We had a notice from FedEx that they had been unable to deliver a package this Saturday because “the recipient was unavailable or the business was closed”. The delivery location was our house, there was no signature required, and all day there was someone within sight of the door. We received other FedEx packages the same day. The notice told us to contact our local post office to arrange delivery or pickup. I was ready to chew someone out but was going to wait after we picked up the package, but on Sunday it was delivered to our mailbox along with the mail.
Since when does FedEx (not USPS) deliver through the US mail?
Since when is the US mail delivered on a Sunday?
This whole situation has me confused, but at least we got the package!
Amazon has been among the worst this year. I hate when they use the combined service of shipping part way with UPS/FedEX which then hands the package off to the Post Office for final delivery. An email will show that the package was delivered, but it actually was just dropped at the P.O. It takes two or more days for the package to arrive at my home. We’ve had more damaged packages this year when this combined system has been used.
Target has been slow as molasses this year. Bealls of Florida (I order from Bealls when they put Tervis products on sale) and Belk have been very slow also. Old Navy has been a good source of both men’s t-shirts (dh is tough on them, so I buy ON’s on sale) and baby clothes (since they’re quickly outgrown), but their delivery can be very slow.
Walmart has been handy for household necessities and a line of American made towels; they’re usually pretty fast. A package of OTC meds and first aid supplies arrived yesterday, one day after the order was placed.
I’ve order things from Amazon where they’ve said it would take two days and they’ve arrived in one.
Staples is amusing because their website is convinced they have next day delivery for me, but they don’t. It doesn’t bother me any more because I just plan for two.
We now have a Nest doorbell so we know when someone comes to our stoop.
FedEx is really wonky around here, but I had assumed it was a local issue. My pet peeves:
UPS and USPS ring the bell and tuck the package or envelope behind a column or a shutter.
FedEx doesn’t ring, and throws packages and envelopes over the gate. That gate is never locked and it doesn’t even close completely so they know it’s open. Several envelopes have gotten drenched in the rain from landing on the steps and missing the porch (just put it in the mailbox, why not?).
FedEx has a notification system, but it can be off by days. Envelope 1 arrived during a thunderstorm, landed on the steps, and I got a notification the next day that it would arrive 2 days later, HAH! Box 1 texted me that it arrived, but it hadn’t. I called and filed a search. It came 2 days later.
It works most of the time but they really need to get their act together!
Best has been Bed Bath and Beyond hands down, Macy’s been good this year too.
The worst has been Eddie Bauer I ordered 4 identical shirts, 3 the same size after a week I got a shipping notice that one of the three was OUT OF STOCK and would be shipped “when available” These are very basic thermal tops that they stock year round. I needed them for pictures so I drove to the local store and they had a full shelf of the shirts in the size and color I needed.
Dillards web sit makes me crazy I wish they had some way to look if an item on their web page is in stock at a store. Their inventory system is so out of date. They have different numbers on their web site then the item number on the tag in the store on the exact same thing. It makes it very difficult to call a store and ask if something is in stock.
Fed Ex is hit or miss here. The next day/express delivery is good but ground Fed Ex not so much. They don’t ring or knock and often leave packages around mid night. If it were just the holidays I’d understand but they do this year round. One time I saw the driver pull up and walked out to meet him half way to the house. He didn’t have my package in hand but a pre-filled ‘sorry we missed you’ note! I called him on it and he said, “well I didn’t think you were home” I guess he thought he could see through walls?
UPS has been great. DH ordered a pair of prescription glasses from an online company and they ship from China. Since it’s the holidays and he has a complicated prescription and they were coming from overseas he paid a small upgrade shipping fee and the glasses were on our doorstep less than 24 hours after they cleared customs and a few days after they were ordered. We were gobsmacked! I ordered glasses the same time from a different company and I have a very simple prescription, they ship from the US and ‘expected delivery’ is still several day out…
Fedex Ground basically uses independent contractors for delivery. They are paid per piece. Fedex sells their routes. To maximize their money, the contractor or those employed by the contractor really need to hustle. I’ve had chats with my local guy about this process over the years because my husband regularly orders wine that has to be signed for. Our guy says that normally he spends an hour or or so rearranging the back of the truck to more efficiently tackle his routes than the way it is packed by Fedex. During the holidays, the truck is too jam packed to do that, resulting in wasting his time. He can work 12 hour days. He also says that Fedex includes packages that are over the supposed weight limit set.
Bottomline, it sounds like the system Fedex Ground uses results in drivers taking shortcuts to maximize their profits. Often incentives and systems used by companies have unintended consequences - or they really don’t care and its all about the $$.
"Amazon will no longer allow its third-party sellers to use FedEx’s ground delivery to ship Prime packages, marking a change that could affect small businesses and pricing for consumers.
