The customer is always wrong...

[stfu&gbtw]

I just got done with an aggravating transaction with an online vendor and thought I'd pass along the information. SunnySports.com had a great price on a jacket I wanted so I went ahead and ordered it. Their shipping options page seemed to be pretty informative - I have to be careful with shipping where I am, as USPS won't deliver here and the local FedEx guy is a nightmare. But the standard shipping option said "UPS Ground, 5-7 days". Great.

One thing I always do is to add my PO box number to the zip code on shipping forms, so in the event USPS gets the package anyway, at least they'll know what to do with it. Unfortunately, the SunnySports.com shipping form was not willing to accept a 9 digit zip code like 12345-6789. The form threw an error about "This zip code is not valid for this country." Odd. But, I figured it wasn't that big a deal since UPS was going to be the shipper anyway.

A couple of days later I get the shipping notification that the package is with USPS. Pretty frustrating. When USPS gets mail for my address, it ends up in the "Incorrect address" limbo and the local office then holds onto it for up to a month. Trying to pick up the package is always a challenge - it's like the PO folks take those packages and hide them around the office like easter eggs. Retrieving the package usually takes two trips to the PO (1 hour round trip) and at least one phone call. So, feeling this frustration, I shoot off a note to the Sunny Sports people telling them that I'm not digging it.

A couple of more days go by and Sunny Sports gets back to me to say that they ship with whoever's convenient to ship with that day and if I needed a particular shipper, I should have called them to place the order. I thought this was a pretty funny reponse from a company that has a "shipping info" page that specifies shippers and time frames. No where on the site do they mention "don't rely on the information on this page, call us".

It's disappointing to me that companies that do business this way can stay in business with so many hardworking folks out there competing for work, so I figure I'd mention it... now I know why they have such an extensive clearance rack. I won't be buying anything from these guys again.

[concretejungle]

I'm not sure what the gbtw stands for but the rest of your username pretty well sums up my feelings on this thread.

[stfu&gbtw]

I'm not sure what the gbtw stands for

I'll bet you don't.

[RShea]

I'm not sure what the gbtw stands for

Get Back to Work ....

stfu&gbtw It sounds like the UPS shipping was the ultra cheap option UPS drops it at the USPS for the carrier to take to final delivery. A few threads on here about backcountry or similar using this and causing problems for P.O. Box persons. I try and ship to office if UPS or FedEx, but the USPS will not deliver to office only P.O. Box. Trying to always if the shopping cart check-out allows to use the 2 line address with street and box number (they are the same 5 digit zip code for me).

[stfu&gbtw]

Get Back to Work ....

stfu&gbtw It sounds like the UPS shipping was the ultra cheap option UPS drops it at the USPS for the carrier to take to final delivery. A few threads on here about backcountry or similar using this and causing problems for P.O. Box persons. I try and ship to office if UPS or FedEx, but the USPS will not deliver to office only P.O. Box. Trying to always if the shopping cart check-out allows to use the 2 line address with street and box number (they are the same 5 digit zip code for me).

I know the routine your referring to, but this is a USPS tracking number door to door (or door to oblivion in this case). The 2nd line address approach would seem to be a good alternative, but that backfires as well - UPS will sometimes reject shipments addressed that way on the basis that they don't deliver to PO boxes. The whole thing is just absurd. The fucked up shipping isn't the website's fault - USPS around here seem to be staffed with mental patients. As I type this, I know the package is sitting at the local PO, but the process there is to take boxes off the truck and throw them in a pile to be scanned sometime in the following couple of days. I won't even bother to start looking for it until wednesday. But for all the good sites to buy gear from out there, SunnySports.com isn't one of them. Just a head's up.

[Smoova]

I understand your frustration with misleading shipping info on a vendor's website, but I don't understand why, considering how important it is that you receive the package by UPS, you don't just pick up the phone and take 3 minutes to place an order by phone so that there is less chance for a problem.

The momentary inconvenience of speaking to someone can't be more painful than the delivery nightmare you describe ... unless you're actively seeking out teh butthurtz, in which case nevermind.

