Tis the Season for Shipping Frustration

[Jedana]

I posted this on the community board:

Maybe my family is just spoiled by Amazon, but we've had the hardest time this year with items arriving from other online retailers this year!

Three examples:

1. My wife ordered pajamas from jcpenney.com. One of the items was just plain old cancelled. The other items were shipped in two shipments.
   
   The first shipment had a tracking number with UPS, and arrived on time.
   
   The second shipment (a pair of sleep pants) had a tracking number from USPS that didn't work. She she emailed jcpenney.com. After not hearing a response, she called. The first customer service rep kept saying the second package shipped. My wife kept saying that the tracking number was wrong and she wanted the right one. Eventually, she asked to speak to a supervisor, who said the tracking number was right, and we should contact USPS. Except it wasn't right. It wasn't even the right number of digits. My wife got "disconnected".
   
   Meanwhile, this item ended up in somebody else's package on the other side of the country. California. Fortunately, the packing ship was included with the item, and a woman emailed my wife. This wonderful woman packed up the item and shipped it herself to our house.
   
   So, not only did they just up and cancel one item, they shipped another item to the wrong person, which means that potentially sensitive personal information went to another person. I don't think Penney's has responded to the last email that was sent.
   
   
2. I ordered pajamas from Walmart.com on Wednesday, December 10th. I selected standard shipping, which indicated it should have arrived yesterday, December 18th. walmart.com indicated it should take 1 - 2 business days to process and 3 - 5 to arrive. So, even allowing for "business days" only, we are looking at Monday the 22nd, right? The website said the 18th, but the 22nd would have been OK. I would understand.
   
   I got an email on the 14th indicating it was shipped. It took 4 days to process. not 1-2. Sure, the 14th was a Sunday, and that's not a business day, so maybe I'm being too hard, here?
   
   I went to track the package. It originated in Laurens, SC. On the 14th, shipment information sent to FedEx. The package did not arrive at the FedEx facility, in Atlanta, GA until the 17th. Do you see the problem? I do. Not only did it go the wrong way (South instead of North, although I guess that was the closest facility), was it going to get to my house in 24 hours? Spoilers: No.
   
   FedEx says it won't arrive until the 26th. As in 2 days after Christmas. For a gift I wanted for actually the 24th.
   
   Am I being unreasonable on this one? Obviously I should have ordered this earlier, but if the website said it would arrive in the 18th, and FedEx says the 26th, isn't that a bit late?
   
   Meanwhile, Amazon orders I made at the same time arrived on Saturday (as in last Saturday, the 13th!), before the Walmart package was even finished processing!
   
   
3. My wife order items from Hot Topic on Black Friday, November 28th. I don't know the details, but I know those items either still haven't shown up, or just showed up yesterday (I probably should have asked). 20 days.

1. for the JCP order, I would be irate. Mistakes happen, but their CSR people are really bad.

2. Walmart counts Saturday as a non-business day also. Order on the 10th, processing 11th-12th, should be ready to ship the 12th, but may not ship out until the 15th (depending on when processing was completed).
As far as the item going the wrong direction, if that is where the shipping hub is located, that's where the package goes. There is a FedEx hub in Atlanta. My packages usually head down south of me, even the ones coming from Georgia. As far as it not being on time, I agree they screwed up, and need to make it right---refund shipping, send a new item overnight, something.

3. She should contact HT today, and find out where her stuff is.
I went through this last year, with a tshirt company. I ordered on BF, with guaranteed shipping in 10 days. I cancelled the order 4 days before Christmas, when they hadn't even finished processing the orders. It took people until mid-January to get their BF orders. Won't order from them again.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Overall, I've received everything as ordered with no fuss at all this season.

However, DD created a case for her iPad mini at caseable.com, and I ordered it for her for Christmas on December 3. The website says that they're manufactured and ready to ship within 3-5 business days.

Website still shows that it's "Pending." I emailed customer service last week and received an email saying that it's nearly "ready for production" and to basically give them a break because they're a small company and have increased volume during this time. Seems like a cop-out.

The deadline for orders for arrival by Christmas was December 14 -- so I'm still trusting them to honor their word. We'll see.

 

[havaneselover]

My only frustration is with my parents who have already opened two of their gifts. I sent my mom a blouse from White House black market and paid extra for a gift box. How do you accidentally open that?

