Need advice from people who receive packages. [View all]

[Rochester]

Hey guys, I have a problem and I need some advice.

A couple weeks ago, I ordered some stuff on the internet from various places, five packages in all. Two of the packages have arrived safely, one on Friday the 14th and one on Tuesday the 18th, but I noticed that the others should have already arrived by now, so I called/emailed about them, and I received distressing news.

The guy who sent Package #3 sent me a tracking number. He sent it UPS. Their site lists the package as having been delivered Monday the 17th, just left it on the porch. There was nothing waiting for me when I got home from work. That means either UPS screwed up somehow - lost the package or delivered it to the wrong place - or it was stolen from my porch during the afternoon.

The guy who sent Package #4 said it was shipped out on the 13th, although he didn't have the information at hand, he said he would call me back with it tomorrow. There's a very good chance that it would have been delivered on the 17th also, which means it too could have been lost or stolen. I don't know (until tomorrow) what carrier they used.

I was luckier on Package #5. It hasn't been shipped yet, they were backlogged I guess. I asked them to make sure that I would have to sign for the package when it gets here. I don't want it just left out to possibly also be stolen. They said they would oblige, so I'm feeling a little better about that one.

In your judgment, how likely is it that this is a screw-up on UPS's part and how likely is it that the packages were stolen? Has anyone had to deal with UPS about lost packages before? How cooperative and helpful are they? I am waiting for their reply as well as for information about package #4 before I go to the cops and report them stolen... although now that it's been several days, it may be futile. Do I have any realistic hope of recovering my money if the packages are gone for good? One was from Ebay and the other was direct by credit card. I never thought of this neighborhood as being one where I was particularly vulnerable to having things "walk away", but there's a first time for everything. I am acutely aware that the place sits unguarded while I am at work and I don't like the feeling. I'm thinking about investing in extra locks, a security system, and/or security cameras. Any advice about these, too?