DAMN THAT POSTMAN !!

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:56 pm

Well, I've just gotten back from running around various outlets trying to track down a package from Amazon with no success.

I had been waiting for a couple of books and decided to check to see where it was at since I received an email that the package had been sent out. Tracking number in hand I go to the Canada Post website and found out that the package was successfully delivered to the receiver yesterday.

Er... as the 'receiver' I pretty much thought 'Like hell it was! Where's my bloody package!?' I now live in an apartment building so what they are supposed to do is leave a card in the mail slot so that I can go pick up the package at the closest outlet. I should also point out that for some strange reason, I've received two packages to date and had to pick them out at two different locations. However, between yesterday and today, no 'card' was found in my mail slot.

Cursing up a storm... I head out to check both outlets (just in case). No luck at either location though both counters had interesting things to say about similar problems people have been having lately.

All in all... I have a package that was technically delivered 'someplace' with stuff I have paid for which, for all I know, may not end up seeing. I have a 1-800 number to call so that I can bitch and complain to someone who will probably not be able to do a damn thing.

I have half a mind to wait in the lobby of the building tomorrow morning for the postman to show up... perhaps armed with a heavy blunt object.

Anyone else care to share their Postal Service woes?

Moriarty the Red
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:04 pm

Hmm, M. your post makes me recall something I read some years ago, when a reporter was commenting on the efficient postal organizations in some of the European countries where they get mail several times a day.

Anywho, the reporter, IIRC show some stats about the US postal services and based on the number of mail/packages delivered daily, they had a very high rate of success. Which of course, seems unbelievable based on my personal experience and the many funny USPS legendary stories that have been around for years.

Btw, was your Amazon order from the Canadian Amazon?

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moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:13 pm

Hi Rhuvein,

Ya... it was from Amazon Canada. I buy more and more online simply because the local stores don't tend to carry some of the stuff I look for. I also order from Amazon.Com and Amazon UK from time to time.

Having ordered from Amazon *many* times in the past may help my case if I have to try and get my money back. I'm hoping it won't have to come to that.

I'm also hoping that my package of goodies from TLG won't suffer a similar fate !!

M
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rabindranath72 · Post by **rabindranath72** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:17 am

Until you have seen the abject level of inefficiency of the italian postal service, you have seen nothing, I say! "I have seen things..."

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:33 pm

lol ... I'm not trying to say that Canada Post is the worst... I've heard many stories of other postal services existing worldwide that has had me count my blessings.

I called Canada Post's customer service this morning and, I guess I was right to not expect to much from them. Essentially they see the package as successfully delivered so there isn't anything they can do. 'Please contact your sender to request a Trace on your package'. Now isn't that the whole point of this item tracking number anyway? Do I really have to continue to rely on this postman who is unable to do their job correctly? In case some who might be reading this think I'm being too harsh, keep in mind this isn't the only problem I've had -- it's only the biggest thus far.

After the unhelpful phone call, I've sent an email to Amazon regarding the situation and requesting that they attempt to put a trace on the package. Will that help? Probably not but there's always a chance...

Of course, there's a small chance that the package was 'delivered' to an outlet different from the two I've already checked at or simply not processed yet (with me having received no notification). I found out last night, for instance, that one of the outlets had received a bag of stuff that hadn't been delivered shortly after midnight the previous day. They guy at the counter was nice enough to check to see if my package was amongst this stuff...

We'll see what Amazon has to say about this...

M
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gnombient · Post by **gnombient** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:19 pm

Sorry to hear about your experience; I would contact Amazon Canada and tell them you didn't receive the package, regardless of what the Post's status message read. I had a very similar experience with Amazon.com and the USPS, and after notifying Amazon of my missing package they promptly sent out another one free of charge.

Still, it's annoying to have to jump through the hoops...

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:41 pm

When I was receiving stuff from Troll Lords, and I lived in California, they'd sent out a package of goodies which was never delivered, because the postman did not want to have to walk the 20 feet to knock on my door or leave it on the doorstep. Nor, did he want to take the 2 minutes to write up a "you have a package to pick up" slip, so, for weeks I wondered what was up, putting it on the whole "its the Trolls... they take a while" thing, but no, I called and Steve said " I don't know daddy-o, but we sent that out last month" as he is wont to do, so I call around the various postal places to see where this package has mysteriously gone, and it is across town, about 20 miles away, one day away from being sent back to the Trolls. I managed to get it from their hands mere moments before they closed, due to a very long line and a dumbass who did not know what to buy a stamp for...

I will ask my fiances mom for more, since she works for USPS... but, those stories put the fear into you. Seriously. If you ever want to send something fragile, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, label it fragile. Ever.

Alcahaelas · Post by **Alcahaelas** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:57 pm

@ dadeo -- Steve sent me an email confirming my UPS shipment and used the same word.

Mine arrives today (in theory)--I hope there's no confusion! I have 1 week to digest the PHB, M&T and three modules (I1-I3) before my new gaming group convenes. Back in the saddle after 10 years away, I hope I can deliver the goods to a fresh group of new gamers (and one old gamer, my wife, but she tolerates my mental slips).

