Last weekend I ordered an ATI TV Wonder Elite from Amazon for $77.99 for transferring some home videos. That was near the lowest price I found and was still cheaper than many after I upgraded from FREE Super Saver Shipping (5-9 business days) to Standard Shipping (3-5 business days) for $6.17 more. It was shipped Monday at 11:30pm. If you count that last 30 minutes of Monday, we are at five business days and it is still 400 miles away. But once I realized it was PM I guess I can’t be that upset with DHL. But Amazon’s delivery estimate said October 5, 2006 – October 16, 2006. October 16 is ten full business days from when it was shipped. It is hard to believe it won’t be here Tuesday (Monday is Columbus Day) since it is already in Texas, but if that estimate turns out true, I will have waited half a month for shipping less than 2,000 miles.
Looking into this a bit further I have discovered shipping begins with DHL, but through their DHL@home service, the package is actually delivered by the local post office. And of course, the post office is known for their speed and reliable delivery. DHL’s webpage says Standard Delivery is 2-4 business days and Deferred Delivery is 2-7 business days whatever that is. It appears DHL handles shipping up to your nearest (major?) post office so assuming you live anywhere near the post office, it should only take a day or two to make it the last bit to you.
I think we can assume DHL is including postal service delivery time in their estimate. So how does a max of seven days (for Deferred Delivery) turn into a possible eleven? I am not very good at math so I will let you figure that out. Even if the estimate doesn’t include the time it takes the postman to deliver it, once it has reached your city, it should not take four more business days which would get you up to the Amazon estimate.
And for those who think the Amazon estimate is just being safe, read “Why DHL Sucks” about 3-5 day shipping taking 7 business days. When I pay for 3-5 day shipping it better arrive in five business days. If I was willing to wait that long I would have chosen free shipping like usual. When I order on the weekend and actually pay for 3-5 day shipping, that means I want to use the item the next weekend.
I remember back when 3-5 day shipping meant you often would get your item in three days and sometimes it might arrive in two days. Those days are long gone. When I track non-DHL shipments, they often reach my city pretty fast and then sit there for a day or two before they do final delivery even if it is Friday so they don’t over shoot their low arrival estimate.
Ihave bought stuff on Amazon before and I will agree 100% that they never deliver when it says, it should be a “suggestion” shipping rate !
We have used http://www.anyfreight.com for our DHL shipping (interoffice) and have never heard of such a delay. Maybe Amazon is getting a cut of the action.
I agree with the other Eric, amazon blows you pay a premium for shipping and they don’t even try.
Amazon charges too much for shipping, too. It’s $5.49 s&h for a little jar of conditioner that I was going to buy from there.
You think that is bad! I live about 45 minutes from Seattle where AMAZON is located and ship from and the item I ordered (which according to Amazon was shipped on Tuesday) is still not here Today is Friday. WTF? So, like you, I decided to investigate since they did give me a tracking number. Well lo & behold the item arrived and left Federal Way (main sort facility and only about 20 minutes from my house) on Thursday @ 5:12 AM! Even if they walk from there to my house it wouldn’t take that long! Most USPS shipping between my house and Seattle, Redmond, Everett and several other cities surrounding Seattle only take 1 day, so I don’t know how they are shipping it, but AMAZON can kiss my arse. Never buying from them again! They simply suck!
i agree 100% their shipping time is the worst ive ever seen. so much so im really thinking of ending my account with them. unfortunately its not Amazon that is shipping it but 3rd party companies. Amazon is like an ebay. it oversees many companies. so they go through Amazon if they are reputable. i have ordered stuff that came in 3 days. but most doesnt. look for feed back if its available and see where the item comes from and then determine if its a company that has good shiopping times.