Delivery Items Being Stolen, Who Is to Blame?

Hi guys.

So I had recently moved home and in the last couple of months some of the deliveries from Australia post have been left on my front door while I’ve been at work and on two separate occasions the packages were not there when I arrived home. The first item was through Amazon and they resent without charge, the second item was not worth the follow up as it was only a few dollars.

I notified Australia post about this on both occasions and advised them to PLEASE leave a letter and I will go pick up the item from the post office after work as I've had items being stolen from my front door. (I live on a busy road where my front door is close to the footpath for everyone to visibly see)

I received a text message today from Australia post letting me know that my item had been delivered to my home address, while I was at work…. Again.

The item being the RM William boots from this recent deal I called the Australia post as soon as I received the text and asked them to please pick the item back up and take it to the Post Office because there was nobody home. They REFUSED because the item was already delivered.

Of course, I arrived home and there was no package at my door. I called Australia post back and explained the situation, the customer service representative said there is nothing they can do, and my best option is to contact the police and report a stolen parcel.

WHAT DO I DO????
WHAT CAN I DO????
WHO DO I CHASE FOR THIS? EBAY? PAYPAL? AUSTRALIA POST?

P.S. The customer service representative told me that the delivery driver is required to take a picture of the item, when it is left on the property in a “safe place” but he did not upload any photo after delivery.

******************************UPDATE**********************************

Followed up with Australia Post and received confirmation today, they will be processing a refund as they have "lost item in transition". I am assuming this means the package never arrived at my doorstep.

Thanks everyone for the information and feeback!

Poll Options expired

  • 299
    Continue to fight Australia Post is my best option
  • 14
    Contacting Paypal is my best option
  • 8
    Contacting Seller on eBay is my best option
  • 176
    You have no chance of getting your boots or money back.

Comments

    • +4

      %95 percent of carrier delivery guys are indian in my area, and they dont knock or ring the bell but i see them on the cctv they just throw the thing next to the door and run back to the van or truck

      Fixed it for you

      • You know the delivery guys in his area?

  • +1

    Delivery Items Being Stolen, Who Is to Blame?

    The thief.

  • Either organise a parcel locker or collect address.

    For stuff that’s already gone missing, I reckon you’re SOL.

    https://auspost.com.au/receiving/alternative-delivery-addres…

  • Can you not just set a honeypot and catch the pr!cks then demand the return of your other stuff?

  • Wow that's so rude that even after you said there is no where safe to leave the item and you want it always taken to post office, they didn't oblige.
    Prior to covid, this didn't use to happen so frequently - delivering without someone there to receive it was like against their policy.

    I agree with some other commenters, you can put the address of the post office as the delivery address.
    I used to do this specifically because my parcels would never be left at the front door, and would instead go to the post office that closed at 5pm, which was useless to me.

    For the current problem, if you have receipt of the previous conversations, and the RM Williams order could have have had one of those "requires signature" or "cannot safe drop" policies on it due to the price. I would be complaining to AusPost that they continually left parcels in an unsafe location even after you notified them of this etc.

    • Prior to covid, this didn't use to happen so frequently - delivering without someone there to receive it was like against their policy

      It was never against their policy (unless a signature was required, in which case leaving without a signature is still against their policy)

  • +5

    The parcel theft happened to us lately. We ordered some stuff on ebay. Australia Post make delivery but we are not at home - so they just leave the thing in front of our porch. Our CCTV caught 2 ladies who walked past, one of them saw there is something at the porch and leisurely walk to the front door to pick up the package and then walk off - in the process looking straight at our CCTV and gave us her finger.

    • Please tell me you reported this and there is a chance of them being apprehended?

    • post the video on facebook please, I beg you! Will end that scumbags social media life and a quick criminal conviction lol!

    • +1

      Absolutely scum. What goes around, comes right back around. Karma will come knocking at her front door one day.

  • +1

    Chase AusPost, create a complaint with AusPost and note the file reference number. AusPost are going to say not their problem, then raise a complaint with the Postal Industry Ombudsman.
    If they fail to secure the parcel and it fails to reach your care, the package is not delivered, they're still liable especially if it's an item that requires a signature (even if they don't collect one anymore due to covid, the protocol there is to divert it to the nearest post office and not just leave it).

