dwr318-Good, Airborne Express IS NOT!!

Starfish, I'd like to ask that you read this statement from my first post in this thread....
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KBR, no worries there - I don't normally gloss over a post looking for the worst in it :)

But still, I think my point stands. Sure, Airborne Express had no record of the package. Maybe it's just me, and maybe it's because I'm around computer systems all day long in one form or another, but not having a record of a package does not automatically imply that dwr318 was ripping you off. All it means is that there is no record of the package in the system. And that could mean there is a computer failure, or perhaps the clerk who accepted the package did something incorrectly, or any number of things.

The point is that two days is not enough time to start assuming the worst. Let's assume that dwr318 really did rip you off. Would waiting for a week have affected your chances for a positive outcome? Probably not...

I'm not trying to antagonize you - I really just want to generate some discussion about what exactly is an appropriate amount of time to wait before sounding the alarm in GB&U. This thread seemed like the proper venue for this question.

Again, I'm glad it worked out for all concerned :)

Matthew
 
Originally posted by Starfish

But still, I think my point stands. Sure, Airborne Express had no record of the package. Maybe it's just me, and maybe it's because I'm around computer systems all day long in one form or another, but not having a record of a package does not automatically imply that dwr318 was ripping you off. All it means is that there is no record of the package in the system. And that could mean there is a computer failure, or perhaps the clerk who accepted the package did something incorrectly, or any number of things.
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This is an excellent point. I've used USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation many, many times. There have been number of occasions where the tracking number did not show up on the system until several days after the package was delivered. There have also been several occasions where the number never, ever showed up in the system.

I've also seen a number of posts bashing one parcel service or another, warning people to never use them. Over the years, I've used Fedex, UPS, Airborne Express, and USPS among others. I've received excellent service from all of them. I've also at one time or another received not so good service from each of them (damaged, lost, mis-routed, late packages). I once received a monitor, packed in its original box and packing, With one corner of the box cleanly sliced off -- cardboard, foam, and the corner of the monitor completely gone. That particular time it was Fedex. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, overall, the "screw-up/good service" over time has been fairly equal for all couriers, to the point where I really don't favor one over the other. Most of the time, they've all provided me with acceptable service.

Doug
 
I understand where you're coming from....;)

I wouldn't have started this thread if Airborne Express hadn't informed me of the package not showing up in their system. I've done quite a few trades here at the BF(at least a dozen or so), and no one had ever used any other delivery service than the USPS, so I wasn't familiar with any other company's procedures/systems until now.

I'm also aware that the USPS doesn't automatically update their website when a package is mailed through them. It does usually take a couple of days, at least, for the package to show up in their system. However, even though I had waited for a couple of days to check on the package with Airborne Express, the package wasn't showing up at all on their site. Out of curiousity I called AE and was given the very incorrect information in regards to the package. I was told that no package had been shipped with dwr318's name as the sender. Also, I was also told that there was no info that any package had been sent from that zip code to mine.

I think that many individuals would have assumed the worst, just as I did, after being told that there was no record of a package being sent. I'm glad that the package did manage to somehow make it to its' destination. I do plan on calling AE tomorrow and letting them know what poor service this transaction received.

Lastly, I do think that it's important for the time period of a trade to be discussed. I found out that USPS Priority Mail(2-3day) delivery does not guarantee delivery by the 3rd day, believe it or not. :eek: My mother-in-law works as a USPS postal clerk(15+yrs) and informed me that there is no guarantee that a package will be delivered within that 2-3 day period. The only mail service that is guaranteed is Express/overnight mail.

Unfortunately, people are led to believe that their packages will reach their destinations within that 2-3 day delivery period through Priority Mail. Fortunately, the majority of packages do make it to their delivery points within that time.
 
I allways use USPS and every time the package has arrived in 2 days except once when it took 3.IMO thats a good track record.
 
At the risk of drifting this thread even further, You have to read and listen carefully at the USPS.

I've known that priority mail is not a gurantee but more a pretty good chance.

I was in the PO once and there was a person and the USPS clerk discussing priority mail. The customer kept asking "will in get there in three days?" and The clerk kept saying it shoud get there in three days. (See the should ?)
 
Life in the electronic/internet/email/modern shipping world is by far not as cut and dried as sometimes it seems to be. After 5 years doing business in it, here's some things I picked up:

1. just because someone sends an email to me, it doesn't necessarily mean I'll get it.

2. just because I send an email, doesn't mean they'll get it.

3. in the end, delivery confirmation serves no concrete proof of delivery.

4. when you ship something, and just about anything goes wrong enroute, it's gone....95% of the time.

5. nobody, absolutely nobody, at the post office, fedex, ups...etc. has never-varying, accurate knowledge about their own systems, and after you pay to have something shipped, that's really the last time they want to hear from you about it....no matter what.

6. on the upside...things usually go off without a hitch. Perhaps 1 out of 100 shipments have problems.

7. but...when there is a problem, it is assumed by everyone, that the shipping party, not the shipping company, is at fault.

8. we use the USPS almost exclusively, and bribe them with pizza and chocolate yearly to maintain positive relations and good service. (in business...a little palm greasing never hurts)

Just my .02
 
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