The East Village Delivery Survival Guide

• Parcels left at random buildings

• "Delivered" but nowhere to be found

• Couriers who ignore your instructions

• The hunt for packages across multiple locations

The Situation

• They can't figure out building numbers

• They leave packages in random communal areas

• They don't follow your delivery instructions

• They mark as "delivered" when nobody's seen it

• They deliver to completely different buildings

• Multiple buildings with similar names (Logan Close vs Logan Mews)

• Building numbers not always visible

• Complex access codes/intercoms

• Drivers rushing through multiple drops

• High delivery volume + confusing layout = chaos

What Actually Works

✅ Before You Order

East Village E20
Building: [NAME] [NUMBER]
Flat [XX], Floor [X]
Leave with neighbor Flat [XX] if out
DO NOT leave in communal area
CALL on arrival: [your mobile]
Building entry code: [if you're comfortable sharing]

• Westfield Stratford

• Stratford Centre

• Free, secure, 3-day collection window

• Various locations near EV

• 24/7 access

• Find nearest locker

• Local shops (Costcutter, newsagents)

• Check Collect+ locations

• Usually most reliable

• Reception can sign for packages

• You're guaranteed to be there

• Click & collect (Argos, John Lewis, etc.)

• Locker delivery only

• Store pickup

• Deliver to work

• Phones, laptops, designer items

• Documents requiring signature

• Gifts you can't replace

📱 During Delivery

• Evri app

• DPD app

• Royal Mail app

• Amazon app

• Yodel app

• Out for delivery

• Delivery attempts

• Final delivery

• Check tracking hourly

• Be ready to intercept if needed

• Have your phone with ringer ON

• Stay near your door

• Listen for knocks (many drivers barely knock)

• Check your phone constantly

• Consider waiting in building entrance if possible

⚠️ After Delivery Goes Wrong

• Data = pressure on couriers

• Multiple complaints trigger performance reviews

• Patterns get escalated

• Some residents have successfully got new drivers assigned

• Reply to delivery feedback email (arrives after each delivery)

• Be specific: "Driver did not knock, left parcel in building entrance exposed to theft, ignored safe place instructions"

• Reference your tracking number

• "Contact us" in app

• "Where's my stuff?"

• Report as "not received"

• They usually refund/replace fast

• DPD complaints form

• Include tracking number and details

• Royal Mail track & trace

• Customer service: 03457 740 740

• Find their complaint form online

• Always include tracking numbers

• Request delivery method improvement

1. One building number up or down (very common mistake)

2. Your building's main entrance (left on floor)

3. Fire exit stairwells (hidden from main entrance)

4. Behind plant pots or decorations

5. Communal bin area (yes, seriously)

6. Bicycle storage (sometimes used as "safe place")

7. Random flats in your building (check delivery photo)

• Neighbors might have taken it in for safekeeping

• Someone might have spotted it

• Others might be having same issue (building-wide problem)

• Collective pressure on couriers if it's a pattern

The Evri Situation

• Not knocking/buzzing

• Leaving parcels in communal areas despite instructions

• Delivering to wrong buildings

• Marking as delivered when they haven't been

• Not responding to delivery calls

• Parcels left exposed to weather/theft

What has worked for other residents:

• Report EVERY failed delivery via feedback email

• Be specific and factual

• Request route reassignment after multiple issues

• Some residents got different drivers after 5+ complaints

• When ordering, message sellers: "Please do NOT use Evri for my address"

• Some online retailers let you exclude couriers

• Request Royal Mail or DPD instead

• Set ALL Evri deliveries to collection points

• Available in Evri app/website

• Inconvenient but reliable

• Don't buy from retailers that only use Evri

• Use Amazon (they have their own drivers in EV)

• Check courier before purchasing

• "Repeated failed deliveries to [your address]"

• Reference 3-5 specific tracking numbers

• Request route reassignment

• Mention safety concerns (parcels left exposed)

Alternative Delivery Strategies

📦 Collection Points (Safest Option)

• Westfield Stratford (multiple locations)

• Stratford Centre

• Free

• 3-day collection window

• Email notification when ready

• 24/7 access

• Multiple sizes

• Various locations

• Find nearest

• Local shops

• Shop opening hours

• Find locations

• Extended hours

• 7-day hold

• Check Doddle locations

📱 Delivery Management Apps

• Track all Amazon orders

• Change delivery preferences

• Redirect to locker on delivery day

• Live tracking with 1-hour window

• Redirect deliveries

• Leave instructions

• Photo on delivery

• Safe place instructions

• Live tracking

• Redirect to local post office

• Safe place instructions

🚪 Physical Solutions

• Parcel drop boxes (check with landlord first)

• Ring doorbell + outdoor camera (check with landlord first)

• Building entry instructions card on door

1. Check your tenancy agreement

2. Ask your landlord

3. Get written permission

• Fire safety (nothing blocking corridors)

• Building appearance

• Damage to walls

• Communal area rules

For Online Sellers

• They want good feedback

• They can choose courier

• Extra £2-3 isn't a deal-breaker

The Nuclear Option: Delivery Box

• Lockable

• Weather-proof

• £50-150

• See and speak to couriers

• Proof of delivery issues

• £40-150

• Video intercoms

• Usually need landlord involvement

The Future?

• Shared locker system for buildings

• Private parcel box solutions

• Collective pressure on Get Living

Quick Reference: Best Practices

• Use lockers for anything valuable

• Add ultra-specific delivery instructions

• Track obsessively on delivery day

• Report every failed delivery

• Check delivery photo carefully

• Ask in WhatsApp if parcel missing

• Keep phone ringer on during delivery

• Risk expensive items with direct delivery

• Trust "safe place" instructions will be followed

• Assume courier will knock loudly

• Wait more than 24 hours to report issues

• Give up reporting - patterns matter

Success Stories

Bottom Line

• Assume nothing will go smoothly

• Build in backup plans

• Use lockers when possible

• Report issues consistently

• Share intelligence with neighbors