National: Irish shoppers fume over online deliveries left on doorstep in the rain

Irish consumers and companies have raged online about a recent uptick of online orders being left on doorsteps, leaving them at risk of weather damage or theft.

In a thread on Twitter, Irish shoppers and suppliers alike voiced their concerns and experiences with couriers leaving postal deliveries outside the doors of the intended address.

Irish clothing company Hairy Baby was one of many to discuss their experience with courier issues, saying it is a practice 'we have seen with most courier companies'.

As an online retailer this is a practice we have seen with most courier companies (and we've used loads of them over the years) and are powerless to prevent it, even with a signed for service. The target demands courier companies place on drivers to deliver is a major factor.

— Hairy Baby Irish T-Shirts (@HairyBabyTees) April 2, 2024

Many customers had concerns with Fastway couriers, with Brian Hogan, a digital marketing manager, saying that he has 'started asking suppliers at work to stop using Fastway as they often don't even arrive on site if you don't answer their drivers call in advance, and then you get an attempted delivery email which is untrue.'

Another reply said that Fastway 'are notorious for it around these parts. Usually fired over the fence or left on the gate pillar, often dumped at the wrong address. Will sometimes say they attempted to deliver even though somebody might have been home all day waiting for it.'

An Post seemed to avoid heavy scrutiny in the thread, as the problem seems to lie largely with private couriers and companies.

According to An Post, in instances where the recipient is not at home or able to take the delivery, they will usually leave a notice to the customer to inform them what has happened and give them options including redelivery, or collection in the local mail office. 

Yes, this is sadly becoming more of a common practice.

This Amazon parcel left a few days ago in the pouring rain, completely unattended on a busy street.

Companies do not hold their delivery drivers accountable. I’ve lost several items in this way. No buyer protection. pic.twitter.com/sGlrEgRcIT

— Rosita Apaza Machaca (@SumacQoyllur) April 3, 2024

Amazon seemed to be one of many companies under the spotlight of shoppers, as an unhappy customer said that the company leaving packages unattended at doorsteps is 'sadly becoming more of a common practice'. Another stated that they 'ring the doorbell and drive off all the time'.

Fastway couriers have been contacted for comment on this story.