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by **0cean23** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:22 am

I was expecting a package from Amazon today. It was scheduled to be deliver by UPS and the package status shows that it was delivered and left at front door. When I came home from work the package was gone. Luckily I have a home surveillance camera system. After viewing the DVR with the approximate time the package was delivered, I can see the UPS guy delivering the package to my home. Shortly after, about 20 minutes, a random guy approaches my home and steals my package and mail.

1. Should I report this to my local precinct?

2. Will the shipper(Amazon) reship another item?

3. Are postman suppose to put my mail inside the mail box instead of leaving my regular mail on the floor?

by **tainted-meat** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:26 am

1. Should I report this to my local precinct? - Sure, why not?

2. Will the shipper(Amazon) reship another item? - Have you called Amazon's customer service?

3. Are postman suppose to put my mail inside the mail box instead of leaving my regular mail on the floor? - The postman (USPS) is different from the UPS man and will depend on the terms and conditions of the transaction.

by **livesoft** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:32 am

Of course you report this. In our neighborhood, the police will come to your house. Others in the neighborhood may have reported thefts, too.

by **Johm221122** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:51 am

livesoft wrote:Of course you report this. In our neighborhood, the police will come to your house. Others in the neighborhood may have reported thefts, too.

+1 with pictures from surveillance cameras they may have a good chance of catching him
John

by **0cean23** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:06 am

His face didn't come out clear in the video. But i will file a report tomorrow with the police

by **Mudpuppy** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:31 am

This is becoming a very common issue in many areas. There was even a video of an elementary school kid stealing packages off people's porches in the news earlier this week. The local postmaster has a rule now that the USPS mail carriers are not to leave items if the person is not home (unless the carrier can fit it into a locking mail box). This was somewhat irksome when I had to travel to the post office just to pick up a $30 air filter that the hardware store did not have locally, but could have ordered and shipped directly to me, but I can see the post office's reasoning behind the policy. UPS and FedEx on the other hand will still leave at the door unless a signature is required or they are directed otherwise.

In the future, you might want to sign up for the online accounts provided by UPS and FedEx. These will alert you when a package is coming and you can redirect the package to be held at the customer service center if you are worried about theft. Most of these services are free, although UPS does charge if you want it redirected to a retail store instead of their sorting center ("will call" office). I do this for items of value or items which I can't wait for reshipment.

by **Jerilynn** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:44 am

0cean23 wrote:
I was expecting a package from Amazon today. It was scheduled to be deliver by UPS and the package status shows that it was delivered and left at front door. When I came home from work the package was gone. Luckily I have a home surveillance camera system. After viewing the DVR with the approximate time the package was delivered, I can see the UPS guy delivering the package to my home. Shortly after, about 20 minutes, a random guy approaches my home and steals my package and mail.

2. Will the shipper(Amazon) reship another item?

Yes, call them up. I had an Amazon/UPS delivery that was supposedly delivered to my 'door by porch'. (I have no porch) Normally, it says 'front door'. In any event, there was no package to be found [actually it was 3 different packages, but that's not important.] I drove up and down the street, and there were no packages at any of the neighbor's. I assumed it was delivered to the wrong address and not stolen, but didn't know for sure.
Anyway, I called Amazon, told them the story and they re-shipped all 3 packages, no questions asked. About 5 days later, the packages just showed up on my doorstep. I guess it got delivered to the wrong people and they eventually dropped it off at my house. Called Amazon, told them the story, they sent me email to print return UPS labels at no charge to me and I sent 'em back.

3. Are postman suppose to put my mail inside the mail box instead of leaving my regular mail on the floor?

No idea what they are supposed to do. Was this an inside mailbox? My carrier puts the mail in the mail box (by the street), if it's an item that doesn't fit, she puts it on my front door step.

My UPS driver always rings the doorbell when he drops off. The Fed Ex guy and postal carrier NEVER ring the doorbell or knock, they just set it down and take off.

by **FordBiggs** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:59 am

0cean23 wrote:1. Should I report this to my local precinct?

2. Will the shipper(Amazon) reship another item?

3. Are postman suppose to put my mail inside the mail box instead of leaving my regular mail on the floor?

1 - Yes and it seems like you already plan to file a police report.

2 - Yes! I had the same exact experience (although I wasn't sure if it was theft or just a wrong delivery on UPS) but basically, I ordered an electric heater from Amazon. I signed up for their "mobile service" (you should look into this if you haven't yet) - it's free and you get text messages on your shipment details if it was already shipped or it was already delivered with a time stamp. I got a message saying it was delivered but I did not see anything on our front door/side door. I called Amazon and told them what happened, they said they will "investigate" with UPS etc but for the mean time - they shipped another one at no extra charge. At this point, I was convinced that Amazon is an excellent company. Their customer service is unmatched! Also, I never got the original heater so I was not sure whether it was stolen from our porch or just got delivered to the wrong address (but they decided to keep it).

