We run an online retail business and can tell you that if you don't ask for the item to be left in a safe place then we are responsible for the delivery until it's in your hands... if it's stolen from your doorstep it is up to us to get you a replacement and we then have to attempt a refund for the cost of the item from the delivery company (which is toe curlingly interesting with some couriers).We use RM because even though they're in a bit of a mess, they pay their staff wages and holiday/sick pay and pensions. They also have a mandate to deliver to the whole country rather than cherry pick... something they are currently trying to get out of doing because, they say, they have to compete with Amazon. So the more we, as consumers use Amazon the more chance there will be that that RM will implement the pared down service that they want to be offering. And then Amazon will be able to swoop in to charge whatever they like for something that we currently take for granted.The no-quibble refund does not come out of Amazon's pockets... it come's out of the individual company who are selling through Amazon's pockets. They are an impossible behemoth to get hold of as a seller (about as difficult for a customer).For what purpose than to save ourselves an extra couple of clicks on the phone to find a company other than Amazon to buy from. It doesn't have to be a one stop shop because once it becomes the only shop, pricing and choice will no longer be in our control.Doorstop thieves are around and, by the looks of it, here to stay. The great thing about using Royal Mail is you can ask for a redelivery or collect from them. The great thing about using a smaller company is you can contact them and speak to a human. But don't get me started on companies that use Evri :D
Sarah Watts ● 69d