We’ve all had our fair share of delivery dramas—missing parcels, cryptic 'we missed you' notes when you’ve been home all day, or packages left in places that make you question the courier’s logic (like wedged into the letterbox or tossed over the fence).

But sometimes, what seems like a delivery disaster to one person is just another day in the life of someone else.

That’s precisely what happened to one Aussie, who took to Reddit to vent about their recent experience with courier company Aramex.


The story goes like this: A Melbourne resident received an email from Aramex early Friday morning informing them that their parcel was out for delivery.

Fast forward to Saturday at 5 pm, and the package finally arrived—left in plain sight on the doorstep, visible from the street.


The poster, who was out at a child’s first birthday party, only realised the delivery had happened thanks to an alert from their doorbell camera.

They rushed home to bring the parcel inside, worried a passer-by might snatch it.

To make matters worse, the poster recalled a previous delivery where a double bed was left leaning against their garage in an empty driveway—after midnight, no less!


Frustrated, they asked: 'How are these people still in business?'

Some commenters did agree that leaving a package in full view isn’t ideal. 'Objectively, that is a very conspicuous place to leave a package and easily accessible to any passer-by,' one person wrote.

Another added, 'The only thing that he could have done better was to place it so it couldn't be seen from the street.'

However, the majority of responses were less than sympathetic. Many pointed out that, compared to some of the horror stories out there, this delivery was actually pretty standard—and even careful.

'Wait, what's the complaint here? The delivery guy didn't chuck it onto your porch. You were notified when it was delivered…In a world of absolutely shocking delivery services that often just throw your packages onto a random lawn in your suburb and call that ‘delivered’—I don't see the issue here,' one commenter said.

Another chimed in: 'You just have a chip on your shoulder and expect people to be on your side, never mind you received the delivery, and it was delivered carefully without being thrown; read the company's T&Cs. If you don't like them, use another courier.'

And, of course, the classic Aussie sarcasm made an appearance: 'Thanks for letting us know, Karen!'

Let’s face it—couriers are under more pressure than ever. With the rise of online shopping (especially since the pandemic), delivery drivers are juggling hundreds of parcels a day.

While we all want our packages to be handled with care and left in a safe, hidden spot, the reality is that sometimes, there just isn’t a perfect place to leave a parcel—especially if you’re not home.

Most companies, including Aramex, have policies about where parcels can be left if no one is home.

Some allow you to provide specific instructions, like 'leave behind the pot plant' or 'put in the carport'.

If you’re worried about theft, it’s worth checking if your courier offers options like signature on delivery, parcel lockers, or pick-up points.

To better protect your parcels, consider leaving clear delivery instructions when ordering online and using secure delivery options, such as signature on delivery or collection from a local post office or parcel locker.

Installing a doorbell camera or investing in a parcel box or lockable mailbox can also help prevent theft and ensure your items are safely received.
Have you had a delivery disaster—or a delivery driver who went above and beyond? Do you think this Melbourne local was right to be upset, or was it just a storm in a teacup? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below.

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