Frustrated customers vent their anger at "dumped" and "abandoned" parcels as deliveries ramp up
Angry customers have been venting their frustrations after their parcels being “dumped” or “abandoned” in the wake of an investigation into a rise in problems with deliveries.
It comes after parcel delivery company Evri apologised to customers following concerns that parcels were being dumped, with no attempt to deliver them to customers across the Gosport area earlier this week. This follows reports of numerous parcels going missing - leaving customers without the goods they have ordered.
In some instances good Samaritans have also been finding parcels and reunited them with their owner after finding them left in the incorrect place.
A large number of people have been sharing their experiences, with deliveries to flats among regular problems as a result of parcels being left in communal lobbies instead of being delivered to individual homes “and surprise, surprise, they go walkies” one reader said.
Regular instances have been shared of parcels being left out in the rain, left in alleyways, or messages being received that parcels have been delivered even though they have not - even with customers at home.
Alaina Auckland-Jones was among those who shared her experience and said: “Mine was thrown behind my fence into a puddle and left in the pouring rain. No knock on the door. No email to say it had been delivered. Nothing. Pure chance I saw it through a gap in the fence.”
Jim Lush said: “So many times I’ve been at home and they’ve dumped the parcel in a dustbin, let in on a doorstep or behind a bush and not once did they ring the doorbell.”
Others have reported that other people’s parcels have been left on their doorsteps, and have raised fears that they could be prosecuted for flytipping even though the parcels have never been delivered.
Liz Ayling said: “Me and my partner see parcels left on doorsteps really often we always knock peoples door and 9 out of 10 times they are in.”
Some readers have however defended their regular parcel delivery drivers for going above and beyond when it comes to delivering parcels. Others questioned whether unrealistic delivery targets set for drivers was at the heart of the problem, putting too much pressure on those delivering the parcels.
A previous statement from Evri said: “This is the busiest time of year for parcel deliveries, and demand is higher than ever as volumes double. Our priority is to handle every parcel with care, and we apologise to any customers in the area who have experienced issues.
“We’re looking into cases with our delivery partners in the area, where deliveries do not meet the high standard we expect. Anyone who needs help can get in touch with our dedicated customer service team.”