Wrongly delivered item

[r.smyte]

Hi there,
I was just wondering what the legal position of the following circumstance is;
About 6 weeks ago, I took delivery of an item addressed to my neighbour from DHL (they were not in). I signed for the package and they noted my address. I gave the package to my neighbour, who duly returned it to me as the name on the package was not theirs and did not live at that address. They had not ordered anything and did not know what the package was.
I took the package in and waited for DHL to return and pick up the item. It is now six weeks later with no contact from DHL.
My query is what is my legal position with regards to the package? At what point, if any, can I use/ dispose of the item. Is there any legisaltion that deals with this issue?

Many thanks.

 

[APC RoadLink]

Have you spoke to DHL about the package? If not they be unaware that this parcel needs collecting, though they will probably have to wait for the sender to instruct them to pick it back up. If you have already spoke to them I suggest you follow this up with a letter. Another thing you could do is to see if the details of the sender is on or in the box and contact them. You should only use or dispose of the item with permission of the owner of the goods (the sender most likely). There may be a time frame in the legal sense for the goods to become yours (I don't know the answer). When we have had problems like this (it does happen now and then) we have responded quickly and have resolved the situation within days. I hope this helps Andy

 

[Sharpy]

Write to DHL explaining the situation.

In my experience, when an item is sent to an incorrect address the intended recipient would eventually complain when there parcel hadn't turned up, then we would ship another one to the customer if the value was below a certain threshold. Then if it was worthwhile we would track where the initial parcel was with out courier.

I would say 9 times out of 10, we wouldn't bother chasing it up, but 9 items out of 10 don't carry the financial clout to warrant a hunting operation to find the missing parcel.

It all depends what it is you have in your possession, which I'm guessing you won't know without opening it.

 

[r.smyte]

Thanks for the advice.
I'm reluctant to open the item as I'm not the addressee. However, will write to the address on the DHL sticker- although a real bore... I left it by the front door for weeks wating for them to call and stubbing my toe on it!

 

[Sharpy]

You're doing the right thing, I just wouldn't worry about it.

As I said, from my experience in the industry. Theres a high chance the company won't care about the lost parcel (unless it's gold bullion) and cut their losses.

I'm not encouraging you to take it as your own property, but some might say it's better in your hands than sat on the floor gathering dust in some courier depot in Newmarket.

 

[Eastern]

It's very honest of you to not open or retain the parcel for you own means. If DHL don't do anything about it, you may out of kindness want to write to the address the parcel was meant for, and let them decide what they want to do with it. Some things may not cost a fortune but have great sentimental value for someone.

 

[jackycfd]

I received a parcel from Holland and Barrett, it should be delivered to Italy, however it was wrongly delivered to me. I emailed Holland and barrett's custmer service and told them my mobile number. After one week's waiting, no news, then I ringed them and ask them to collect the parcel. They phoned me back and asked whether this parcel is for Italy, I said yes. However they did not tell when they will collect the parcel. It has been about one month since then. There is still no news. Could I dispose the parcel? Otherwise, how should I deal with the parcel?

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I would open it up, if it is any use to you keep it and deny all knowledge (kidding)

Just write to them, tell them they have 14 days to collect the item then you will dispose of it. Sedn the letter to be signed for (more cost). then in 14 days time if they have not collected or arranged collection, open it up and dispose of it.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I cannot believe this thread.

Is the Uk BUSINESS forums? Just think, that parcel might have been shipped by someone on this list to a very important customer who might lose thousands of pounds of future business because of this.

I once lost a very big potential customer because someone who had seen a ParcelForce truck drive over my parcel, picked it up and then waited 8 weeks before doing anything.

You will feel much better being honest. I once received a wrongly delivered parcel from Viking Stationery. I phoned them straight away and they credited my account by the £140 value of the parcel.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

What can't you believe? Everyone has pretty much said to contact the carrier and tell them to pick their mistake up!

The reality here is that the carrier has screwed up, you contact them, tell them to collect the package and if they can't be bothered then dump it.

What are the other options? There is no way of tracking down the correct person as the details on the package are wrong that has been said. So the ONLY point of cantact is the people who delivered it who looking at this, can't be bothered to do anything about it.


Sure if there is a sender on there then give them a call, but the OP will not get any information from the cariuer due to data protection (and them covering their own backsides).