Amazon Shipping

I have learned some hard lessons from ordering expensive (to me) items from Amazon.

In the past I’d buy something from Amazon that I’d needed, but not really wanted right now and used the Super Saver shipping, and then always felt surprised when it arrived earlier than I had expected and/or they estimated.

This time my weeks and weeks of planning and reading reviews meant I knew what I wanted, Amazon had all the parts in stock, and at good prices, thus I was quite excited. So again I ordered the first lot with Super Saver shipping, and then proceeded to review the shipping process details 3+ times a day, and this slowed the internet down, and thus I’m getting results like this:

Amazon Shipping 03
Amazon Shipping 03

This first item arrived last Thursday June 16, but was ordered on the same day the following items:

Amazon Shipping 04
Amazon Shipping 04

These will not arrive until tomorrow (Tuesday June 21), and

Amazon Shipping 05
Amazon Shipping 05

did arrive on Saturday June 18th.

The first of the two being the key thing I was wanting… so having learned my lesson, that the free shipping was not that free - the cost of faster shipping is not that much more especially relative to ticket price and I could have had it earlier.

There were some other items that I was wanting, so I ordered them. I noticed one of these items got put in the larger shipping bundle of the first order (that hadn’t shipped at that point of time), but again the key item of this new order was delayed.

So inspired by paying more to get it earlier, I changed the shipping to normal shipping (3-5 business days vs. free shipping 5-8 business days) and then split the items for faster shipping to avoid the key item waiting for the non-key item and I’m now greeted with:

Amazon Shipping 06
Amazon Shipping 06

The non-key item that originally appeared to be delaying things has shipped and the key item

Amazon Shipping 01
Amazon Shipping 01

Has not even left Amazon (they show it in stock) and it’s estimated to get to me tomorrow. This I’d like to see, given that every other package has taken 3 1/2 days to get to me, after it leaves Amazon.

I’m quite grumpy that when I changed to paying for shipping the delivery dates changed from ‘30 June - 16 July’ to June 23.

The real kicker is I have ignored the free 1-month Prime two days shipping trial for so long, I didn’t think to use it and I could have gotten the-lot much quicker. Arg, or just paid <$50 on the important stuff and got that sooner.

Maybe it’s just better to buy from local shops, because if they have it, they have it. Where-as Amazon, wait a week before we even startis shipping model, makes me grumpy. Or maybe this is just the first time I’ve really cared, and thus watched the process and am sensitive to the ‘normal’ process. Or I’ve just never ordered 9 things in the same week, and thus seen the chaos.

Anyway, my key purchase is due for delivery tomorrow, and I’m quite excited.

[Update: 21 June] Shipping got a little messed up today, but Michaela rang local US Postal Service office, and they found the package, and did a special delivery. The only reason I’m updating the blog right now, and not playing is I’ve lost possession of my new toy, or I’m a good preschooler and sharing toys.

Comments:

Stu 2011-06-23 19:09:44

so… whatcha building?? I’m looking at parts and engines for new RC plane… but maybe holding off to the winter for that project.. I still need to finish building my L1A1.. just need an upper receiver..


Simeon 2011-06-23 21:25:18

A DSLR Camera: Nikon D5100 with kit 18-55mm, 70-300mm, memory, extra battery and remote. The 35mm f1.8 prime was the last key item, but that has since come back into stock, and thus will ship soon. Plus some extra bit’n’pices like Smurfs (for my son) and Xbox games.