Need to Vent

jkarguth · Post by **jkarguth** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:53 pm

Ok, so I am waiting on my package same as usual... following DHL tracking. And I lax a bit. And something brings my mind back to it. So I check *gasp* my package has been here for an hour. I am not worried, I just can't believe I wasn't at the door scratching and yelping as usual. So, I go to my door, open it, ... no package. Puzzling. So I take a chance go out of my porch and open my screen door thinking they left it on my ramp. Nothing.

Now at this point, I am blaming myself. You know, I left it unattended in the elements for an hour. And even though I live in the country where this thing rarely happens, I also live in a trailer park, where you never know what might happen.

I am, not freaking out, I guess, but certainly uneasy. I have been with DCBS for a year and three months (and DHL forjust as long) and this has never happened. My wife tries to assure me to wait for her, (I am in a wheelchair, and let's just say I could get out of my house, but it would be a hell of a struggle to get back in).

So, I wait... and wait. Well, I did chat online with a DHL guy, but still decided to wait. Wife gets home. Nothing. So, I make the calls, I explain the situation as far as I know it. You know one of a few scenarios could have happened.

And I get told the speil, they will check with the local branch. And someone will see me tomorrow, one way or the other. Ok, fine. Well, you know, in that sense of fine when you can't do a damn thing.

Wife and I go out, and when we return... there is my package. Well, thank goodness... something happened. I now know it was a neighbor. Ok, so I get on the phone the next day and tell DHL to get it out to their local guys not to bother coming out. As far as I was concerned things were dandy. Ok

Now, my wife comes home today. Hands me a note from DHL. One of those... wish you were here notes. (I was.) And it says... I delivered your package to Lot 8, because it said Lot 8 (next door) the parenthesis is their clarification not mine, because I must indeed be an idiot.

Now yet again, I think, well, I screwed up. Typed in Lot 8 on accident on that order or something was printed wrong. I don't know. Then after some time I think, well I have the package right here. Lot #9. So, I call DHL again, and I say, quite politely... "Look, I just want to see if you could tell them at my local branch to be a little more thorough. You know if it had been a different neighbor, who knows what could have happened?" Well, she says, "Yes, I can understand that." And then says, "Hold on, give me the Waybill number." So, I did. And she said, "Well, you are right, it says Lot #9. The driver said they dropped it off at Lot #8 because the person in Lot #9 wasn't home. And that they left a note on your door."

I said, "Well, I just got the note today, I don't know what time, but it was certainly today... we got two stories going on there." So, I ended it by telling her that up until now the service had been to my liking, they usually left the package on the porch area which was fine. And you know, if I am "not there" to just leave it in that area.

I am just upset. I wish I could follow up with this clown. I just don't like that sort of dishonesty. And if this is some new guy assigned to my area I sure don't want it happening again. Sorry, I just really needed to get the whole story out.

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:14 pm

I feel your DHL pain. They are pretty much bozos.....Yes, I have had them deliver a box of mine to a neighbor before also.......

some things I have done:

1) I have a "signature on file" with them so they will leave the package at my door. I find that they claim they knocked or rang or stuff when I had to sign for things, but they must knock one time really soft, because I have been home and had them tell me no one answered the door.

2) I always click on the "tracking #" link with DCBS after the package leaves their facility (I usually wait until Thursday). You have the ability to have them send an e-mail to you when the package is delivered. I generally get the e-mail and it lets me know to go look outside my front door.

- Sorry to hear about your problem.....

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:15 pm

One more thing (I have been toying with this idea myself).....

You could switch to UPS shipping instead of DHL.

jkarguth · Post by **jkarguth** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:32 pm

Thanks Bob. Yeah, they never knock here. I know because I have a kid at home and he gets pretty excited when anyone knocks. I will give it the next couple of months with DHL, because I think that is what I signed on by default and if it doesn't change I will go with UPS.

If anything I have hear people comment on getting their packages quicker.

Post by **JohnMayo** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:58 pm

That stinks. I hate it when delivery guys essentially toss the package in the general direction of the door as the fly off to their next delivery.

You should track how they handle things and keep a paper trail. That way if it is a continual problem you can at least back it up with a history of complaints if needed.

I had enough problems with getting packages before I signed up with DCBS that I got a UPS Store mailbox for the express purpose of getting my DCBS packages safe and sound. I haven't had any problems with that but it does involve getting to the UPS Store before they close in order to get my comics.

As for DHL versus UPS, personally, DHL seems to get my packages here a day faster but your mileage may vary.

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:06 pm

I've been pissed off at DHL for some time because they get the package to within 20 miles of my house and then sit on it for several days because the terms of service do not REQUIRE them to deliver it until Tuesday.

They tend to have more Monday deliveries on stuff that got over-nighted on Fri/Sat, so my package sits in their office, and they won't let me come pick it up on Monday myself, since it is wrapped onto a palette on Sunday and stored away somewhere only to be taken down for Tuesday delivery.

Darth Kramer · Post by **Darth Kramer** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:56 pm

DHL is one of the major reasons I don't switch to DCBS (other than I've got an incredible LCS, but still...) They NEVER ring our doorbell. NEVER. They always leave our packages out and all, but don't even attempt obtaining a signature. It boils my blood.

jkarguth · Post by **jkarguth** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:28 pm

You do have an awesome shop. I was reading about it in the mycomicshop thread. My shops are.... well, let's just say if Bob and John recommend something or are going to spotlight something, there is slim to no chance of me getting it locally. Certainly not the indies. You are a lucky man.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:02 am

I feel your pain. I used Mailordercomics.com for years (5+) and they used UPS. Never had a problem. Now that I'm using DCBS, I've changed to DHL per their default. DHL is a different beast. I think I'm going to start using UPS via DCBS myself because DHL tracking sucks, and they leave the package in random places.

My shipment two months ago was set right up against my garage door. 9 times out of 10 I pull right into my garage without looking, because I click my automatic door opener while I'm still on the street and then zoom right into my spot. Imagine my disgust if I had accidentally run over my books!

jkarguth · Post by **jkarguth** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:46 am

Yeah, I have given up on paying any real attention to the tracking, because I have seen my package go through some pretty strange ordeals. From sitting in one spot, like Bob said. So close that I could go and get it myself and it is there for an unreasonable amount of time. To seeing the tracking go from Michigan... to Missouri (where I am) and back to Michigan. And I would think it was a flub except the lateness kind of verified that it had actually happened.

And is it just me or when Wood describes the possibility of running over his books it is like nails on a chalkboard? Sympathy pains, I guess.

Post by **JohnMayo** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:22 am

Wood wrote: My shipment two months ago was set right up against my garage door. 9 times out of 10 I pull right into my garage without looking, because I click my automatic door opener while I'm still on the street and then zoom right into my spot. Imagine my disgust if I had accidentally run over my books!

If that happened to me, I'd immediate put the package in the car and head directly over to the delivery company and yell at them for a few hours. They sort of thing is completely unacceptable.