[concretejungle]

I understand your frustration with misleading shipping info on a vendor's website, but I don't understand why, considering how important it is that you receive the package by UPS, you don't just pick up the phone and take 3 minutes to place an order by phone so that there is less chance for a problem.

The momentary inconvenience of speaking to someone can't be more painful than the delivery nightmare you describe ... unless you're actively seeking out teh butthurtz, in which case nevermind.

He was spending that time voicing his frustration with this dumb ass thread.

If you live somewhere where you have had problems with package delivery in the past i.e. the OP then take the time to call the place or have it delivered to work, a friends house, etc.

[Big Snowballs]

I wonder what Greg from AlpineZone would say ?

[stfu&gbtw]

I understand your frustration with misleading shipping info on a vendor's website, but I don't understand why, considering how important it is that you receive the package by UPS, you don't just pick up the phone and take 3 minutes to place an order by phone so that there is less chance for a problem.

The momentary inconvenience of speaking to someone can't be more painful than the delivery nightmare you describe ... unless you're actively seeking out teh butthurtz, in which case nevermind.

This isn't 1975 ordering out of the sears roebuck catalogue. 99% of all online vendors that I have dealt with accurately describe thier shipping policies online, and this is the first system I've encounterd that denies the existence of the 9-digit zip code. That's why I'm pointing it out. If you're cool with this sort of thing - have at it.

[stfu&gbtw]

He was spending that time voicing his frustration with this dumb ass thread.

If you live somewhere where you have had problems with package delivery in the past i.e. the OP then take the time to call the place or have it delivered to work, a friends house, etc.

This is being delivered to my work, which is still somewhat problematic.

Don't you have something better to do than troll this thread? I was just pointing this out, supposedly for the benefit of the other people on this board, who I think sometimes try to find deals on gear online. If you'd rather, consider this thread to be my tip to go do business with these guys. Whatever turns you on big guy.

[concretejungle]

This is being delivered to my work, which is still somewhat problematic.

Don't you have something better to do than troll this thread? I was just pointing this out, supposedly for the benefit of the other people on this board, who I think sometimes try to find deals on gear online. If you'd rather, consider this thread to be my tip to go do business with these guys. Whatever turns you on big guy.

I don't.

[jfost]

I don't either.

I find it funny/annoying when people who live in cool places (that don't have the services of a city) complain about delivery of anything. Didn't you choose to live in a cool mountain environment AWAY from the trappings of modern society? Don't those "trappings" include prompt and efficient delivery of material goods?

OTOH, I understand what you are saying - it is frustrating when what SHOULD be a simple online transaction ends up being anything but. That holds true no matter where you live.

[Danno]

This isn't 1975 ordering out of the sears roebuck catalogue. 99% of all online vendors that I have dealt with accurately describe thier shipping policies online, and this is the first system I've encounterd that denies the existence of the 9-digit zip code. That's why I'm pointing it out. If you're cool with this sort of thing - have at it.

I'm curious, why would the 9 digit zip code have established anything? You can't put the PO Box # in the second line, as you've already said, because it may lead to rejection by UPS. So not sure how that would have made the difference?

And if UPS sometimes drops packages with USPS for final delivery, why does it matter whether that happened in this case? Would you let this vendor off the hook if that is what happened, but instead bitch at them because they did it some other way?

It seems to me that if you live in a place where delivery is difficult, due to PO Box or non-deliverable address or whatever, you're better off checking with a vendor first and not relying on the website details. Because the vendor knows that 99% of purchasers care about a) how much shipping costs and b) how long will it take, and don't give a rat's ass about how it gets to their doorstep.

You've already spent way more time bitching about this then a phone call or email to the company would have taken.

[irul&ublo]

[RShea]

I'm curious, why would the 9 digit zip code have established anything? You can't put the PO Box # in the second line, as you've already said, because it may lead to rejection by UPS. So not sure how that would have made the difference?

And if UPS sometimes drops packages with USPS for final delivery, why does it matter whether that happened in this case? Would you let this vendor off the hook if that is what happened, but instead bitch at them because they did it some other way?

It seems to me that if you live in a place where delivery is difficult, due to PO Box or non-deliverable address or whatever, you're better off checking with a vendor first and not relying on the website details. Because the vendor knows that 99% of purchasers care about a) how much shipping costs and b) how long will it take, and don't give a rat's ass about how it gets to their doorstep.