 

[Chrelaine]

Kohl's is my usual shipping frustration this time of year. I ordered a gift on Dec. 7th or 8th that won't arrive until December 23rd on the last estimate. Meanwhile, I ordered 3 Frozen shirts for my DD this past Monday when they marked them all down, not as gifts, and they arrived yesterday. I understand they may have originated in different parts of the country, but, come on! It does not take 16 days to ship a baby outfit from TX to Central NY!

Ulta took a full 7 or 8 days to even acknowledge my online order and then promised the item by Christmas and they would pay whatever additional shipping was required. Little do they know, it was a Merry Christmas to me gift, so I'm fine with whenever it gets to me. They are seriously in the weeds filling online orders.

Target and Amazon have been fantastic to me this year and Kohl's really hasn't been bad, just not great. I have been very lucky. Crossing my fingers for everyone!

 

[kaytieeldr]

2. Walmart counts Saturday as a non-business day also. Order on the 10th, processing 11th-12th, should be ready to ship the 12th, but may not ship out until the 15th (depending on when processing was completed).
As far as the item going the wrong direction, if that is where the shipping hub is located, that's where the package goes. There is a FedEx hub in Atlanta. My packages usually head down south of me, even the ones coming from Georgia. As far as it not being on time, I agree they screwed up, and need to make it right---refund shipping, send a new item overnight, something.

But the reason it's no on time is clearly the responsibility of FedEx. Even Economy shipping is only three days. What excuse does FedEx offer for holding this package data hub for eight days? Especially given the explanation quoted here - Wal-Mart considering Saturday not a business day for shipping purposes - how did they screw up?

 

[lovesmurfs]

My only frustration is with my parents who have already opened two of their gifts. I sent my mom a blouse from White House black market and paid extra for a gift box. How do you accidentally open that?

LOL. DD opened the box from my parents (without telling me) and texted me asking if she could open the card from my parents. Since they normally send a card through the mail (with just well wishes in it), I texted back that it would be fine.

Nope -- parents gave a check to her, which looks like most of her Christmas present. She was horror-struck, but serves her right for not telling me the card was in the package of presents.

 

[mnrose]

Add me to the list of people frustrated by deliveries. Yesterday I had four packaged delivered, one from Fed-Ex and one from UPS from a total of four different companies.

When I left work, all four packages had the status of "delievered - left on front porch." For the record, they were delivered within an hour of each other. When I got home, the three UPS packages were there, but not the Fed-Ex. So I do not think the other package was stolen. Also the missing package had the least desirable merchandise.

The frustrating part is the Fed-Ex resolution process. They gave me a case number and it is already closed. Their follow-up consisted of supposedly calling the driver who said he left it at our house. Call me crazy, but what else is the driver going to say. So they basically said I had to contact the seller, they were done with their resolution process?????

I am angry. This is something I ordered on December 2nd and is personalized. I don't even want it anymore, let alone by the time it may finally show up!

Just a thought. When I get things delivered by FedEx, they simply drop it in the center of my front step (visible from the street). My UPS guy puts in "around the corner" of my front step so it is NOT visible from the street. My point is that perhaps one was placed more visibly than the other and 'taken' for that reason? And, unfortunately, if someone is stealing delivered items (which is definitely happening...it was on our local news) they won't know that it isn't all that valuable until later. It's not like they are going to take the time to open things while they are stealing them.

 

[Jedana]

But the reason it's no on time is clearly the responsibility of FedEx. Even Economy shipping is only three days. What excuse does FedEx offer for holding this package data hub for eight days? Especially given the explanation quoted here - Wal-Mart considering Saturday not a business day for shipping purposes - how did they screw up?

No need to be snippy. I was explaining to the PP how Walmart does shipping, and how FedEx ships to their hubs, even if it goes against reason. The post office ships my packages from Georgia, past Jacksonville, down to Orlando, and back up to Jax, every single time. Does that make sense? Nope, but that's what they do. FedEx and UPS do that as well, not every time, but usually 8/10.

 

[Fire14]

yes! Definitely spoiled by amazon.com!!

I am currently waiting on 3 packages on ONE order from kohls.com. Acc to the site, one is coming via Fed Ex, one is coming UPS and one is coming Fed Ex via USPS...lol

Kohl's is my usual shipping frustration this time of year. I ordered a gift on Dec. 7th or 8th that won't arrive until December 23rd on the last estimate. Meanwhile, I ordered 3 Frozen shirts for my DD this past Monday when they marked them all down, not as gifts, and they arrived yesterday. I understand they may have originated in different parts of the country, but, come on! It does not take 16 days to ship a baby outfit from TX to Central NY!

