1 hour ago, unofix said:

I got a parcel yesterday of electrical equipment bought from an eBay seller in Germany. It came via royal mail.

Ah, that sounds promising, thanks.

Don't talk to me about Royal Mail! I received a large birthday card I'd bought for my wife yesterday and the idiot postman folded it to get it through the letterbox in spite of "Do Not Bend" being prominently marked on the envelope.

47 minutes ago, Paulkp said:

Get one with three stars - recent update so that lock is more difficult to remove if they melt your plastic door.

My door is wooden.  Does the recent update still apply?  

Turned out to be more difficult to remove than expected, so still haven't measured or bought a replacement yet.

2 minutes ago, mjt said:

Don't talk to me about Royal Mail! I received a large birthday card I'd bought for my wife yesterday and the idiot postman folded it to get it through the letterbox in spite of "Do Not Bend" being prominently marked on the envelope.

Credit where it's due, my local RM postman is decent.  Had the same one for years.  Understands my circumstances and always leaves items safe.  Doesn't bend or crush anything that says 'Do Not Bend'.  Only thing he won't leave is Special Delivery, but I understand that's due to the insurance, so I avoid that particular service myself.

4 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I've had no end of problems with ParcelForce lately

It must be a local thing, I prefer getting things delivered by ParcelForce.

I have in the past had Couriers say they have delivered something when they definitely haven't and others leaving parcels at my front door in plain sight for anyone walking down the street, I don't get these problems with ParcelForce or our Postman. 

On 5/30/2025 at 9:48 AM, StephenFord said:

I hope I don't divert your thread, but a few weeks back, I ordered an item off Ebay, and was surprised and disappointed to see that it was then delivered via Amazon prime! Some may know I'm not a fan of Amazon, so have no idea how this particular transaction worked!

I had an Amazon parcel delivered today...by Evri!

12 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I had an Amazon parcel delivered today...by Evri!

Amazon use all the parcel carriers now. I've had parcel force and DPD as lastest delivers . 

9 hours ago, iantt said:

Amazon use all the parcel carriers now.

That's good news for the paperboy, he's had nothing to deliver for last couple of years 🤣

Just had notification from my credit card of 2 transactions I don't recognise. Logged in to find a couple of dodgy transactions pending. Soon got my card froze before any other transactions appeared. Now wondering where my details have been gained from. 

Just now, iantt said:

Now wondering where my details have been gained from.

Been away on holiday to third world countries like Italy recently ? 🤔

4 minutes ago, unofix said:

Been away on holiday to third world countries like Italy recently ? 🤔

Yeah🤣🤣 not that I've used my credit card at all here. 

On 6/11/2025 at 8:33 PM, TomsFocus said:

I had an Amazon parcel delivered today...by Evri!

Thrown on your front doorstep in full view while the driver scarpered? That's what's been happening to us the last many months although I think they've employed a new one in the last few weeks as he actually waits for me to get to the door.

On 6/11/2025 at 8:33 PM, TomsFocus said:

I had an Amazon parcel delivered today...by Evri!

The bulk of my deliveries lately have been in Amazon Prime logo'd vans*, with the odd RM and plain white.

Perhaps of concern is that Evri are proposing merging with DHL's UK arm. The Competition and Markets Authority are to investigate the effects on competition in the delivery market.

I must admit I tend to cringe if I order something and am advised by the seller that Evri will be involved!😀

(*I don't use Prime, btw, and have still had a few next day deliveries from Amazon and others where it turns up earlier than promised!)

1 hour ago, mjt said:

Thrown on your front doorstep in full view while the driver scarpered? That's what's been happening to us the last many months although I think they've employed a new one in the last few weeks as he actually waits for me to get to the door.

My doorstep isn't in full view.  I'd much prefer them to leave parcels when I can't get to the door.  So I guess they can't win when we have different requirements.

Personally, I can't really complain about Evri or any other delivery company, including RM 😉

Apart from RM, most companies use a local company up here for the final stage of delivery.

Once you remember how far away we are from 'civilisation' the extra day for a delivery isn't that much of a hassle.

Another thumbs up for Evri is that they show you where they've left the parcel as well as a photo.

My last delivery...

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I'd much prefer them to leave parcels when I can't get to the door.  So I guess they can't win when we have different requirements

I take your point, however I was finding that in the ten seconds or less it took me to get to the door I was just in time to see the guy driving away. There was never any intention of waiting to see if anybody was home. I just think they should be prepared to wait for a minute or so before making their getaway.

20 hours ago, Turvey said:

Apart from RM, most companies use a local company up here for the final stage of delivery.

Yes, we used to get that until recently, including Amazon. There was a very nice guy doing "last mile" round here in a beaten up Galaxy, but I've not seen him for ages. As mentioned earlier, most Amazon stuff now comes in Prime logo'd vehicles, for other deliveries its RM, DHL, DPD, and Evri with a very occasional white van.

What's the best way to seal around a PVC door frame?  Fed up with the number of bugs just waltzing in under the door frame in here, gap so large they don't even have to duck!

Prefer to avoid silicone sealant if possible, as I can't stand the smell while it cures.  Not sure if there are any alternatives though?

Use acrylic frame sealant won’t smell like silicon.

How about an oil-based building mastic like this?

Im afraid I don't know the difference between an acrylic sealant or a mastic?

That one does suggest it's for external use though.  I live upstairs so can access the frame from the inside.

4 hours ago, mjt said:

How about an oil-based building mastic like this?

Absolutely fantastic link, Thank You. 👍

I didn't know the traditional oil based mastic was still available, I've got a project on at the moment and was just thinking that mastic would have been ideal rather than silicone.

17 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

That one does suggest it's for external use

Just means it's weather-resistant. It doesn't stop you from using it inside.

"The Everbuild 115 GP Oil-Based Traditional Building Mastic is a high-quality, flexible sealant designed for long-lasting performance in both internal and external applications"

On 6/16/2025 at 1:05 PM, TomsFocus said:

What's the best way to seal around a PVC door frame?

When I had a big gap under my back door frame I sliced a bit of pipework Insulation and rammed that into the joint. It was quite a big gap though. 

1 hour ago, mjt said:

Just means it's weather-resistant. It doesn't stop you from using it inside.

"The Everbuild 115 GP Oil-Based Traditional Building Mastic is a high-quality, flexible sealant designed for long-lasting performance in both internal and external applications"

Ok, but what's the difference between this and the acrylic?  How do I choose between them?  Is one easier to apply?  Does one smell less than the other?