Legal rights 'reduced' if online shoppers pick this 'safe' option

People who shop online a lot and have parcels arriving regularly should try to avoid selecting one of these delivery options online, an expert claims. Doing this without thinking could mean people lose out on their legal rights if something goes wrong with their delivery.

Speaking to Matt Allwright on Channel 5 , consumer expert Kat Cereda said: "I could bang on about this all day, don't put a safe place or a nominated neighbour unless you really, really have to because your rights get reduced."

She explained that retailers have a responsibility from the moment you place an order to "make sure that parcel gets put in your hands". The second homeowners say it'll be fine to leave the bin behind or hide it in an outbuilding, the legal responsibility shifts.

In the event something goes missing or gets damaged, Kat claims that companies have an excuse to claim they've met their end of the delivery deal by using a person's nominated safe space.

She said: "If [the shop] can say 'oh, well, we've left it where you've said' on the porch and [it] gets swiped, they've done what they need to do and it's your fault that you didn't collect it."

People give up the same protection to make a claim if something goes wrong when nominating a safe or trusted neighbour to receive the package instead. The expert claims that it's always best to avoid putting anything down in the event you need to claim for lost or damaged items.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the retailer remains legally responsible for your order if a courier leaves it in an un-nominated safe space and it goes missing. A photo of the parcel on a doorstep or in a bin does not prove it reached your hands safely if you never gave permission for it to be left there.

Many delivery companies and apps allow you to explicitly state that the parcel must be handed to a person, or it must be taken back to the depot if you are out. Homeowners could also consider investing in a video doorbell or similar camera system.

These provide clear footage of the exact moment a driver leaves a package, and may be the undeniable proof needed that any lost or damaged items were left in an unapproved location. These smart systems could also be visible security deterrents, which may discourage opportunistic thieves.

If you are regularly out when drivers arrive, avoid home delivery entirely by routing your orders to secure public pickup points. If you shop frequently on Amazon, choose a local Amazon Hub Locker during checkout or see if services like Collect+ or Post Office Local Collect could be chosen to ship your goods to nearby corner shops, supermarkets , or post offices where staff will hold them securely.