Residents share their Hermes horror stories

As previously reported by The Gazette, residents have spoken out about their experiences with delivery company Hermes, after their parcels had reportedly gone missing.

At least three said the delivery company had sent them a notification to say their parcel had been delivered to an 'outbuilding' only for it to never arrive.

Hermes has been contacted for comment. 

Yesterday it was also revealed that police officers are investigating six parcel thefts in the Rooksdown area from the past week alone.

READ MORE HERE: Police are now investigating after six Hermes parcels are stolen

Today people from all over the borough have reached out to share their Christmas delivery ordeals.

Almost 200 people contacted The Gazette over the last 24-hour-period to explain the issues they have had with Hermes.

Resident Suzanne Johnson described herself as ‘one of the countless people affected’ by the issue.

She continued: “We used to have a regular delivery lady from Hermes who was excellent but in this last week the service has been terrible.

“Personally I have 3 packages missing.  Two say they were delivered to an outbuilding, I don’t have an out building and the other says it was put through my letterbox...[the package contained] two jackets so hardly possible. 

“One of the deliveries is from Next which is a replacement for one of the ones that went missing previously. 

“I’ve been on to Next today and told them if they continue to use Hermes I won’t be ordering from them again.

“There are so many people in Rooksdown who are missing parcels there is definitely some foul play here. One resident has even suggested setting up our own support page just to deal with the issues.”

And a second resident, David Smith claimed when he sent an XBOX series S to his brother, the contents of the parcel had been stolen and swapped for curtains.

He said: “Although the customer service was sympathetic I had a lot of trouble claiming the money back for the stolen item and it seemed quite obvious to me they really didn’t bother to investigate it.”

READ MORE HERE: Residents left without their Christmas presents after their parcels go missing​

While another resident, Beverly Burnham explained: “I came home yesterday and saw my parcel from across the street (I live on the upper ground floor).

“So everyone could see the big white package, I am lucky it wasn't stolen. 

“There is a sign on my door stating to leave any parcel's in the porch, I am fuming at the incompetence now.

“Last week [Hermes] left a parcel out the front again, this time in my food recycling box which was without a lid and full of rain water,  so the package was quite sodden and damaged.

“Yes they are overstretched but hey...enough is enough.”

Lucy Summers, lives in Epsom Surrey but after seeing our previous article she wrote in to tell us about her experience and showed us a video she captured on her CCTV.

“I have been having parcels left on the door step and the delivery guy hasn't knocked or rang the bell, so I either find the parcel the next day when the postman comes or when I put the garbage out.

“Well I went to put the bins outside my driveway for the dustbin men on a Thursday a few weeks ago and I saw a parcel between the bins.

“I thought this was odd as I have not been out. So I went back through all my cctv cameras and I saw the Hermes guy walk down the driveway put the parcel between the bins took a picture of it and off he went without even trying to knock or ring the doorbell. It had been there since the Saturday.”

Lucy said she has written to Hermes but they have not replied.

One resident did however come to Hermes' defence, following the string of complaints from the public.

Lisa Elizabeth praised the company, writing: "After reading some negative comments about delivery drivers, can I just shout out to the very nice young man who has delivered my parcel from Hermes today? Perfect service. I know how busy you are. Thank you." 

• Have you been affected by this issue? Email megan.hinton@newsquest.co.uk