3 - I'm not so sure about this but I would think so. My mails are always in the mailbox except for boxes etc that are on the floor.

by **flossy21** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:32 am

Most credit card companies offer some kind of short term (30-60) no-loss incurance coverage as well on purchases. I would definitely call Amazon first but, if they refuse to ship again, then I would contact the credit card company.

I would also scoop up some dog poo and put in an Amazon box for your new friend. Maybe you can break him of his habit before he gets caught.

by **Cash** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:37 am

I've read countless stories about this lately. If you can't have packages shipped to your job, then I would recommend having them shipped to your local FedEx or UPS store. Amazon also has a service called "Amazon Locker" in some cities: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/ ... =200689010

by **JW Nearly Retired** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:01 am

We got concerned with mail security long ago. One of our best home improvements was putting in a mail slot through the garage wall. All our mail falls into a big tub. No security worries or need to have someone to pick up the mail when we are away. Cutting that slot through a stucco wall wasn't easy but it was well worth it.

Not big enough for packages though. Mostly the delivery guys at least put them out-of-sight inside the courtyard gate. That's appreciated. :beer

JW

by **dad2000** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:05 am

I have anything valuable shipped to my job.

I did have one item either get stolen or misdelivered with Amazon, value of about $30. After calling them, they reshipped the item to me for free.

by **EthelT** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:54 am

I got a PO Box. It's a good solution for me since the Post office is nearby - no worrying about stolen mail or stopping service when I travel, etc. All I get at my house is flyers and such.

As an aside - I only pick up mail 2 or 3 times a week. I'm not quite sure why folks think they need to receive mail daily! Maybe that would be a good poll - do you really need daily home mail service?

by **NAVigator** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:17 am

The OP had a UPS package stolen. Under normal circumstances, a UPS package cannot be delivered to a USPS PO Box. The exception is the UPS Mail Innovations program; (UPS) Frequently Asked Questions

It is UPS company policy to NOT deliver any package to a USPS mailbox.

Jerry

by **EthelT** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:32 am

"The OP had a UPS package stolen. Under normal circumstances, a UPS package cannot be delivered to a USPS PO Box"

Right but stolen is stolen whether USPS home delivery or UPS. While that doesn't help the OP for this lost package, a PO box might be consideration in future. Most senders will offer shipping options. For example if you list a PO Box as delivery destination on Amazon, they send it FedEx Smartpost.

And there's always the option of having the package sent to the office (for folks who work). Mailorder wine has to be signed for in my state, so I have that sent to my office.

by **Sheepdog** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:36 am

UPS drivers here leave the packages either at the front door or our garage door which is on the side of the house at the rear. They don't always knock which is irksome because when I open the doors later and find packages there, I am surprised. I have never lost any, though.

by **Boglenaut** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:42 am

Sheepdog wrote:UPS drivers here leave the packages either at the front door or our garage door which is on the side of the house at the rear. They don't always knock which is irksome. I have never lost any, however.

Delivery people here used to ring the bell. Then they stopped doing that and just left them on the porch, so even if I was home I wouldn't know it came.

Now it seems it's OK to leave packages in our driveway half way between the house and sidewalk, and no bell ringing.

If it gets any worse, they'll just start leaving them on the tree lawn where the trash collectors can pick them up.

by **linuxuser** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:11 am

This morning one of the morning shows had a story about this very topic.
They showed surveillance videos of the thieves stealing outdoor inflatable decorations, etc.
A woman in TX was arrested based on the video and a tip to the police.

By the way, (18 U.S.C. 1725) says that no one can put anything in your mailbox except the USPS.
Even if your UPS package is small enough to fit inside your mailbox, they are not legally allowed to put it there.

by **ryuns** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:50 pm

JW Nearly Retired wrote:We got concerned with mail security long ago. One of our best home improvements was putting in a mail slot through the garage wall. All our mail falls into a big tub. No security worries or need to have someone to pick up the mail when we are away. Cutting that slot through a stucco wall wasn't easy but it was well worth it.

Not big enough for packages though. Mostly the delivery guys at least put them out-of-sight inside the courtyard gate. That's appreciated.
JW

Mail slot is awesome, but I thought it was only in neighborhoods that have traditionally had slots? It sure is a heck of a lot of work for the mailman who parks at the end of the block and delivers all of the mail on foot to each front door, often in total darkness during the winter (yeah, I'm not sure why he's still working at 7 pm, but it happens). But I certainly don't mind--doesn't work for packages, but at least our USPS guy is pretty cognizant about security and at least keeps the package out of view from the street by tucking it behind the pillar on our porch.

