Minor News items - Not worth a thread of their own

[Grumpy Owl]

As someone who works in online retail, this really infuriates me:

 

Urgent warning for every UK household who has a porch at front of house

Quote

 An urgent warning has been issued to every UK household who has a porch - amid a spate of pre Christmas thefts. The total value of parcels stolen has been estimated at £376 MILLION, with Black Friday and the run-up to Christmas the worst periods.

Police forces across the UK are warning shoppers about a rise in “porch piracy”. More than 3.5m UK homes lost at least one delivery to thieves during the 12 months from July 2023 to August 2024, according to figures recently issued by the mailing equipment company Quadient.
“Delivery companies contracted by retailers have to keep a record of delivery failures, but it’s vital that the public is also aware of the volume of thefts so they can try to mitigate the risk,” Gary Winter, the firm’s vice-president of global strategic initiatives, said. “If you live in a flat in London, for instance, there’s a one in three chance you will have a parcel stolen.”

from: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/urgent-warning-every-uk-household-30630896

 

It beats me why so many people order stuff online to be delivered to their home address when they know that no-one will be there, eg they're out at work during the day.

 

The days when the delivery driver would take your parcel back to the depot and try again the next day are long gone. While some delivery companies will still do this, most of the 'big' companies now have such huge volumes of parcels to deal with, that they can ill-afford to have vans returning to the depot with undeliverable parcels, as it adds to the workload for drivers on the following day.

 

It all started during the Covid era, where it became acceptable for delivery drivers to just leave parcels at doorsteps and take a photo, to 'prove delivery' without a signature being required. Some drivers won't even bother knocking the door or ringing the bell now, it has become so ingrained in them.

 

At work, we use DPD and DHL as well as Royal Mail for sending our parcels. Once provided with tracking numbers, recipients have the ability to 'manage' their delivery, by requesting delivery on an alternative date, deliver to a designated neighbour/safeplace, or deliver to a 'pickup point', usually a Post Office or other local retailer. In most cases they'll even let you know when they expect to deliver, so you can make sure you're present to receive that delivery.

 

Many people fail to use these facilities, and then somehow it becomes "our fault" when a parcel is either delivered late, or just left on a doorstep and subsequently stolen.

 

I do think that some people are taking advantage and 'claiming' parcels have been stolen when they actually haven't. That's the "cost of living crisis" for you, I guess.

 

We had someone a while back that tried scamming us this way but they weren't particularly clever about it.

 

They'd ordered something quite expensive from us, I think it was some car clutch kit and flywheel. They claimed they weren't at home when DPD tried to deliver, and the parcel was left on their doorstep. They sent us a message, it was quite lengthy and seemed 'sincere', they apparently "rushed home" after getting the delivery notification from DPD, and the parcel had mysteriously vanished. We had checked the delivery photo and scanned location, and it was some fairly remote property, so not likely someone would have just "walked past and picked it up", especially as the box would have been about 20kg in weight. There was some dispute opened, and luckily for us, eBay sided with us, otherwise we'd have lost around £500.

 

As it happened, the same buyer then contacted us a couple of weeks later, complaining that the clutch and flywheel didn't fit their car, and so would we exchange it for the correct ones . In no uncertain terms, they were politely told to "do one" and we never heard off them again.

 

Unless I'm ordering something large and bulky that I can't take home with me on the bus, I'll order things to be delivered to my work address.

 

Quote

The British Retail Consortium said theft, including porch piracy, costs retailers more than £1.8bn a year. “The run-up to Christmas means a massive increase in the number of deliveries, and porch piracy can have a huge impact on families and households as Christmas gifts disappear,” said Graham Wynn, its assistant director of business and regulation.

“We urge customers to either accept deliveries in person or ensure a secure location for deliveries if they expect to be out.”

My emphasis in bold. It's quite sensible advice, don't have stuff delivered to your home address if you know no-one will be there to receive it.

 

 

 

On a side note, there are also occasions where delivery drivers will make "honest mistakes" and deliver stuff to the wrong address. What also disappoints me is where this will happen, and people will have someone else's delivery arrive at their address, yet won't take the time to 'drop it round' to them.

 

I've had this on a couple of occasions, where I've got home from work in the evening and found some Amazon parcel by my front door. It's clearly not for me, as I don't shop with Amazon. I look at the address label and I can see it's actually for someone in the next block, so I take it round to them, and either leave it at their doorstep, or hand it to them in person.

 

Maybe its just me being a decent human being.

