Where are Gabriel's Packages?

 24 June 2024

1118

R. Linda:

Amazon delivery (while still needing a few tweaks) is better than UPS, USPS, and my nemesis, FedEx. 

I also noticed in me accounts on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy that there is a startling difference in when a product will arrive. 

For example, if I order anything on Etsy and want it fast, I must tell the seller, or I will wait nearly a month for the order to arrive. eBay sellers are a wee bit faster in shipping, and Amazon, this is where a tweak or two would come in. I pay for Amazon Prime and expect next to two-day delivery as promised, but there have been times I waited a few weeks for an order. That makes me wonder what I am paying Prime premium for. If I don't get what I paid for on the promised delivery date, I waste money on a non-service. While this can be irksome, I live with it when it happens. And it's been happening more often.

Delivery times aside, I would that FedEx would stop with the Where's Waldo type puzzle when it comes to my packages. It is where is Gabe's package located? Is it at a neighbour's? Is it dumped by the side of the road somewhere, and if so, on what road? Is it even in the same town where Gabe lives? Most times, it is delivered to me mailbox, not me door. That would be fine, but the box or boxes are usually stuffed inside the mailbox (which is not a small one), and I struggle to get the boxes free of the mailbox. This action has impressed USPS that they will do the same! The mailbox wiggles on its post from the many times I've had to free up jammed packages out of it.

FedEx has the nerve to ask how was the delivery

USPS is just as bad. At least they know where I live. Unlike FedEx, which thinks I have a bogus address and live somewhere I don't know of. However, USPS will jam packages in, so it is nearly impossible to free them. Not only that, if the package is large, instead of delivering it to my door, they will put the package at the base of the pole that holds the mailbox. Yes, I have come home to packages in the road, or worse, thrown in the poison ivy behind the mailbox (which I am highly allergic to). 

The only carriers who actually deliver to the door are UPS and DHL. Kudos to those services. I have had pleasant exchanges with the UPS driver, except when there was a substitute for the regular guy. I saw the truck pull in, and I was on the side of the house. I went to get the delivery and stood behind the truck when I heard BOOM! BAM! BANG! It sounded like boxes were being thrown. This concerned me because Tonya had ordered a breakable, and well, I wasn't sure the gorilla in the truck wasn't bouncing her package around. He pushed the back doors open with a lot of force and seemed embarrassed to see me standing there. Sheepishly, he handed me the package. I didn't hear any tinkling of glass, but I was suspicious. Luckily, the item was in one piece, but I had to wonder about the rest of those boxes. I guess he was having a bad day. Uh-huh.

DHL delivers on time. They come to the door, drop off packages, and go on their way—no problems. Just don't ask them to uncrate; they don't like that.

The best score for honesty goes to Patagonia. These guys let you know when your package is being shipped and how it is being shipped.

So once you see how your product is being shipped, you can approximate its delivery time. And if there is a delay, they let you know that, too.

Yes! They show you why it is being delayed

Why can't all the rest be so honest and provide photographs in transit so you know the damn package is coming to a mailbox or garage or even a culvert near you (maybe near you). 

Gabe

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