Proof of delivery, signed with a finger

Proof of delivery shows that the goods reached the right person on a given day. The page lists the items and quantities, then asks for a name and a finger signature, with a box to report damage or shortages. The signature comes straight to you, so a 'never arrived' dispute has something to go on.

When to use it

• A furniture maker hands over a dining set worth thousands.
• A wholesaler drops stock with a shop and needs a record for the invoice.
• A contractor receives materials on site, when the owner is elsewhere.
• You want to know at once about damage, not weeks later.

What a good one includes

• A delivery number linked to the order.
• Every item and quantity, so the signature covers something specific.
• The delivery address and date.
• The driver's name, which helps if a question comes up later.
• An instruction to check the goods before signing.
• The name of the person who actually received them, who may not be the customer.

Make one by saying what you need

Text it, type it or say it, the way you'd tell a colleague:

Delivery note DN-2231 for Harlan Interiors: 2 sofas and 1 armchair to Grace Kim, 8 Linden Avenue, driver Paul, check for marks before signing.

Questions

Whose phone is it signed on?

Either. Send the link to the customer in advance, or open it on the driver's phone and hand it over.

What if the customer isn't home?

Someone else can sign, and their name is recorded. Leaving goods unsigned is a business decision, so say what you'll do in your delivery terms.

Does this prove the goods were undamaged?

It shows what was signed for and anything reported at the time. Hidden damage may still come up later, and your rights depend on your terms and local law.