Misdelivered package, can I keep it?

[JulieAB]

Edit: I decided I'm just gonna return it. I'll just call up customer service and let them arrange a call tag in case they've already sent a replacement to the customer.

 

[Zac495]

I'd try calling the person it belongs to. You say she lives close. I think it would be wrong to keep it or return it for something you want without trying. I don't think you have to go to a lot of trouble. Call the post office. Does the post office have a forwarding address?

 

[dioxide45]

If we get mail in our mailbox that isn't ours but is a neighbor one or two boxes over, we just stuff their mail in their box. It happens a couple times a year. I suppose if it is a package that was delivered by USPS you could arrange a pickup on the USPS website and write on the package "Wrong Address". Leave it outside your door and they would pick it up and deliver it to the correct address. I am sure you could do something similar for UPS or FexEx.

 

[Talent312]

It's never easy deciding how far you should go to correct another's mistake.

I recently received a duplicate order of gift cards for a regional restaurant.
The restaurant's website was woefully short of contact information.
I drove to the local eatery to fix the error but the manager couldn't care less.

He said, "Sorry. We don't handle issues like that. You need to call corporate."
"Do you have the number?" I asked. "Not on me. You can find it on the net."
I'm thinking, "Screw that. I'll just treat my table to free round on the house."
.

 

[Conan]

Here's the Arizona criminal law; I expect the law is the same in other states:

13-1802. Theft; classification; definitions

A. A person commits theft if, without lawful authority, the person knowingly:

1. Controls property of another with the intent to deprive the other person of such property; or

2. Converts for an unauthorized term or use services or property of another entrusted to the defendant or placed in the defendant's possession for a limited, authorized term or use; or

3. Obtains services or property of another by means of any material misrepresentation with intent to deprive the other person of such property or services; or

4. Comes into control of lost, mislaid or misdelivered property of another under circumstances providing means of inquiry as to the true owner and appropriates such property to the person's own or another's use without reasonable efforts to notify the true owner....
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/01802.htm

 

[Quiet Pine]

Something similar happened to me several years ago. I came home from work to find a bicycle on my front porch, delivered by Fed Ex (maybe UPS?) Turns out my address 1823 Admiral was very close to their 1823 Admiration a few blocks away (changed for privacy reasons). And...1823 Admiration was next door to our best friends at 1825 Admiration. I phoned our friends, who told their neighbors, who came over to pick up the bicycle. No thank you, so my honesty was not appreciated. But I know I did the right thing and felt good about that.

 

[pjrose]

Something similar happened to me several years ago. I came home from work to find a bicycle on my front porch, delivered by Fed Ex (maybe UPS?) Turns out my address 1823 Admiral was very close to their 1823 Admiration a few blocks away (changed for privacy reasons). And...1823 Admiration was next door to our best friends at 1825 Admiration. I phoned our friends, who told their neighbors, who came over to pick up the bicycle. No thank you, so my honesty was not appreciated. But I know I did the right thing and felt good about that.

They didn't say thank you? How very very tacky.

 

[MyShyCooke]

If I were in your situation, I would be tempted to keep it. But then again, you have all the necessary information to get in touch with the real owner and you did the right thing of calling customer service to have the error fixed

 

[DeniseM]

We once ordered a prom dress for my daughter, and it required a signature upon delivery because it was an expensive item. Instead, the mailman left it a couple of blocks away, on the doorstep of a house with a completely different name, street name, and house number. Fortunately, this kind person brought it to our door. We were very grateful!

On a similar note - the last time we went on vacation we had the post office hold our mail for a week and they lost all of it. First they told us they had delivered it, then they tried to tell us we didn't get any mail for the whole week!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Here's the Arizona criminal law;

13-1802. Theft; classification; definitions

A. A person commits theft if, without lawful authority, the person knowingly:

...
4. Comes into control of lost, mislaid or misdelivered property of another under circumstances providing means of inquiry as to the true owner and appropriates such property to the person's own or another's use without reasonable efforts to notify the true owner....
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/01802.htm

I expect the law is the same in other states:

That's how I've always understood it. If you know it's not yours, keeping it is the same as stealing it.

