I (28M) live alone in a small apartment building, one of those where packages get left in the lobby by the mailboxes (there’s no doorman or package room)
A month ago I had a package delivered while i was at work. When i got home it wasn’t in the lobby so of course i assumed it got stolen. About an 1h later my neighbor (I’ll call him Rob) knocked on my door and handed it to me. He said he saw it sitting out and didn’t want it to get taken so he grabbed it and kept it in his unit. I genuinely thanked him and he didn’t ask for anything and it felt like a normal neighbor thing.
Then it started to happen more. Any time i got delivery and wasn’t home Rob would take it, sometimes he’d text me (he got my number from the building group chat). I didn’t like it but also i didn’t want my stuff stolen so i kinda let it go.
Last week i ordered something boring but personal (a medication refill from an online pharmacy). It comes in a plain packaging but it does have my name and the pharmacy name on the return label. I got the delivery notification at work and i got home it was no package in the lobby. 10 min later Rob knocks and hands it to me and the box is clearly opened. Like the tape is cut then re-taped.
I’m torn because on one hand maybe he has probably prevented my packages from getting stolen multiple times but on the other hand opening its a huge line especially cause it was medication. Even if it was an accident it still happened because hes been grabbing packages that aren’t his.
I told him i appreciate him trying to help but i don’t want him taking my deliveries anymore. I said if he sees something of mine just leave it or text me and I’ll come down when I can. He got offended and said I’m making him feel like a thief when he’s literally been protecting my stuff. He also said the lobby is "basically a free-for-all" and I’m going to regret it when something gets stolen again.
Now I feel awkward because he did help me but also I don’t want my neighbor opening my packages or holding them in his apartment.
AITA for telling him to stop and shutting down his "help"?
NTA. It started out being something nice and it turned into him being a snoop. I’m willing to bet he also got a look at some of the other stuff you ordered. Document this and report it to your building if you can.
That’s illegal. Report that to building management, and get a PO Box if you can. Your stuff won’t be opened OR stolen.
I don’t think you’re TA but he may not be either. Did you ask him about it? I’ve taken in a package for me and one for my neighbor at the same time before, and once I accidentally opened theirs thinking it was mine. It’s also possible the opening/re-taping happened at some point in the delivery process. But it’s fine if you aren’t comfortable having him take in your packages anymore.
I would, also, check the pill count on the medication.
NTA. Rob is the one who thinks the lobby is a free for all, he’s taking someone else’s packages. Speak with management about the safety of packages after hearing his ‘proclamation’.
NTA. At this point he will take your packages and not tell you he did. If you can get a P.O. Box get one for packages. You also should file a complaint with the building management and verify all your prescription was there.
He’s a major snoop, you need to stop him from taking your packages. NTA.
I work for USPS. Packages break open and get retaped all the time. It may not have been him who opened it
Also, why would he open this one out of all the others? It seems like even if he did it was maybe an accident.
Can you get your packages sent to your workplace?
Him saying the lobby is a “free for all” meaning it’s free to him until he is caught! “Going to regret it” means he going to steal one for sure now! Report him to management. Have your packages delivered to your work address. NTA
Thats what I was thinking was that he was threatening to steal future packages
*edit spelling
I’m just completely baffled at the delivery system where packages get left unattended. Here the delivery driver hands it to you personally or the package gets taken to the post office or some different business that offer a pick up service.
Can’t you get stuff delivered to your work instead if they mostly come while you’re there anyway?
He literally threatened to steal any incoming packages. You have to pick up at a drop off.
Get a P.O. Box.