None of this prevents someone from following a UPS truck or just cruising neighborhoods. Besides reporting this SOB, you could talk to your UPS driver, leave a note with instructions (again, if the person witnesses the truck, putting the package around the corner is unlikely to help), or ask a neighbor to grab a package. We do the latter when it's a particularly valuable item. UPS will let provide delivery confirmation, and then we can text our homemaker neighbor to snag the package.

by **runner26** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:03 pm

I had a package delivered from monoprice yesterday via a company I never heard of, NORCO. My spouse saw the guy out the window putting the package down, and went and opened the door to get the package and he was taking a picture of the package on the poarch. We were immediatly sent an e-mail with a picture of the package being delivered. The picture included the legs of my spouse who had just opened the door. This was great service.

by **harikaried** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:12 pm

NAVigator wrote:It is UPS company policy to NOT deliver any package to a USPS mailbox.

I believe the main reason is actually federal regulation that enforces that one entity, USPS, is allowed to use the mailbox:

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/508.htm#1051804

"the receptacles .. may be used only for matter bearing postage.. no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

Some quotes from an about.com article:

The Postal Service is concerned only about public use of its mailboxes, or maintaining what it calls its "mailbox monopoly." Even though consumers purchase mailboxes with money out of their own pockets, the Postal Service is permitted under federal laws to dictate the terms of access to them.

Congress adopted the mailbox restriction in 1934, according to the Government Accountability Office, to "protect postal revenue by preventing delivery of unstamped matter to mailboxes."

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumera ... urself.htm

by **telemark** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:30 pm

harikaried wrote:I believe the main reason is actually federal regulation that enforces that one entity, USPS, is allowed to use the mailbox:

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/508.htm#1051804

"the receptacles .. may be used only for matter bearing postage.. no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

Yes. When I was younger and more active politically I used to help with what they called "lit drops", distributing campaign literature around neighborhoods. They'd always warn us "don't put anything in the mail box, that's against the law."

by **interplanetjanet** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:39 pm

linuxuser wrote:By the way, (18 U.S.C. 1725) says that no one can put anything in your mailbox except the USPS.
Even if your UPS package is small enough to fit inside your mailbox, they are not legally allowed to put it there.

This begs the question: what is considered to be a "mailbox"?

I have a metal box with a lid on an outside wall of my house that mail gets put into. There are no identifying marks on it of any kind, and it looks homemade. If I put another one out there and label one of them "USPS" and the other one "everyone else", does that magically make one into a mailbox and the other not?

Edit: looking up that regulation, I find "...any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter". I doubt mine was "established" or "approved" in any official capacity, but "accepted" seems kind of vague. I guess that means once they condescend to start using it it's their turf.

by **rustymutt** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:46 pm

You have to ask if this should be reported to law enforcement?

by **Mudpuppy** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:02 pm

EthelT wrote:And there's always the option of having the package sent to the office (for folks who work).

My employer does not allow us to receive personal packages or mail at work. I am sure there are other employers with similar policies. It's not always that simple.

by **barnaclebob** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:07 pm

You dont live in Tacoma do you?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50261349/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/#.UNNvDL_-X4Y

by **linuxuser** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:27 pm

I guess UPS driver is under time pressure to deliver each package that they don't leave notices.
Per their website, http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resour ... del5a.html you are suppose to be able to select Will Call to pick the package up at their center.

by **mike143** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:57 pm

I order shoes online and was excited they had been delivered. I got home and no shoes. I call the courier and they noted that if I ever signed a door tag for them to leave a package it was valid for now on. I was basically SOL. I now have everything shipped to my work. Someone is running around in my size 13 Timberlands.

by **JW Nearly Retired** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:05 pm

ryuns wrote: Mail slot is awesome, but I thought it was only in neighborhoods that have traditionally had slots?

Our neighborhood is one of those. The old box was just screwed to the wall next to where I put the slot in.
JW

by **Sidney** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:01 pm

runner26 wrote:I had a package delivered from monoprice yesterday via a company I never heard of, NORCO. My spouse saw the guy out the window putting the package down, and went and opened the door to get the package and he was taking a picture of the package on the poarch. We were immediatly sent an e-mail with a picture of the package being delivered. The picture included the legs of my spouse who had just opened the door. This was great service.

Can't you take a picture of your spouse's legs?

by **runner26** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:19 pm

Sidney wrote:
runner26 wrote:I had a package delivered from monoprice yesterday via a company I never heard of, NORCO. My spouse saw the guy out the window putting the package down, and went and opened the door to get the package and he was taking a picture of the package on the poarch. We were immediatly sent an e-mail with a picture of the package being delivered. The picture included the legs of my spouse who had just opened the door. This was great service.