[Grumpy Grapes]

43 minutes ago, Grumpy Owl said:

As someone who works in online retail, this really infuriates me:

 

Urgent warning for every UK household who has a porch at front of house

from: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/urgent-warning-every-uk-household-30630896

 

It beats me why so many people order stuff online to be delivered to their home address when they know that no-one will be there, eg they're out at work during the day.

 

The days when the delivery driver would take your parcel back to the depot and try again the next day are long gone. While some delivery companies will still do this, most of the 'big' companies now have such huge volumes of parcels to deal with, that they can ill-afford to have vans returning to the depot with undeliverable parcels, as it adds to the workload for drivers on the following day.

 

It all started during the Covid era, where it became acceptable for delivery drivers to just leave parcels at doorsteps and take a photo, to 'prove delivery' without a signature being required. Some drivers won't even bother knocking the door or ringing the bell now, it has become so ingrained in them.

 

At work, we use DPD and DHL as well as Royal Mail for sending our parcels. Once provided with tracking numbers, recipients have the ability to 'manage' their delivery, by requesting delivery on an alternative date, deliver to a designated neighbour/safeplace, or deliver to a 'pickup point', usually a Post Office or other local retailer. In most cases they'll even let you know when they expect to deliver, so you can make sure you're present to receive that delivery.

 

Many people fail to use these facilities, and then somehow it becomes "our fault" when a parcel is either delivered late, or just left on a doorstep and subsequently stolen.

 

I do think that some people are taking advantage and 'claiming' parcels have been stolen when they actually haven't. That's the "cost of living crisis" for you, I guess.

 

We had someone a while back that tried scamming us this way but they weren't particularly clever about it.

 

They'd ordered something quite expensive from us, I think it was some car clutch kit and flywheel. They claimed they weren't at home when DPD tried to deliver, and the parcel was left on their doorstep. They sent us a message, it was quite lengthy and seemed 'sincere', they apparently "rushed home" after getting the delivery notification from DPD, and the parcel had mysteriously vanished. We had checked the delivery photo and scanned location, and it was some fairly remote property, so not likely someone would have just "walked past and picked it up", especially as the box would have been about 20kg in weight. There was some dispute opened, and luckily for us, eBay sided with us, otherwise we'd have lost around £500.

 

As it happened, the same buyer then contacted us a couple of weeks later, complaining that the clutch and flywheel didn't fit their car, and so would we exchange it for the correct ones . In no uncertain terms, they were politely told to "do one" and we never heard off them again.

 

Unless I'm ordering something large and bulky that I can't take home with me on the bus, I'll order things to be delivered to my work address.

 

My emphasis in bold. It's quite sensible advice, don't have stuff delivered to your home address if you know no-one will be there to receive it.

 

 

 

On a side note, there are also occasions where delivery drivers will make "honest mistakes" and deliver stuff to the wrong address. What also disappoints me is where this will happen, and people will have someone else's delivery arrive at their address, yet won't take the time to 'drop it round' to them.

 

I've had this on a couple of occasions, where I've got home from work in the evening and found some Amazon parcel by my front door. It's clearly not for me, as I don't shop with Amazon. I look at the address label and I can see it's actually for someone in the next block, so I take it round to them, and either leave it at their doorstep, or hand it to them in person.

 

Maybe its just me being a decent human being.

 

Problem-Reaction-Solution.

 

The 'solution' will be greater monitoring of your doorstep, such as the security door monitors seen on TV in the "Verisure" adverts, fronted by the BBC presenter Angela Scanlon. 

 

In the distant future deliveries will be beamed to you in "Star Trek" fashion. 

[k_j_evans]

2 hours ago, Grumpy Owl said:

As someone who works in online retail, this really infuriates me:

 

Urgent warning for every UK household who has a porch at front of house

from: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/urgent-warning-every-uk-household-30630896

 

It beats me why so many people order stuff online to be delivered to their home address when they know that no-one will be there, eg they're out at work during the day.

 

The days when the delivery driver would take your parcel back to the depot and try again the next day are long gone. While some delivery companies will still do this, most of the 'big' companies now have such huge volumes of parcels to deal with, that they can ill-afford to have vans returning to the depot with undeliverable parcels, as it adds to the workload for drivers on the following day.

 

It all started during the Covid era, where it became acceptable for delivery drivers to just leave parcels at doorsteps and take a photo, to 'prove delivery' without a signature being required. Some drivers won't even bother knocking the door or ringing the bell now, it has become so ingrained in them.

