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30 June 2017

PARCEL DELIVERIES - AGAIN

Delivery companies are certainly tightening their game. The other day I received a parcel, handed to me by a friendly young man who asked for my full name. The Parcel was addressed to Mrs D but that wasn’t enough for him, he wanted the full Christian name. I told him, but in the same breath I asked why he wanted it. After he had written the full name against the item in his little blue book, he explained. 
Apparently, the system (a new one with his company) is to check the name of whoever takes in the parcel, neighbour or whoever. Surnames are not enough. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we’ll be asked for our date of birth! Seriously though, it makes sense to record the receiver of parcels, it certainly makes life easier for the delivery people.
Proof of delivery is so important these days, with so many crooks trying to get something for nothing. I thought this practice was almost as good as the one where the delivery guy took photographs of the parcel lying inside my porch, but it went against the grain a little. Not sure why except that I’m not one to reveal my name to all and sundry. Something must have happened in my past to make me feel secretive with strangers. Thinking cap at the ready… wish me luck!
Oh, I forgot to mention a casual meeting with the postman. I don’t normally see him or her. This one time I startled Mr Postman by opening the inner door just as he was putting the mail through the letter box in the outer door. There was a whole porch between us but it didn’t stop him offering me a toffee which I accepted with good grace.
How’s that for service? I must tell him next time that I prefer fruit drops.

Valerie

22 comments:

  1. "How’s that for service? I must tell him next time that I prefer fruit drops."

    HA! LOVED that, Valerie!

    I agree with you, it does make sense to record the receiver of parcels because if there is ever a discrepancy about who signed for the parcel, they have proof.

    I live in an apartment building with a 24/7 security door person who not only makes sure that only tenants (and their "signed in" guests) enter the building, but also signs for parcels whenever any of the tenants have deliveries. And I love that because it means we don't have to trek all the way to a post office to pick them up, and then have to carry them home.

    Wishing you a fantastic weekend, my friend!

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  2. I think it's probably a good idea for them to know the people they deliver to. Who knows what hell they go through if a package gets delivered wrong? Besides, you do get premium service if you are on friendlier terms with the regular drivers. Boy, I would hate to be the new guy on the route, in a town full of Butlers or Swansons. ;-)

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  3. Good afternoon, Ron. The system where you live sounds great. Aside from signing for parcels on your behalf it must be great to know that not just anybody can walk in unannounced. Gosh, yes, I remember the time when parcels had to be collected from the post office, or worse the sorting office. Recently, I had to collect a registered letter from the sorting office because I had been out when the postman called and a signature was required. In the end I had to take proof of who I was before the letter was handed over. Pity I couldn't claim for fuel used in the car. What a world we live in, eh?

    Hope you too have a fab weekend. I'm on line early today, keep forgetting it's Friday!

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  4. SJQ, I don't know what or who Butlers and Swansons are. You're right about the problems delivery people face, it's not a job I would like.

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  5. We have a super mail lady, but she's off on Fridays and Saturdays and boy does the service decline.

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  6. That is a good idea to note the name of the person receiving a package.

    Your postman sounds like a very nice person, the postman we had in New Mexico would stop and visit each day as he made the deliveries, such a good person he was.

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  7. I don't know why, but i would find that name thing intrusive too. Like if you were not the intended recipient would you give your real name?

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  8. Oops, did not realize you had comment monitoring on.

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  9. Valerie, in some towns, Mrs. Butler(Brown, Smith, or Swanson etc.) can be any number of people and being relatives, a lot of the extended family live on the same road.

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  10. Well since he is offering treats you might as well let him know what you like. Too funny, Val. Take care.

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  11. Janet, that's perfectly understandable... lol.

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  12. Jimmy, the postman wasn't a regular. In fact, we don't seem to see the same face twice although in years gone by the postman was a 'regular'. Wondering now why it changed.

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  13. Joeh, I think the practice is really intended for people who are taking in someone else's parcel. As for my 'comment monitoring' - it has been on for years, ever since I was bombarded by a lot of anonymous folk plus a lot of stuff I didn't want.

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  14. SJQ, I think our postmen would be confused if there were too may names the same. Of course I could be wrong lol.

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  15. Absolutely, Matt! A girl can't get enough sweeties these days.

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  16. We have our parcels just dropped off. We only sign for certain registered packages. I really don't like the idea of things being left on the doorstep in full view of everyone, and I hope I haven't jinxed myself but have had no problems, yet!

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  17. Hi Denise, neither would I like that system. If no signature is required the delivery guy will leave parcels in my porch but only as a last resort. These days they seem always to want a signature. Fingers crossed for you!

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  18. That's a kind postie you have there! :-) I have always liked our postpeople (we had a woman years ago). My gripe with deliveries is that they keep leaving parcels in one of our bins. The other day one of them left a parcel for my wife in the blue bin. The one we use for paper and plastic. On the day I normally take the bins out! :-) What if I hadn't seen the "missed delivery" card? My wife's parcel would have been carried away with the rest of the rubbish collection.

    Greetings from London.

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  19. I'm glad they are taking more precautions when delivering packages Val, I think it's a good thing.

    I had many an item taken from our appt. when an unscrupulous neighbour decided to pick up a parcel that had been just left at our door. When they aren't insured (as is often the case when they send me review items) there is no signature required etc...

    I like the toffee story!!

    Happy Weekend, it is Canada's 150th birthday today. :-)

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  20. Cuban, leaving parcels in a wheelie bin is disgraceful. Hmmm, you could sue the council if it happened again. Trouble is, proving it!

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  21. Geraldine, there's only one thing for unscrupulous neighbours.... take something of theirs. It would be an ever-ending battle though. Curious to know what a 'review item' is.

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  22. We occasionally have to sign for something, but usually boxes and bigger packages are left on our front steps. I don't always think that's a good thing, but for those who aren't available to sign or have a place for delivery to be left, it seems to work well enough around here. We have an enclosed porch and the door must have been unlocked one time because a delivery company opened it and put a couple boxes inside. Not sure what they were thinking... it's fully enclosed with an actual front door, not the screened type porch. Luckily, our dog wasn't out there at the time. ;)

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