Can't you take a picture of your spouse's legs?

I can't stop laughing! My frustrating trip to Costco is now forgotten. Thanks.

by **plannerman** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:08 am

On our local news this morning was a video clip from a surveillance camera of a Grinch stealing packages off a porch. The Grinch was an 8-year old little girl--who would have thunk?

plannerman

by **porcupine** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:03 pm

runner26 wrote:
Sidney wrote:
runner26 wrote:I had a package delivered from monoprice yesterday via a company I never heard of, NORCO. My spouse saw the guy out the window putting the package down, and went and opened the door to get the package and he was taking a picture of the package on the poarch. We were immediatly sent an e-mail with a picture of the package being delivered. The picture included the legs of my spouse who had just opened the door. This was great service.

Can't you take a picture of your spouse's legs?

I can't stop laughing! My frustrating trip to Costco is now forgotten. Thanks.

Dang! Sidney beat me to it. I learned a new term earlier today (thanks Groupon, plus silly me that I did not know it previously), and I meant to use it in this context. Boudoir photography!

My frustrating trip to Costco is now forgotten.

I also noticed that a lot of folks appear to have woken up to the fact that the world ain't gonna end today, so presents need to be purchased pronto. Exit ramps off of the local interstate appear to be spilling back onto the interstate (especially those in the vicinity of malls).

- Porcupine

by **mptfan** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:18 pm

JW Nearly Retired wrote:We got concerned with mail security long ago. One of our best home improvements was putting in a mail slot through the garage wall. All our mail falls into a big tub. No security worries or need to have someone to pick up the mail when we are away. Cutting that slot through a stucco wall wasn't easy but it was well worth it.

You must live in an older established neighborhood. In most neighborhoods now, the mailman will not deliver mail to the door (at least that I have seen in Florida), the mailboxes are either on the street, or there are cluster boxes to serve a number of homes. In my neighborhood, all the mailboxes are on the street, and the mailman drives by in his truck and puts the mail in the mailbox without getting up or getting out of the truck. I'm quite sure that if I put a mail slot in my door or anywhere on my house, he would not deliver the mail there.

by **linuxuser** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:45 pm

When I was living in a apartment, I really liked having a locked mailbox.

by **Mudpuppy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:22 pm

linuxuser wrote:When I was living in a apartment, I really liked having a locked mailbox.

You can have locking mailboxes at your house too. It just has to be postmaster-approved, which usually means it has a slot at the top for the mail which drops down into a larger locking box. That way, the carrier does not need a key because he/she just drops the mail into the slot. The size of the slot determines the size of items that can be dropped into the box. Also, small hands might be able to fish around through the slot for items, but it's a lot better than an open box. I have one of these at my house, and about half the neighbors also have locking boxes of many varieties.

by **linuxuser** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:41 pm

I have one of those streetside mailboxes that the builder put in for "free".

I guess I'll have to seriously look around for a locking one.

by **whomever** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:04 pm

FWIW, we put a large plastic trashcan by the garage door and put a sign on it and the gate into the front yard saying 'Packages in Blue Trashcan Please'. It works about 95% of the time - the package is out of sight and out of the rain. Ironically, when it doesn't work is usually during the Xmas season, probably because of temporary and rushed drivers.

It's no real security, of course, but a thief can't just drive by, he has to go to the trouble to walk down the drive and look inside. So far, so good :-)

.

by **Rodc** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:36 pm

whomever wrote:FWIW, we put a large plastic trashcan by the garage door and put a sign on it and the gate into the front yard saying 'Packages in Blue Trashcan Please'. It works about 95% of the time - the package is out of sight and out of the rain. Ironically, when it doesn't work is usually during the Xmas season, probably because of temporary and rushed drivers.

It's no real security, of course, but a thief can't just drive by, he has to go to the trouble to walk down the drive and look inside. So far, so good .

Like protecting your trash from raccoons, it does not have to be critter proof, it just has to be more hassle than raiding your neighbors trash.

by **littlebird** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:03 pm

Surprised no one has cited this yet:
ups-guy-caught-taking-ipad-from-doorstep

http://www.newser.com/story/159748/ups- ... gn=rss_3_2

by **Rodc** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:54 pm

littlebird wrote::oops: Surprised no one has cited this yet:
ups-guy-caught-taking-ipad-from-doorstep

http://www.newser.com/story/159748/ups- ... gn=rss_3_2

Had an iPadMini delivered and the package had nothing I could find that identified what was in the package or even that it came from apple. I figured it was very much on purpose to deter this sort of thing. Good to as recipient got home before I did.

So many people have camera systems that I'm surprised a delivery person would not think of it.

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