Note Writers: a Neighbor Has My Package!!!

Updated on June 18, 2013
A.J. asks from Norristown, PA
20 answers

A package I ordered was erroneously delivered (confirmed) to an address down the street on the 11th. The tracking revealed the recipient has not returned the package. The company cannot reimburse me if package is not returned. I don't want to reorder items. The post office is not responsible to retrieve a package delivered to address on label. I scoped out the address and it's an odd doorway with stairwell to upstairs apartment-sort of deserted and hoarderish inside stairway....

I need help wording a nice neighborly note I will send to the address who received the package. They wouldn't know where the package was supposed to go. The package was two lady's medium summer tops which I need because I have no warm weather clothes!!! I would like the recipient to either drop package on my porch (two blocks away and closer than post office) or return to post office. I'd be happy to pick package up but don't want to seem intrusive. And creative and positive ideas on how to word the note? Ideas?

***I feel company was at fault for getting wrong address on my label since I use autofill...but there is the slight chance I typed address wrong...either way, it's up to me to get my package back at this point...but any tips welcome regarding whole scenario.

***Sorry everyone, I forgot to mention, I have knocked on the door a couple of times and will again over weekend, but once the week starts I can't keep it up. It seems like the sort of ground floor door to an apartment upstairs no one will answer. Plus I would way rather get a note from someone than have them at my door. I never open door for strangers personally.

What can I do next?

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Featured Answers

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D..

answers from Miami on

I'd go straight to the door and knock and ask for the package back. They're going to ignore a note...

9 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Walk down and ring the doorbell. Say hey, they accidentally delivered my package here.

Because the fact is a note ain't going to cut it.

7 moms found this helpful

More Answers

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Honestly I wouldn't waste the time or energy on a note. I would just knock on the neighbor's door some evening (while it's still light of course) introduce myself and say, hey, X company said a package was delivered here by mistake, have you seen it? I don't see how that's being intrusive. I hardly ever see my neighbors, we pretty much keep to ourselves, but this kind of thing wouldn't be out of line.

11 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I would print up the tracking information and just go over to the neighbors house and tell them there was an error and that it appears that your package was delivered to them by mistake and you would like your package back.
If it was an honest mistake I am sure they will be happy to fix it.
I really don't see a reason to sneak around, leave notes etc. If you are worried because you don't know the neighbors take someone with you.

10 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I would print my confirmation that it was delivered to a specific address then go knock on the door and ask for my package.

Granted, they may say they never got it, etc. make sure you give them a copy of the delivery confirmation.

If that does not pan out, call your credit card company if you placed the order on credit card, explain the deal. They can resolve with the vendor and you don't get charged if you dispute.

Once we sent steaks to a friend. He did not receive them. The delivery confirmation noted that were left with a neighbor. The neighbor denied receiving the package ( even with confirmation). We did not have to pay per our credit card because it was not delivered to the specified address. We never signed an agreement that it was ok to leave with a neighbor.

Go get your stuff and if that does not work... Call the credit card company and explain what happened and show proof of delivery to wrong address.

Good luck!

9 moms found this helpful
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Z.B.

answers from Toledo on

If you ordered from Amazon or similar site, I would simply click the link "Where's My Stuff?" and follow the instructions telling them that you do not have your package. Don't worry about what the tracking says. Just say you don't have the package.

If there is not similar link, call the 800 number and tell them that you never received the package. If they try to tell you about the tracking, repeat that you placed an order and never received the package.

It's not your responsibility to figure out where the package is, just tell them you haven't received it. More than likely (if you don't tell them you have already tried to figured out where the package is or that you checked the tracking) they will simply apologize and send you a new package. It's really not in their best interest to give you too much hassle. A happy customer is much more important to them.

But if you disagree and really want to contact the neighbor, I think a very simple:

I believe my package was delivered to you by mistake. It was from ___ and contains _______. I would really appreciate it if you could give me a call at _______ so that I can pick up the package.

Thank you!

9 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Nope. NO NOTE. Go over there and knock on the door and ask. I guarantee that note will find the bottom of the trashcan. Print out the proof it was delivered there, just in case.

7 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

The fact is, you did not get what you ordered. You just happen to know the neighbor got it in error. It doesn't matter WHO made the error, the fact is, you paid for items, they did NOT get delivered to your house, so the company you ordered it from should send another after confirming your address. THEY have insurance for this exact issue. Good luck.

