I don't know if anyone else has this problem or has noticed but it seems that more and more of even the good internet shops we deal with, no names because they are still good and in some cases the only places to get what we need for our hobby, but it seems that they are much more frequently sending out an "order has shipped" notice and the item ordered does not show up at UPS,FED EX, or the USPS for several days. Just had an order from one shop, well known and respected that took 7 days for Priority 2 day shipping, although it only took 2 days from the acknowledement from USPS that the item had been actually picked up until delivery. I wouldn't mind the time involved but would rather have a notice that shipping would be in a few days instead of shipped when it hasn't been.
It seems we all are "guilty" of wanting the item in our hands as soon as we press "enter" when we order something online. Just like being in a store and walking out with it. I know I am.
I have also waited about 2 weeks and NEVER recieved a "order has shipped" or even "order is on hold" notice, and have called to be sure they actually got my order, and strange how it gets processed that afternnon!
And so, to avoid the business's operations being "targeted" as to inquiries as to "when will my order be here", they seem to illegitimately tell us "order has shipped" when it hasn't actually left the building with Elvis.
Secondly, some places DO have the item "in the shipping box ready to go" thusly "shipped", but only have the shipper pick up on certain days or when there are enough orders to actually go out, OR to space it out so the shipper doesn't get ovewhelmed. Reember last Chrismas? the SHippers got overburdoned? At least UPS did on "2 day shipping" items.
There have been a number of {disappointed} threads about ebay shippers who only ship once or twice a week, causing the same turmoil as you describe above.
It is the sign of the electronic age, I guess.
You takes yer chances, just like taking chances in driving all the way to the store to find they don't have what you want in stock.
Just keep it in mind the next time you order something. From anybody.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Many times the item is packed and waiting for pick up by the carrier. When the sender go on-line and makes the request for pick up, the notice seems to go out. It may not be even picked up until the next day. If parcel tracking is available, you can see this happening. Also, many of the parcels are 5 business day shipping. Some of the package delivery firms are giving a discount if the shipper will wait until a certain day for pick up - They are balancing their workload.
Back in the late 60's, I would mail an order to America's Hobby Center(remember them?), and it would take 2-3 weeks before the package arrived! What really amazes me is how fast a Netflix DVD gets back to Netflix and a new DVD arrives at my door!
Jim - and I see that the forum software did it's thing with the formatting again!
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I think that part of it may be that you can take packages to a shipping point, but that point may not picked up daily by a truck to get it moving. Though I don't know how to do it, I understand you can print up a USPS label at home which enters the package into the system, but if you don't put it out for pick up, it doesn't move. A given online retailer may only be picked up two or three times a week, even though the labels are printed up and the package recorded in the system at the time it is packaged and labeled.
Just my thoughts.
Have fun,
Richard
I have also noticed that when the shipping label is printed, it might show up as shipped, but it might not even be in the "system" until it is actually picked up and scanned by the shipping agent.
Mike.
My You Tube
Whatever I order locally here in Germany, it reaches my doorstep not later than 3 days after I turned in my order. I recently received a package mailed from Oregon and it took only 6 days to get here. That deserves a ! OTOH, a package I sent to a friend in Louisiana took a month to get there. It hit Ft. Worth/Dallas airport two days after I posted it, but took over three weeks to clear customs and get delivered. That´s clearly a .
As others have pointed out, most larger Internet sellers don't drop off packages with the shipper. Rather, they place their shipping request into the shipper's computer system and then wait for the shipper to pick up the package from the Internet seller's place of business. That does not necessarily occur on the same day.
Case in point. I recently ordered an item from Tony's Train Exchange on a Thursday morning. On Friday afternoon, I received a notice that the item was shipped. Although I paid extra for UPS, TTE mistakenly shipped USPS. I quickly emailed to point out the error. I then heard nothing until Monday afternoon when TTE emailed me to report that they were able to change to UPS before USPS picked up the package. So, the reported shipping on Friday did not actually happen until Monday, three days later.