    • then raise a complaint with the Postal Industry Ombudsman.

      Don't wait your time.

      If they fail to secure the parcel and it fails to reach your care, the package is not delivered, they're still liable

      No they aren't. Once they deliver it to your house their liability ends.

      especially only if it's an item that requires a signature (even if they don't collect one anymore due to covid, the protocol there is to divert it to the nearest post office and not just leave it).

      I fixed it for you.

      • +2

        Nah fam, that's not how my claim in March via the PIO went down. The agent at AusPost responsible for handling PIO claims admitted liability for failure to deliver the parcels and authorised compensation for the stolen items. Items didn't require signature but had standard tracking.
        The correspondences with PIO dedicated agent at AusPost was all over the phone but the PIO corresponded via email when requested.

  • +1

    Man AusPost the f worst.

    In saying this, you need to start sending your stuff to work instead (if you can)

    • AusPost is one of the the best once you have to deal with Aramex shit.

  • You have provided 4 non-optimal options. The best option is to get a parcellocker (redirected to your nearest post office if you don't have one). No need to lay blame or pointlessly fight anyone.

  • time to get a po box dude

  • You need Mark Rober….watch this and it’s sequel

    https://youtu.be/xoxhDk-hwuo

  • Why would you approach eBay or Paypal regarding items being stolen from your house? Do you think you are entitled to a refund for a domestic issue?

    You should either be installing temporary (or permanent) cameras to catch whoever is doing it… I would be doing that regardless since you live on a busy road.
    In the interim use a free parcel locker or have it sent it to a parcel collect address (your local post office) if it's being sent via Australia Post

    Alternatively, why don't you put in the 'Delivery notes' to leave it elsewhere other than the front door (eg. down the side of the house)

  • Try to check your neighbours porch. In our case the AP always deliver it to the wrong address. I have put bigger house number and I have notified them but no changes.

  • What I do in my area is just go to the nearest post office and have them put you on a list of names that they will not parcel drop to and instead be carded automatically. So when you get parcels, you are carded in your mailbox and then you need to go up to the post office and collect it.

  • +1

    I am really sorry, it is so annoying.

    I would echo a lot of the above - use parcel collect at a local post office. Most around my area are open Sat and Sunday. I would not advocate parcel lockers - I had stuff stolen and it is considered delivered so no recourse.

    Work can be an option but many will not allow you to due to parcel volume - depends on where you work.

    • I've never had stuff stolen from a Parcel Locker before … How on earth did that happen? Unless they use brute force, you need a code to open the locker?

      • curious to know as well..how did they steal from Parcel Locker

      • It was about 3 years ago, and yes, just used a crow bar or something - lots were opened, this time of year…very difficult to get refunded as considered 'delivered' at the time once in the locker. My local LPO is also a tatts agency so open longer hours.

  • -2

    You do not have any contract with Australian Post so Australian Post will ignore whatever you say. Contact you seller, just tell the seller you did not receive the parcel and let the seller to figure out what to do.

    • Parcel has been marked as delivered. Seller has no responsibility for it.

      • -2

        Seller has responsibility to make sure you receive the correct product. If Australian Post delivered it to wrong place and someone else signed, seller needs to talk to Australian Post to resolve the issue. Buyer does not have a contract with Australian Post so Australian Post will not take any act on buyer's behalf.

  • +1

    Delivery Items Being Stolen, Who Is to Blame?

    The thief ?

    • or … in this world… everyone but me.

  • +1

    WHAT DO I DO????

    You…..

    • Create a free MyPost account on the AusPost website.

    • Add the tracking number of the delivery to your tracking list.

    • Redirect the delivery to another address, a post office or a parcel locker.

    https://auspost.com.au/receiving/manage-deliveries-in-transi…

  • +2

    For future, use a AusPost parcel locker. They are free to register and use.

  • I've had many problems with Aus Post over the years.

    They are typical government workers and mindset, nothing is ever their fault, it's always 'someone elses'.

    I had a $1.5k phone, which the poster paid extra to require signature on delivery, just left at my front door (whilst I was home - no doorbell ring, nothing).

    You complain at the Post Office and they'll tell you it's xyz contractors fault, 'we can't do anything'.

