Rant on shipping

[Oaktree]

I've never had so many packages get lost and mis directed. Actually I don't think I've ever had any packages lost and mis directed until this year.

And the person that came up with "SMART POST" should NEVER work in shipping logistics.

Actually, in theory it's a good idea, especially in rural areas where the UPS distribution center covers a large, thinly populated area. After all, the USPS by law is making deliveries in all those places anyway.
If the UPS center that distributes the pallets to the post offices did a better job it would work out a lot better.
Kind of dumb name though.

On the upside I have bought a few things through Walmart lately. They have shipped FedEx and arrival times have been good.

Trouble with Walmart.com is that it seems a lot of items are not eligible for shipping at least to my area. Not sure why. The handful of things I did order thru them came promptly though.

 

[LouNY]

Ah, for the days of Gray Hound package express.

 

[Diggin It]

They have gone up 3x in a month.!!! & 2x in 1 week.!!
I was miffed to say the least.
But it’s cheaper that driving it to Utah from SC.. THATS how I rationalize it.. lol

Buyers and sellers both gripe about shipping costs, but there is no way we could get the items for anywhere near the costs by driving.

... it seems a lot of items are not eligible for shipping at least to my area. Not sure why.

Ran into that overnight. A certain model of wall heater on the 'Zon says in bold red letters 'can't be shipped to your address', yet two big box stores have the exact same item, model/manufacturer and can ship to me without a problem.

 

[kenmbz]

Got my Fedex "delayed for weather" package today. Guess since it's not dark out.
The box was open and some packaging inside damaged, but all the items were in there.
Guess it got delayed when they had to pick up all the stuff that fell out.
Seems like the place I bought it from might be at fault here.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Ah, for the days of Gray Hound package express.

I tried to ship a QA attachment to a guy using gray hound. Put a label right on it, and it was barely under their weight limit. They wouldn’t ship it unless I boxed it, which would have put it over weight.

 

[Diggin It]

For as long as I can remember, if a package is at my local UPS terminal by 2 or 3 AM, it has gone out for delivery that day. This has held true through the mess until just the last couple of weeks.

This package was there Saturday morning, so there is no reason for it not to have gone out today. Yet it didn't.

That package just showed up a few minutes ago. Meanwhile, package #2 of the same order arrived at the local UPS terminal around 4AM today, more than enough time ot get on today's truck. Nope. So, driver has to come back tomorrow. And the next day to bring package #3 of the same order.

 

[Sigarms]

Have to laugh, thought of this thread when I receive this via mail this morning...

I placed the order Sunday night, and this morning it shows it's being shipped to me tomorrow, yet it's free freight. I checked my online invoice, standard free freight ground. My money is on I won't see it tomorrow.

 

[ljjhouser]

I read that a ship lost 40 shipping containers at the LA port. I guess the tracking email would read "your order will be delayed, but it is floating along nicely."

 

[Oaktree]

I read that a ship lost 40 shipping containers at the LA port. I guess the tracking email would read "your order will be delayed, but it is floating along nicely."

How do those containers stay on the ship, especially in rough seas? They seem to be stacked pretty high, and at least from any pictures I've seen there don't seem to be any sort of tie-downs.

 

[ljjhouser]

How do those containers stay on the ship, especially in rough seas? They seem to be stacked pretty high, and at least from any pictures I've seen there don't seem to be any sort of tie-downs.

That is a good question. And apparently they don't. Wonder how many have been lost a sea we never hear about. They must have good "lost at sea" insurance.