 

At work, we use DPD and DHL as well as Royal Mail for sending our parcels. Once provided with tracking numbers, recipients have the ability to 'manage' their delivery, by requesting delivery on an alternative date, deliver to a designated neighbour/safeplace, or deliver to a 'pickup point', usually a Post Office or other local retailer. In most cases they'll even let you know when they expect to deliver, so you can make sure you're present to receive that delivery.

 

Many people fail to use these facilities, and then somehow it becomes "our fault" when a parcel is either delivered late, or just left on a doorstep and subsequently stolen.

 

I do think that some people are taking advantage and 'claiming' parcels have been stolen when they actually haven't. That's the "cost of living crisis" for you, I guess.

 

We had someone a while back that tried scamming us this way but they weren't particularly clever about it.

 

They'd ordered something quite expensive from us, I think it was some car clutch kit and flywheel. They claimed they weren't at home when DPD tried to deliver, and the parcel was left on their doorstep. They sent us a message, it was quite lengthy and seemed 'sincere', they apparently "rushed home" after getting the delivery notification from DPD, and the parcel had mysteriously vanished. We had checked the delivery photo and scanned location, and it was some fairly remote property, so not likely someone would have just "walked past and picked it up", especially as the box would have been about 20kg in weight. There was some dispute opened, and luckily for us, eBay sided with us, otherwise we'd have lost around £500.

 

As it happened, the same buyer then contacted us a couple of weeks later, complaining that the clutch and flywheel didn't fit their car, and so would we exchange it for the correct ones . In no uncertain terms, they were politely told to "do one" and we never heard off them again.

 

Unless I'm ordering something large and bulky that I can't take home with me on the bus, I'll order things to be delivered to my work address.

 

My emphasis in bold. It's quite sensible advice, don't have stuff delivered to your home address if you know no-one will be there to receive it.

 

 

 

On a side note, there are also occasions where delivery drivers will make "honest mistakes" and deliver stuff to the wrong address. What also disappoints me is where this will happen, and people will have someone else's delivery arrive at their address, yet won't take the time to 'drop it round' to them.

 

I've had this on a couple of occasions, where I've got home from work in the evening and found some Amazon parcel by my front door. It's clearly not for me, as I don't shop with Amazon. I look at the address label and I can see it's actually for someone in the next block, so I take it round to them, and either leave it at their doorstep, or hand it to them in person.

 

Maybe its just me being a decent human being.

Well, I get stuff delivered to safe place as I'm deaf and can't hear the door - otherwise I'd never get anything.

[Tinfoil Hat]

I have a permanent instruction to leave with the neighbour either side of me as there's always one of them in. Yet Evri, who sometimes deliver Amazon orders, always seem to leave my parcels on my doorstep, which is moronic, since I've no front garden - mine's a humble terrace with an open, public footpath in front of my door. Things have, unsurprisingly, gone missing, but more often than not, a neighbour rescues the goods and pushes a note through my letterbox. I wouldn't even order if it was made known beforehand that Evri are involved. 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Tinfoil Hat

[Grumpy Grapes]

High tech vans lower delivery theft, apparently. 

 

"A high-profile UK courier has reported an 82% drop in vehicle and goods theft incidents in high-risk areas with the help of latest security technology from HH Driveright." 

 

"The GM2020 security system auto-immobilises any van left unlocked and unattended for more than 10 seconds, if the driver does not respond to an audible alert. If the vehicle is compatible, it can also auto-lock the van doors." 

 

https://vanfleetworld.co.uk/courier-slashes-theft-incidents-in-high-risk-areas-with-latest-van-tech/

Edited December 22, 2024 by Grumpy Grapes

[Fluke]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14221651/subway-fire-migrant-killer-nyc.html

 

Chilling footage has emerged of cops walking past a woman as she burned to death on a New York City subway while her accused killer watched from a nearby bench.

Disturbing videos show a man identified by the New York Post as Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old migrant from Guatemala, sitting on the platform at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn after he allegedly lit the unnamed passenger on fire as she slept on the F train just before 7.30am on Sunday. 

 

 

This story is more upsetting than the Edinburgh severed head incident. 

 

I don't wtf i have just seen on X (please don't watch it) but it appears to be suspect fanning the flames and a lady just stood up burning to death. People just walking on by air looking (watching). 

 

Something's not right with the video I would love someone to prove to me it's AI or something. I think in the UK people would have jumped in even in London wtf is wrong with Americans or new Yorkers? Wtf is going on over there..

[Mr H]

Just an example to me of degenerate society. We're supposed to be celebrating the son of gods birth, but it's now just a consumerist shit show that's being celebrated.

