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I was above dealing with non-unsolicited goods, and I said in respect of the package that she should '...contact the sender (if known/identifiable) ...'. But as the sender is clearly not identifiable, your friend could not report the misdelivery to the sender, or indeed to anyone else who is 'interested'. So, as far as she is concerned (and ignoring the 'wrong name' which might not even belong to a real person), the goods were unsolicited and can, in my opinion, be retained/disposed of as she thinks fit (as the law allows). I hope she enjoys her windfall, whatever it may be!

In both cases quoted, the faulty shoes and the mystery parcel are not 'unsolicited goods' and cannot therefore be retained without further ado. The correct procedure is to contact the sender (if known/identifiable) and request that arrangements are made for collection within 14 days, at no cost or inconvenience to the person in possession, failing which the goods will be disposed of. Evidence of this communication should be kept. Only if there is no action taken to effect collection can the person in possession keep (or dispose of) the goods after the 14 days is up. It is by no means rare for stupid or lazy delivery people to leave parcels in totally unsuitable places if there is no-one in (and sometimes even if there is). They get chucked over fences, left in full view in a porch or put into a wheelie bin (on dustman day!). I hate to think how much is lost by such action - and how many investigations result.