Regarding USPS 2 Day Priority Mail, that is a joke. On two recent occasions, I shipped items that I sold by USPS 2 Day Priority Mail, and I personally dropped off the package at the Post Office, paying extra for the 2 Day. In one instance, it took three weeks and in the other instance it took 7 days, and both packages were dropped off on Monday mornings. In my experience, 2 Day Priority means nothing to USPS and it is routinely ignored. To make matters worse, USPS Tracking is an even bigger joke than 2 Day Priority. It is normal to see nothing on USPS Tracking until the package is delivered.
My advice is to always use UPS or FedEx, preferably FedEx, cheaper and faster, and FedEx delivers on Saturday whereas UPS takes the day off on Saturday.
Rich
Alton Junction
I have bought a number of one-off items from several small sellers on E-Bay over the past 2 years, and received nothing but the best of service (and communication)- I remember dealing with the UPS pickup service at our family business- the regular dropoff/pickup was M-F, and Saturdays, you had to call for a special pickup if you had one. Give some of these guys a break- they are working on small margins in many cases and need to balance their delivery service usage against their sales activity in the most efficient manner. Given the quality of service I have had- even with electronics parts purchased from Hong Kong with a 2 week+ time frame, the fact that I can get pretty much what I want (except that darned Grain Belt Beer Boxcar, I will opt for a bit of patience over raising my blood pressure.
If you can't get a response from the seller, then ask E-Bay to intervene- their business relationship with the seller gives them some leverage.
Cedarwoodron
Here's another thing..This one kinda irks me..
When I pay by Pay-Pal I get a order has shipped even though its Sunday or a Federal goof off day-aka Holiday and the post office is closed and the friendly mail person is enjoying the time off..
Here's why..As soon as the seller prints my address Pay-Pal automatically sends "Your order as shipped! notice.
BTW..The fastest turn around was from MBK from time of order to delivery by USPS priority three days.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The "has shipped" message is generated when the vendor goes to the shipper's website and prints the shipping label. The "received by shipper" message is generated when the PACKAGE is actually in their custody.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Paypal is helping fuel hate and discontent generally, in my opinion.
Having had experience at work with our "illustrious" postal service; if you use USPS the carrier is supposed to scan each package they pick up but most don't as it takes "too much" time- this is why the tracking info is sporadic at best. Also by not scanning it makes it easier for the carrier to 'acquire" (steal) parcels as there is no record that they were picked up- this happen to us also. Usually if you take a package to the facility for counter service- it does usually get scanned right away. And previous comments are correct- the "shipped" notices are generated when the labels are printed. If you track you get the old "electronic package information has been transmitted" notice- which would (might) get updated once the package is actually picked up/scanned. I hope this helps.
I had a pet peeve once, but my cat ate him.
Has Shipped = "The seller has printed a shipping label"
I get these all the time when ordering computer stuff. I get an ACK almost immediately, and later I get the "Has Shipped" The disclaimer states tthat it may take a day or so before the shipment shows up on the shippers website. Well, the shipper may have issued a lable, but the vendor must still put the label on a box, and put the box in the shipping department. At the end of the day the shipper comes to collect the boxes. He scans them in at the pickup point and NOW the package is in the custody of the shipper.
Oh Well, you cannot blame the "Internet" on the way things work. Either you are doing business with reputable people or you are not.
I still miss my pet peeve.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
My peeve is when it says out for delivery and it takes 2 days more at that point. This only happens with the FEDEX Ground guys. I think they are independant contractors.
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.
sanduskyPaypal is helping fuel hate and discontent generally, in my opinion.
I would disagree wth this. The problems with Paypal arise when people try to make it work differently than it's designed to.
I use Paypal for all my on-line transactions, and not just eBay. In fact, I'm more likely to head to the checkout of an on-line store if I see that they accept it. My bank account and credit card are linked into it. I even use it as money transfer, for my US friend I call my 'Yankee Mole', who gets my eBay interests from those xenophobes who only sell in the lower 48 states...
I have NEVER (knocks head) had any problem with Paypal, either as a buyer or as a seller. The two times there was a discrepancy a quick call to their VERY friendly Customer Service & all was made right to my benefit.
Drew4950 My peeve is when it says out for delivery and it takes 2 days more at that point. This only happens with the FEDEX Ground guys. I think they are independant contractors.
Now that is interesting. I have never had that happen.
If it's out for delivery, it is out for delivery.
mbinsewi I have also noticed that when the shipping label is printed, it might show up as shipped, but it might not even be in the "system" until it is actually picked up and scanned by the shipping agent. Mike.