The move was highlighted in an email, obtained by The Wall Street Journal, reportedly sent to Amazon’s merchant partners on Sunday.
The email noted performance declines as the reason for the decision to block FedEx (FDX) Ground, according to the Journal. The ban will reportedly take effect this week and last “until the delivery performance of these ship methods improves.”
Shutterfly is hands down the worst for me. They use the UPS transfer to USPS and they must not pay for first class. I had to order 20 extra cards, and it will be two weeks since ordering before I get them, and 9 days since they have been shipped! They have been in MN for a week already. Tracking info says it was delivered to the post office early Monday morning, but still not out for delivery today. They must have a low tier option that Shutterfly agrees to or something. Anyone know if Snapfish is the same? Might have to change next year.
I have not had issues with the retailers as packages have all been shipped in a reasonable amount of time, but have had issues with delivery companies. I had one package sit at a Fedex location 5 miles from my house for 3 days. I was beginning to consider just hopping in the car and driving there to try and get it but that probably wouldn’t have worked. We also had an issue with one package that was shipped from the UK (gymshark) that sat in customs for several days. I was starting to wonder if that one was going to make it but it did. These delivery issues do make me rethink holiday shopping on-line. I guess I could shop early but I hit some pretty good sales and would have paid substantially more if I had bought earlier.
Worst - Sephora (not a logistic issue, it’s the backlog issue - they have so many orders to fill and seems like they don’t have enough people working to get the orders out it seems)
My own fault, but I get sucked in by facebook/instagram product ads and in many cases the product is coming from China- usually via the proverbial “slow boat”. Response to inquiries and tracking are sketchy at best. I keep getting told “your product has shipped. Allow a few days for tracking to appear.” It never does. One item is a gift going directly to my sister’s house and I really wanted it there by Christmas. No telling where it is. I should have learned by now.
As for the other retailers, I can tell you how hard it is to keep up with orders and be fully staffed at this time of year. Retailers have to quadruple (at least) their customer service and e-commerce staffs, and in this robust economy, it isn’t easy to find people. I try to allow some slack.
Still waiting for the white athletic socks to ship from Under Armour. I won’t be ordering from them next year.
For the most part I’ve been fairly happy with the delivery companies. I do wish that USPS and FedEx would leave the packages behind my gate. UPS has no trouble opening the game and walking the packages in. As I’ve probably mentioned many times on previous threads I’ve had the same UPS driver for over 30 years. Holiday time we sometimes get a different driver but for the most part it’s the same guy. He is always friendly and takes a minute to acknowledge the dogs with a hello and a biscuit.
Husband and I both had packages DHL was bringing from Europe that got caught up in an early December weather event here in New England. Took four days “out for delivery” equivalent, including a Sunday, before they arrived early Monday afternoon. Poor dude looked haggard, and his eyes were doing a bit of a trapped spin.
I have a delivery from them due this Friday and will be watching updates with popcorn at hand.
I ordered printer ink from Office Depot on Monday afternoon and it was delivered before noon on Tuesday by their own delivery driver. They had H sign for it, so it was handed off.
What I don’t understand is where did it come from? The website said it was not available in the store less than a mile down the road. If they have a warehouse in the area that had it, then why hadn’t they taken some to the store so it could be sold?
Anyway, I got what I ordered in less than 24 hours and so I am happy.
Just got a notice from FedEx that my order from Everlane will now arrive by end of day on 12/26. I ordered on 12/13. And to top it off, Everlane doesn’t have a phone number and says to send an email and they’ll do their best to respond as soon as possible. I hate companies like this! I didn’t buy much for my kids this year and this is one of the bigger gifts for DD. I just hate she won’t have it for Christmas.
Everlane has free 2 day shipping right now. I’d reorder your stuff and return the items that aren’t going to get here by Christmas.
Everlane has what they call happy returns. In my area, world market was the happy returns store. I returned an everlane order and it was credited back to my account the next day. It was a very easy return.
I’ve ordered a few things from everlane and have been very happy with the speed of shipping. I’d blame this on fedex. That’s not acceptable
Have not had trouble with anyone (thankfully) - Amazon, Under Armour, Bombas, Shutterfly, Barnes & Noble (via college bookstores), Sephora and Sharper Image have all delivered in a reasonable timeframe. I do start my shopping early so that probably helps.
Best Buy uses OnTrac in our area. Horrible. After the shipment was 4 days late I called (on hold for almost an hour) and said if it wasn’t delivered that day that I need delivery to be held until mid the next week as we were heading out of town. Rep said it was definitely not coming that day and they can hold it for a later delivery.
So pricey item with identifiable packaging gets delivered while we’re gone. Luckily Best Buy sent a delivery email and a neighbor was able to scoop up the package.
