Comments on: The Falsity of Amazon’s Shipping http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping The Weblog of Erik J. Barzeski Wed, 23 May 2012 23:05:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mike B. http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-69628 Mike B. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:31:33 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-69628 Correction: I would have received my order on March 24* not March 4 Also I was assured that It would be delivered tomorrow, March 27, 2012. What a joke. Correction: I would have received my order on March 24* not March 4
Also I was assured that It would be delivered tomorrow, March 27, 2012. What a joke.

]]> By: Mike B. http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-69627 Mike B. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:29:38 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-69627 Amazon has gone down the crapper. I ordered an item at approximately 12am on March 22, 2012. As soon as Amazon sent me a tracking number (later that day) I kept checking to see where my package was. The USPS showed no info for my package. Finally, today March 26. 2012, the tracking through Amazon shows that it was sent through FEDEX and arrived in San Diego, where I live at 3:03pm. The only problem with this is a.) It was not even 2pm when I checked the tracking and b.) the USPS shows through the tracking number that they have only been notified electronically to expect the package. I contacted Amazon (some Indian woman in a call center) and was given the runaround. She was trying to explain that they use two different carriers to save me money. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What a joke! I paid for shipping and enough that if they would have sent it via USPS only, I would have received my order on Saturday March 4, 2012. The order was shipped from a location only about 1 hour north of my location. As of today, I am officially done with Amazon. Amazon has gone down the crapper. I ordered an item at approximately 12am on March 22, 2012. As soon as Amazon sent me a tracking number (later that day) I kept checking to see where my package was. The USPS showed no info for my package. Finally, today March 26. 2012, the tracking through Amazon shows that it was sent through FEDEX and arrived in San Diego, where I live at 3:03pm. The only problem with this is a.) It was not even 2pm when I checked the tracking and b.) the USPS shows through the tracking number that they have only been notified electronically to expect the package. I contacted Amazon (some Indian woman in a call center) and was given the runaround. She was trying to explain that they use two different carriers to save me money. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What a joke! I paid for shipping and enough that if they would have sent it via USPS only, I would have received my order on Saturday March 4, 2012. The order was shipped from a location only about 1 hour north of my location. As of today, I am officially done with Amazon.

]]> By: NRWO http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-69427 NRWO Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:57:38 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-69427 I ordered an HD TV from Amazon on Mon, Mar 11, 2012 after noting that the item was “IN STOCK (and “sold by” and “shipped by”) AMAZON. The order was placed using Super-Saver Shipping. It’s now Sun, Mar 18, and the item still has not shipped from Amazon. The critical issue to me – and I suspect to other customers - is that IN STOCK normally means that an item is READY-TO-BE-SHIPPED, without delay. (Of course, delays by USPS and FedEX still might occur, but those delays can’t be held against Amazon.”)* In addition, IN STOCK contrasts in my mind with something called OUT-OF-STOCK, which normally means that an item is NOT ready-be-shipped, because, well, it’s out-of-stock. Bottom Line: In Amazon’s eyes (not in mine), IN-STOCK means nothing as far as when an item will ship from their warehouse. As long as they think they can meet the delivery window for Super Shipping, they can: a. Sing “Kumbaya, My Lord,” while delaying shipment for no reason; b. Put a pin in a doll that looks like you while saying, “Sucker,” c. Chant, “If the customer wanted faster delivery, the cheapskate could have paid for faster delivery. In the interim, We’re going to delay the order so we can …[reason here]. If Amazon wants to delay shipping for any reason after listing an item as IN STOCK, that’s fine: Just tell them to put the following message beside IN STOCK: “”IN-STOCK isn’t any different than OUT-OF-STOCK as to when an item will be shipped from our warehouse. All we guarantee is that your item will be delivered in the timeframe stated. Have a nice day!” *[Another issue is that a single customer can’t really judge whether his delay is an aberration or pattern. However, based on the comments here, it’s the delays are more like a pattern than an aberration.] I ordered an HD TV from Amazon on Mon, Mar 11, 2012 after noting that the item was “IN STOCK (and “sold by” and “shipped by”) AMAZON. The order was placed using Super-Saver Shipping.

It’s now Sun, Mar 18, and the item still has not shipped from Amazon.

The critical issue to me – and I suspect to other customers - is that IN STOCK normally means that an item is READY-TO-BE-SHIPPED, without delay. (Of course, delays by USPS and FedEX still might occur, but those delays can’t be held against Amazon.”)*

In addition, IN STOCK contrasts in my mind with something called OUT-OF-STOCK, which normally means that an item is NOT ready-be-shipped, because, well, it’s out-of-stock.