    • +1

      Lodge a PIO complaint. Goes through a separate dedicated channel.

      • Great advice! Thanks!

  • I once asked for proof of delivery only to be provided proof it was delivered to another address…. The seller had mislabeled it…

  • Use a Parcel Locker or PO box, only real solution.

    If not, get a camera that's hidden and aiming at the front where the package would be so you can catch whoever steals the packages.

  • Buy a bush or something and put it in front of your door so people can't see if there is packages there or not.

  • I'm buying far more things via Amazon these days for the sole reason of lost and/or slow deliveries from Ebay.

    I can order something on Amazon and it often gets to my house (ACT) the next day (sometimes even under 24 hours).

    And any issues with parcels their customer service is spot on.

  • Had two deliveries stolen on the same day, amazon refunded but uni qlo/auspost didn't.

  • Get a parcel locker.

  • Have you thought about installing a camera? Might help you with evidence especially if there are nefarious posties or neighbours…

  • +6

    Australia Post give me the shits. So many times I find a package on my doorstep that clearly says “signature required on delivery”, but they used the pandemic as an excuse to not even ring the doorbell, let alone get a signature.

    • Always sh!ts me that they won't even ring the doorbell.

      It's then a delivery to the outside world, not to the recipient.

  • -1

    OP's fault. Should have got a parcel locker years ago like the rest of us.

  • Get it delivered to a parcel box or rent a P.O. Box?

  • +1

    Buy a damn huge metal Parcel box, about $200-300, so the Postie can just drop the parcel inside and no one can steal it anymore. It works similar to the Red/Yellow Post boxes, just a bit smaller, but it’s very safe.

  • Did the Aus Post CEO buy a bunch of luxury watches for her colleagues?

    • Nah, stole em off rich people's verandas.

  • -1

    Delivery Items Being Stolen, Who Is to Blame?

    The person who stole them?

  • Stop using your address and use a free parcel locker service.

  • Create an account in Auspost MyPost. (The same website where you sign in to your Parcel Collect).

    On that website you can set it if you want (Leave parcel in a safe place). Untick that box. This will be used for all parcels, not just Parcel Collect.

  • Install a wifi camera at the front door with one of those "smile you are being recorded"
    There is nothing better than a video to fight against these low lives.

    The drivers will know that they cannot fu*k you up, and the courier cannot deny a video.

    Australia Post is the worst service ever, they do not even bother trying the delivery, just put a "nobody home". Sooooooo many times.

    Install the camera before you buy something more expensive. That is also an opportunity to know if it is, in fact, the driver or some naughty neighbour doing this.

  • I'm a seller and recently had a buyer threatened police action for a $50 item. Item was delivered but they said it hadn't been delivered. I Opened an investigation with auspost and case closed stating delivery knows the owner and delivers their mail regularly and stated it was delivered.

    They opened a PayPal dispute and lost.
    I refunded anyway in good favour.
    Some buyers just attack the wrong people these days.

    It is definitely a Australia post and buyer issue.
    If you take it to extreme. Buyer buys a car and seller sells it to the buyer. Orders trailer and they deliver the goods with record. It's totally up with the buyer and the trailer company.

    The sellers only response should be to open investigation and assist the customer where possible..

  • Just occurred to me, who will be at fault if the Australia Post delivers your parcel to a wrong address?

    These days they don’t ask for your signature, so there’s no proof of delivery. In fact they almost left me a parcel intended for someone else today. The same street number but the wrong street. Happened to me at least 3 times this year. Every time I told the driver that they got the wrong address but if I was dishonest, I could have easily accepted these parcels.

    Would PayPal cover this kind of incident?

    Our regular delivery guy is great, super efficient and never delivers a wrong parcel (and hot), but due to holiday season they have deployed additional delivery guy(s)…

  • I had a StarTrack parcel actually stolen by the driver. According to GPS coordinates, the package was delivered to the incorrect suburb. Had a fake signature and everything.

    I managed to contact the contractor and he said he would get the driver to go collect the parcel and redeliver it.

    After no response, i actually went to the incorrect address, and talked to the home owner, and they said that the item was delivered, and they told the driver it was the incorrect address and they took it back.

    So it seems like theres a scam going, where they deliver the parcels, and claim it got stolen by someone else.

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