 

[PearlCity]

The mailman midelivered my package witty baby carriers a couple of years ago. My neighbor refused to return it even though the mail lady asked. It caused me call kinds of stress becaise the vendor did not want to send a new one, did not insure it, nothing. I finally had to file a dispute with my credit card company to get new ones sent. It was awful as those carriers cost over a total of over $200.

Anyway karma is good as that neighbor got evicted last thanksgiving.

 

[RX8]

Answer is at the FTC website

We really have two different scenarios that could happen. One is when a company sends merchandise to your name and address and then tries to force you to pay. The example at the FTC website is if someone responds to a free pantyhose ad only to be surprised to receive four pairs of pantyhose and an invoice (this is the best scenario the FTC could come up with?)

For being shipped something to YOUR name and address that you didn't order, the FTC says:

Q. Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered?
A. No. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift.
Q. Must I notify the seller if I keep unordered merchandise without paying for it?
A. You have no legal obligation to notify the seller. However, it is a good idea to write a letter to the company stating that you didn’t order the item and, therefore, you have a legal right to keep it for free. This may discourage the seller from sending you bills or dunning notices, or it may help clear up an honest error. Send your letter by certified mail. Keep the return receipt and a copy of the letter for your records. You may need it later.

The other scenario is a shipping error. The FTC says:

Q. What should I do if the unordered merchandise I received was the result of an honest shipping error?
A. Write the seller and offer to return the merchandise, provided the seller pays for postage and handling. Give the seller a specific and reasonable amount of time (say 30 days) to pick up the merchandise or arrange to have it returned at no expense to you. Tell the seller that you reserve the right to keep the merchandise or dispose of it after the specified time has passed.

I think that you did the right thing - morally and according to the FTC.

 

[RX8]

Answer is at the FTC website

Duplicate post

 

[Sandy VDH]

I have received a package. NOT my name but my address and everything else correct. We had a brand new house and no one has ever lived in that address before. We were stumped as to why our address, but a different name. We were told to just chuck it by the company who sent it. We opened it to find 2 snuggies blanket things in there.

Still scratching my head over how they got our address in the first place.

 

[JulieAB]

I deleted my original post because I already decided to just return it. But what was odd about it is the previous owner hasn't lived here for FIVE years and no one has inquired about the package in 2.5 months, not a letter or anything. I figured she just got a free replacement from the company, hence why I called the company instead. UPS will pick it up with a call tag today.

 

[Beaglemom3]

This happened to me once. It came to my vacation home in Quechee, Vt. I did not know the person or even if it was for a vacation renter in the condo complex. I called the company (J. Peterman) and they told me to place it on the entry way and that they would arranage to have UPS pick it up.

They sent me a $20 gift certificate.

 

[cerralee]

We had a package delivered to a similar address on a near street. This happens about 10 times a year and we also get their mail and packages from time to time. I used to just go drop in on their doorstep or in their mailbox until the last "incident".

The lady called my house and using some very choice words, told me to come get my blankety blank package and she intends to throw all future packages away. We have contacted both the post office, UPS, Fed Ex etc., to try to get this all ironed out but it still happens from time to time. Our house is 9 rear certain st, and theirs is 9 certain st. Rear Certain st is the name of the street.

She cussed me out up down and sideways when I showed up to get my package, the mailman was seen walking down the next street so I dragged him into the mess. He apologized, She wouldn't buy it and I've lost several packages over the last year since the "incident" occurred. I just can't win.

I went online and found out that their true address is 7 Certain st. They will not change the number on the house and I'm just at a loss. Nothing I can do... it stinks.

 

[BocaBum99]

Hmm. Sounds like an interesting way to unload a timeshare. The new PCC. Send a deed to a homeowner with a return post card saying: 1) check here is you want to keep this timeshare. 2) check here is you don't want to keep this timeshare. I'd be willing to bet that some will keep it. LOL.

 

[Passepartout]

Gosh, all I ever get addressed to someone else is junk mail. 'Course darn near all I ever get mailed to me is junk mail too. The bills come electronically, and the payments go the same way. Buster Brown just leaves stuff on the porch and delivers wine.woot to DW's office. No problems.

I can't fathom keeping something that belongs to someone else.

Jim

 

[DebBrown]

We had a package delivered to a similar address on a near street. This happens about 10 times a year and we also get their mail and packages from time to time. I used to just go drop in on their doorstep or in their mailbox until the last "incident".