Bottom Line: In Amazon’s eyes (not in mine), IN-STOCK means nothing as far as when an item will ship from their warehouse. As long as they think they can meet the delivery window for Super Shipping, they can:
a. Sing “Kumbaya, My Lord,” while delaying shipment for no reason;
b. Put a pin in a doll that looks like you while saying, “Sucker,”
c. Chant, “If the customer wanted faster delivery, the cheapskate could have paid for faster delivery. In the interim, We’re going to delay the order so we can …[reason here].

If Amazon wants to delay shipping for any reason after listing an item as IN STOCK, that’s fine: Just tell them to put the following message beside IN STOCK: “”IN-STOCK isn’t any different than OUT-OF-STOCK as to when an item will be shipped from our warehouse. All we guarantee is that your item will be delivered in the timeframe stated. Have a nice day!”

*[Another issue is that a single customer can’t really judge whether his delay is an aberration or pattern. However, based on the comments here, it’s the delays are more like a pattern than an aberration.]

]]> By: Kelly http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-69149 Kelly Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:47:40 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-69149 I see a recent trend with my last few Amazon purchases. As a Prime (free 2-day shipping) member, I select an item to purchase on Thursday afternoon, & am told if I pay the extra $3.99 for 1 day shipping, the package will arrive on Saturday. However, it arrives on Monday instead, when the person is not home & the item can be stolen off of the porch. I was just reading & Amazon says that 'some areas' don't have weekend delivery, so apparently, I am wasting the extra $3.99 to get it there. If I understand correctly, the Saturday delivery sure was an inducement for me to part with my $, & may be based on areas that do deliver. However, the email confirmation sent, clearly says Monday. Unfortunately, I'm now forced to take a screen shot of the promised Saturday delivery before purchase, & compare it to the email confirmation. If its delayed, then I have to quickly cancel the order. I see a recent trend with my last few Amazon purchases. As a Prime (free 2-day shipping) member, I select an item to purchase on Thursday afternoon, & am told if I pay the extra $3.99 for 1 day shipping, the package will arrive on Saturday. However, it arrives on Monday instead, when the person is not home & the item can be stolen off of the porch.

I was just reading & Amazon says that 'some areas' don't have weekend delivery, so apparently, I am wasting the extra $3.99 to get it there. If I understand correctly, the Saturday delivery sure was an inducement for me to part with my $, & may be based on areas that do deliver. However, the email confirmation sent, clearly says Monday.

Unfortunately, I'm now forced to take a screen shot of the promised Saturday delivery before purchase, & compare it to the email confirmation. If its delayed, then I have to quickly cancel the order.

]]> By: Dan Warfel http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-69116 Dan Warfel Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:26:56 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-69116 Here's how accurate Amazon is on estimating the arrival date, "Delivery Estimate: Monday, February 6, 2012 - Wednesday, February 22, 2012", and I paid for 5-7 days. I agree with Erik completely and I plan on moving away from Amazon. Here's how accurate Amazon is on estimating the arrival date, "Delivery Estimate: Monday, February 6, 2012 - Wednesday, February 22, 2012", and I paid for 5-7 days. I agree with Erik completely and I plan on moving away from Amazon.

]]> By: StayPuff http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-68982 StayPuff Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:44:59 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-68982 Yep, I noticed that too. I think they did it that way in order to keep people from getting angry and possibly exposing their intentional shipment delays to the media. With so many people ordering gifts for Christmas and expecting them before the 25th, they didn't want people 'rocking the boat'! Yep, I noticed that too. I think they did it that way in order to keep people from getting angry and possibly exposing their intentional shipment delays to the media. With so many people ordering gifts for Christmas and expecting them before the 25th, they didn't want people 'rocking the boat'!

]]> By: StayPuff http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-68981 StayPuff Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:40:33 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-68981 Imagine that! My favorite part of ordering with Amazon is the "Shipment has left seller facility and is in transit" status on the order status page... and then it shows an Estimated arrival date a full 7 days after the Shipment Date..... huh? It doesn't take that long to get here by mail. But anyhow, yes they are clearly delaying Super Saver Shipping orders in order to cater to those who are paying more. They have to, or no one would pay anything to ship their products. Everyone would be using Super Saver. It's like tickets to a ball game: the closer the seats, the closer you are to the action while the farther seats aren't so good. That's why they're cheaper, right? Imagine that! My favorite part of ordering with Amazon is the "Shipment has left seller facility and is in transit" status on the order status page... and then it shows an Estimated arrival date a full 7 days after the Shipment Date..... huh? It doesn't take that long to get here by mail. But anyhow, yes they are clearly delaying Super Saver Shipping orders in order to cater to those who are paying more. They have to, or no one would pay anything to ship their products. Everyone would be using Super Saver. It's like tickets to a ball game: the closer the seats, the closer you are to the action while the farther seats aren't so good. That's why they're cheaper, right?

