Package delivery horror stories...

[Archae]

Anyone got any good ones, I have a dandy here.

I mailed a package from here in Wisconsin to Georgia.
USPS told me the package would take a week.
Took three weeks to get there.

When it did, the box looked like it was used as a football by a pro NFL team.

Horribly mangled, the surprising thing was the contents of the package was undamaged.
(Well, I do pack them tight, using spare styrofoam peanuts...)

But the box looked like it had been given to that gorilla in the suitcase TV ad from years back.

[Blue Owl]

1. DeJoystick probably personally humped it

[ZZenith]

2. UPS doesn't know where the musical instrument I bought is.

They have no idea - mailed on April 13th. Fairly hard to find item, so I am really pissed. Got a great price on it.

I only wish the sender had used the USPS. I would now be playing it.

[Ahpook]

29. Oh jeez

Been there many times with instruments. Guitars, etc seem to be a 50/50 chance of arriving intact.

I ordered a 4X12 guitar speaker cabinet last month that was disgustingly brutalized on its journey to my home. The side handles were ripped off, the front grill cloth was punctured along with one of the speakers behind it. It also had cosmetic scratches and missing one of the casters.

Good ole UPS!

[ZZenith]

30. Sorry to hear that, Ahpook

That had to be a great disappointment.

I get that the UPS gig has to suck, and by the 10,000 package you’ve handled that day you just can’t be bothered to give a damn what state the package arrives in at it’s final destination, but basic humanity dictates that you give it some care and attention.

They’d be hard-pressed to destroy the thing I purchased (a 1996 Drumkat) but I can’t decide which would be worse - have it show up in a shambles or just disappear like smoke, never to be seen again.

I hope you had some recourse and got them to reimburse.

[Ahpook]

33. It was through Guitar Center

The manager kind of figured I didn't want the thing in that shape, so they refunded me

[ZZenith]

34. Did you ever get the 4x12 you were wanting?

Also, did you use to have Jimi as your avatar?

[Ahpook]

35. Yes I did

I found another one in their network of used gear. It is a Mesa Boogie 4X12 with 4 Celestion V30's in it for $550

I don't know how they price the gear they get in, but they screwed themselves selling a Boogie that cheap. Thankfully it was delivered in perfect condition.

[ZZenith]

36. Love the Boogie sound!

Glad it all worked out. Cheers ~

[Ahpook]

37. And yes my avatar was Jimi

I think I changed it to George Harrison, but as of a couple months ago I can't seem to view my own avatar anymore.

[ZZenith]

38. I believe you have excellent taste in music, Ahpook!

Two of my all-time favorite people.

[Ahpook]

39. I can see my avatar again :)

Someone here on DU said to use Adguard blocker instead of Ublock in Firefox. Works like a charm, and apparently I did change my avatar to Mr. George

Anyway, hope you get your gear settled as well. I hate UPS, but started using them to pay my credit card bill after Trump and his merry band of assholes screwed over the USPS. They lost one of my payments and was nailed with a 30 dollar late charge from my CC company.

Never more!

[happybird]

3. My cat's meds went on an adventure last month

according to the tracking data.

After being accepted at a nearby facility, they were shipped to somewhere in the Poconos (Stroudsburg, PA), then to Maryland, then back to PA, then back to my county in northern Virginia... but the way other side of the county. Then they arrived, for the second time, at the nearby facility where the package had been accepted about a week before. Then, finally, my house a day later.

This was after a short tour of the Pacific NW in the first week of shipping (they are sent from Portland, OR).

Usually they take 3-5 days to arrive. Last month they took over 2 weeks. Thank goodness I had ordered his refill a little earlier than usual, but he still went without his meds for 2 days. Grrrrr.

I couldn’t believe the number of entires on the tracking page! I even took a screenshot of it because it looked insane.

[Kali]

7. check out my reply below

I took a video of it as I scrolled, this is how long it was.

[happybird]

9. !!!!

Holy shit! I wonder how many facilities they have in Tucson or if it was being sent back to the same one a few times? Or back and forth between two facilities?

That is crazy!

[Kali]

11. I have no idea the the hell was going on

I wrote a paper letter to fedex last week, but I haven't heard back yet

[happybird]

12. I'd love to hear how the package ended up in GA and OH

[MoonchildCA]

4. My husband mailed the title to a classic car he sold, two weeks ago, express mail.

Never showed up. It’s lost.

[RainCaster]

5. Lazy ass Amazon driver tossed 2 padded envelopes

Out of the truck window and drove off. They hire the best...

[Kali]

6. just finally got a package that was shipped a month ago

it actually spent over two entire weeks traveling back and forth between Phoenix and Tucson (about 120 miles apart). it made at least 8 trips (as well as going to Georgia and Florida apparently ). no idea why, fedex blamed the usps, but it was all on a fedex vehicle the whole time.



