‘WE’VE LEFT YOUR PACKAGE SAFE – IN A RUBBISH BIN’
The bizarre and downright ridiculous places where parcels have been left in the run-up to Christmas
IT’S less than a week to go to the big day, which means we’re well and truly in Christmas delivery chaos. It’s thought around 35,000 drivers and couriers will be delivering parcels to houses across the UK in the run-up to Christmas.
But while the majority of people will receive their parcels in perfect condition, not everyone has been so lucky.
And it’s definitely not the most wonderful time of the year if your parcel is left out in the rain.
These are the most usual– and perhaps frustrating – places delivery drivers have left parcels in Wales in the run-up to Christmas.
Thrown over the fence (and then eaten by the dog)
Never mind the dog eating the mail, Leah Flay from Brynmawr found that her parcel – a laptop and Playstation 4 games – had been completely torn apart by her pooch after it had been thrown over the garden fence.
Luckily, she was able to have the products exchanged for new ones.
On a driveway
It’s safe to say Caroline Matthews from New Tredegar was not happy when she found the brand new cot mattress she ordered was left on a driveway in the rain.
Under the car
It’s a good job this didn’t end up getting squashed. Craig James said his parcel was left under his car, despite him being at home. He later drove away and his wife found it lying on the driveway.
Signed for by the wheelie bin When your parcel requires a signature, you expect to be asked for your own, or at least a neighbour’s if you’re not in.
But Hayley Evans from Bridgend was amused to find her parcel had been signed for by none other than the wheelie bin.
Under a recycling bag
Despite asking for the parcel to be left inside the white recycling bag, this box was left on the floor with the bag on top.
By a plant pot
This time it was hidden behind a plant pot. Emma Griffin from Rhondda found her parcel left behind the flowers after asking for it to be left in a “safe place”. She said: “It was clearly visible, so hardly safe.”
Behind a very high light
It took Rhiann Cooper from Bridgend four days to spot the parcel perching on top of an outdoor lamp.
In a black bin on bin day
Finding your parcel in a bin is annoying as it is, but imagine finding one there on bin day.
Luckily Emma Yerbury from Newport managed to rescue the package before it was taken away with the rubbish.
On the doorstep
Louise Buffin-Ashman found her parcel hidden behind a broom and a bucket.
And on the doorstep, again
Teej Drew was told their parcel was left in a “safe place”. That safe place, however, was on his front doorstep. Teej said: “Apparently this is a safe place. Safe from what? Tigers.”
A spokesperson for Hermes said: “We have around 20,000 couriers delivering for us during the busy seasonal period and these kind of incidents are extremely rare. In fact, our successful delivery rate is 99%.
“However, we recognise that these incidents are absolutely unacceptable and when we are made aware we always take immediate action.
“Any customer who has ordered parcels through a retailer should contact them directly about any delivery issue, as is industry practice.
“Consumers sending parcels through the Hermes Send service should contact Hermes via one of its customer service channels – phone or web chat. We would also urge people to make sure they are available to receive deliveries they have ordered or make alternative arrangements either through our app or via the retailer.”
An Amazon spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right.”
She added that customers can nominate a preferred neighbour or select a safe place for delivery on their premises. The firm also has “pickup” locations in selected shops across Wales.