The customer and the porch pirate? (sounds like a book)
Hi,
A customer claims that the postman left a small, easy-to-post envelope hanging out of their letterbox. Then, "someone" watched the postman, went to the buyer's door, removed the half-hanging item, carefully opened the package, and then re-posted the empty envelope back into the letterbox. The customer hasn't provided any further details about this "someone," even though they might have a door cam.
I have suggested that the postman may have posted the item empty, and it should have been in a Royal Mail official damage bag with a dated letter from the delivery office manager. I have offered a refund.
It seems odd that "someone" would go to the lengths of watching the postman leave the customer's house, then open a tiny grey mail bag and carefully post it through the letterbox. Usually, these "someones" take something and leave ASAP. In my experience, they look for boxes left on doorsteps or open porches.
If this had happened to me, I would have contacted the RM sorting office, checked my door cam, spoken to my neighbours, and contacted the police, as well as the seller. I am reluctant to resend if someone is frequently taking mail from this customer's letterbox. Maybe it`s just a one off? I am happy to refund, though.
Has anyone else experienced letters being taken out of letterboxes? Any suggestions on how to handle this situation?
16 replies
Seller_ZQyopdiwkUHOZ
This just sounds like they're lying, to me. Is there a delivery photo on the tracking? If so, I bet it shows the parcel half way through the letterbox. They may have wanted to claim 'stolen from my porch', but the delivery photo did them in, so they've made this up instead.
Seller_9142Dj5WApWFI
They are contacting the wrong person if there has been a robbery at their home.
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
Has your customer told you they actually do have a door cam ? - if they haven't any proof of what they are saying happened then I would think they are trying it on. Personally I would definitely not resend - they then could have 2 of the items. Refund only if they can prove what they say happened - unless they go on to open an A-z and then they will be refunded anyway.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
I have a vacancy for a fiction writer, please pass on my details!
Seller_nRhZxElkqUPAM
Stolen from Porch seems to be a common tale now.
We had one where the customer insinuated this but the deliver photo showed him in the doorway with a cup of tea lol... and he still persisted to say it wasnt him in his own doorway and wasn't his signature. He wouldnt take responsibility for an unknown person in his own house lol.
Seller_HB2MC8FR8Gmz5
I suggest you provide them a draft written statement as an attachement via message which states "exactly what they have said". Include thier name address etc, perhaps the address it to the local police unit or Royal Mail address, and ask them to sign it as you will then follow this up with Royal Mail and the police. See what happends and act then. Ask them to sign and post it back to you, offer to pay postage costs too.
Seller_l9DWGFvAaJQ2I
I always ask these 'apparent theft' customers that in order to proceed you need a crime reference number.
You are then directly asking them to lie to the police - quite often the package or contents mysteriously appear from behind a porch curtain or from under a flowerpot.
Always quite surprising where things pop up from!
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
mr_happy01: "carefully opened the package, and then re-posted the empty envelope back into the letterbox."
That bit makes no sense. Surely an opportunist thief wouldn't bother posting it back?
On the other hand, it's a bizarre way of attempting to snag a freebie.
Incidentally, I used to get a lot of junk mail sticking half out of my letterbox until I removed the tight brushes on the inside of the slot...
