Parcel signed for by someone else

LNaed on 22/01/2010 - 14:29
Last edited 23/01/2010 - 01:08

EDIT: My girlfriend and I went out shopping this afternoon and low and behold when we returned the parcel was on our doorstep (in plain sight). No note so I'm not sure if someone in the apartment complex accepted it for us and then left it there or what. I'm going to see what Australia Post says about its investigation and then tell them that the parcel was left on our doorstep in the afternoon (about 6 hours after it was signed for). I'm not sure if it is standard practice in our apartment complex to accept other people's parcels but maybe someone will make a comment over the next few days.

I purchased the HP DV6 from catch of the day (http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/21244) and got the email saying it had been sent a few days ago. Started tracking the delivery at AustPost and when I checked it today I saw that it was listed as having been delivered this morning. Both my girlfriend and I are still on holidays and were home, but no-one knocked on the door. I contacted Australia Post immediately and after a little reluctance on the customer service persons part to accept that we hadn't actually signed for the parcel I filed a non-delivery claim.

We've only recently moved into an apartment complex and I'm concerned that the delivery person has delivered it to another apartment (quite a few of them don't have their numbers displayed and there're no buzzers for the complex). I'm going to go around to my neighbours and see if anyone has "mistakenly" signed for a parcel that wasn't for them or their apartment, and hopefully someone will hand it over. But in the case that they don't though, what are my options? I don't really want to wait until next week to see what Australia Post does, because the delivery driver is unlikely to remember what happened (not even going into the fact that he may have said that we signed for it and taken it for himself).

Does COTD have insurance for their delivery items? Should I contact the police (can't imagine they'll be of much help, they'll just say to contact Australia Post)? Hopefully someone has some advice.

Cheers,
Naed

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Comments

  • pork chop on 22/01/2010 - 16:58
    +2

    I had a similar incident with a printer purchase through COTD whereby I received a collection notice in my letterbox coz we weren't home at the time. Went to collect it at my local Post Office as indicated on the collection notice and the staff couldn't find my item!!. All they could do was gave me the 13xxxx number to call and lodge my case with them. I did that and AusPost took 4 weeks to investigate and in the end all they said was that it was a staff error whom didn't check for ID before handing over the item. Their advice to me was to contact COTD and ask COTD to lodge a claim becoz the responsibility still lies with COTD.

    I emailed COTD and explained my situation. One of the girl (forgot her name now) was very helpful and after a few days, she resent the printer to me so that there is no further delay and this time round, I received it in good order.

    My advice is be patience and keep calling Auspost to find out where they're at with it. It's not until their investigation is completed that you call COTD to lodge a claim for your missing item. I'm sure COTD will do their part to help you.

    cheers…

  • Megan on 22/01/2010 - 17:06

    I had a COtD parcel go missing also, no fault of COTD, all Aust Post. COTD staff sorted it all out most efficiently and politely.

    • POWERevolution on 22/01/2010 - 19:32

      I had a EB Games parcel go missing too as it was Aust Post fault. Aust Post is seem very bad lately, they made mistake after mistakes.

  • Kranbone on 22/01/2010 - 19:09
    +2

    Firstly I hope your issue gets sorted out. I've had similar issues though not with CotD but just a reminder to stay calm and cool as they are only trying to help you. My issue got sorted out so I hope for a similar result for you.

    By the above posts, it seems CotD are generally fairly easy to deal with in this situation which can only mean good things.

  • inherentchoice on 23/01/2010 - 00:39
    +2

    I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain that the eParcels COTD use are signed for on the delivery driver's electronic device with a stylus pen?

    Maybe you can get a copy of that digital signature and print it out on a poster/notice and hang it around your apartment complex or near the letter boxes? I think the heading could be something like, Did you sign for this parcel? If nothing else it would hopefully put some guilt into the mind of the person that 'claimed' your parcel if that's what's happened.

    Also, if Australia Post gives you trouble with giving you a copy of the signature (assuming there was one) then you could possibly take it up with the federal Privacy Commissioner.

    • inherentchoice on 23/01/2010 - 00:44
      +2

      Yeah I just found the info on the Auspost website about eParcels:

      • Upon delivery, a signature is obtained and the parcel scanned
      • If no one is at the delivery address to receive the parcel, a card will be left advising that the parcel can be collected from the nearest post office
      • Delivery status information can be viewed at auspost.com.au/track.
        …
        A signature is also collected on delivery. In most instances it will be displayed on our tracking website.

      http://www.auspost.com.au/BCP/0,1467,CH2041%257EMO19,00.html

    • daydream on 23/01/2010 - 10:23
      +2

      I used those Aust post digital pens to sign for several of my packages. I don't think I would recognise my own signature! ;-)

  • Naed on 23/01/2010 - 01:06
    +1

    Thanks all for your advice. As I just updated in the forum post, the laptop turned up on our doorstep this afternoon. I'd like to say that I kept my cool with everyone involved but really I got a bit fed up with Aust Post. There is very little transparency in their non-delivery investigation process and I was concerned that they'd take a few days to get anywhere with it and by then the laptop would be gone. Whether they contacted the driver at all I couldn't say, but will definitely update with what they say about their investigation process.

    I was pleasantly surprised by COTD's response when I contacted them (as well as the general opinion expressed on here) but shouldn't have been because I've never had any issues with them in the past, just heard much complaining (I've placed over 30 orders and never had this nor any other COTD caused issue). Thanks again for the help/advice.

    • Kranbone on 23/01/2010 - 16:15

      It's good to see you got a pleasant result. I too am dismayed by Australia Post. Sometimes they chuck fragile goods over the fence into my gated property. On one occasion I've had some fragile goods "destroyed" during transit. I was not able to seek reimbursement though.

      Let's hope Australia Post, at least in my area lifts their game.

  • unotang on 03/02/2010 - 04:19

    you have to realize that delivery men aren't rocket scientists. Sometimes if the apartment has a lock on the front, they'll just mark you with an X and leave the parcel on the frontdoor.

    Glad you got your parcel in the end, sounds like someone just accepted the package, figured out who it was for and left it by your door. feel lucky your neighbours are decent blokes.

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