I think that today's, uh, "logistics" providers are frequently the cause of customer dismay, but I suspect that we have become so addicted to instant gratification that we set ourselves up for dissatisfaction. Companies like DHL, FedEx, UPS, and their ilk, unfortunately, feed our fervor by advertisements that portray them as happy, benevolent bringers-of-joy and then they barrage us with shipping update notices that play with us like a fish on a hook.
I recently purchased a pair of TakeT Live supertweeters from Atelier 13 in Nashville, about a 4-hour drive from my home. Here's their progress through FedEx's system, as sent to my email this week:
1. Tuesday, 1:04 am: FedEx Pickup Confirmation
2. Tuesday, 2:11am:
TrackingUpdates@FedEx.com - Hi. This shipment is scheduled to be sent on Tue 3/07/2023. Direct Signature Required.
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At this point, I log onto FedEx Delivery Manager and request that my package be redirected to one of FedEx's suggested alternative delivery points, a local Walgreen's drugstore, as I cannot be sure that someone would be home to sign for the package when it arrives at my home.>
3. Wednesday, 3:25 pm: FedEx Delivery Manager - Hi. Your package from ATELIER 13 LLC is on its way. Direct Signature Required.
SCHEDULED DELIVERY Fri, 03/10/2023
4. Wednesday, 3:28 pm: FedEx Delivery Manager - The request to hold your shipment at a FedEx location has been received.
5.
Thursday, 11:10 am: TrackingUpdates@FedEx.com - Hi. The scheduled delivery of your package has been updated to: SCHEDULED DELIVERY Thu, 03/09/2023
6. Thursday, 4:31 pm:
TrackingUpdates@FedEx.com - Hi. The scheduled delivery of your package has been updated to:
On Time S
CHEDULED DELIVERY Sat 3/11/2023 estimated between 10:10am and 2:10pm
7. Friday, 7:13 am: FedEx Delivery Manager - Hi. Your package from ATELIER 13 LLC is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Direct Signature Required.
On Time.
8. Saturday, 6:45 am: FedEx Delivery Manager - Hi. Your package from ATELIER 13 LLC is now out for delivery today. Direct Signature Required.
9. Saturday, 6:49 am: FedEx Delivery Manager - Hi. As requested, your shipment from ATELIER 13 LLC is being redirected to FedEx OnSite. You will be notified when your shipment is ready for pickup. Direct Signature Required.
10. Saturday, 6:58 am: FedEx Delivery Manager -
Hi. We were unable to complete delivery of your package from ATELIER 13 LLC. Direct Signature Required. Exception Reason 1. Customer Not Available or Business Closed. Recommended Action 1. No action required.
SCHEDULED DELIVERY Mon, 03/13/2023 - EARLY.
In the course of five days, FedEx told me my scheduled delivery was Friday, Thursday, Saturday, and next Monday, and then has the audacity - after having failed to deliver to their own designated "FedEx Onsite" location - to label their latest-of-all "scheduled delivery" as "EARLY." Ok, enough said...