This really gets to me too...
I've been waiting for a parcel for two weeks now, after initially being told it would take 3-4 working days. I've made about 3 phonecalls, eventually got it arranged so it would be delivered by courier (after the Royal Fail lived up to their reputation).

When the courier came, however, the exact thing that you describe happened. My flat mate was at home all day and didn't hear any sort of attempt to make a delivery. I arrived home to a card.

Normally I don't mind collecting post 'cause the sorting office is 2 minutes walk from my house, but the DPD depository is in Croydon and I'm supposed to go christmas shopping tonight.

I really don't see what the postie/courier is losing out on just by ringing the doorbell, waiting for 30 seconds, and THEN leaving the card.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:08, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

that would assume they had the package with them

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:09, Reply)

If they didn't have the package
then why would they come to my house?
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:10, Reply)

to give you the card
the package is at the depot, they can't be arsed to carry it, so they deliver you a card
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:13, Reply)

They had the package.
The card said that they attempted a delivery to no avail and left me four options:

Try again tomorrow
Collect it from the depot
Arrange for it to be delivered at a certain time (for a small fee)
Fill in the form notifying the courier of a 'safe place' to leave the package.

I opted for the fourth one. *fingers crossed*
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:16, Reply)

how do you know they had it with them?
if there was no evidence of an attempted delivery then there is no evidence that they had the package with them.

Believe me, it happens. I've been at home, had a card shoved through the door, gone out to collar the postie to be told that they didn't have it.

lazy cunts.

edit: rereading your post, a proper courier/delivery firm may well have had it with them I suppose
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:19, Reply)

Yeah that's it.
Like I said, the postie failed the first time around; it was a courier company. I would have just collected it if it came via Royal Mail.

That post has been edited though so I forgive you.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:28, Reply)

and that they hadn't opened it
and flogged its contents in the pub the night before...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:11, Reply)

I will keep an eye open
for any dodgy geezers in pubs selling under-the-table Stylophones.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:12, Reply)

Nothing says "I don't care"
like giving someone a stylophone for Christmas.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:21, Reply)

It's for me
so nyah.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:28, Reply)

I would have given you mine for free.
Never been used, other than for me to verify what a fucking useless gift it was.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:29, Reply)

Haha I got a Stylophone last birthday and was over the moooon!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:30, Reply)

Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:31, Reply)

You can plug your mp3 player into them nowadays
and play along with your favourite songs.
I did this in the restaurant on my birthday.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:40, Reply)

Wow
I bet you were popular. I annoyed the shit out of my missus after 3 minutes of attempting the riff from 'Son of my Father' by Chicory Tip.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:43, Reply)

The maitre d turned down the restaurant music
and told me to go for it.
I'm not sure how the other diners felt, but I was very happy.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:44, Reply)

I bought one for myself after having a go on my friend's
They are pretty cool, if you're just messing about. I can play 'Greensleeves' like Henry himself.
(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Thu 17 Dec 2009, 11:36, Reply)