You've already spent way more time bitching about this then a phone call or email to the company would have taken.

the 9 digit zip code for a P.O. Box is actually the 5 digit plus a # (usually a 0 unless it is a huge PO) and the last 3 digits of the box number. So the post office would know based on the 9 digit it is a P.O. Box at their facility.

It also boils down to the Post Office and some of their dumb rules, whether you live in a rural or remote location or not for delivery.

[Danno]

the 9 digit zip code for a P.O. Box is actually the 5 digit plus a # (usually a 0 unless it is a huge PO) and the last 3 digits of the box number. So the post office would know based on the 9 digit it is a P.O. Box at their facility.

It also boils down to the Post Office and some of their dumb rules, whether you live in a rural or remote location or not for delivery.

I know how they're numbered, I just was surprised at the notion that the USPS would deliver an item to a PO Box based solely on the 9 digit zip, even if the address listed did not say "po box".

[stfu&gbtw]

You must be upset that A-Fraud is out until July. I'd have thought you could relate to my problems with lack of delivery.

[jahoney]

LOL @ you guys calling him butthurt for no reason.

He has a right to be upset that the site didn't deliver as promised. He paid for UPS GROUND shipping. He didn't receive UPS GROUND. That is lying on the part of the business and a terrible business practice. To you guys its just "who cares who they used it still gets to you?" but in his case it doesn't and he relied on their accurate information.

It should say UPS or USPS on the shipping info page if the choice of shipping service really depends on what is convenient for them. Sadly, a LOT of online companies are run by idiots.

[stfu&gbtw]

LOL @ you guys calling him butthurt for no reason.

He has a right to be upset that the site didn't deliver as promised. He paid for UPS GROUND shipping. He didn't receive UPS GROUND. That is lying on the part of the business and a terrible business practice. To you guys its just "who cares who they used it still gets to you?" but in his case it doesn't and he relied on their accurate information.

It should say UPS or USPS on the shipping info page if the choice of shipping service really depends on what is convenient for them. Sadly, a LOT of online companies are run by idiots.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it "lying". Just not being careful... And it's not that the package doesn't get here for a couple of days - it doesn't get here at all. The PO will hold onto it for 3 or 4 weeks and then send it back. I have to chase those guys until I get the package. That's the part that gets old.

[griddler]

Been through this many times. The lady at the post office gave me some good advice a while back: Don't do the two-line address thing, and don't use the 9-digit code (many online forms won't allow it anyway, as you've discovered). Instead, enter your street address as "268 Random Ave Box 4242", all on one line. This won't trip up UPS or FedEx if they happen to get it, and if it goes USPS, they'll see the box # at the end and figure it out. I've done this for the last few years and it has never once failed. One important caveat- make sure to use your actual address and PO box, because if you use 268 Random Ave. Box 4242 your order won't make it to you.

[MakersTeleMark]

I deal with this all the time, for years. I'll try that. Thanks.

[~mikey b]

And with a new postmaster it will be worse.

[MakersTeleMark]

No shit. You should see the newbs. Even Terry is gone. The guy bitched me out when I renewed my box last week. I was struggling to come up with two "acceptable" forms of ID and I said, Fuck, I've lived here for 10 years. What the hell?

His only retort was, "I don't know why everyone keeps saying that like it matters."

[DasBlunt]

Is your time worth the extra amount to pay for 2 day when you live a hour from the nearest USPS?

I thought so.

STFU and GBTW.

[leroy jenkins]

Been through this many times. The lady at the post office gave me some good advice a while back: Don't do the two-line address thing, and don't use the 9-digit code (many online forms won't allow it anyway, as you've discovered). Instead, enter your street address as "268 Random Ave Box 4242", all on one line. This won't trip up UPS or FedEx if they happen to get it, and if it goes USPS, they'll see the box # at the end and figure it out. I've done this for the last few years and it has never once failed. One important caveat- make sure to use your actual address and PO box, because if you use 268 Random Ave. Box 4242 your order won't make it to you.

I live at 268 random ave, in box 4242