May 18
8:04 AM
Delivered
Package delivered by U.S. Postal Service to addressee DRAGOON, AZ
May 18
7:53 AM
At U.S. Postal Service facility
Accepted by U.S. Postal Service DRAGOON, AZ
May 18
1:35 AM
In transit
In transit to local Post Office - Allow two to three additional days for delivery TUCSON, AZ
May 17
3:46 AM
Departed FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 15
5:03 AM
Arrived at FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 15
3:06 AM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 14
5:23 PM
Arrived at FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 13
11:37 PM
Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 11
9:20 PM
Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 11
11:47 AM
In transit PHOENIX, AZ
May 11
12:35 AM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 10
9:24 AM
Arrived at FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 10
7:27 AM
Departed FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 10
2:39 AM
Departed FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 9
10:51 PM
Arrived at FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 9
9:26 PM
Arrived at FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 9
8:04 PM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 9
8:55 AM
At local FedEx facility TUCSON, AZ
May 9
12:46 AM
Arrived at FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 8
12:45 AM
Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 6
11:09 PM
Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 6
10:32 PM
In transit PHOENIX, AZ
May 6
6:55 AM
Departed FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 6
6:43 AM
Arrived at FedEx location TUCSON, AZ
May 6
12:43 AM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 5
10:43 PM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 5
5:00 PM
In transit
In transit to U.S. Postal Service TUCSON, AZ
May 5
3:09 PM
Arrived at FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 5
3:09 AM
Shipment information sent to U.S. Postal Service
May 4
10:23 PM
Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 3
8:47 PM
Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST PHOENIX, AZ
May 3
11:17 AM
Departed FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 1
2:42 PM
In transit OCALA, FL
May 1
2:36 AM
Arrived at FedEx location PHOENIX, AZ
May 1
2:39 AM
In transit DALTON, GA
Apr 30
1:27 PM
In transit SWEET SPRINGS, MO
Apr 30
1:08 AM
In transit OLATHE, KS
Apr 29
6:27 PM
In transit OLATHE, KS
Apr 26
10:36 PM
Arrived at FedEx location OLATHE, KS
Apr 26
5:38 PM
In transit OLATHE, KS
Apr 25
4:20 PM
Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST GROVE CITY, OH
Apr 25
1:27 PM
Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST GROVE CITY, OH
Apr 22
9:49 PM
Shipment information sent to FedEx

[Archae]

8. OMG...

I think you win the Internets!

[Kali]

10. it was just some clothing items that I wasn't in any rush to get

so it was more amusing than anything, but WTF? what if it had been meat or other food?

[yonder]

13. That beats the ol "garden elves" in Europe trip by a long shot.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

18. The typical observation by a Vermont native would be...

..."If I was going to Arizona, I sure wouldn't start in Grove City."

[Kali]

21. ya cain't get thar from here!

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

23. That reminds me of story I heard about awhile back.

In the '80s I worked for a defense contractor and a coworker had a photocopy of this story from a company published in-house magazine for employees. The story was about these 2 service members working at a repair location somewhere in Florida. It seems that among their duties was the maintenance of spares kits and inventory. One particular system was short 2 items and they properly sent an order through normal channels for replacements.

Problems began when the regional depot was completely out of stock. Since no open contracts were available to purchase these from an approved supplier, an effort began to establish a new contract with an approved supplier. The depot sent the initial paperwork up the chain of command which received approvals as it went. Requests for bidding were forwarded and funded followed by quotations and then finally purchase orders for the 2 needed parts. Everything ended well with the servicemen able to restock once the 2 replacements were received.

The net effect totaled parts and non-recurring labor paid for by the Navy of $220 and some change.
Of course the cost to buy ten 1N4148 diodes at a local Radio Shack was $0.98 plus tax. Of course Radio Shack wasn't warranting compliance with the applicable Mil-Std and didn't have open supply contract for the purchase.

These parts today are available on Amazon for $6 plus tax for 125 pieces plus shipping with 7 day delivery.

Your tax dollars at work.

[Kali]

25. possibly those procedures protect something somewhere

but it is hard to see it in that example. at least it trains somebody how to eventually get a job done, too many people just give up when faced with one flimsy barrier to progress.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

26. I have a slightly different opinion.

Which is: many government procedures are just splinters on the railing of life. Some of us get finger and palm injuries. Others are required to slide. Involving the military will often grease the railing.

In general, many procedures are established for those people who wouldn't know what to do if there weren't any. Procedural optimization is usually deliberate and generally slow.

Stay cool and safe. Remember sunscreen.

