The East Village Delivery Survival Guide

Parcels in East Village are… complicated. Here’s what actually works.

If you live here, you’ve probably experienced:

  • Parcels left at random buildings
  • “Delivered” but nowhere to be found
  • Couriers who ignore your instructions
  • The hunt for packages across multiple locations

You’re not imagining it. Deliveries in East Village require defensive strategies.

The Situation

Get Living’s parcel service at Celebration Avenue was discontinued during COVID and is not returning.

Most couriers now deliver directly to your flat, which sounds great until:

  • They can’t figure out building numbers
  • They leave packages in random communal areas
  • They don’t follow your delivery instructions
  • They mark as “delivered” when nobody’s seen it
  • They deliver to completely different buildings

Why is EV particularly tricky for couriers?

  • Multiple buildings with similar names (Logan Close vs Logan Mews)
  • Building numbers not always visible
  • Complex access codes/intercoms
  • Drivers rushing through multiple drops
  • High delivery volume + confusing layout = chaos

What Actually Works

✅ Before You Order

Don’t write: “Leave with neighbor”

Do write:

Why this matters: Couriers see dozens of addresses per day. Be crystal clear.

Amazon Lockers (best for Amazon orders)

  • Westfield Stratford
  • Stratford Centre
  • Free, secure, 3-day collection window

InPost Lockers (works with many retailers)

Collect+

Work address (if allowed)

  • Usually most reliable
  • Reception can sign for packages
  • You’re guaranteed to be there

Use these for anything expensive or important:

  • Click & collect (Argos, John Lewis, etc.)
  • Locker delivery only
  • Store pickup
  • Deliver to work

Don’t risk:

  • Phones, laptops, designer items
  • Documents requiring signature
  • Gifts you can’t replace

📱 During Delivery

Get these courier apps:

  • Evri app
  • DPD app
  • Royal Mail app
  • Amazon app
  • Yodel app

Enable notifications for:

  • Out for delivery
  • Delivery attempts
  • Final delivery

On delivery day:

  • Check tracking hourly
  • Be ready to intercept if needed
  • Have your phone with ringer ON

If you’re home when “out for delivery” appears:

  • Stay near your door
  • Listen for knocks (many drivers barely knock)
  • Check your phone constantly
  • Consider waiting in building entrance if possible

Why: Some drivers mark as “attempted delivery” without actually knocking.

⚠️ After Delivery Goes Wrong

Why reporting matters:

  • Data = pressure on couriers
  • Multiple complaints trigger performance reviews
  • Patterns get escalated
  • Some residents have successfully got new drivers assigned

How to report:

Evri:

  • Reply to delivery feedback email (arrives after each delivery)
  • Be specific: “Driver did not knock, left parcel in building entrance exposed to theft, ignored safe place instructions”
  • Reference your tracking number

Amazon:

  • “Contact us” in app
  • “Where’s my stuff?”
  • Report as “not received”
  • They usually refund/replace fast

DPD:

Royal Mail:

Other couriers:

  • Find their complaint form online
  • Always include tracking numbers
  • Request delivery method improvement

In order of likelihood:

  1. One building number up or down

    (very common mistake)

  2. Your building’s main entrance

    (left on floor)

  3. Fire exit stairwells

    (hidden from main entrance)

  4. Behind plant pots or decorations

  5. Communal bin area

    (yes, seriously)

  6. Bicycle storage

    (sometimes used as “safe place”)

  7. Random flats in your building

    (check delivery photo)

Pro tip: Always check the delivery photo carefully - zoom in for clues.

Post in your building group:

“Has anyone seen a [description] parcel for [your flat number]? Says delivered at [time] but can’t find it.”

Why this works:

  • Neighbors might have taken it in for safekeeping
  • Someone might have spotted it
  • Others might be having same issue (building-wide problem)
  • Collective pressure on couriers if it’s a pattern

The Evri Situation

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

One particular Evri driver is… infamous in East Village.

Common issues residents report:

  • Not knocking/buzzing
  • Leaving parcels in communal areas despite instructions
  • Delivering to wrong buildings
  • Marking as delivered when they haven’t been
  • Not responding to delivery calls
  • Parcels left exposed to weather/theft

What has worked for other residents:

  • Report EVERY failed delivery via feedback email
  • Be specific and factual
  • Request route reassignment after multiple issues
  • Some residents got different drivers after 5+ complaints
  • When ordering, message sellers: “Please do NOT use Evri for my address”
  • Some online retailers let you exclude couriers
  • Request Royal Mail or DPD instead
  • Set ALL Evri deliveries to collection points
  • Available in Evri app/website
  • Inconvenient but reliable
  • Don’t buy from retailers that only use Evri
  • Use Amazon (they have their own drivers in EV)
  • Check courier before purchasing

Has anyone successfully got a new driver?

