dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 6, 2014 20:54:22 GMT -5
Two packages were stolen from my porch yesterday. The total value was only about $75, but it sucks anyway. One package was a snazzy ceramic vegetable peeler and the other was my Christmas cards and a 1000-piece round jigsaw puzzle for my friend's birthday.
At least the mystery of what happened to them has been solved. I had noticed that the tracking status of the packages said they had been delivered, but they were not on my porch. I distinctly recall saying to myself, "That's odd." I was going to call about them today and was waiting for business hours on the west coast when I received a visit from a nice county police officer who had one of the boxes, sadly empty. She said it had been found on the lawn of someone a few blocks away whose packages had also been stolen. She was surprised that someone had ventured all the way to the end of the cul-de-sac and then down my long driveway and through the trees to get to my house. We decided whoever did it must have been following the UPS truck and just took a chance. I was actually home at the time and went outside not long after the delivery time noted on the tracking status. I can't decide whether I wish I'd caught them in the act or not. They might have been big and really cranky.
So now I'm bummed. I can reorder everything, but my friend's birthday is next week, and that was the final item of the theme I had selected for her gifts ("things that are round"). I think it will be hard to find a round jigsaw puzzle anywhere around here, and it is unlikely I can get one shipped in time. (She's a really good friend, but I'm not paying to have it shipped overnight. She'd understand--she has excellent YM qualities.)
If they'd stolen the packages I got last week, they might have left the stuff in the box when they discarded it. I can't imagine they would have wanted to keep a Chinese novel and a biography of Richard Feynman. But noooo, they had to take my spiffy ceramic vegetable peeler, my Christmas cards (with dogs on them), and my friend's birthday present. I hope they choke on them.
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milee
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Post by milee on Nov 6, 2014 20:59:02 GMT -5
That stinks. Maybe they'll get a really bad cut from the veggie peeler. Here's to hoping.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Nov 6, 2014 21:05:02 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that. I've had hundreds of packages left on my door step from Amazon. The only time I had a problem was a couple of years ago when a package was stolen and they broke into my shed. I think their great haul was a bag of kitty litter and some type of herbal supplement for one of the cats. The shed had an old lawnmower and a set of nearly bald studded tires for a vehicle I no longer owned. I was kinda irritated that they broke into the shed and didn't bother taking the crap that was in there, since it was slated to go to the anyways. Not surprisingly, they haven't been back to try to steal anything else.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Nov 6, 2014 21:16:35 GMT -5
I'm sad for you, dannylion. Tis the season for this type of theivery.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Nov 7, 2014 8:04:50 GMT -5
I am currently waiting for a delivery from Amazon. The tracking of my order tells me it has been "out for delivery" for the past 2 days. Maybe it will be delivered maybe not....
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Nov 7, 2014 8:30:10 GMT -5
I quit having things delivered to my house for this very reason. Didn't they do a special once on how people followed the UPS trucks and actually caught a UPS guy going back and stealing something he had delivered. Long ago and not worth time to google link.
I had stuff sent to office when I worked, now I have stuff sent to son's office - someone is always there to accept packages...I know this isn't an option for everyone though.
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on Nov 7, 2014 8:58:31 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that danny....
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Nov 7, 2014 9:07:53 GMT -5
I had that happen a few months ago with a delivery from Amazon. It was a $5 power cord for my computer. I think it was stolen from my mailbox (which is a Federal Offense!). A couple of days later, a guy that had just moved in 3 doors down brought it to us, said he found it in his front lawn, both the power cord and the address label. It was a great way to introduce ourselves to the new guy by thanking him!
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Nov 7, 2014 9:09:06 GMT -5
Dang! I'm sorry, Danny.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Nov 7, 2014 9:22:09 GMT -5
Keep wrapping up gross stuff like spoiled foodstuff or dog poop and put it on your porch. Let them steal that.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 7, 2014 10:26:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind thoughts, all.
This is the first time this has happened in the 25 years I've lived here. I'm thinking the perpetrators must have been really stupid or really inexperienced because of the risk factor presented by the cul-de-sac and the long driveway that is actually visible from 3 other houses. Lots of ways to get caught in the act or boxed in and unable to get out. They just got lucky that no one was looking at that particular moment. If they continue their spree with the same rate of recklessness, they will likely be caught before long.
The good news is my friend can't get together for her birthday celebration until next Friday, so it looks like I'll be able to replace the round puzzle in time and complete the theme. I got her a nice ring-shaped copper bird feeder and some pretty round gold earrings, and the round puzzle was the finishing touch on the theme.
