Fortnum & Mason messed up again?

[jefmcg]

(from last Christmas) http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jan/06/fortnum-mason-christmas-hampers

We had a wagnerian knock on the door this morning: it was a Parcelforce driver with Fortnum and Mason hamper - yay! - for our neighbour - boo! I was about to sign for it when I saw the sticker "perishable, keep refrigerated" I don't know these neighbours very well, so I didn't know if they were sleeping in or gone until the new year. I do not have a walk-in, chilled pantry, and I certainly wasn't going to unpack someone else's Christmas present and throw away my leftovers to store them in my fridge. The driver seemed quite put off that I wouldn't take it.

1. Surely this is a late delivery? Who orders a F&M hampered to be delivered two days after Christmas?
2. What sort of delivery service leaves very expensive perishable goods with a random person?

(If the items went off in Parcelforce's care, then either they or F&M would have to replace/refund. If they went off in my living room, it would be very awkward. Plus, if it did go off in a box sitting in my living room, what do I do? Rip it open, separate the rotting food? Put it outside?)
Advice I'm sure no one needs: don't order a Christmas Hamper from F&M.

 

[Scruffmonster]

Double black bag wrapped, leave it in the garden. Probably as cold as a fridge and functional for a day.

 

[vernon]

cheese and beetroot doorsteps

Beautiful

You inspire me!

 

[topcat1]

parcelforce aren't allowed to deliver food or animals

 

[mangaman]

parcelforce aren't allowed to deliver food or animals

I was trying to think of a polite way to ask the OP how they knew it was a F&M hamper

 

[Hover Fly]

parcelforce aren't allowed to deliver food or animals

Yes they are:
http://www.parcelforce.com/help-information/sending-advice/prohibitions-and-restrictions

 

[dellzeqq]

the answer to the OP is simple - redirect it to my address. I'll store the non-perishable items and consume the rest.

 

[swee'pea99]

the answer to the OP is simple - redirect it to my address. I'll store the non-perishable items and consume the rest.

I'll match your store the non-perishable items and consume the rest and raise it consume the lot.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

The only time I had a F&M hamper it was a parting gift from a client, but I was appalled at the cost. Well to be more precise I was grateful for the generous gift.

 

[jefmcg]

I was trying to think of a polite way to ask the OP how they knew it was a F&M hamper

Deduction. It was a large box about the size of a case of oranges, with Fortnum & Mason printed on it, a large sticker warning the contents are perishable, arriving just after Christmas. I live in an Ocado-posh street, not a F&M-posh area, so it was unlikely to be a grocery delivery. OK, it may have been a case of oranges, but I'm guessing it was a hamper.

Parcelforce once left an iMac on my doorstep, so their cavalier treatment of this delivery should not be a surprise to me.

(I'm slightly regretting we are not having stolen pate-lace-with-truffles and champagne for dinner, but the left over duck served with plum sauce should be quite tasty, too)

 

[dellzeqq]

I think Parcelforce are to be congratulated on getting the hamper to your street. I paid £48 to have a parcel taken to Swansea to be delivered the next morning, set off by bike the following morning, took three days to get there, and the parcel was still in the sorting office.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Deduction. It was a large box about the size of a case of oranges, with Fortnum & Mason printed on it, a large sticker warning the contents are perishable, arriving just after Christmas. I live in an Ocado-posh street, not a F&M-posh area, so it was unlikely to be a grocery delivery. OK, it may have been a case of oranges, but I'm guessing it was a hamper.

Parcelforce once left an iMac on my doorstep, so their cavalier treatment of this delivery should not be a surprise to me.

(I'm slightly regretting we are not having stolen pate-lace-with-truffles and champagne for dinner, but the left over duck served with plum sauce should be quite tasty, too)

Lucky you, I live on an Bejam-posh street, the only misdirected mail I'm likely to get is a court summons

 

[jefmcg]

Lucky you, I live on an Bejam-posh street, the only misdirected mail I'm likely to get is a court summons

I thought for a moment my neighbourhood was too posh as I've never heard of Bejam, but wikipedia says I arrived in the UK 10 years too late to know it.

 

[Arch]

My first job was in Bejam, and later, when they were taken over, in Iceland. Took the job as a stop-gap when I flunked A-levels, got stuck there for 12 years until I made the break and went to Uni as a mature student.

Hence, I know where the slightly odd name Bejam comes from!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

My first job was in Bejam, and later, when they were taken over, in Iceland. Took the job as a stop-gap when I flunked A-levels, got stuck there for 12 years until I made the break and went to Uni as a mature student.

Hence, I know where the slightly odd name Bejam comes from!

Do go on.