The lady called my house and using some very choice words, told me to come get my blankety blank package and she intends to throw all future packages away. We have contacted both the post office, UPS, Fed Ex etc., to try to get this all ironed out but it still happens from time to time. Our house is 9 rear certain st, and theirs is 9 certain st. Rear Certain st is the name of the street.

She cussed me out up down and sideways when I showed up to get my package, the mailman was seen walking down the next street so I dragged him into the mess. He apologized, She wouldn't buy it and I've lost several packages over the last year since the "incident" occurred. I just can't win.

I went online and found out that their true address is 7 Certain st. They will not change the number on the house and I'm just at a loss. Nothing I can do... it stinks.

OK... you win the award for crazy neighbors. I guess it is your fault, eh?

We have quite a few mis-deliveries. My daughter ordered a crockpot as a Christmas present from Target. They shipped a bedding set even though the shipment manifest says "crockpot". Target was stumped on how to take care of this. Obviously, she cannot return a crockpot. Try not to deal with a company that can't fix their customer service problems.

A couple of months ago I ordered something from an international seller. USPS left a note on my door saying I had to come in, pick it up and sign for it. I tried to get it redelivered but they refused because of the international type of shipping. I drive down to the post office and they can't find the item. When I get home, I find it on my porch - no signature.

We still get Christmas cards for people who lived here before us. We've been here since 1990.

Deb

 

[Ken555]

I can't fathom keeping something that belongs to someone else.

Exactly. I'm really quite amazed at this thread and what it says about our society.

 

[heathpack]

Our brother-in-law lives in a town with funny street names. His address is 123 45th st SW. There is also a 123 45th st SE.

On two occassions, we have sent Christmas packages to their address which they never received, presumably delivered to the SE folks instead. This included wrapped gifts for the entire family of 5, home-baked goods, gift cards and, one year, premium steaks.

We were absolutely shocked that the SE folks kept the Christmas gifts not once but twice. I guess we are naive.

Dont know what the issue is that the OP posted about, as he/she deleted the scenario before I had a chance to read it. But if anyone out there gets a mis-directed package of children's Christmas gifts, I urge you- don't be like the SE people. We really dont appreciate them at all!

H

 

[wackymother]

It is pretty shocking. The crazy screaming neighbor is especially horrifying.

We have relatives who lived in a very crime-prone apartment building and they got a post office box, and all their mail went there. I know it seems silly to have to do this, but that neighbor sounds pretty scary.

Also I think you can ask your post office not to deliver any package without a release signature, and you can ask UPS and Fedex to do this, too.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Our brother-in-law lives in a town with funny street names. His address is 123 45th st SW. There is also a 123 45th st SE.


H

By any chance do they live in Calgary? Streets are patterned in a very specific number street and ave with Quadrants.

 

[pjrose]

The mailman midelivered my package witty baby carriers a couple of years ago. My neighbor refused to return it even though the mail lady asked. It caused me call kinds of stress becaise the vendor did not want to send a new one, did not insure it, nothing. I finally had to file a dispute with my credit card company to get new ones sent. It was awful as those carriers cost over a total of over $200.

Anyway karma is good as that neighbor got evicted last thanksgiving.

What a POS.

We had a package delivered to a similar address on a near street. This happens about 10 times a year and we also get their mail and packages from time to time. I used to just go drop in on their doorstep or in their mailbox until the last "incident".

The lady called my house and using some very choice words, told me to come get my blankety blank package and she intends to throw all future packages away. . . .

She cussed me out up down and sideways when I showed up to get my package, the mailman was seen walking down the next street so I dragged him into the mess. He apologized, She wouldn't buy it and I've lost several packages over the last year since the "incident" occurred. I just can't win.
. . .

And another POS. Not what I could consider a "lady"!

What is WITH people? Didn't she recognize that you returned HER packages and mail?

It's happened to us a few times too; no biggie, we or they redeliver.

Once when we had a TS in a rental pool, we got a check for our TS rental and attached to it was someone else's check. No problem, I wrote out an envelope and note to the other people and mailed it to them along with a note, also called the rental pool people to let them know of the error and correction. I got back a very nice note from the people whose check we had forwarded.

What has happened to common courtesy with some people? Oy Vey.