]]> By: Sysmg http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-68909 Sysmg Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:32:28 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-68909 Ordered a whole bunch of items for the holidays even as late ad Dec 22nd all via super saver free shipping. All if it came within 2-5 days. Well I ordered another item on 12/25 and it still hasn't shipped as of 12/31. So they are clearly delaying shipment now. Somehow the week before Christmas they had time to ship super saver immediately, but the week after they were too busy! There is no way that they are busier shipping the week after Christmas than the week before Christmas. Ordered a whole bunch of items for the holidays even as late ad Dec 22nd all via super saver free shipping. All if it came within 2-5 days. Well I ordered another item on 12/25 and it still hasn't shipped as of 12/31. So they are clearly delaying shipment now. Somehow the week before Christmas they had time to ship super saver immediately, but the week after they were too busy! There is no way that they are busier shipping the week after Christmas than the week before Christmas.

]]> By: Angry Amazon Customer http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-68884 Angry Amazon Customer Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:13:03 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-68884 Ordered an item from Amazon for a Christmas gift this year, used Free Super Saver Shipping based on the "Order by XX date, have it delivered by the 24th." Item showed in stock, ordered first week of December, (well before the cut-off date so timing wasn't at issue,) yet after ordering, the shipping date became Dec 16, with delivery estimate between Dec 29 and Jan 6 -- a far cry from "in time for Christmas." What the heck? After waiting 10 days for a single "in stock" item to ship, I gave up and located the same item on the manufacturer's website, (same price, free UPS delivery, estimated to be on my doorstep w/in 3 days,) so I requested my Amazon order be canceled...after never getting a cancellation confirmation, I contacted Amazon to verify, the rep said my order was "shipping soon" and couldn't be changed or canceled, telling me to refuse delivery if I didn't want it...amazingly enough, after registering my complaint, my unchangeable order suddenly moved from "shipping soon" with a 7-10 day delivery window to "shipped" by 2nd day air...coincidence? Ordered an item from Amazon for a Christmas gift this year, used Free Super Saver Shipping based on the "Order by XX date, have it delivered by the 24th." Item showed in stock, ordered first week of December, (well before the cut-off date so timing wasn't at issue,) yet after ordering, the shipping date became Dec 16, with delivery estimate between Dec 29 and Jan 6 -- a far cry from "in time for Christmas." What the heck? After waiting 10 days for a single "in stock" item to ship, I gave up and located the same item on the manufacturer's website, (same price, free UPS delivery, estimated to be on my doorstep w/in 3 days,) so I requested my Amazon order be canceled...after never getting a cancellation confirmation, I contacted Amazon to verify, the rep said my order was "shipping soon" and couldn't be changed or canceled, telling me to refuse delivery if I didn't want it...amazingly enough, after registering my complaint, my unchangeable order suddenly moved from "shipping soon" with a 7-10 day delivery window to "shipped" by 2nd day air...coincidence?

]]> By: Brady S. Light http://nslog.com/2009/02/08/the_falsity_of_amazons_shipping#comment-68692 Brady S. Light Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:54:01 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=5478#comment-68692 I've learned to expect the worst on arrival times for Amazon's free shipping, although they've never actually missed their delivery window. I've used it several times and it always arrives on the last day of the window or the second to the last day. Therefore, I can't say they are dishonest - they do keep their delivery commitment. But I still can't figure out how it takes them over a week to put the darned thing (which is in stock) in a box and slap on a label. I've noted through online tracking that this is the holdup. Once the item actually ships, it only takes 2-3 days. Furthermore, I don't see how it is in their interest to drag things out like this since they can't bill me for it until they ship it. It's cutting off your nose to spite your face. Bad business . . . I've learned to expect the worst on arrival times for Amazon's free shipping, although they've never actually missed their delivery window. I've used it several times and it always arrives on the last day of the window or the second to the last day.

Therefore, I can't say they are dishonest - they do keep their delivery commitment. But I still can't figure out how it takes them over a week to put the darned thing (which is in stock) in a box and slap on a label. I've noted through online tracking that this is the holdup. Once the item actually ships, it only takes 2-3 days.

Furthermore, I don't see how it is in their interest to drag things out like this since they can't bill me for it until they ship it. It's cutting off your nose to spite your face. Bad business . . .

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