What MIke says above is the case, the minute you purchase the shiping label, the email goes out, regardless if it has actually been accepted by the carrier.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I've brought this subject up myself a few weeks ago and it also strikes a nerve with me... When I order something I want it within a few days - no excuses... In fact, I've become very soured by sellers on ebay who have claimed everything from a sick child to car problems for not shipping my items out on time. I write sellers now and make sure I know how long it will be before I get my stuff, but I don't want to be told that it'll just be a week and then it turns out to be two or three weeks. Anyone that does me that way will never get my business again...
Tracklayer
richhotrain Drew4950 My peeve is when it says out for delivery and it takes 2 days more at that point. This only happens with the FEDEX Ground guys. I think they are independant contractors. Now that is interesting. I have never had that happen. If it's out for delivery, it is out for delivery. Rich
Nope, I also have had "out for shipping" not come to my house as they later claim "We couldn't find you"?
Really? The road has a regular street sign on it, the trailer park has a BIG sign {well made, I might add} alerting you to its presence, MY google earth SHOWS it { a flat view, no street view, except the more main street where said green street sign is}, and this trailer, at least, has not moved since 1983, and the park has not moved since the 50s!
THEN they "turn it over to the USPS"..I hope they share the fee I PAID to them to SHip it to MY DOOR with the USPS!
Meanwhile I get it 2 or 3 days later, than the "delivered" date.
I had this trouble just a few days ago attempting to get some Dapper Dan...
Pomade Vendor: I can get the part from Bristol. It'll take two weeks, here's your pomade.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Two weeks? That don't do me no good.
Pomade Vendor: Nearest Ford auto man's Bristol.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Hold on, I don't want this pomade. I want Dapper Dan.
Pomade Vendor: I don't carry Dapper Dan, I carry Fop.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, I don't want Fop, damn it! I'm a Dapper Dan man!
Pomade Vendor: Watch your language, young feller, this is a public market. Now if you want Dapper Dan, I can order it for you, have it in a couple of weeks.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, ain't this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!
What I usually do now is order parts a few weeks before I'll need them.
Ed
I'll get packages that say "FedEx Smart Post" so the US Post Office handles the package part of the way and FedEx handles it in the middle of the trip, then back to the Post Office for final delivery. Streamlined logistic integration across multi-lateral platforms is what the Madison Avenue PHDs call it.
I live near Cleveland, OH. I can get a DCC decoder from Litchfield Station in Flagstaff in 48 hours. It has taken Amazon six days to get a package from Pittsburgh to me. Anytime I order from Walthers the package goes from Milwaukee to Leetsdale, PA then to Columbus, OH and finally to Cleveland... every time. Always five days from the email notification that the order has shipped (or seven if a weekend is involved) to get a Walthers package to me.
The Harvard Business School calls it Logistics but I fail to see the Logic!
gmpullman richhotrain Drew4950 My peeve is when it says out for delivery and it takes 2 days more at that point. This only happens with the FEDEX Ground guys. I think they are independant contractors. Now that is interesting. I have never had that happen. If it's out for delivery, it is out for delivery. Rich I'll get packages that say "FedEx Smart Post" so the US Post Office handles the package part of the way and FedEx handles it in the middle of the trip, then back to the Post Office for final delivery. Streamlined logistic integration across multi-lateral platforms is what the Madison Avenue PHDs call it. I live near Cleveland, OH. I can get a DCC decoder from Litchfield Station in Flagstaff in 48 hours. It has taken Amazon six days to get a package from Pittsburgh to me. Anytime I order from Walthers the package goes from Milwaukee to Leetsdale, PA then to Columbus, OH and finally to Cleveland... every time. Always five days from the email notification that the order has shipped (or seven if a weekend is involved) to get a Walthers package to me. The Harvard Business School calls it Logistics but I fail to see the Logic! Ed
Here's another great example of USPS logistics. Last week I shipped out a package via USPS Priority. I'm in Maine. The package was going to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Pretty straight shot, right? Well, I tracked it's "progress" online. It left hereMonday morning & the next morning it departed the USPS sort facility in Scarborough, Maine. Then, nothing for 2 days. Thursday morning it arrived at the sort facility................in OMAHA, NEBRASKA!!! It sat there for 2 more days. Finally it departed Nebraska on Saturday morning. It finally arrived in the sort facility in Florida the following Tuesday. It was finally delivered to the customer on Wednesday. Nine days to go from Maine to Florida & who knows why it went to Nebraska in the process?