Ulta took a full 7 or 8 days to even acknowledge my online order and then promised the item by Christmas and they would pay whatever additional shipping was required. Little do they know, it was a Merry Christmas to me gift, so I'm fine with whenever it gets to me. They are seriously in the weeds filling online orders.

Target and Amazon have been fantastic to me this year and Kohl's really hasn't been bad, just not great. I have been very lucky. Crossing my fingers for everyone!

My kohl's orders came in 3 separate pkgs. Per shipping dates/tracking one was expected tues one wed. and one hadn't shipped yet at time of that email.
I received tues. and wed. pkgs. on Monday and not shipped yet pkg. on tues. the Monday were fedex , the not shipped yet was USPS. All my stuff has come as expected or early so far.

 

[havaneselover]

LOL. DD opened the box from my parents (without telling me) and texted me asking if she could open the card from my parents. Since they normally send a card through the mail (with just well wishes in it), I texted back that it would be fine.

Nope -- parents gave a check to her, which looks like most of her Christmas present. She was horror-struck, but serves her right for not telling me the card was in the package of presents.

Oh, no! At least she sounds remorseful. No such luck with my parents : )

 

[gracie1]

I posted this on the community board: Maybe my family is just spoiled by Amazon, but we've had the hardest time this year with items arriving from other online retailers this year! Three examples: [*]My wife ordered pajamas from jcpenney.com. One of the items was just plain old cancelled. The other items were shipped in two shipments. The first shipment had a tracking number with UPS, and arrived on time. The second shipment (a pair of sleep pants) had a tracking number from USPS that didn't work. She she emailed jcpenney.com. After not hearing a response, she called. The first customer service rep kept saying the second package shipped. My wife kept saying that the tracking number was wrong and she wanted the right one. Eventually, she asked to speak to a supervisor, who said the tracking number was right, and we should contact USPS. Except it wasn't right. It wasn't even the right number of digits. My wife got "disconnected". Meanwhile, this item ended up in somebody else's package on the other side of the country. California. Fortunately, the packing ship was included with the item, and a woman emailed my wife. This wonderful woman packed up the item and shipped it herself to our house. So, not only did they just up and cancel one item, they shipped another item to the wrong person, which means that potentially sensitive personal information went to another person. I don't think Penney's has responded to the last email that was sent. [*]I ordered pajamas from Walmart.com on Wednesday, December 10th. I selected standard shipping, which indicated it should have arrived yesterday, December 18th. walmart.com indicated it should take 1 - 2 business days to process and 3 - 5 to arrive. So, even allowing for "business days" only, we are looking at Monday the 22nd, right? The website said the 18th, but the 22nd would have been OK. I would understand. I got an email on the 14th indicating it was shipped. It took 4 days to process. not 1-2. Sure, the 14th was a Sunday, and that's not a business day, so maybe I'm being too hard, here? I went to track the package. It originated in Laurens, SC. On the 14th, shipment information sent to FedEx. The package did not arrive at the FedEx facility, in Atlanta, GA until the 17th. Do you see the problem? I do. Not only did it go the wrong way (South instead of North, although I guess that was the closest facility), was it going to get to my house in 24 hours? Spoilers: No. FedEx says it won't arrive until the 26th. As in 2 days after Christmas. For a gift I wanted for actually the 24th. Am I being unreasonable on this one? Obviously I should have ordered this earlier, but if the website said it would arrive in the 18th, and FedEx says the 26th, isn't that a bit late? Meanwhile, Amazon orders I made at the same time arrived on Saturday (as in last Saturday, the 13th!), before the Walmart package was even finished processing! [*]My wife order items from Hot Topic on Black Friday, November 28th. I don't know the details, but I know those items either still haven't shown up, or just showed up yesterday (I probably should have asked). 20 days.

It's funny how their phones just "disconnect". You are lucky that the lady that received your package was kind enough to send it to you. You don't find that very often!

 

[Mama Steph]

I have the same problem. I called Target yesterday and they finally escalated my problem and gave me a ticket number. They told me to call back twice *and* never made any notes on my order. I would call them back and have them escalate it for you. They are just stonewalling you.

I called yesterday (after waiting til the 18th like they asked) and customer service was great. It took 3 calls (first was before the supervisors were in, 2nd call was dropped) but they did issue a refund. They wanted to mail me a GC since that was my original payment but I said that wouldn't work. I said they could credit the original GC or my red card or the could do a "ship to store" for the Disney GC and I'd pick them up there. They ended up sending an e-GC within a couple of hours.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Overall, I've received everything as ordered with no fuss at all this season.