 

Even in telly, presenters and programs, nothing mentioned about Jesus by them, which is the whole point of this thing.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14222929/perfect-Christmas-Dubai-housewife-stocking-filler-Dior-newborn-baby-tree-Islamic-element.html#

 

EXCLUSIVEMy perfect Christmas as a Dubai housewife: A £200,000 stocking filler, Dior for my newborn baby and a tree with an Islamic element... I'm proof that anything is possible

[Katsika]

39 minutes ago, Mr H said:

Just an example to me of degenerate society. We're supposed to be celebrating the son of gods birth, but it's now just a consumerist shit show that's being celebrated.

 

Even in telly, presenters and programs, nothing mentioned about Jesus by them, which is the whole point of this thing.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14222929/perfect-Christmas-Dubai-housewife-stocking-filler-Dior-newborn-baby-tree-Islamic-element.html#

 

EXCLUSIVEMy perfect Christmas as a Dubai housewife: A £200,000 stocking filler, Dior for my newborn baby and a tree with an Islamic element... I'm proof that anything is possible

I just read that too and this came to mind:

Krishnamurti: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

https://www.wildmind.org/blogs/quote-of-the-month/krishnamurti-measure-of-health

[theo102]

8 hours ago, Fluke said:

Something's not right with the video I would love someone to prove to me it's AI or something. I think in the UK people would have jumped in even in London wtf is wrong with Americans or new Yorkers? Wtf is going on over there..

There have been a lot of people on X commenting how it doesn't feel right. Cops ignoring someone who is on fire doesn't pass my credibility test for what it's worth.

 

The alleged killer was a from Guatemala, and the was a recent report from Guatemala about the Jewish cult Lev Tahor being involved in child trafficking. Child trafficking connects to the "bad alien" story about the ongoing UFO events.

Best guess is that it's a diversion event.

[Fluke]

8 minutes ago, theo102 said:

There have been a lot of people on X commenting how it doesn't feel right. Cops ignoring someone who is on fire doesn't pass my credibility test for what it's worth.

 

The alleged killer was a from Guatemala, and the was a recent report from Guatemala about the Jewish cult Lev Tahor being involved in child trafficking. Child trafficking connects to the "bad alien" story about the ongoing UFO events.

Best guess is that it's a diversion event.

This is the photo that is going around but it hasn't been confirmed I've got some sources from India news and Ghana news but any American or British news is just saying it's a homeless women. Not that it makes it any better. But I assume even if she was homeless she had a name?

 

As sad as it sounds I hope it's not this young women. 

[Fluke]

10 minutes ago, theo102 said:

There have been a lot of people on X commenting how it doesn't feel right. Cops ignoring someone who is on fire doesn't pass my credibility test for what it's worth.

 

That's what I thought I might have to start a thread on this once I've finished work. 

[Mr H]

46 minutes ago, Katsika said:

I just read that too and this came to mind:

Krishnamurti: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

https://www.wildmind.org/blogs/quote-of-the-month/krishnamurti-measure-of-health

Great quote.

 

What Xmas means to me personally. My Xmas message on my X account.

 

"These next days I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

 

This represents an opportunity that resides within all of us.

 

Letting go of the false egoic self & returning to God - where our true nature resides. A re-birthing process via Christ consciousness.

 

God bless you all."

 

[Freaky Dragonfly]

 

[numnuts]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xj9vwe7x1o

 

'Man raped in centre of Brighton, police say.'

 

A 19-year-old man has been raped in the centre of Brighton, according to police. The man was approached by two unknown men near Harry Ramsden's restaurant, in Old Steine, at around 03:30 GMT on Saturday, officers said. He was taken to Steine Lane by the men who then allegedly raped him. Det Insp Sean Booth, from Sussex Police, described it as "a deeply concerning incident". Officers have released images of the two men they want to speak to as Sussex Police continue to appeal for more information.

[SimonTV]

On 12/24/2024 at 9:03 AM, Fluke said:

This is the photo that is going around but it hasn't been confirmed I've got some sources from India news and Ghana news but any American or British news is just saying it's a homeless women. Not that it makes it any better. But I assume even if she was homeless she had a name?

 

As sad as it sounds I hope it's not this young women. 

 

Hopefully this is some sort of gang hit or pay for hire thing because if it is just some crazy person then we have greater problems. Maybe her father ripped someone off or some dumb thing. If it is just a psycho immigrant then we need further introspection

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

On 12/21/2024 at 9:31 PM, Grumpy Grapes said:

 

Problem-Reaction-Solution.