6 moms found this helpful

G.W.

answers from Dallas on

March yourself down there and knock on that door! I know its awkward but a note is not what you need to do in this situation. Don't want to do it alone? Then take your hubby or kids....go get your stuff! :-)

5 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Contact the company you ordered from. Have all of your information ready. It doesn't matter whose mistake it is... you tell them that you didn't receive the order that you paid for even though the tracking information says it was delivered. Good customer service will have them send you a new package, and they'll ensure that it's sent to the correct address. You have to INSIST on it.

5 moms found this helpful
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X.Y.

answers from Chicago on

how about the *old fashion* knock on the door?

4 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

A. - I would walk down to the house and knock on the door.

I would also pull up my invoice and order form to make sure **I** did not put in the wrong address....if I did? then it's my bad and can't force the company to do anything.

IF the company got it wrong? doesn't matter if they delivered to the wrong address...they need to ship it to the correct address with no additional charges to me.

If have you gone to the house and knocked on the door and no one answered? Sticky note..."On the 11th a package was inadvertently delivered to your home...please call me at ###-###-#### and let me know when I can come get it."

If that doesn't work?! You have two options...1. reorder the stuff and 2. go the expensive route and send a return receipt letter to the address and then you WILL KNOW they got it.

Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

Take someone with you and go and knock. Good luck getting it back.

Also, if you bought the tops online, you can check where you had it sent to by going to your account history or the receipt they sent to you. That will help see who made the mistake!

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Why can't you just knock on the door and ask them? I had a friend accidentally send the nook I bought from her to the house across the street. I just went over and asked for it.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

Go back and check - did the company make the error or did you make the error? If the company made the error, they are responsible for shipping you your order and then trying to get the original goods shipped back to them. There customer service department can mail them a prepaid label to return it.
If you made the error, you could mail a note to the residence saying that you believe they received your package in error due to an address error. Tell them you will appreciate it if you could pick the package up at their convenience (go with someone) or they could drop it to you or return it to the local post office. Good Luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Years ago a package was delivered to my address and being the procrastinator I am I didn't do anything about it. Later, at a neighborhood potluck the person who ordered the package told me that she just called the company and they sent a new package. She had no difficulty getting a new order.

I, too, suggest that the company from which you ordered the tops needs to resend your order.

As to no one answering the door. Did you try to open it? Many such apartments do not lock the bottom door. If this is a house or building with other apartments, you can knock on another door and say you're trying to reach such and such an apartment and ask when is the best time to do that.

But I'd just call the company, tell them you haven't received the package and ask them to resend it. Let them figure out how to get the first package back. It's such a small thing to a large company and I doubt that they'll even care.

Rhonda. That neighbor and I had a good laugh about how she lives so close to me and we'd never met. Started a casual friendship. I offered to bring her the package. The dress was still sealed in a cellophane package but she said, no she didn't need two. And I planned to send it back but didn't get around to it. Eventually I donated it to Goodwill.

2 moms found this helpful

R.X.

answers from Houston on

Marda P! That neighbor thinks that you are a thief! Did you not get the hint and take her her box after she let on to you???

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I would probably talk to the neighbors and find out who the person is. They may not even know it's been left there. If they are hoarders they may not have even seen it yet.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.L.

answers from Houston on

Until the package is delivered to the customer, the company is responsible for it. They insure their products for just such an occasion as delivery to a wrong address. If they insist that it's up to you to contact a stranger to retrieve what you paid them to bring to your door (Did you pay for shipping?), then you should get your money back until it's settled. Then, re-order, from them or somebody else. Just tell your credit card company that you placed an order and were charged for it but did not receive it, though their records indicate that it was delivered. Period. It's not up to you to investigate this any further or play bounty hunter.

Is there a way that you can go back and look at your confirmed order? I usually get an e-mail with my info, and sometimes I print it from the site.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Sharon on

Sounds like the apt/house is a bit seedy. I would not go alone! Maybe your husband or a friend could go with you? Take a copy of the delivery receipt showing that it was confirmed delivered there. If they deny it, there isn't much you can do to make them give it up. I would then call the credit card company and report the issue, especially if the store you purchased from told you it isn't their responsibility! It most certainly is their responsibility if they delivered to the wrong address! You should be able to get it cleared up that way.
Have you tried asking to speak with a supervisor? I would. If you still don't get anywhere, I would call or email the corporate office. Most companies don't want the negative publicity.

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