[Tijdreiziger]

Signature required shifts the burden of proof.

If your drill press had been delivered to the wrong person, and the sender had chosen insured delivery (which automatically requires a signature), it would be easy to prove that the signature on file with the transporter did not match the actual signature of the recipient (i.e. you) (unless a fraudster forged your signature, that is).

Mind you, from what I understand, the seller is legally responsible up to the point of delivery in the Netherlands*. Therefore, even if your drill press hadn’t been sent with required signature, the shop would still be responsible in case it had been lost (but then the loss would come out of their own pocket, rather than that of the transporter).

Disclaimer: not a lawyer.

* Assuming you’re from the Netherlands due to your user name.

[Freak_NL]

All that means is that as the receiving party there is absolutely no reason for me to sign anything, or even use my actual signature.

Indeed, if the pallet was delivered to the wrong address and someone just took it, the burden of proof would lie with the selling party. Of course, a reputable transporter will make sure the address is right (plus, people generally don't act as if they were indeed expecting a pallet delivered by lorry).

[Tijdreiziger]

> All that means is that as the receiving party there is absolutely no reason for me to sign anything, or even use my actual signature.

Yes, but this actually doesn’t matter.

The only time when the signature on file is actually relevant is when the sender lodges a claim for non-delivery. In that case, it could be compared to your actual signature.

Conversely, if no claim is lodged, the package must have been successfully delivered.

Disclaimer: not a lawyer.