a signature, she said that is usually more hassle - poeple are raarely home when these boxes are dropped off.

So my question is - is she responsible for replacing the muffins? I don't have them, UPS says that they delivered them. She doesn't recommend signing for them. I'm puzzled to who is responsible here.

She suggested that I check with my neighbors to see if anyone has them. I don't think so - I'm not going around to my neighbors and asking if they took my muffins!

 

[CheshireVal]

That's bad luck, but I'm not really sure anyone is responsible in this case.

You might luck out and get a new shipment of muffins from the business owner, but only if she's feeling nice. I don't think she's under any obligation to replace them.

Personally, I *hate* it when a company requires a signature. My husband and I work full time, so no one is ever home to sign for the package. Then one of us has to take off work to go pick it up.

 

[disykat]

I also prefer no signature for packages (unless they are very expensive items) because it's such a hassle to get the packages once the failure to deliver notes are dropped off. I don't think the owner of the company is at fault in any way.

I don't know how well you know your neighbors, but I would let them know about the theft. You would be doing them a service to let them know there is a thief in the neighborhood and to be watchful. If you find your muffins in the process, all the better.

 

[minniecarousel]

I posted on the neighborhood website - don't know how many people read it though!

UPS is near-by and it wouldn't be too tough for me to stop by there in my errand-running afternoons. But since they're perishible, that's probably why she doen't recommend the signature.

 

[Tinkerbell2002]

I don't think you should have to be out of the muffins/money. I would ask the owner to replace the muffins. If she said no then ask for a refund.
Did you pay for the muffins with a credit card? If you did then you can dispute the item with the credit card company. There is a form on the back of my statement (so maybe on all) or you can just write a letter. I think that you have to call the merchant and tell them that you did not receive the package and request a refund to be put on your credit card.

 

[Minnesota!]

That's bad luck, but I'm not really sure anyone is responsible in this case.

You might luck out and get a new shipment of muffins from the business owner, but only if she's feeling nice. I don't think she's under any obligation to replace them.

Personally, I *hate* it when a company requires a signature. My husband and I work full time, so no one is ever home to sign for the package. Then one of us has to take off work to go pick it up.

Agreed.

 

[Honu]

I would ask the shipper if she will replace it. If not, contact your credit card company. AMEX and some others them have insurance that covers these problems.

 

[PrincessPAC]

Not that this will help you any...but I had something strange happen to me this week & I'm not sure what to think. I do a lot of online shopping, so I think that the UPS & FEDEX guys have come to know me pretty well - even though I'm hardly ever home to receive the packages. Well, I have a car, my husband has a car, and he also has a truck. This means that there is always at least one car (or truck) in our driveway even when no one is home.

Well, I come home a few days ago to find a note on my door from the UPS guy. It says -"in red truck". I was quite confused. My first thought was - I thought UPS drove brown trucks? Then I realized that he was talking about my DH's red truck. I go out to the driveway, and sure enough - there's my package inside of his truck. Not in the bed - but actually inside the truck. This means that the UPS got inside of DH's truck. Do you think that is odd? Am I just overreacting? It's not like he took anything, but I just thought it was kind of strange.

Oh, BTW, I got onto DH for leaving his door unlocked!!!

 

[misskrystal]

I'd consider this the same situation as eBay; the seller has a responsibility to deliver the package to you, meaning physically taking ownership of the items. Since you don't actually have them, they weren't really received by you.

The seller has a contract with the delivery company, so they should be the ones dealing with the lost package (although I'd certainly call them myself to check). As far as packages being signed for, this is to protect the seller, as this insures them and not you.

If your package doesn't turn up, I would fully expect the seller to either replace or refund. It's not your fault the company they chose to send the package with made a mistake.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Not that this will help you any...but I had something strange happen to me this week & I'm not sure what to think. I do a lot of online shopping, so I think that the UPS & FEDEX guys have come to know me pretty well - even though I'm hardly ever home to receive the packages. Well, I have a car, my husband has a car, and he also has a truck. This means that there is always at least one car (or truck) in our driveway even when no one is home.

Well, I come home a few days ago to find a note on my door from the UPS guy. It says -"in red truck". I was quite confused. My first thought was - I thought UPS drove brown trucks? Then I realized that he was talking about my DH's red truck. I go out to the driveway, and sure enough - there's my package inside of his truck. Not in the bed - but actually inside the truck. This means that the UPS got inside of DH's truck. Do you think that is odd? Am I just overreacting? It's not like he took anything, but I just thought it was kind of strange.