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:50 pm

Well, Amazon was certainly quick about it... they're sending out a new package with instructions on what to do should the original one ever find its way to me. Additionally they are going to keep tabs on the new package in order to verify that it gets to me or not...

They've also given me the refund option if I decide to go that route.

With all this talk, I'm actually a bit concerned about my TLG order at this point.

M
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:46 pm

A system is only as good as the laziest, dumbest, most incompetent twit that is part of that system.

IE the whole chain analogy. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

In my experience, governmental agencies hire far more than their fair share of stupid and lazy and incompetent people. Makes me feel sorry for the few good ones that truly keep things going.
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DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:03 pm

I generally have nothing but good things to say about the USPS. They've always been quicker than UPS or FED for me as well as handling the packages without damage.

I absolutely loathe UPS. The post office? It rocks.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:40 pm

I too have had much better experiences with the USPS. UPS is the only one to ever lose my packages.

However, game companies such as Green Ronin and Goodman said they sent stuff via USPS, and I never got them.

Hopefully I will get my TLG stuff today.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:50 pm

Hey, you guys with concerns about TLG not shipping stuff... you've got nothing on me, alright. I've asked for several things for about 2 years now, and I was just told they would be shipped today. Of course, that's a perk of being a Troll, but at least I'll finally get something new.

Hehe.

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:06 pm

Well, in my experience... stuff from TLG has always gotten to my door. Though with recent experiences, I've just sent Steve a PM inquiring when my Shipment was sent out to have a better idea when to theoretically expect it.

Though I received an email confirming my order and how it would go out in withing the next couple of business days, I also had a few items that there were delays on.

Hopefully my remaining packages will get to me with little problems (I have two inbound from the States and the Amazon one which is being resent).

M
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Alcahaelas · Post by **Alcahaelas** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:09 pm

At least with UPS you get a tracking number and can trace the package on its route. Personally I've had good experiences with UPS, USPS and FedEx. I somehow feel like I've been rolling 20s compared to you guys; hope my TLG shipments gets to my house safely today, I'm afraid of that dreaded 1 showing up at the last moment and I have no Fate points to alter the outcome.

Plaag · Post by **Plaag** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:55 pm

Even with tracking numbers I've had things delivered, just not to my house.

Fed Ex was no help on one occasion, though by the goodwill of those who received the package (opened of course, but they must not have wanted what was inside ) it got picked up by the original driver and sent to me.

UPS is a bit better in my case with the normal driver, its the fill ins that have the problems.

I agree with Treebore though. There are some great people in every job, and then there are others
ShaneG.

jman5000 · Post by **jman5000** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:38 am

I am cursed.

I am about 10 for 10 with initial deliveries from the Trolls not making it to me. I think I've had 2 different orders shipped 3 times before finally getting delivered.

I feel horrible, because I'm the most expensive customer the trolls have. I guarantee it... for every shipment of mine that actually delivers, 2 have to go out, which is pure cost, which means I'm guessing a total of 10 other orders have to go out to make up that loss...

I really, truly wish the Trolls had ups, fedex or something other than national postal services to rely on. sure I have to pay a brokerage fee or something else like that, but at least I can track, know where it is, have a confirmation number and other goodies to let me know it's somewhere...

right now, void

and, with the cdn $ being so bloody strong, it's just too much of a deal to NOT buy from the states.

Cheers,

J.

Dyne · Post by **Dyne** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:54 am

Treebore wrote:
In my experience, governmental agencies hire far more than their fair share of stupid and lazy and incompetent people. Makes me feel sorry for the few good ones that truly keep things going.

Oh, absolutely. I've had several jobs working for the city, and most of the workers get paid far too much for what they do. Having a government job is almost the same as being on welfare.

Alcahaelas · Post by **Alcahaelas** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:59 am

I almost got cursed! Wrong address on my shipment so it didn't get delivered (think UPS misinterpreted a number or something). However, I know my local UPS distribution center and immediately went down there after seeing the delivery wasn't made, and managed to retrieve it before they closed down for the weekend. Close but barely made my luck challenge roll. Not sure if that's INT based, WIS based or I just burned a Fate point. Got my PHB and M&T books now, time to brew up some deviltry for my new group! Even got the old man (wife's father in law, 65 years old) committed to play with the group so the ages will range from 9-65.
OK, that was a babble with a tangent, sorry about that.

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:54 pm

I can't say I have had bad luck from the USPS. I've had packages sent to me with the wrong address and they made it just fine. I've had them with my last name mangled (C'mon how hard is "Sherrer" to friggin spell?) and worse. All made it just fine and bigger stuff came right to my door.

So I can't really complain.
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Traveller · Post by **Traveller** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:08 am

You think your last name is difficult to spell? Try "Ege". People always seem to want to toss in an extra letter there, most commonly a D (as in "Edge"). Yet I haven't had problems with the few things I've ordered.
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Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:57 pm

The Royal Mail has had a rocky time of late. It's not as bad as its mid-90s nadir (postmen wandering up to the door at three o'clock and later), although we have lost second post and you only get one delivery a day now.

For extra conveniece and a touch more security, I get my packages sent to work, where the receptionist lets me know when they arrive. Being considered business post, it tends to get there just a leetle bit quicker than waiting at home, too.

The mail, along with water, is one of the things even the Tories should never have touched.
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