[mothered]

Doorstep. I'm certain this is DPDs new policy.

Well-suited to the DNA.

You didn't personally receive and accept the package on delivery.

In actually having an issue currently with exactly this. £100 ASOS order got delivered and the DPD guy left it on my door step and took a photo of it there with my front door half a jar, but not a single human in the photo. ASOS refusing to refund me as apparently this is proof of delivery. Despite me personally never receiving the parcel. I could have forgot to close my door when going to the shops for 5 minutes and someone jacked it. My electrician could have been moving tools from his van to my house and left the door ajar for ease of access, and someone could  have jacked it. Etc.

I could have forgot to close my door when going to the shops for 5 minutes and someone jacked it

Or forgotten to close the door for the entire day whilst making your way to work.

They're failing to realize that proof of delivery, does not conclude that the account holder or any household member personally received the package.

Precisely. However im still trying to convince them of this, and to issue my refund. And having done a simple Google search it seems they often refuse refunds.

Seems I may have to fallback to PayPal, which I'm not willing to do for a £100 order. Simultaneously I don't wish to keep the items, as they aren't worth £100.

Tempted to ftid / dry ice them now. Or simply return my stuff.

I agree that the cost of the Item (at 100£), Is not worth pursuing via a PayPal dispute/claim/chargeback. Save It for a high value Item.

As you're well aware, the power of SEing Is to keep manipulating a given situation until It succeeds.
Be adamant, hold your ground and keep pushing toward a successful outcome.