Last week I wrote about some things we'll lose if we continue to boycott the High Street. Two experiences since, underlined some hazards of shopping online...

One involved a mission by one daughter and I to complete our Whittard of Chelsea kitchenware collection, which we must do online since the Gunwharf Quays outlet closed (we'd buy some whenever we visited, never dreaming we'd run out of time)! A lot had been auctioned on e-bay and Gumtree which we were lucky enough to win, so we were awaiting several parcels - as were my other daughter and a paying guest.

I'd also been emailed a Yodel tracking number by Who Gives A Crap - the toilet tissue brand I buy online as 50% of the profits help build toilets for those who don't have them. I'd been keeping an eye on the delivery, via an app. I was indoors and thus was miffed to find a 'sorry we missed you; parcel in porch' card, four minutes after it had been left. No-one had knocked and there was no parcel. I opened online chat via my Yodel tracking number. A much shortened version follows:

Welcome to Yodel, how can I help?

Hi. I'm tracking a parcel that's not due yet. I've just found a 'sorry I missed you; package in porch' card, barcode 51346467. Nothing's in porch & I was near door at time on card.

Sorry. Can you provide me with name and address on parcel details?

There aren't any; just, 14:25, tick in 'safe place' box & 'porch' written in. No courier name/ number. No-one knocked.

It seems this was meant for someone else as address and name do not correspond.

Another surname here is Warner.

This parcel is for Brian Warner. Can you provide me with his address if you know him?

Our Warner's name is Lee. He's at work so I can't ask if he's expecting a Hermes parcel.

Can you to ask him to chat with us directly as it is not the same address and name?

OK, but I'm concerned that a parcel has supposedly been left by your driver who hasn't knocked. How do we find out what's missing?

I will raise this with the depot. Many thanks for contacting Yodel.

It was then I realised I was holding a Hermes card...

Yesterday, four new, sub-standard pasta bowls (not Whittard - as none of us can find any!) arrived. Amazon refunded my daughter, who now has to find something else for my birthday next week.

Oh, the hazards of online shopping!

Yours,

Jan Hobbs