West Seattle Crime Watch: Parcel-protection reminder

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

From Cari:

I live in the Westwood neighborhood and wanted to send a quick note to warn folks who order merchandise from online retailers like Amazon.com. Sometimes, when you select standard shipping options, you don’t get a signature option…so the package is left on your front steps. And, sometimes, someone else helps his or herself to your stuff. I had a package stolen (Wednesday) between 1:30 and 4:30 from my front doorstep, and now instead of the stuff I have been eagerly waiting for, I have a police report number. Just wanted to get the word out to remind folks to be careful – and keep a look out. For me, that meant monitoring my tracking info…and while I missed the delivery by a few hours, I never expected it to be stolen so quickly.

Mike March 6, 2010 (8:14 am)

I don’t know if UPS or FedEx fall under the same regulations as USPS, but stealing USPS items is a Federal crime. Could be beyond the local SPD precinct to handle this.

WSM March 6, 2010 (8:30 am)

If you can, have items shipped to your office. They don’t get stolen AND they don’t get soggy in the rainy months :-)

luckymom30 March 6, 2010 (9:51 am)

I speak from experience, the problem is not Amazon, it is the delivery service whether it be UPS, USPS, Fed Ex. I have had many, many packages stolen and also misdelivered. The stolen packages were delivered by USPS, snd UPS, most by UPS. I have learned to track my packages everyday until the day of delivery. UPS and USPS will not reimburse for any shipping cost, but Amazon, Landsend, Gymboree, Disney will all credit your account and most times if the item is still in stock will ship out another item at no charge. UPS & USPS will have a report on file and you can contact the police and file a police report, but nothing else can be done unless they out right catch the thief. If a package is misdelivered the person who accepts the package now owns your package, there is nothing you can do to get the package back. I have tried many times.

I agree to have your pack sent to your office or find another place to designate where your packages can be dropped off.

I complained so loudly and for so long I got our regular UPS driver back on our route, I also have the direct phone number and cell number of the supervisor at the UPS dispatch office to call in case one of my packages goes missing.

I huge problem we have here in West Seattle is that the houses have the same house number but are not different streets so it is totally confusing to UPS and other delivery persons.

WSM March 6, 2010 (10:01 am)

Never had an issue with or missed packages from ANY carrier having them sent to the office. – UPS is fine and dependable.

Mike March 6, 2010 (11:21 am)

I had computer parts that ended up 4 blocks away. Luckily for me, the older lady that received it on her doorstep looked at the info on the package and called my phone number (it was on the outside of the package) to let me know she had it. When I got there she said she saw the UPS guy walk to 3 doors with the package and then dump it on her doorstep, knock on the door, get in his truck and take off. Best part, not the same street number OR house number. Great job UPS guy! I’d like to extend a note that we have some outstanding neighbors here as well. I’ve taken mail to my neighbors that I’ve gotten in my box on my house.

luckymom30 March 6, 2010 (3:01 pm)

Wow! That is great Mike that you have such a wonderful neighbor who would take the time to call you and let you know they had your package that was misdelivered, wish I could say the same. I have had several pacakge from Disney, and other companies misdelivered to other houses with our same house address but on the wrong street. Each time UPS too no respibility for misdelivering my packages that had the correct name and address, their driver just delivered it to the right address but on the wrong street.

Our regular UPS driver Gordon is wonderful, he is fully aware of the adress being the same but on different streets. We have had UPS driver tell us they don’t even know what street they are on so they just throw a package down and drive away.

My huge problem is not only with the delivery companies not taking responsibility and not training their employees well enough to deliver packages properly, but with the people, my neighbors who keep stolen merchandise that was delivered to their address but has my name or my husbands or daughters name on the billing statement as well as on the front label.

Sue March 6, 2010 (7:58 pm)

My problem with the delivery companies (including USPS) is that they place packages up against my door, in the corner near the hinge. The door opens out. We’ll be home and they won’t ring the bell. So when we look outside and see that there’s a package, the door can’t open because it slams the package against the railing and has no clearance to open (or if it’s a very heavy package, you can’t even budge the door). This is not only a nuisance, but a fire hazard. Fortunately we have 2 other doors to go outside and get it. I’ve complained to management at every delivery service that has done this, and am told “we’ll talk to the drivers” and nothing ever changes. Since they don’t ever ring the bill, we can’t catch them to say something. I hate that I probably have to tape a big note to my door to ask them not to do that.
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I think we need to be speaking to the mail order company as well – asking them to not leave packages without signatures, or at least offer it as an option. I ordered a $700 piece of furniture, and I fully expected to see a note on my door that they’d be back and need a signature. Instead, they leave this huge package (also blocking the door). I called the people that mailed it and complained, asking why on earth they wouldn’t ask for a signature on such an expensive package, and they said “nobody” wants that because it delays receipt. Meanwhile, I live right on Fauntleroy and am lucky it was still there 4 hours later.

Vera March 6, 2010 (10:18 pm)

We had a UPS package opened and left empty right on our front steps. They actually took the time to open it and LEAVE it empty. I think we may have been home even! We live south of Roxbury on 26th SW- Village Green

Busser March 7, 2010 (7:57 am)

This is another shout-out to a great WS neighbor with the same house # as me, on a different street who inadvertently rec’d a package for me. Unfortunate that it ended up 4 streets over (even with a correct label), but I was amazed and delighted to get a call from her saying she had it and would bring it by!! Of course I offered to come get it, but she said she was going out anyway and that was that! So, once again, WS proves itself as having a wonderful neighborly spirit.
But, yes, the delivery services often fall short. Sigh.

Lachlan March 7, 2010 (9:27 am)

If the victim hasn’t already done so, filing a lost claim with the retailer is also appropriate. You’re likely eligible for a refund.

TruthinRock March 7, 2010 (11:43 am)

If you can’t have it mailed to your work, then simply state that you DO NOT wish for the driver to leave it at the door. At the very worst you have to go pick it up. If your willing to wait for delivery to get that great deal, then another day or two shouldn’t be that big a deal to ensure you get what you paid for.

Cari March 8, 2010 (4:45 pm)

I was in no way implying this was Amazon’s fault, and as a former employee, I was not surprised that they quickly offered to send me a replacement order, no questions asked. They sent this one via UPS with one day shipping at no charge. And, it arrived today, safely. I talked to the USPS mail carrier last Friday and he said he didn’t even know if he delivered a package, so my hunch is that the package never made it out of the Post Office. I did also call the Postal Service 800# and file a claim, and they said they would investigate. Their tracking information (which they read to me) showed something suspicious – instead of the package showing being shipped from Amazon’s Nevada distribution center, it showed shipping from ME to ME…I told them this raised a red flag to me, especially since the tracking info I was looking at clearly said something else. Again, I don’t really know if this package was picked off before it got to my door or afterward, but in any event, Amazon took great care of me.

Mayes March 9, 2010 (3:25 pm)

I’m a little late to the party here, but I had 2 packages disappear from my porch last week! I just found this thread while doing some research. I also live in that area (32nd and Holden) and both packages were birthday presents. Luckily, one was from a major retailer (J.Crew) who is tracking the package and will refund my Mom’s money if it’s not found. What an unfortunate thing!

Henrietta March 12, 2010 (6:03 pm)

Last year a package was delivered by FedEX and stolen off our front porch. It was an expensive walker for a handicapped person. How Low

Emily March 24, 2010 (4:16 pm)

I live in the Westwood neighborhood and have had an awful time with USPS mis-delivering my mail. I get my neighbors mail all of the time and often don’t receive mail I know has been sent to me. Does anyone have any advice for this?

Sorry, comment time is over.