Yes - after persistent complaints to Evri head office (not just feedback emails):

Evri Customer Services

📞 0330 808 5456

📧 Contact form

What to say:

  • “Repeated failed deliveries to [your address]”
  • Reference 3-5 specific tracking numbers
  • Request route reassignment
  • Mention safety concerns (parcels left exposed)

Alternative Delivery Strategies

📦 Collection Points (Safest Option)

Amazon Lockers

  • Westfield Stratford (multiple locations)
  • Stratford Centre
  • Free
  • 3-day collection window
  • Email notification when ready

InPost Lockers

Collect+

Doddle (if available nearby)

📱 Delivery Management Apps

Amazon app

  • Track all Amazon orders
  • Change delivery preferences
  • Redirect to locker on delivery day

DPD app

  • Live tracking with 1-hour window
  • Redirect deliveries
  • Leave instructions

Yodel app

  • Photo on delivery
  • Safe place instructions
  • Live tracking

Royal Mail app

  • Redirect to local post office
  • Safe place instructions

🚪 Physical Solutions

Some residents have installed:

  • Parcel drop boxes (check with landlord first)
  • Ring doorbell + outdoor camera (check with landlord first)
  • Building entry instructions card on door

Before installing anything:

  1. Check your tenancy agreement
  2. Ask your landlord
  3. Get written permission

Why landlords might say no:

  • Fire safety (nothing blocking corridors)
  • Building appearance
  • Damage to walls
  • Communal area rules

For Online Sellers

When buying from eBay, Etsy, small retailers:

Message them before ordering:

“Hi, I live in a block of flats with challenging delivery access. Could you please use [Royal Mail/DPD/your preference] rather than Evri? I’m happy to pay extra if needed. Thanks!”

Most small sellers will accommodate this because:

  • They want good feedback
  • They can choose courier
  • Extra £2-3 isn’t a deal-breaker

Large retailers: Usually can’t change courier, but worth asking in chat.

The Nuclear Option: Delivery Box

Some residents, after extreme frustration, have considered:

Parcel boxes for outside flat door

  • Lockable
  • Weather-proof
  • £50-150

Ring doorbell + camera

  • See and speak to couriers
  • Proof of delivery issues
  • £40-150

Apartment entry system upgrade

  • Video intercoms
  • Usually need landlord involvement

⚠️ Important: Always check with landlord before installing ANYTHING in communal areas.

The Future?

Get Living has stated they have no plans to reinstate parcel services.

Some resident groups have discussed:

  • Shared locker system for buildings
  • Private parcel box solutions
  • Collective pressure on Get Living

Nothing concrete yet.

Want to help solve this?

📧 hello@eastvillagehub.co.uk

Quick Reference: Best Practices

✅ Do:

  • Use lockers for anything valuable
  • Add ultra-specific delivery instructions
  • Track obsessively on delivery day
  • Report every failed delivery
  • Check delivery photo carefully
  • Ask in WhatsApp if parcel missing
  • Keep phone ringer on during delivery

❌ Don’t:

  • Risk expensive items with direct delivery
  • Trust “safe place” instructions will be followed
  • Assume courier will knock loudly
  • Wait more than 24 hours to report issues
  • Give up reporting - patterns matter

Success Stories

“I complained 7 times to Evri and finally got a different driver. No issues since.” - Chroma resident

“Amazon locker changed my life. Haven’t had a failed delivery in 6 months.” - Vesta resident

“I put delivery instructions in CAPS and highlighted the building number. Actually worked.” - Logan Close resident

“Started delivering everything to work. Problem solved.” - Insignia Point resident

Bottom Line

Deliveries in East Village require defensive strategies.

It shouldn’t be this way, but until/unless something changes systemically:

  • Assume nothing will go smoothly
  • Build in backup plans
  • Use lockers when possible
  • Report issues consistently
  • Share intelligence with neighbors

Welcome to EV delivery life. 📦😅

Last updated: February 2026

Have a delivery tip that works? Tell us: hello@eastvillagehub.co.uk

Need to report a specific issue? Check: Who Do I Call?

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