What can I do if shipping takes longer than guaranteed?

[DocFrankenstein]

I've shipped something from the states, with delivery in 2-4 days.

The package is late.

Is there anything I can do? Can I get my money back?

[Belmondo]

Probably not, Doc.

We sent a package from California to New York recently. We shipped it overnight, and insured it for $2,000. The bozo who filled out the paperwork marked it a $2,000 COD. It was a gift, and thankfully, the person on the other end declined to give the driver the $2K. They shipped it back to California by standard deliver, where Bozo corrected his mistake and re-shipped it.
We had paid approximately $40 initially for the 'overnight' shipping that took almost 10 days. The gift was late over a week late, and we were very much embarrassed by the whole comedy of errors.

I suppose we could have sued someone, but the reality is, our time is too valuable for that kind of foolishness. Bozo was not in a position to refund our $40 personally, and the red tape involved in getting it through the carrier would have been ridiculous.

Ultimately, I was relieved the package got there, but frustrated by their incompetence. It was particularly maddening, because we couldn't cure the problem from the west coast. We knew instantly what had happened, and could easily has sent them an amended delivery instruction by fax, but they weren't equipped to do that, so we had to wait while they shipped the thing back to California.

Pretty stupid.

In your case, it's hard to say what you can do. You don't mention the carrier, the value of the package, and the impact on you or the deliveree for its being late. I suppose if the numbers are big enough, you can make an issue out of it somewhere, but probably it won't be cost effective. It it arrives, be thankful, and make a mental note not to use that shipper again if possible.

[blue_max]

Originally Posted by DocFrankenstein

I've shipped something from the states, with delivery in 2-4 days.

The package is late.

Is there anything I can do? Can I get my money back?

If you paid extra to get it there quicker, I would ask them to refund the difference between that and the regular shipping cost. Be courteous but firm. That would be a reasonable resut I think.

Graham

[clipper_from_oz]

Originally Posted by DocFrankenstein

I've shipped something from the states, with delivery in 2-4 days.

The package is late.

Is there anything I can do? Can I get my money back?

Get em under your consumer laws

[sdommin]

First, make sure that the delivery time frame applies to international shipments. If it does, contact the company and explain. Sometimes they'll refund your shipping charges or give you a credit on your next order.

[DocFrankenstein]

Thank you for the replies.

It's a bit embarassing, since I convinced someone to shop from BH and described them as good business. The person ordered last monday, of course BH is busy and didn't ship for a while... and now it's delayed.

[Steve Parr]

No carrier can make guarantees when it comes to things like customs. Such a delay would be beyond the control of the shipper...

Steve

[Jon, The Elder]

According to my local UPS driver,there are warehouses full of packages in Louisiana that can't be delivered - the addresses no longer exsist. Better late than never (Think someone else said that).

[ACDCROCKS]

time to get the sleeping bag out in the front porch j/k

[DocFrankenstein]

It's not funny. It hasn't arrived still. Been 5 business days.

[Belmondo]

Originally Posted by DocFrankenstein

It's not funny. It hasn't arrived still. Been 5 business days.

What does the tracking number tell you?

[Steve Parr]

Originally Posted by DocFrankenstein

It's not funny. It hasn't arrived still. Been 5 business days.

Was the shipping guaranteed within 2-4 days?

Were you provided a tracking number?

Have you contacted the shipper?

Steve

[Citizensmith]

If they have given you a tracking number you should be able to find out just how far it has made it. If they haven't given you a tracking number maybe they ran out of whatever the item was. They should email you if it went onto backorder but thats not always the case.

If you have a tracking number and its not showing up don't blame the sender, if the shipper loses it then its up to them.

[Citizensmith]

Originally Posted by belmondo

What does the tracking number tell you?

Something like this for the Shiny new Logitech G5 I ordered from Newegg.

11/08/2005 05:08:00 IN TRANSIT TO[i] CA WEST SACRAMENTO
11/08/2005 05:07:00 DEPARTURE SCAN[i] CA LOS ANGELES
11/08/2005 02:35:00 ARRIVAL SCAN[i] CA LOS ANGELES
11/08/2005 02:07:00 DEPARTURE SCAN[i] CA BALDWIN PARK
11/07/2005 21:57:50 ORIGIN SCAN[i] CA BALDWIN PARK
11/07/2005 20:04:59 BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED[M]

All praise Newegg.com and their cheap 3-day shipping

[zacker]

well i hate it when your a state (or half a state away) from the place you buy from, you dont need overnight del because if you place the order on tues and it ships the same day, you get it the following day, but the place wants to charge you the extra $$$ for UPS red overnight and tells you, if you dont buy the overnight del, your package might not ship today.. but its like 10 AM and you wonder why it wont go today, are they that slow?? Nope! They want the extra $$$ for overnight..thats all!
-zacker-