Porch Pirates - Page 4

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I have only had one thing stolen from my porch. It was a shelf for a refrigerator.

When we called the repairman for the fridge, he noticed that a shelf was cracked, so he ordered us a new one and said it would be delivered to our door.

About a week later, it came in a really large 3 by 3 ft box and we discovered he ordered the incorrect shelf. I called and was told a new one would be sent out ASAP.

I was told to put the incorrect one back in the box and they gave me an address to put on the box. They sent me an email and advised me when to put the box out for pick up. I called and said I was not comfortable doing this, but was told to do it anyway.

So on the day of pick up. I put the box on the porch and went in to take a shower. When I checked afterward, the box was gone so I thought it was picked up.

Two days later UPS knocked on our door at night and said they were here for the pick up.

So it appears someone stole the box. A few days after that, I found the address label in our yard. The repair company was not too happy, but I only did as I was told.

Other than that, nothing else has ever been stolen. We pick up the packages almost immediately when delivered and if we aren't home, I call my neighbor who will get the packages for us. We have a security camera.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

No; not in my neighborhood.

LuvmyLab · ‎06-07-2010

Many years ago I was actually on my computer tracking packages and it said they had been delivered. I went down to the front porch but found nothing. I immediately knew someone had stolen my packages. Luckily, the vendors resent me the products so I was not out anything. After that, we got a UPS store mailbox and have all our mail and packages delivered there. Porch pirates will no longer be taking my packages!

Jaynah · ‎03-10-2010

My next door neighbor had 2 packages stolen on the same day, she told me catfood from Chewy, and a pair of size 5 red shoes.

Then two doors up from her, a package was stolen, from a man who owns that

house, I don't know what was in the box. He did havea Ring doorbell, and got

a clear picture of the porch pirate, the guy did not disguise himself, no mask, no sunglasses, etc. . Nothing ever came of it, no one recognized

him. I think they come from far away neighborhoods when they steal.

Jaynah · ‎03-10-2010

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
Not by us. We have a camera that's focused on our front walkway and DH gets an alert whenever someone comes to the door.
Have you seen the videos where the homeowner leaves a boobytrapped package on the porch and it explodes paint all over the thief? It serves them right.

Our local cops here said don't do that, the perp knows where you live

and will come and get revenge.

Citrine1 · ‎03-09-2010

@MoonieBaby wrote:
You bet they are. Philly has as many cockroaches as it has thieves. Last spring I launched myself right onto a guy in the midst of trying to walk off with my delivery. My husband had to intervene JUST SO HE COULD LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY! I guess I took it too far. Fortunately the pirate and I were no worse for the wear.

I live in Philly. No porch pirates here - - or cockroaches.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@beach-mom wrote:
@drizzellla wrote:
We have never had a problem with porch pirates.

And what sticks in my head was an incident during the summer. Our neighbor across the street, went on vacation. While they were away several large packages were delivered. The packages sat by their front door for 4 - 5 days.

I wanted to take the packages and give them to our neighbor when they returned. My husband said to leave them alone. The neighbor had several family members living in the area. And maybe they were going to pick up the packages and I might cause problems if the packages were no longer there.

The packages were rather large so they were clearly visible from the street, if someone was looking to grab them.
@drizzellla - THIS is why I miss QVC's old check policy.

Our neighborhood empties in July. We go away that month too. I have good friends who would help, but they're not here either. Neighbors on both sides are away; one is from Europe and goes to visit family every summer for the whole summer.

I can always hold the mail with USPS, but I can't hold UPS. One summer after trying delivery 3 times and leaving the little yellow slip, they sent my package back to QVC. Of course I couldn't get it back because it was sold out.

I started doing what a helpful CS rep recommended. I ordered an item with a check, and changed it to a credit card shortly before we left to come back.

Now I try not to order anything weeks before we leave or until right before we come back. Once in a while it's hard to resist, and I just hold my breath.

@beach-mom - you can hold or reschedule a UPS delivery with UPS My Choice

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Jaynah wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
Not by us. We have a camera that's focused on our front walkway and DH gets an alert whenever someone comes to the door.
Have you seen the videos where the homeowner leaves a boobytrapped package on the porch and it explodes paint all over the thief? It serves them right.

Our local cops here said don't do that, the perp knows where you live
and will come and get revenge.

I personally wouldn't do it because I don't want to clean up the mess or have a bright, obnoxious color paint on our property. But I do like watching them get "what for" on videos or reels.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

About six months ago, or so, we put a designated delivery box on our front porch for any delivery person (UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon) to put packages in. Unless you were right on the porch one would think it was a seat or maybe a plant stand. Ours is nothing fancy, it's actually a repurposed storage cube w/seat that we used on our patio at one time. They do make delivery boxes like this, though, with locks. They come in lots of assorted sizes and colors to match the house. Ours doesn't have a lock, Most of the time it works fine, unless a driver can't read. I have my Amazon delivery instructions specified for them to use the box but some will still put the package on the porch or on the box. 🤦‍♀️ We've left for a trip here and there and have received delivery notices unexpectedly, for something arriving sooner than it was supposed to, but the packages are in the box when we return. If it's something that really needs to be brought inside we'll ask the neighbor to get it.