 

The 'solution' will be greater monitoring of your doorstep, such as the security door monitors seen on TV in the "Verisure" adverts, fronted by the BBC presenter Angela Scanlon. 

 

In the distant future deliveries will be beamed to you in "Star Trek" fashion. 

Something about Scanlon that creeps me out a little. Not sure.

 

A bit like that Jay Blades character. He seriously creeps the f**k out of me.

Also Dua Lipa, she creeps the f**k out of me too. I mean she’s got the presence of a backing singer at the most.

 

Have these people done horrendous rituals for fame, and people like me can pick up on it in their bio plasmic field? 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

On 12/24/2024 at 9:16 AM, Mr H said:

Great quote.

 

What Xmas means to me personally. My Xmas message on my X account.

 

"These next days I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

 

This represents an opportunity that resides within all of us.

 

Letting go of the false egoic self & returning to God - where our true nature resides. A re-birthing process via Christ consciousness.

 

God bless you all."

 

That’s nice, and there will be certain people in there who will hate that.

 

I’ve just started on X too, I mean it’s ok, just very political. Had to block a few dodgy followers who instantly added me then kept asking me the same questions day after day in private messages, mainly if I’ve got crypto and do I use telegram or WhatsApp. Dodgy 

[Mr H]

11 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

That’s nice, and there will be certain people in there who will hate that.

 

I’ve just started on X too, I mean it’s ok, just very political. Had to block a few dodgy followers who instantly added me then kept asking me the same questions day after day in private messages, mainly if I’ve got crypto and do I use telegram or WhatsApp. Dodgy 

Yeah it's full of scammers and Elon and Trump worshippers.

 

Haven't tried Blue sky yet, apparently lot of folks moving there 

[lobster]

47 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

That’s nice, and there will be certain people in there who will hate that.

 

I’ve just started on X too, I mean it’s ok, just very political. Had to block a few dodgy followers who instantly added me then kept asking me the same questions day after day in private messages, mainly if I’ve got crypto and do I use telegram or WhatsApp. Dodgy 

That sounds like they want to sell you inappropriate videos, telegram in particular is notorious for that 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

21 minutes ago, lobster said:

That sounds like they want to sell you inappropriate videos, telegram in particular is notorious for that 

I’d better sign up then

[Anti Facts Sir]

1 hour ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

Something about Scanlon that creeps me out a little. Not sure.

She's a BBC lifer, I bet. And seems happy to whore herself out to any old garbage. A supposedly qualified fashion designer but ends up touting brain junk on The One Show.

 

Not surprised if these "celebs" give off bad vibes, I had the....pleasure of being passed on the street last week by Pip Schofield. Looking totally miserable and with his head down (quite right some would say). Felt a massive sense of bad vibes off him as he went by. Did get an inward chuckle at a few people doing a double take...like, was that HIM?

[lobster]

24 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

I’d better sign up then

Perhaps I should have stress just how inappropriate they may be, 5 years in prison inappropriate 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

11 hours ago, Anti Facts Sir said:

She's a BBC lifer, I bet. And seems happy to whore herself out to any old garbage. A supposedly qualified fashion designer but ends up touting brain junk on The One Show.

 

Not surprised if these "celebs" give off bad vibes, I had the....pleasure of being passed on the street last week by Pip Schofield. Looking totally miserable and with his head down (quite right some would say). Felt a massive sense of bad vibes off him as he went by. Did get an inward chuckle at a few people doing a double take...like, was that HIM?

That’s it…. It must be……. The BBC.

Schofield is ITV though, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. Was he all ‘poor me’?

 

Another bbc product who creeps out, seriously creeps me out, is a red haired radio one dj called Jack Shepherd? I get super sinister vibes from this one, like he’s got a dungeon full of toddlers under his house or something. 
 

Shudder 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

11 hours ago, lobster said:

Perhaps I should have stress just how inappropriate they may be, 5 years in prison inappropriate 

Aaah shit, didn’t realise, apologies. 
Im still living in innocent LastOneLeft Land, where stuff like that isn’t on the tip of everyone’s tongues, except when your naming creepy bbc personnel 

[Anti Facts Sir]

2 hours ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

That’s it…. It must be……. The BBC.

Schofield is ITV though, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. Was he all ‘poor me’?

Schofe was discovered by the Beeb...he did Kids TV for years (naturally). 

 

He had his head down and made sure not to talk to the person he was with or make eye contact with anyone.