ThinkGeek rock! DHL sucks!

[reveal]

I ordered something from ThinkGeek.com on November 18. When I ordered, I didn't see that I could choose between DHL and UPS ($1 more for UPS; big whoop). So I kept it on default, which was DHL@Home service. Mistake-a-mundo.

DHL@Home delivers the package to the post office which is then responsible for getting the package to the recipient. DHL's system says it was delivered to the post office on Nov 23. So I wait... and wait... and wait... No package.

Monday, I called DHL and they said it was delivered and there was nothing they could do about it. So I called the 800 number on USPS.com they gave for my post office. I put in a claim and that was that. I called today and the claim wasn't in the system.

So I filed another claim. I also asked for a phone number to my post office since the 800 number was the only one listed online. I got it and called. I talked to a nice guy who seemed surprised I hadn't received it. I gave him the info and he said he'd call me back.

He called back about 15 minutes ago and told me that when DHL drops off packages at the post office, the post office is not allowed to scan the packages individually into their system. DHL forces them to scan a manifest, which is a list of all packages that are, supposedly, in the bundle being dropped off. So... The post office had my package in the system as part of the manifest BUT they didn't physically have the package.

But the guy at the post office was really cool and gave me his name to give to ThinkGeek if they needed confirmation. I called ThinkGeek and, without missing a beat, the customer service rep said he'd call DHL and file a claim and ship me off a replacement 2nd day air.

The moral of the story: DHL Bad! ThinkGeek Good!

 

[Chun-tzu]

I love ThinkGeek. I've ordered from them at least once (but I think it was twice), last year when I was living in California. I used the default @home service, and didn't have any problems. So hopefully the problem you had was a fluke.

Heck, I do a fair bit of shopping online (damn my eBay addiction!), and rarely have problems. But a couple weeks ago, I ordered an iPod directly from Apple, and FedEx screwed up my delivery (I had to call them up and ask where my shipment was, but then they fixed the problem, so the only downside was waiting two extra days for it). So, it happens time to time with most couriers, I find.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I've had really good luck with DHL - they deliver right to my apartment (and, if I'm not home, to my apartment's rental office for later pickup).

Realistically, it's about the same as UPS so far as quality goes, in my experience... but, DHL has really taken over the DC Metro-area, so you see a whole lot of their yellow vans and the like.

 

[IronWolf]

I love ThinkGeek! My wife usually orders a gift or three each year from them for birthdays, Christmas, etc. They have always been great to us. Though I doubt she chooses the DHL option....

 

[reanjr]

I love ThinkGeek. I've ordered from them at least once (but I think it was twice), last year when I was living in California. I used the default @home service, and didn't have any problems. So hopefully the problem you had was a fluke.

Heck, I do a fair bit of shopping online (damn my eBay addiction!), and rarely have problems. But a couple weeks ago, I ordered an iPod directly from Apple, and FedEx screwed up my delivery (I had to call them up and ask where my shipment was, but then they fixed the problem, so the only downside was waiting two extra days for it). So, it happens time to time with most couriers, I find.

USPS actually seems to have the best on time success and hassle-free success rate from my own experience and from everything I've ever read. If you can wait for it (usually they're about a day or two wait on FedEx and UPS), I'd suggest going through them.