Oh, BTW, I got onto DH for leaving his door unlocked!!!

It wouldn't bother me, if the door was open. I would think the driver was worried about leaving it out in the open.

 

[kfeuer]

I've had 2 packages of my own go missing in the past couple of months. I'm sorry but just because the USPS says they delivered it doesn't mean it was. Mistakes happen all the time. I don't know if my package was stolen or misdelivered, but I can't afford to just shrug my shoulders and say "oh well" for a $65 order.

Mine was through a large clothing company, they will reship if they can or refund what I paid. It was all clearance stuff (that I really needed) and I'm willing to bet it's all out of stock by now (I have to wait 3 weeks to get a refund/reship). I was very disappointed not to get it. I really hope there isn't a package thief running around, I order from the Internet all the time and am rarely home when packages are delivered. I honestly don't know what I can do.

 

[java]

Low fat muffin stealer? Once someone opened that baby I bet they would be sending them right back to you!

Didn't she insure them? And ups is responsible in that who is to say they ever delivered them. right?

 

[PrincessPAC]

It wouldn't bother me, if the door was open. I would think the driver was worried about leaving it out in the open.

I know. I figured I was just overreacting. The thing is, this happened on Monday. UPS delivered another package yesterday, but left it on the porch. I'm pretty sure it's the same driver. We've had the same driver for several years. I don't know, I haven't lost any sleep over it , I was just kind of taken off guard.

 

[java]

I know. I figured I was just overreacting. The thing is, this happened on Monday. UPS delivered another package yesterday, but left it on the porch. I'm pretty sure it's the same driver. We've had the same driver for several years. I don't know, I haven't lost any sleep over it , I was just kind of taken off guard.

Was it from some "higher end" type named store? Or electronics? or was it maybe going to rain?
I agree kind of creepy- but probably had a reason for trying to get it under cover. Now if it said in your bedroom- that would be a whole different story!

 

[PrincessPAC]

Was it from some "higher end" type named store? Or electronics? or was it maybe going to rain?
I agree kind of creepy- but probably had a reason for trying to get it under cover. Now if it said in your bedroom- that would be a whole different story!

Well, you know, now that I think about it - it was a very large box. (It had 3 winter coats among other bulky things in it), so maybe he figured it would draw more attention. I never thought about that! OK, makes sense now.

 

[PrincessPAC]

BTW, OP I would like to think that the sender would re-send your order; however, I'm not so sure they're responsible. I hope you get everything straightened out!

 

[JR6ooo4]

That's bad luck, but I'm not really sure anyone is responsible in this case.

You might luck out and get a new shipment of muffins from the business owner, but only if she's feeling nice. I don't think she's under any obligation to replace them.

Personally, I *hate* it when a company requires a signature. My husband and I work full time, so no one is ever home to sign for the package. Then one of us has to take off work to go pick it up.

Was it insured shipping? Probably not since they did not need a sig. You could ask the neighbors if they saw a ups truck. The driver may just be lying about delivering it since there is no proof either way.

I ship to my office always for just those reasons. Someone is always there to sign and it sits safely on my desk if I am gone. I even changed one of my credit cards billing address so paypal will consider my work a verified address.

Mikeeee

 

[RadioNate]

I had that happen last week. The shipper replaced the order. It was all very hassle free but it was also a major million dollar company not a small operation.

I'd actually check with the nearest neighbors expecally if they may have been home during the day. Not to accuse them of stealing but to ask if the package was delivered they by mistake. They may have it and haven't seen you so they are just holding on to it. I once had a Fed Ex for more than a week for one of my neighbors. I feel terribly guilty about it but it wasn't a big priority for me to get it to them.

 

[Towncrier]

Are you certain that UPS didn't drop the package off at the wrong house? That happened to me a few months ago. The UPS website showed that the package had been delivered to my front porch, but when I got home, my DD Sarah informed that that the neighbor a couple of blocks up the street had called and said that there was a package for us on their front porch. Good thing I have honest neighbors.

I hope you find your package!!!

 

[nataliela]

Was it purchased on a credit card?

Don't they usually try to correct stolen items?

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Yeah, I'm laughing about the thief who opened the box of lowfat muffins too!

One time my car got broken into and they tried to steal my stereo, but left Madonnas Immaculate Collection (which was in the stereo) on the floor! I still laugh at that one