I find myself thinking about researching the installation of proximity alarms and surveillance cameras. The package of dog poop is an interesting idea, too, though.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Nov 7, 2014 10:30:17 GMT -5
I don't know. I may have not thought that through completely. It would require one to actually go get the dog poop, put it in a box, and wrap it (while all the time having to smell it). I'm not sure who this punishes more!
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Nov 7, 2014 10:34:34 GMT -5
We have often sent packages to DH's office. I have not been doing it as much of late though.
Time to resume the practice I guess.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 7, 2014 10:53:34 GMT -5
I don't know. I may have not thought that through completely. It would require one to actually go get the dog poop, put it in a box, and wrap it (while all the time having to smell it). I'm not sure who this punishes more!
Yeah, there is that. Maybe I should focus on the alarms and cameras. Less stinky.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Nov 7, 2014 10:55:52 GMT -5
True...but can you see the face of the person when they open it? They hope for something really valuable that they don't have to actually work for and voila! Dog crap!
Priceless!
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Nov 7, 2014 10:57:38 GMT -5
We get packages dropped this way too. We live at the end of a dead end street, and to get onto the porch you need to walk down a steep driveway and through a bush passage.
I guess that the only advantage is that there are only 4 houses down here, 3 with dogs that are walked and 2 of the houses are retirees, so the are home all day. So if an unusual car was lurking around, someone would notice.
Since I'm usually home when packages get dropped, I try to get them in ASAP.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 7, 2014 11:12:43 GMT -5
True...but can you see the face of the person when they open it? They hope for something really valuable that they don't have to actually work for and voila! Dog crap!
Priceless! Priceless, indeed!
I think I shared this in another thread some time ago, but it fits here, too. Back in the early 80s while driving home from work in a big snowstorm, my 1980 Mustang was unable to make it up the snow-covered hill into my neighborhood. So I parked the car and walked the 2 blocks home. Later that evening, I filled a grocery bag with fireplace ashes to assist with traction and went back to my car to see if I could retrieve it. By then, the snow had turned to ice and the ashes were not sufficient to get me up the hill. So, I left the bag in the locked car and went back home. The next day when I went to try again, I discovered that some bozo had broken the passenger-side window and stolen the bag. It was the only thing in the car, so that's all they got. I would have given a lot to see their faces when they opened the bag. They took it with them because it wasn't discarded anywhere around the car or in the neighborhood that I could see. I hope they took it home and opened it in their living room. I hope they didn't look before they dumped it out on the floor.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Nov 7, 2014 11:20:52 GMT -5
True...but can you see the face of the person when they open it? They hope for something really valuable that they don't have to actually work for and voila! Dog crap!
Priceless! Priceless, indeed!
I think I shared this in another thread some time ago, but it fits here, too. Back in the early 80s while driving home from work in a big snowstorm, my 1980 Mustang was unable to make it up the snow-covered hill into my neighborhood. So I parked the car and walked the 2 blocks home. Later that evening, I filled a grocery bag with fireplace ashes to assist with traction and went back to my car to see if I could retrieve it. By then, the snow had turned to ice and the ashes were not sufficient to get me up the hill. So, I left the bag in the locked car and went back home. The next day when I went to try again, I discovered that some bozo had broken the passenger-side window and stolen the bag. It was the only thing in the car, so that's all they got. I would have given a lot to see their faces when they opened the bag. They took it with them because it wasn't discarded anywhere around the car or in the neighborhood that I could see. I hope they took it home and opened it in their living room. I hope they didn't look before they dumped it out on the floor.
Reminds me of the time someone broke into my bossy ladies car in parking lot. They stole a small tote that was on the front seat. It had a banana and a peach in it!!
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Nov 7, 2014 11:28:15 GMT -5
I have most stuff delivered to my office. Mostly because it's usually gifts for DS and he gets home before I do. But we have people leave stuff on our porch all the time. For instance, we'll be gone tonight, but one of our friends is dropping off a drill. He'll just leave it by the door. Or we leave stuff out for other people. My god, I guess I do live in a good neighborhood- despite my crappy neighbors.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Nov 7, 2014 11:34:20 GMT -5
It really frustrates me when delivery people just chuck the package and run without even knocking on the door. Is there any chance Amazon or UPS can reimburse you? It doesn't seem right that you are responsible for the loss when you never even saw the package.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Nov 7, 2014 11:36:25 GMT -5
True...but can you see the face of the person when they open it? They hope for something really valuable that they don't have to actually work for and voila! Dog crap!
