Grinch steals Christmas gifts delivered to St. John's doorstep

There may be fewer gifts under the Christmas tree for one St. John's family after a package delivered to their home by a courier disappeared from the doorstep.

Ailsa Craig said she received an online notice from United Parcel Service (UPS) just after noon on Monday that a package of Christmas gifts had been delivered to her home.

When Craig arrived home a few hours later, the box was gone. There was just an outline left in the snow on the doorstep. She believes the package was stolen. 

If someone's not home, [the courier] should leave a slip that says to come and pick up the package.- Ailsa Craig

Craig's partner was home when the box was delivered, but did not hear a knock at the door or receive a notice.

Craig said that there should to be a better way to deal with deliveries.

"If someone's not home, [the courier] should leave a slip that says to come and pick up the package."

Craig checked the courier's website to see what could be done, but according to UPS's policy, responsibility for lost packages falls upon the sender rather than the receiver. 

She then contacted the merchant that she ordered from, who is sending the package a second time — this time with Canada Post.

Delivery difficulties

The merchant also told Craig that it often has difficulty with UPS deliveries. 

UPS Canada's terms of conditions and service state that the courier may use "driver release," a "residential delivery service where UPS may, in its sole and unlimited discretion, leave a shipment at a private residence without obtaining a signature."

UPS spokesperson Steven Vitale said that policy is to leave packages at the receiver's home when no one is available to receive it, but the company's drivers are trained to leave packages out of sight and out of the elements. 

"But it's a catch-22," Vitale said.

"Some people don't want their packages left, some say 'why didn't you leave it?'"

Vitale said it is possible, for an additional fee, to require a signature before a package can be delivered. Recipients can also have a package rerouted to a UPS Store or access point, or use the courier's My Choice app. 

He also said Craig did the right thing by reaching out to the merchant.

Vitale said that a claim can then be filed with UPS which will reimburse the merchant for the first $100 of a shipment's value, unless more insurance had been purchased. 

Past issues

Craig said this is not the first time she's had an issue with a package being left on her doorstep.

Her mother sent a Christmas package several years ago that was left outside by a courier and soaked in a heavy rainfall. She rushed home just in time to keep the contents from getting ruined.

"I peeled off the wet cardboard and the packaging inside was just getting wet," Craig said. 

If we all show up and hang out together, it won't ruin Christmas.- Ailsa Craig

Craig has also heard from friends who have had similar issues with couriers, including one person who had an iPad left outside in the rain.

She said that her family is fortunate enough that losing a few presents is just an inconvenience, but not everyone is so lucky.

"If we all show up and hang out together, it won't ruin Christmas."