Her Neighbor Took the Sealed Package With Her Name on it From the Lobby and Told Her She “Thought it Was Free”
A woman ordered new swimwear and beach clothes for a December vacation. The delivery confirmation said her package arrived, but it wasn’t at her door.
Security footage showed another resident in her condo building taking the sealed package from a lobby coffee table. When the neighbor came to return it, she handed over just one of five items and admitted she’d left the rest on the building’s free table.
Condo Lobby and a Free Table
She lives in a condo building where residents own their units and share the common areas. Condo fees pay for those shared spaces, including the lobby.
The lobby has a seating area with a coffee table. Separately, there’s another table where residents leave things they no longer need for others to take.
That free table is clearly set apart from the seating area. Residents generally know it’s where giveaways go.
Swimwear for a December Trip
She has a sunny vacation planned for December. To get ready, she ordered new swimwear and beach clothes from a popular online store.
Vacation clothes can add up quickly. Swimsuits, cover-ups, and resort wear can easily cost $100 to $300 or more.
She was excited about the trip and her new outfits. About 10 days later, she got an email saying the package had been delivered.
Delivered but Not at Her Door
When she checked, there was no package at her door. She searched the building’s hallways, hoping it had been left at the wrong unit.
She asked for the delivery photos. They showed the package hadn’t been left at her door at all.
Instead, it had been placed on the coffee table in the lobby seating area. It was sealed and clearly addressed to her.
Security Footage Confirms It
She contacted the condo board and asked about security footage. The board confirmed another resident had taken her package.
Because of privacy rules, the board couldn’t tell her who it was or share the video. They said they could only provide it to police if she filed a report.
Still, she now knew the person lived in her building. That changed how she approached the situation.
Notice Posted in the Lobby
She printed the delivery photos and posted them in the lobby. She added a note saying her package had been stolen and reminding residents there are cameras.
Less than two days later, the board president texted her at work. He said the person who took the package thought it was free and wanted to return it.
She told him what time she’d be home. The neighbor came to her door soon after she got there.
One Item Returned, Four Given Away
The neighbor handed her one item from the package. There had been five items in total.
When she asked about the rest, the neighbor said she’d made a mistake. She admitted she took the sealed package, opened it, kept one item, and put the others on the free table with a note saying they were free.
The woman was furious. The package was sealed, had her name on it, and wasn’t on the free table.
$200 or a Police Report
She told her neighbor she owed her $200 or she’d report it to the police. Her neighbor looked frightened at the mention of police.
Within about five minutes, the neighbor came back with the money. She paid the $200.
Meanwhile, the original store had already reshipped her order after she reported the package stolen. She plans to pay the retailer once the replacement arrives.
Keeping the Money
She’s keeping the $200 from her neighbor. She believes her neighbor either knowingly took something that wasn’t hers or needs an expensive lesson in respecting other people’s property.
She’s still stunned that anyone could think a sealed, addressed package was free. She’s left wondering how someone could open a package with another person’s name on it and decide it was fair game.
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