Not all delivery nightmares turn out bad

[GigOne]

Placed an order (item to store / display knives) on 30 Oct. Since it’s a rather large item, but not so big the top three carriers can’t handle, the seller decides to use FedEx. Jezzzz, not my favorite mode of shipping.

Paid with PayPal, which automatically shows the seller the delivery destination at time of payment. To be safe, or so it seems, I also sent the seller an email with my address.

Simple enough.

Package shipped on 31 Oct and I’m provided a tracking number. Estimated delivery is 2 Nov.

2 Nov rolls around and I make it home for lunch, approx. 12:30 (expecting FedEx Ground to make the drop around 4 PM). Check email as I was throwing a sandwich down my neck. Damn, FedEx dropped the package off at the front door at 11:31 AM. Oh shit, I don’t recall a rather large package near the front door when I arrived home.

Since it isn't uncommon for UPS and FedEx to place packages somewhere other than “the front door,” when occupants aren’t available, I make mad dash around the outside of the house. . . .twice. NO PACKAGE!

Called FedEx, provide the tracking number, and confirm my address. The rep will send a message to the local FedEx folks, asking where the driver left the package – where other than “the front door.” I was told I would receive a call the following day.

Drop an email to the seller and they want to be keep informed.

Nov 3rd arrives (3 PM), and no call from FedEx. Another call placed to the 1-800 #. I provide the tracking number and confirm my address (at the request of the FedEx rep). The rep relayed the local folks have 48 hours, from the date/time of the original message, to respond. I was told I should expect a call on 4 Nov.

Another email to the seller.

Nov 4th arrives (3 PM), and no call from FedEx. I call the FedEx 1-800 # again and provide the tracking number. The rep states, “The driver said he left it at the front door.” The rep asks me to confirm my address, which I obliging do. The rep relays, “Mr. Gig, the package was addressed and delivered to 800 XXXXXXX Drive, and not 600 XXXXXXX Drive. Please contact the seller and have them contact us. We’ll dispatch a driver Monday or Tuesday to retrieve and redeliver the package.” LMAO

Wait, wait, wait. . . . .I reconfirmed my address. . .TWICE with the previous FedEx reps (another name would more aptly apply here, but I’ll refrain). They couldn’t catch the SNAFU?

Another email to the seller. . .explaining the delivery error (WRONG ADDRESS ON LABEL) and I would make attempts at recovering the package.

The response I received from the seller, “Thanks for the update! I'm anxiously awaiting the hopefully good news.”

No apologies? Not even a little groveling?

3:20 PM, I make a quick and short drive down the street. Damn, no one home.

5:30 PM, another trip down the street. BINGO, someone is home. An introduction and explanation why I’m at the door step of the then surprised dude’s house. “Ahhh,” he exclaims, as he opens the door wider. There it was. . . .resting peacefully on the treadmill portion of a rather large, exercise machine. I thought, “Wow, what an unusual place to have an exercise machine.”

Oh, the package had been opened. . . .item removed from the box and unwrapped. What a nice guy. . .to eliminate the unpacking process for me. As he moves towards the package in question he casually comments, “Yeah, I don’t know why they delivered the box to me. . . .I haven’t ordered anything in some time and the name on the address label isn’t me.”

Moments later, my new found display case, shipping container, and packaging materials were headed home. Safe and sound.

I think the surprised dude should have kept / disposed of the box and packaging materials.

 

[DaPro]

I have had this issue before with ups...thats why it never hurts to put a phone number in the address 2 spot, or atleast it helps when it the recipient is an honest person.
Packages have been delivered at my house that clearly should have been dropped at the house across the street (names on the mailbox, numbers on both houses).

Glad your package arrived safely, but hey it made you that much more excited to receive the items.

 

[jill jackson]

Sounds like the guy that had your package, wasn't going to worry about getting it to you, or back to Fed-X even.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Big Sigh of relief. Lucky you. The fellow who opened it and made NO attempt to contact you is a chump. (Wasn't YOUR name and address loud and clear on the package?)

The same thing happened to me years ago: I ordered a custom knife from a quality maker. It took 2+ years to get completed. When done, he sent it USPS Priority to my previous address without asking me if it was current. After waiting two weeks from his reported delivery I emailed him with the "where's my knife?" query....

Uh-ohhhh. He sent it two weeks ago. To the OTHER address. My old rented condo.

Well, a note taped to the door with a humble explanation DID get me a phone call from some dude who lived there. He asked me to verify the contents. "A VERY well-made knife with walnut scales, engraving and titanium liners."

"Ummmm. I have it. Meet me at my work." Fortunately he handed it over completely unscathed. Nice toy.

But, like you, he made NO attempt to find out the true owner. My name was on the box, his landlord was mine, and I'm listed in the phone directory. I said nothing of this, grateful to get it back.

Anyway. That's not how WE operate. Good on ya'.

Coop

 

[made2cut]

Big Sigh of relief. Lucky you. The fellow who opened it and made NO attempt to contact you is a chump. (Wasn't YOUR name and address loud and clear on the package?)

Hmmm..... I think "Chump" is a little too nice of a name for that asshat. :grumpy:

Glad you got your package even if it was a bit of an adventure.

Kurt

 

[robbobus]

Yes, CHUMP is not the correct term. Thief is, at least in Canada. He knew the package did not belong to him and made no attempt to return to shipper or locate addressee. That actually constitutes theft. An error on the part of the shipper or shipping company does not entitle the incorrect receiver to keep the product. There's many intricacies to this, but it is quite clear in this case the intent and character of this individual. Glad you got your property back.