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@digital*ghost wrote:

In regards to having to be available to accept a delivery... A lot of couriers have this thing where the recipient can go online (and I presume if the purchase was made online, the recipient has access to the 'net) and request ATL (authority to leave), meaning the recipient doesn't have to be home to accept delivery, some allow you to provide very specific instructions as to where the package is left - that has its pros and cons, of course, biggest con being you then basically accept the package in whatever state it's in, plus liability for loss/damage (which is effectively no different to an AP parcel that doesn't require SOD, or if you give AP an ATL which you sometimes get the option to if it's an SOD package and the seller has allowed for that option), so the so-called inconvenience of couriers has some options to be resolved. 

 

 

That presupposes that the buyer actually knows that the item is coming by courier.

Much of this discussion has centred upon sellers who advertise Australia Post then take it upon themselves to use a courier.

 

I have had 2 different couriers leave cards when I have not been available....it is only on those cards that there is an option to lodge an ATL.  If it was readily available, or the seller indicated that the parcel could be safe dropped then it would be a great improvement to the present system.

 

I have had an ATL lodged with AP for 10 years now and it has worked perfectly, despite all the hoo haa on these boards that buyers should not be able to do that if the seller says no safe drop.