Package delivery to apartment office

[Ann]

I would really love everyone's opinion on my apartment complex office.
When packages are delivered to my apartment complex, the courier will sometimes knock on my door but most of the time take the package to the office.  The complex manager will sign for it if needed.  My frustration is that they do NOT notify me when I get packages.  My frustration is that I do not always know when I am getting a package.

I do not order things very often, but occasionally a friend will send a gift or a business will ship a sample.  I became very agitated when I went in to turn in my rent and they informed me I had a package.  My friend had paid extra so that my Christmas gift arrived before the 25th.  It was delivered on the 24th, but I didn't get it until the 30th. I usually turn my rent in with night drop off, so I have no idea when I would have found out about it otherwise.

Is this typical?  Am I supposed to check my apartment office everyday with their abysmal office hours?  If I got a PO Box I'd have to go check it regularly.


They say they have too many deliveries to notify everyone.  They are doing it for our benefit so it won't be stolen.  They say most people track their deliveries.

I feel as though if they sign for my package, then they are taking the responsibility of delivering it to me.  I have asked them NOT to sign for things - I am home most of the day and do not mind it being left at my door or going to the post office to pick up.  I told them I DON'T alway know when I am getting a package.

Thursday they did it again.  I ordered a book and tracking said it was delivered, but they definitely didn't notify me.

Is this typical for apartment complexes?  My friends get notifications.

[bearandmoose]

We lived somewhere that had the same problem.  We stopped at the office every, single day.  It annoyed the staff sufficiently that they started proactively letting us kow when packages arrive.  :)

[NoStacheOhio]

Our last apartment was in a pretty big complex, and most packages went to the office. They'd put a note in our mailbox (I think the mail carrier stopped to pick up notes before delivering for the day). Sometimes there would be a one-day lag, but usually not. The only time we ever had problems was if a package didn't go to the office and got delivered to the wrong apartment, which happened maybe twice in two years (no-name Amazon Prime delivery service).

[ooeei]

No place I've lived has notified people.  In our current apartment we have "parcel pending" delivery lockers that usps, fedex, and ups all use.  It's a system of lockers with a computer terminal that sends you an unlock code to your email when you get a package.  The office won't accept them anymore.  The flip side is, if the package is there longer than 3 days (say you're on vacation), they charge $5/day storage.

[Rural]

For perspective, UPS recently left an overnighted replacement credit card (fraud issue) tied to a tree and flapping in the wind and rain at the foot of our drive a quarter mile down the mountain from the house but in plain view of the public road. No notification there, either, but in their favor, I suppose, they did put the envelope in a plastic bag since it was raining.


Sorry you're having trouble, by the way; I'd be really annoyed, too. Why are the shippers delivering to someone other than the addressee; I think that's the real question in both of our scenarios.

[terran]

UPS and Fedex (I think) have a service you can sign up for (free) that notifies you when packages are scheduled and delivered to your address.

[dalexa1010]

UPS has MY Choice which will send you an email/text anytime a label has been created with your address as the destination.  You can then make arrangements if you need to prior to the delivery date.

[sonjak]

I've lived in a number of apartment complexes and I never know what I'm going to get.  Sometimes packages are delivered via usps and are left in a larger locked metal box by my tiny mailbox (the new place I just moved doesn't have these though).  If it won't fit or a larger box isn't available, I get a note in my mailbox that I have a package and it's delivered to the complex office. 

If via other carrier fedex/ups, it's really a mystery whether they will decide to leave it in front of my door or take to the office.  There doesn't seem to be any rhyme/reason as to which they choose.  And whether I get a note saying they tried to deliver really varies.

The last complex I lived in was very large so I could have the same thing happen that you have - where a package will sit there in the office for a week.  In fact that happened a few months ago.  Very annoying.  New smaller place sends an email bcc to anyone who has a package there.  So nice! (and largely motivated by the small amount of office storage space)

That being said, every complex I've lived has required me to sign a form giving them permission to sign for packages for me (which i have done).  It's not required - if I don't sign, they won't accept it.  I don't know why your complex isn't following this practice.

I like the suggestion made by bearandmoose to (short-term) check every day so they decide it's in their best interest to notify you after all.  :)