Priceless! Priceless, indeed!
I think I shared this in another thread some time ago, but it fits here, too. Back in the early 80s while driving home from work in a big snowstorm, my 1980 Mustang was unable to make it up the snow-covered hill into my neighborhood. So I parked the car and walked the 2 blocks home. Later that evening, I filled a grocery bag with fireplace ashes to assist with traction and went back to my car to see if I could retrieve it. By then, the snow had turned to ice and the ashes were not sufficient to get me up the hill. So, I left the bag in the locked car and went back home. The next day when I went to try again, I discovered that some bozo had broken the passenger-side window and stolen the bag. It was the only thing in the car, so that's all they got. I would have given a lot to see their faces when they opened the bag. They took it with them because it wasn't discarded anywhere around the car or in the neighborhood that I could see. I hope they took it home and opened it in their living room. I hope they didn't look before they dumped it out on the floor.
LOL! Awesome!
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Nov 7, 2014 11:42:24 GMT -5
I once dropped off a Freecycle gift to a man who kept a large dark green plastic tote box behind a large bush near his front porch. The box blended into the bushes and wasn't visible from the street. A perfect place to leave packages.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 7, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -5
Neither of the packages was from Amazon. They were from quite small companies. It is unlikely that they would provide reimbursement unless there was insurance on the packages, which I doubt as that would have been a fee added to the shipping costs, which it wasn't. I guess I could research whether UPS would reimburse on the basis of a police report, which I have due to the empty box having been found at the scene of another theft. I think that is unlikely, though. I would think that once it's on the porch, UPS is no longer responsible for it.
If the packages had come from Amazon, they might actually provide some kind of reimbursement just for the goodwill. Of course, there would always be the possibility that inquiring about a reimbursement might start the serial delivery of unwanted recliners. Or one brown shoe. Probably best not to risk it.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Nov 7, 2014 11:46:59 GMT -5
Did the UPS driver knock on the door or ring the doorbell? If the driver didn't even bother, I would be contacting UPS.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Nov 7, 2014 13:19:33 GMT -5
Many moons ago I worked in a call center and shipped packages to customers. One lady called because she didn't get it. I tracked it and showed it was delivered. I asked her if the note that said "Grand Prix" meant anything to her. She said no. Then she said "Wait! My mom drives a Pontiac Grand Prix!" She went and looked and it was in the car. She was not happy.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Nov 7, 2014 13:54:40 GMT -5
On my way home I saw a lot of packages left on front porches. At the birthday luncheon today I reminded everyone there to not have packages sent to your home because "it's the season!"
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Nov 7, 2014 14:11:46 GMT -5
I order a lot of things online, but only because 1) DH is retired and is home most of the time to receive the packages, or he'll be home shortly; he has no set schedule so no one knows if/when he'll be home; 2) I work only 4 miles from home, so my UPS & FedEx guys deliver to both places; if they know I'm not home they put my packages in the backyard.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Nov 7, 2014 14:20:24 GMT -5
90% of the time, UPS drops at our local post office and THEY deliver it. I refuse to give a physical address if I can get away with it, and will cram my po box number in however I can sneak it in (some sites will reject it on occasion). Others, my porch is pretty well screened by trees and I live in a small town next door to a church. I've been lucky so far.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 7, 2014 19:18:14 GMT -5
So, some good news.
On Wednesday when I discovered that my package was not on the porch even though the tracking info said it had been delivered, I emailed the company to inform that that I did not have my package and to ask if they could institute an inquiry with UPS. After I heard from the police officer and learned that the package had actually been delivered but then almost immediately stolen, I let the company know what I had learned. I got a call this afternoon from UPS about it as the company had contacted them when they got my first message. I gave them the info and the police report number. About an hour ago, I got a call from a very nice lady at the company (Pomegranate) and went over everything again. She said that they would rectify this "unfortunate situation" by replacing my package. How cool is that?
So yay Pomegranate! I haven't heard anything from the email I sent to the other company. That one was only worth about $10, so not really something I'm going to lose any sleep over. But yay Pomegranate!
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Nov 7, 2014 19:37:24 GMT -5
Barack Obamaur UPS guy drops it at the house if someone is there, my wife's work, my work, my co-worker's house. Small town life can be great with things like this.
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