However, DD created a case for her iPad mini at caseable.com, and I ordered it for her for Christmas on December 3. The website says that they're manufactured and ready to ship within 3-5 business days.

Website still shows that it's "Pending." I emailed customer service last week and received an email saying that it's nearly "ready for production" and to basically give them a break because they're a small company and have increased volume during this time. Seems like a cop-out.

The deadline for orders for arrival by Christmas was December 14 -- so I'm still trusting them to honor their word. We'll see.

Still waiting. Emailed again last night - received a prompt reply that they're overnighting it for delivery today (I didn't pay for overnight delivery), so here's hoping. Again.

 

[havaneselover]

I now sort of understand why my parents opened their gifts. Both my mom's gift from White House Black Market and my dad's gift from some sports memorabilia retailer were supposed to be wrapped (paid extra for this for both). Neither gift was wrapped. I just called WHBM and they refunded the $7 fee for wrapping and gave me a $20 gift card. Very aggravating, though.

 

[Chrelaine]

Kohl's is my usual shipping frustration this time of year. I ordered a gift on Dec. 7th or 8th that won't arrive until December 23rd on the last estimate. Meanwhile, I ordered 3 Frozen shirts for my DD this past Monday when they marked them all down, not as gifts, and they arrived yesterday. I understand they may have originated in different parts of the country, but, come on! It does not take 16 days to ship a baby outfit from TX to Central NY!

So, I received the last package yesterday, a day earlier than listed online. Would have been nice if the correct item was inside!!!! I called and got a foreign country. The rep wanted to put in a claim to get me another of the item I had purchased. I stopped him and said to please not bother. At this point, I have to go return this item, I will get a refund and purchase something else to have a gift for Christmas. I did probably 30 online orders this year and this is the only mess up I have encountered. Not too bad of a record, I suppose.

 

[StephMK]

I have only had one shipping mishap and that was an Amazon order sent through UPS. When I placed the order on Dec 12, I figured it was early enough that I could take the $1 credit and go with slow shipping. Any shipping I picked showed it would be here in plenty of time.

Well, that was my downfall! Amazon shipped it and it was picked up 12/14. Then it sat for a whole week at a "carrier facility" in Oakland, CA. Then on 12/21, it arrived at San Pablo CA. 2 days later, it left San Pablo. It showed delivery on 12/30, today it shows delivery on 12/31!

I finally gave up and re-ordered 2 items over the weekend. With 2 days shipping, I will get them tomorrow. They were not big items but small surprises for DS and DH. I expect Amazon will take them back when they ever get here.

 

[Darcy03231]

So far I only have one package still missing and it's doubtful that I will get it in time for Christmas.

I ordered a book off eBay for my mom (3rd in a series, I got the first two from other sellers quickly). I ordered it on 12/14 and it was supposed to be delivered by 12/22. I had a tracking number right away, but no updates, but I wasn't worried because most of the stuff I've ordered from ebay lately is delivered before tracking is updated. I contacted the seller after yesterday's mail arrived. She had to check with her husband. Didn't get an answer back yesterday so I emailed again today. Oops, husband forgot it in his truck, she'll send it today. I highly doubt it will arrive by tomorrow. Hope she isn't looking for positive feedback from me!

 

[dbarker]

Ugggh. DH ordered parts to be delivered at a movie theater - overnight. H was supposed to get it on Friday. He kept tracking the order. At 9 am, the pkg was at UPS in a town 1 hour away. The pkg arrived at UPS in the correct city at 9:45 PM. DH called UPS and was told there was a delay b/c of inclement weather. We are in Texas. It was slightly raining that day (not storming, not raining hard) and temps were in the 50s. He didn't receive the pkg until Monday afternoon.

A whole weekend of movie showing down the drain b/c of shipping delays. -$$$.

 

[powellrj]

I am still waiting on the one package I ordered and paid extra for expedited shipping on! Everything else I ordered on the same day has already arrived and they all had free shipping!!!

My odd shipping story came today. I bought all my Christmas gifts this year on-line. I bought several higher priced items like electronics and jewelry and none of them had signature required. I ordered 4 marshmallow guns and a joke book and at 8am there was a knock at the door and it was federal express needing a signature! All for my $20 package!

 

[js]

I do 99% of my xmas shopping online every year. I do 97% of it the week after Thanksgiving. I find I get all my stuff in a timely manner. Perhaps the later the items are ordered the Stores, no matter how large, cant keep up?

I would be worried to order online the second week of December even with a promised Christmas delivery.