As home deliveries become more and more popular, many of us are finding ourselves signing for our neighbour’s deliveries. However, could our seemingly harmless actions damage the recipient’s chances of receiving compensation should the package have faults?

Firstly, it is important to note that if you order something from a retailer then your agreement is with the retailer as opposed to any third party used during the delivery process. In other words, if something goes wrong in the delivery process then it is generally the responsibility of the retailer to resolve. Usually, a retailer will state that it is their responsibility up until the parcel is signed for.

If the parcel is signed for by a neighbour how can you prove that was damaged before it reached them?

The answer will depend on whether you allow the company to leave the parcel with a neighbour or not. If you allowed this then the retailer will claim that delivering to them is no different to delivering the item directly to you, which they will use to try to deny you compensation. Although, you still have legal rights and should pursue a replacement for the unsatisfactory goods.

However, if you did not grant permission for a parcel to be left with a neighbour then this can be classed as the seller-breaching contract. This means that the parcel could still be considered as undelivered and therefore still under the vendor’s responsibility.

Any person who is in the position where they may be asked to sign for goods should feel no obligation to do so. In fact, The Royal Mail has set up a scheme where you can request an opt our sticker that can be displayed to let a courier know that this house does not accept deliveries on behalf of their neighbours.

If you’re looking for a delivery service that is both reliable and will exceed your service expectations contact us today to discover more about Speed Couriers.