In a time when online shopping is massively popular, and delivery services are busier than ever, it is always best to know what your rights are.
Consumers typically aim for convenience over anything else. They hate going out of their way, doing what they can to make sure the process of receiving what they have ordered is as stress-free and straightforward as possible.
One of the more popular ways of doing just that is nominating a safe place for your parcel. If for whatever reason you are not home to receive it, the deliveryperson can therefore leave it where you designated.
This could be a sheltered area which protects the package from the elements, such as a conservatory or a bin. Sometimes you opt for it to be delivered to one of your trusted neighbours.
But it turns out it may not be in your best interest to do that. Here is everything you need to know.
Which? has uploaded a viral informative video on TikTok that has got people talking.
The consumer champion explained how nominating a safe place or neighbour for your delivery “drastically reduces your rights” if it goes missing. This is due to the fact you will be deemed to have officially received it.
As soon as your parcel is delivered to your safe place or neighbour, it is considered your responsibility. The retailer is only tasked with ensuring that it gets to where it is meant to be and on time.
For example, if your package is stolen from your porch and you did not give permission for it to be there, then the retailer is then liable. So it is up to them to make sure you receive a new one.
While if it gets nicked and you did give permission, then you sadly have to pay for a new one yourself.
If you opt to have your parcel delivered to a shop associated with a delivery company and it goes missing, they ‘may’ be more inclined to help you out. Yet this is not guaranteed.
The Which? expert explains: “We’d recommend never giving the courier these permissions.”
