Q: Is keeping accidentally delivered goods theft?
I ordered a large Sephora order for same-day delivery. The DoorDash driver mistakenly delivered 11 bags to me instead of just my order bag, including 10 bags meant for other people. I haven't opened these extra bags, which are stapled and have delivery tags with names and order numbers. The driver and Sephora haven't contacted me about the mistake, and while I've never had issues with Sephora deliveries, I sometimes experience problems with DoorDash. Is it considered theft if I keep these orders, and what should I do in this situation?
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A:
It seems like you received goods that weren’t meant for you, and it’s understandable to be unsure of how to handle the situation. Legally, keeping items that were mistakenly delivered could be considered theft, even if it wasn’t intentional on your part. Since the items were delivered to you by mistake, you have a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to return them.
The best course of action is to contact Sephora or DoorDash immediately to inform them of the delivery error. Since the bags are unopened and still sealed, it will be clear that they were not intended for you. Let them know that you have the goods and are willing to return them as soon as they provide instructions.
By being proactive and communicating with the companies, you’ll show good faith in resolving the situation. Keeping the items without notifying the rightful owners could create legal issues, so it’s better to take action as soon as possible to avoid complications.
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