@ Bunny. I'm not aware of any consistent options to require a signature.

I was really ticked off at either UPS or FedEx (I don't recall which.). They delivered a parcel from Amazon to my front porch. I heard it because I was sitting 10 feet from the door, but was in mid-task. They did not ring to doorbell, knock or otherwise engage with me. The delivery note on Amazon said that it was given directly to the customer. Horse pucky! I complained to Amazon. They were nice and said the would contact the shipper. Some of the delivery people photograph the parcel on my very recognizable doormat and post it to the order. That seems sensible and I appreciate it.

Bunny, I signed up for updates and as part of that process, I was informed that a signature was required for this particular delivery and I had the option to waive it. There was probably some disclaimer in .0005 size font that said I would never hold UPS liable if I signed it.

That just stinks.

I once had an Amazon shipment go astray after I'd received notification of delivery (and I was home at the time). The local shipper contacted me after I contacted Amazon. The local shipper read me their records which showed they had delivered it to a completely different name and address in the next town (?) -and then asked me to contact that person. WTH?!?! I simply contacted Amazon and had a replacement shipped at no cost to me, but how weird was that.

I will be more attentive when I order online, which is just about everything I buy besides groceries. I like that Amazon is including a photo with their delivery notification.

I only use AmEx online. I've only had to dispute a couple of charges and they've always stepped up.

One of the features of my new video doorbell is that I am alerted whenever a person approaches the door. Since most delivery people don't ring or knock, the notification allows me to avoid having items sit on my doorstep if I'm home. I think the notification list could be used to dispute a non delivery if the delivery driver has to log a delivery time. I don't know if you have wifi at the cottage, but if you do, a video doorbell might be a nice addition to your property.

Anymore, I have packages delivered to work. I don't have to worry about porch pirates.

One of my co-workers was remodeling their lake house. We got a package delivered to our building. It was a kitchen sink! LOL

Even though they are not supposed to UPS will often leave packages at our post office. USPS does too.

Sure hope you find out what's going on. OTOH it could have been one of my learn from my mistakes story. In the 90's, summer time, I made my first purchase for a rug from Spiegel catalog. Not sure if you're old enough to remember Spiegel.

When UPS delivered the rug it was melted to the plastic it was wrapped in. There was no way I could get it off. Their trucks don't have ac and the bed of the trucks get hot.

Maybe you should wait until winter? :)

I had something delivered to me from Spiegel back in the 80's. It was a country style sofa table, painted turned legs and a pine top. I did not order it, I called them and they just told me to keep it. Shipping costs were more than it was worth. I used it in a spare bedroom as a vanity with a mirror over it.

We have a long, narrow property -an acre but only 88 feet wide. Around the holidays UPS hires extra drivers. My husband has a workshop in the back of the property abutting a private road. We were getting notices that packages were delivered to our "front porch" turns out their GPS identifies his workshop as our home, It does have a porch. We finally figured out where our See's candies and Claxton fruit cakes were!!