[Kali]

27. too true a lot of the time

agree about being for people who need guidance LOL

bought a bunch of sunscreen for the house a year or two ago. still have most of it.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

28. re: sunscreen

Have a great weekend.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. I had a package shipped to the (one and only) PO in the town where I live ...

... (as confirmed by tracking) but instead of going out for delivery, it was returned to the originating address several states away. Sender returned it to his PO, they shipped it back to me.

A few months ago, I received a broken CD. Not a CD in a broken case (though the case was thoroughly done for, too) but an actual CD broken into three pieces. Have you ever tried to even BEND a CD ?? They're like f'ing armor!

For real fun, you have to resort to overseas mail. On 1 April (SRSLY!) I got back a package that I had sent to Italy over a year earlier. Marked 'undeliverable'. I guess it took them that long to be sure.

[Kali]

20. had the same thing happen to me last year to Germany

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213319976


tried again to send a Bday package to the same place in September. I printed out a map and a satellite image and taped it to the package. It made it to Germany in a few days then sat in customs for at least another month. but it did finally get there.

[fierywoman]

15. My used book from Amazon -- my PO box is in Kirkland, WA, bought from Goodwill in

Colorado Springs, CO -- It took 10 days from the time it was shipped ...
(read from bottom up):


Shipped with USPS

Monday, May 10
10:11 AM
Delivered
Kirkland, WA US

Shipped with USPS

Sunday, May 9
6:58 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Kirkland, WA US
6:28 AM
Package has left the carrier facility.
Redmond, WA US
2:44 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Redmond, WA US
1:07 AM
Package has left the carrier facility.
Seattle Wa Network Distribution Center, US
Saturday, May 8
2:05 PM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Seattle Wa Network Distribution Center, US

“Arriving by next Thursday”

Shipped with USPS

Friday, May 7
8:35 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Reno Nv Distribution Center, US



Shipped with USPS

Thursday, May 6
12:21 PM
Package has left the carrier facility.
North Las Vegas, NV US
10:09 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
North Las Vegas, NV US


Shipped with USPS

Wednesday, May 5
1:14 AM
Package has left the carrier facility.
Glendale Heights, IL US
Tuesday, May 4
1:44 PM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Glendale Heights, IL US
Friday, April 30
Package has shipped



Tracking info provided by Goodwill Colorado Springs
Shipped with USPS

[ms liberty]

16. We ordered a package of soap bars last spring at the beginning of the lockdown

Our local stores were out, and the shelves were bare. It was Lever 2000 w/aloe, one of those packages with 10 or 12 bars in it. It shipped Fed Ex Ground.

It never arrived. They can't find it, after it bounced all over the place for several weeks. We ending up having a replacement order sent...and that one was delivered, thank goodness!

[localroger]

17. A few years ago I bought a DVD from Barnes & Noble

They shipped it in a padded envelope, in a standard plastic carrier box, via UPS. It arrived bent. Like, the entire DVD carrier box had apparently been slammed into a corner by something much heavier and bent in half. The DVD itself seemed OK at first but would not play. I returned it and ordered the same DVD from Amazon, which shipped it in a box via USPS. Still have that one, with an intact carrier box and a disc that plays.

[mitch96]

19. Two that I can think of... A package that the UPS said was delivered

Marked delivered but not at the mail box or at the front door... Said delivered to a address in another town.. Not even similar address.. Shows up two days later in MY mailbox after a complaint to the local postoffice. I think, and this is just me that they mark it delivered to get it off their "daily list". Looks like it's delivered and they drop it off at their leisure...
The other was a package delivered to the wrong address on my block by a "temp" driver... Took me a few days but I found it after talking to the "temp" ... uffda..
m

[dalton99a]

22. Took them almost a month to deliver a simple document 900 miles away

I did send it certified. But I assumed they would use airplanes, not horses

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

24. 30 years ago I sent a money order.

It went 17 miles. I sent it registered mail because my mortgage payment would have been late.
I don't have any tracking data but after 9 days, I called a postal inspector at 30th Street Station in Philly who personally saw to it that it was found and dispatched for delivery the next day.

As a postal worker friend explained, certified means a recipient needs to sign for the delivery. Registered means everyone from the initial post office through every employee who takes custody of the item needs to sign for it.

[Sogo]

31. I'm still waiting for a package from Germany that I ordered on 4/18/21.

I'm about to place a claim with my credit card company that my order was never received. I did receive an email that it was shipped on 4/25/21, but they gave no way of tracking it on their website. I'm trying to decide if it's a scam....

[FakeNoose]

40. Can you request tracking info? Is there any customer service?

I have ordered from European companies and I've gotten excellent service, probably better than most US companies. They should tell you how it was shipped and give you tracking info. Don't wait too long or the window for return/refund/chargeback will close on you.

Good luck!

[Raven]

32. Delivery guy hung my DIL's package of meds on a tree.