Carl
"I could never belong to any club that would have me as a member."
Carl, your example is better than mine, but here goes anyhow.
I shipped a package USPS 2nd Day Priority Mail from Chicago to Daytona Beach Florida.
The package reached Orlando in just under 48 hours. So far, so good.
But, then in sat in the Orlando sorting facility for 3 days before continuing its journey to Daytona Beach, a mere 55 miles away. Go figure.
One of the odd things is that I've found that if you're shipping coast to coast, the USPS is VERY fast. There's a seller on Ebay that has a hobby shop out in Washington state that I've purchased quite a few train items & supplies from. If I buy from him on Monday morning, he ships it same day, all the way to Maine & I usually have it Wednesday noon!
If I ship things from Maine to a west coast buyer, it gets there in 2 days, 3 days tops. There ARE some glitch areas that I've noticed over the years. Stuff going to & from Florida & Maine is slow. Stuff going to & from Ohio and Maine is slow, as is New Jersey. No rhyme nor reason to it, but think coast to coast is so fast because most of the packages get put on direct, non-stop flights. To & from other places, it zig-zags all over the place.
Honestly, I swear that USPS ships quickly to its major sorting centers, and then the package sits there until they have enough other packages to fill a truck going to the same destination.
richhotrain Honestly, I swear that USPS ships quickly to its major sorting centers, and then the package sits there until they have enough other packages to fill a truck going to the same destination. Rich
Other shippers do the same.
I had a USPS and a UPS order and the USPS get here a day sooner then UPS.The USPS was from MBK while the UPS was from Trainworld.
BRAKIE richhotrain Honestly, I swear that USPS ships quickly to its major sorting centers, and then the package sits there until they have enough other packages to fill a truck going to the same destination. Rich Other shippers do the same. I had a USPS and a UPS order and the USPS get here a day sooner then UPS.The USPS was from MBK while the UPS was from Trainworld.
So, then, why do they call it 2nd Day Priority shipping?
When we order things, they first send them to North Carolina. Someone there crosses out "Carolina" and writes "Dakota" in its place. So of course it then goes to South Dakota,
Oh well, English as a second life is catching on.
richhotrain BRAKIE richhotrain Honestly, I swear that USPS ships quickly to its major sorting centers, and then the package sits there until they have enough other packages to fill a truck going to the same destination. Rich Other shippers do the same. I had a USPS and a UPS order and the USPS get here a day sooner then UPS.The USPS was from MBK while the UPS was from Trainworld. So, then, why do they call it 2nd Day Priority shipping? Rich
I, personally, have never had an issue with two day, overnight, or even same day shipping.
You want to know why stuff from Florida to Maine goes to Nebraska? Unless you want to pay for a huge amount of jet fuel yourself and someone to personally handle the package to the, I assume, one flight a day from Portland to Miami, the only way to make such things cost effective is to route it through a bigger center. There's tons of, say, Miami to Seattle traffic. The one bound for Maine gets lumped in with everything bound for somewhere outside the southeast, flown to Nebraska, where its now lumped in with the huge amount of California to the Northeast traffic. You ever notice how Memphis and Louisville end up on a lot of tracking lists? Look where the median population center is. Unless you're on a huge main trunk that huge amounts of traffic run through every day, that package has to take a weird route at the mercy of those trunk lines. Regular first class mail is practically overnight between DC and NYC because there's almost an unfathomable amount of mail moving between the two in an endless parade of trucks and airliners.
As for UPS, FedEx, and USPS making mistakes or a two day taking three days, really, those are the outliers and mistakes. UPS alone handles 5.7 billion packages. A failure rate of half a percent is 28 million errors. So, despite a very low error rate, it's still very common to encounter one. It's like when there was a bad batch of ipods years back and people were like "how can they make these so bad" until people started pointing out that if you sell 500 million of something, even a 1% defect rate is still so many that you'd almost inevitably know someone with a bad one.