January 27, 2008
My M1330 in DHL's hands
So, my M1330 was "shipped" on the 23rd of this month. I put shipped in quotes because it says "Shipment Acknowledged" on DHL's website for 2 days. unexpectedly, on Friday the 25th, I got 5 notifications from DHL, since I signed up for email notification, saying that my package was In Transit, Processed, Depart, and a whole host of other status changes, all within a 4 hour period. Talk about tracking eh? Nothing was updated on their system for 2 days, and then it all gets updated all at once. This was another WTF moment!
You see, I live in the Pullman/Moscow area. If you don't know where this is, just think of it being at the bottom right hand corner of Washington State (no, not DC). Spokane is almost at the top right corner of the state. The drive to and fro takes about 2 hours if you don't speed. Now that you understand the layout of Eastern Washington, here comes my extt WTF moment with DHL.
The nearest DHL staffed facility is located in Spokane, near its airport. Naturally, all items delivered to Eastern Washington through DHL has to arrive at Spokane, then it is sent on local delivery trucks up and down Washington's eastern border, all ~200 miles of it. So, due to DHL's superior online tracking system, I was not prepared to receive my Dell M1330 and was presented with one of those "Please be here to sign on next delivery" note. I then immediately called DHL's customer representative line. Roughly, this is how the conversation went…
Me: Hi, my tracking # is ….
Rep: It seems like you weren't home when they delivered
Me: Yes, I was aware of that, do you do weekend deliveries?
Rep: Yes, that'll be an extra $15
Me: No thanks, I don't think it is right for me to pay for a package that I already paid shipping for. So, clearly, I will not be home during weekdays, and I will not pay for the $15, what can I do to get my package?
Rep: Well, since Dell requires that you must sign for the package in person, there's nothing we can do about it.
Me: Great, so, can I pick it up?
Rep: Yes you can, it will be located in the Spokane facility.
Me: Are you sure about that? That's about 100 miles out.
Rep: yes, I am sure of that.
Me: Okay, please hold the package there so I can pick it up tomorrow.
So, I left for Spokane that night to stay at my fiance's brother's house, and while I'm at it, fix one of his work computers for him. The next morning, I went to the DHL office, lo and behold, it's not there. I was angry! The nice lady Dawn at the Spokane DHL facility explained to me that they have a storage unit down in Moscow/Pullman area to keep all of their delivery packages. I cannot pick it up at the Spokane facility, but have to either be home or pick it up from the storage unit between 2:30PM and 3:00PM. Talk about wasting my time. So, I have no idea what I am supposed to do now to get my Dell M1330. What a nightmare!
Comments on My M1330 in DHL's hands »
RUSTY BRITTON @ 9:11 pm
A PACKAGE WAS SHIPPED ( TO MY DISMAY) WITH DHL ON 1/30/08 FROM OR. TO NORTH IDAHO. THE PACKAGE ARRIVED IN SPOKANE 2/1/08 AND GAVE A SCHEDULED DELIVERY OF 2/4/08. I HASN'T ARRIVED YET. IT IS A 90 MILE DRIVE AFTERALL. THE SERVICE REP I SPOKE WITH PROMISED AN ANSWER AND WHEN I CALLED BACK THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS TURNED OVER TO A SUPERVISOR AND NO ONE HAD AN ANSWER AS TO WHERE MY PACKAGE IS.
DHL HAS A HABIT OF USING UPS TO DELIVER THEIR PACKAGES OR DROPPING THEM OFF AT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE SO YOU CAN PICK THEM UP YOUSELF.
NOT A SERVICE COMPANY.
USE ANYONE EXCEPT DHL IF YOU EXPECT SERVICE.
A.K. @ 9:25 pm
Britton,
I completely agree with your conclusion. I have had not one, but a few bad experiences with DHL on other occasions. They took over Airborne Express, and it seems like they didn't improve service much. I am saddened that Dell has picked DHL as their shipper, maybe they're getting a good deal for pricing or something. Who knows! Let me know if you get your package, and I hope that you do.
Ed Wilson @ 12:09 pm
Two package were not delivered and possiblity of a third that was sent back (still waiting to see which carrier was used) the excuse was they had to verify my address??? what dose that mean, It was correct both times. They first package still did get delivered until I made another call to find out the service center did not tell Spokane! and I am waiting to see if I get the second package on monday? and the third package well????? I will never use DHL and recommend not using them, they will have to show me they are a worthy delivery service!!!!
Ed
A.K. @ 12:20 pm
Wow, that experience is even worse than mine. I don't know about other regions, but I wouldn't recommend DHL to anyone in this region. Service is just horrid! Let me know if they ever managed to verify your address :D. If you can, tell me if you ever get your package.