Rant on shipping

[tallyho8]

We are always writing about how bad shipping is, so here is one about how good it can be. A first class package delivered in less than 48 hours from time it was ordered online from Michigan to New Orleans

Tracking History​

May 9, 2022, 2:35 pm
Delivered, In/At Mailbox
WESTWEGO, LA 70094
Your item was delivered in or at the mailbox at 2:35 pm on May 9, 2022 in WESTWEGO, LA 70094.

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May 9, 2022, 6:29 am
Out for Delivery
WESTWEGO, LA 70094

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May 9, 2022, 6:18 am
Arrived at Post Office
WESTWEGO, LA 70094

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May 9, 2022, 5:48 am
Departed USPS Facility
MARRERO, LA 70072

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May 9, 2022, 5:48 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
MARRERO, LA 70072

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May 9, 2022, 5:26 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
NEW ORLEANS LA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

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May 9, 2022, 12:53 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility
NEW ORLEANS LA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

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May 8, 2022
In Transit to Next Facility

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May 7, 2022, 10:45 pm
Departed USPS Regional Origin Facility
GRAND RAPIDS MI DISTRIBUTION CENTER ANNEX

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May 7, 2022, 9:37 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
GRAND RAPIDS MI DISTRIBUTION CENTER ANNEX

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May 7, 2022, 8:22 pm
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
WYOMING, MI 49509

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May 7, 2022, 3:29 pm
Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending
WYOMING, MI 49519

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May 7, 2022
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item

 

[goeduck]

^^^

I get lots of excellent shipping as well.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^

I get lots of excellent shipping as well.

So do I. The order I placed on Monday while sitting in my truck out in the woods, was delivered to the Post Office yesterday via Surepost. That's just one of many... and I haven't ordered from Amazon in months.

 

[ultrarunner]

By far my best is with Grainger…

almost always order by noon and have it next day… with a variety of carriers but can’t remember USPS being one.

On a separate note all my US mail carriers, FedEx Express and UPS are standup people.

Really hit or miss with Amazon and OnTrac? These drivers half the time think the residential streets are race tracks and deliveries often curbside…

 

[Pixguy]

I just ordered a part from Partstown and they'll ship next day via FedEx next day (afternoon) regardless of location for $28. Great service and it's always delivered on time.

 

[kenmbz]

Fedex is still hot or miss for me, some arrive at door, some need a scavenger hunt.
I know the USPS and UPS guys for years.

 

[BravoXray]

I ordered a couple of knobs from McMaster-Carr Tuesday afternoon around 4:00PM and they arrived before 2:00PM Wednesday afternoon.

 

[dragoneggs]

I still can't believe how I am ordering from Amazon and getting it in less than 24hrs in some cases!

 

[Pixguy]

I still can't believe how I am ordering from Amazon and getting it in less than 24hrs in some cases!

You're clearly living close to a warehouse.

 

[ponytug]

Just went through an ordeal with FedEx, normally a great carrier here.

But first, a show of hands here, how many of you know that the old Zone Improvement Plan code comes in a 5+4+2 version? Yeah, me, neither.

There were three items in the shipment, #2 and #3 shipped first. The first one arrives after two days, and the driver manages to scan the bar code for package #2 , but leaves package #3 at the end of the driveway and drives away with #2. That was a month ago. In the interim, endless phone calls to FedEx, who keep claiming that items #2&3 are on the truck out for delivery, despite my repeatedly telling them that I have #3. #1 is in their system as also being out for delivery, but in early May the vendor finally ships #1, and then it is endlessly "on the truck, out for delivery". Today, I get item #2. Remember it? Yes, the one on the truck for 28 days, now sunbleached. Item #1 is "on the truck", remember? So why wasn't item #1 delivered? "Customer was unavailable, or Business was closed". Say what? Yup. Ok to drop one package off, but not the other. (plus one more for my wife). What the heck?

So, I finally have bright idea of calling the local station, instead of 1-800-GoFedEx number. The first person who answers, listens to my saga, and says "hang on a moment, the trucks are back and I will go check with your driver about it." Three minutes later, she comes back on the line and says that "the package is here, do I want to come get it, or do I want to wait for delivery?" As I have seen the "wait for delivery" movie for a month, I say that I will come by to pick it up.

When I get to the station, I bang on the door (nobody is answering the phone...), and someone pops their head out to ask what I want. I explain, and she says, "didn't I just talk to you?", and goes back in and comes out with package #1, obviously much worse for the wear, and proceeds to give me the backstory.

Apparently, the original label came off somewhere in the round trips, so someone at FedEx verified the package and printed a new label, all fine and dandy. It is me, with my street address and zip code. But it it a FedEx internally generated label. So my address now includes a zip code that is zip code, plus, plus and is 5+4+2 numbers, where the last two digits identify the household. The driver has been entering my address, complete with the 5+4+2 zip code into Google maps, which kind of barfs on the address, but not completely and points to the other end of my street (6.5 miles away), instead of the address portion, which is accurate.

Part of me feels like there ought to be someone to blame here, but I can't decide if it is the shipper for not using a label with enough glue, or the driver's manager for not being supportive of him that he could go to his manager and say "hey, boss, I'm having an issue...", or the driver for not entering the address instead of just scanning it with his magic scanner, or me for not going "Duh!" and calling the local station.

So now you, too know all about zip code plus, plus, and can amaze your friends with your knowledge of zip codes plus plus.

I was this close to contesting the charge with my credit card company and putting the portion of the order that I had back on the street and telling the shipper to come get it.

And now back to your regularly scheduled rant, I mean channel.

All the best,

Peter