Shipping and Murphys Law

[Kilted-Marine]

As we all know Murphy was an optimist.

We recently had an order come in on August 3rd going to Baldwin GA. The order came in early morning, it was for items which were instock - so we pulled the items, packaged and later that day handed them off to our USPS carrier - (I have 99.9% of the time nothing but praise for the Post office) but from time to time....

After being picked up by Postal Service....The package then proceed to travel around the east coast without rhyme or reason

Using mapquest Baldwin is around 12 hours drive from our location.

Electronic Shipping Info Received, August 03, 2009 >Kilt goes out the Door<

August 05, 2009, 12:30 am, WARRENDALE, PA 15086 >OK So far<

August 05, 2009, 9:09 pm, ATLANTA, GA 30369 >So close to being there<

August 09, 2009, 1:07 am, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01152 >The Kilt Visits Cheers<

August 09, 2009, 2:13 pm, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07097 >Have you ever been to Atlantic City? No but my Kilt Has<

August 10, 2009, 9:34 pm, ATLANTA, GA 30369

August 11, 2009, 12:12 am, ATLANTA, GA 30369

Arrival at Unit, August 12, 2009, 7:47 am, BALDWIN, GA 30511 0369

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

That's so weird. My cousin was going to Brazil from the US, and they had an unexpected 6 hour layover in Paris, France.

[CDNSushi]

Man, I'll have to remember that living here in Japan. At this rate, if I ordered something from you, it might end up in Tokyo, visit Egypt and Indonesia before it makes it back to Japan and on my front doorstep....

[MacKay71 Wife]

The US Postal Service in its finest hour!

[KiltedPilot]

Man, I'll have to remember that living here in Japan.:

I'd like to SING the praises of one particular national postal service -- Japan Post.

I've frequently ordered items from Japan (chef's knives mainly). Shipping is US$7 by post. The packages always leave Japan within about 5 hours after posting, and arrive in Vancouver, Canada the next day. Of course, they then take 2 days to clear customs, and arrive at my house only 40 miles away.

Even so, a consistently reliable international 3 day trans-Pacific delivery for US$7, is amazing. On one occasion I ordered knives from Japan and Quebec at the same time -- they both arrived at the same time, but the domestic postage rate was 4x higher. Similar shipments sent via USPS to Canada take 1-2 weeks, even though the distance might only be a few hundred miles.

I recommend all the kilt companies relocate to Japan! With Stillwater's amazing shipping, Japan Post's efficiency, and the International Date Line, Jerry will be able to deliver his kilts before you even order them.

KP

[KiltedPilot]

USPS had (maybe still have) a partnership with FedEx for reselling FedEx's express courier services. USPS take the parcel and fee at their counters, and hand it to FedEx for delivery.

A supplier once used USPS to send a FedEx package to me using a guaranteed 2 day delivery. 2 days later -- no sign. I was able to obtain the tracking number, and it turned out that USPS had not gotten around to giving the package to FedEx yet. Only on the third (business) day did USPS give FedEx the guaranteed 2-day delivery parcel, which FedEx delivered next day.

KP

[CDNSushi]

I recommend all the kilt companies relocate to Japan! With Stillwater's amazing shipping, Japan Post's efficiency, and the International Date Line, Jerry will be able to deliver his kilts before you even order them.

KP

You are absolutely correct. Japan Post is just sick! I drop a letter into a box today and by tomorrow it's getting delivered on the other side of the country. No joke.

The main post office in my city for instance, is open 24/7 for sending/receiving packages. I've often been to collect a parcel after midnight.

The effeciency of the postal system makes online and mail-order shopping a really nice, viable alternative to going to the store here. Rates are very reasonable and I have everything I order within 24-48 hours. Once or twice I've even had same-day service, where I order something in the morning and it's being delivered by suppertime. (Mind you, that's usually only the case if it's coming from Tokyo, which is just 2 hours away by car).

As for what Matt was saying, around here signing for a neighbour's courier package is a strict no-no. Neither will they ever leave anything in your mailbox or on your front doorstep. They will leave a non-delivery notice but they won't let go of the package until it's in your hands and they have a hanko (personal stamp) or signature from you. As for Japan Post packages, when you go to the post office to pick them up, they ALWAYS (100% of the time) ask for photo ID and a signature.

And one other thing that we have here in Japan that North America has abandoned long time ago, is C.O.D. Whether it's Amazon, a computer company or a private auction seller, C.O.D. is a very common, very acceptable form of payment here.

[Deirachel]

Similar shipments sent via USPS to Canada take 1-2 weeks, even though the distance might only be a few hundred miles.

Try going the other way....it's amazingly bad.

I get packages from Hong Kong, India (my wife LOVES saris), the UK, Japan...average shipping 1-2 weeks.

Vancouver to Augusta? 6 weeks...minimum.

[Chas]

The UK introduced Post Codes in 1959 but it wasn't until the early 70's that they were used by everybody. In 1971, the Post Office started a national campaign to get everybody using the Post Code. The adverts, shouting 'USE THE POST CODE' were everywhere.

I was in the RAF and stationed at RAF Honington in Suffolk. I decided to test this new 'fantastic' system. I had a morning off work and caught the early bus to Bury St Edmunds, a large market town some 10 miles away.

At the Post Office, I purchased a pre-paid 2nd class envelope and wrote on it:

Q8089960
IP33 1EE

I posted it at 10:00 and was back at camp by 12:00. I started my afternoon shift at 13:00 and there in the post rack was my letter waiting for me! 3 hours - in the days pre-scanning and pre-computers, everything looked up and done by hand. I always use the Post Code now.

Regards

Chas

[Fit2BKilted]

I get packages from Hong Kong, India (my wife LOVES saris), the UK, Japan...average shipping 1-2 weeks.

So does mine! I guess that's why she appreciates my kilting so much?