A mum couldn't believe her eyes after a Hermes delivery driver chose to deliver her parcel in a rather unusual way.
Having knocked on and received no answer, most drivers would have simply left the item in a secure location or with a neighbour.
However, in this particular instance, the driver instead opted to try the door, opening it and chucking the parcel inside.
As reported by Teesside Live, the driver snapped a photo of her parcel inside the open door before emailing proof of delivery to the flabbergasted woman, from Hartlepool.
Her partner had been working nights at the time and had been sleeping in the front room when he was awoken by the knock.
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The baffled woman said: "He heard someone knock at the door. [The] next thing he knows, he heard the door open and a parcel being flung in. He'd only been asleep a couple of hours and was still half asleep."
After her partner told her what had happened, she initially "thought he'd made it up a little bit", but then she saw the picture in her email inbox.
The surprised customer continued: "He opened the door, took a photo, and just flung the parcel. I didn't think they were allowed to do that!
"It could have been a lot worse - we do have a couple of dogs who would've run out given half the chance. They are quite protective."
The woman hasn't "got a clue" who the driver is, and says she had not made any prior arrangements about deliveries with the company.
The household doesn't get that many deliveries, and although they've dealt with another driver, he'd made sure to knock and leave the parcel behind the gate.
She continued: "To be fair if it was me and I'd caught him, I think I would've said something. I would probably have been a bit scared if I'd have been on my own."
The family hasn't made an official complaint against the company, with the woman remarking that they aren't "too bothered" and that she'd found it "funny more than anything."
However, she noted that his actions were "still not right", adding: "If it had been my nana I wouldn't be happy."
The woman she's "quite surprised he got out alive" with their dogs, adding: "A friend said one driver [from another company] came in and gave a parcel to her when she was sitting on the settee.
"I was like 'are you are kidding me'. She was sat having a cup of tea and he just came in. They should not be opening people's doors."
A spokesperson for Hermes said: "We have raised this with the local team who have spoken to the courier involved.
"It is clearly not acceptable and we will ensure it does not happen again.”
Have you had a surprising delivery experience? Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
