Deliveries by DHL

[O'Neille]

I think it's like debating Pepsi or Coke. It depends on your past experience and who's cheapest for comparable service. I just don't like it when they lie about attempting a delivery or pick-up. It's has happened to me with both companies. I ship about 300 light packages a year and receive about twice that.

[James MacMillan]

I think it's like debating Pepsi or Coke. It depends on your past experience and who's cheapest for comparable service. I just don't like it when they lie about attempting a delivery or pick-up. It's has happened to me with both companies. I ship about 300 light packages a year and receive about twice that.

OOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo That one happened to me a few years ago, the time they said that they attempted to do a delivery I was out front painting the house...... maybe they didn't want to get paint on them?

[JS Sanders]

Perhaps it's because I live in the same area FedEx's World HQ is based, but the worst service I've had from them has been outstanding.

With UPS however, a far different story.

Slainte yall,
steve

[Lyrd]

I think it's like debating Pepsi or Coke. It depends on your past experience and who's cheapest for comparable service. I just don't like it when they lie about attempting a delivery or pick-up. It's has happened to me with both companies. I ship about 300 light packages a year and receive about twice that.

I'm sorry to hear that. Like i said, because they are franchise the quality of service differs from area to area. That would never happen at my depot. Not saying this is your case, but one of the biggest problems we run into now is with apartments. Most are entry controlled and most dont list names for security reasons. So when we get a package with no phone number we cant liason with the customer in the field, so packages can end up going back and forth from the depot to the field to the depot and so forth. So if you live in a house or apartment you KNOW is hard to access make SURE the shipper includes your phone number. Also those little things like N...or W...or SW..make a HUGE difference. It can delay your package for at least a day when we hit a address that is N 100 when it's supposed to be S 100. Some are even in the same zip codes. So make sure your shipper has the complete information and your package should arrive without delays.
No excuse for lying about delivery attempts though. I would have fired that sob.

Be Well
Marc

[Rex_Tremende]

Well, Nick, I think the best way to test your options is with the scientific method, meaning using a random sample technique. Just send random samples of your products to random XMTS members using either DHL or FedEx (at random, of course), and we'll tell you how much we like the delivery service.

Regards,
"Subject R"

[emolas]

I may be a bit biased since I work for them but I have always liked UPS for consistancy and reliability. I wouldn't ship anything breakable with them however since I've seen firsthand how the packages get treated. I haven't had much experience with DHL though.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

My only experience with DHL has been in deliveries made to the Museum from various companies in Scotland that we order from. I can't recall once having a single problem with receiving a package.

That being said, I really haven't had a problem receiving packages from UPS, FedEx, or the US mail, either. Maybe we are just lucky!

I do note that most of our UK suppliers seem to prefer shipping to us via DHL or standard mail, though one has recently switched to UPS. Can't recall any UK supplier of ours ever shipping FedEx.

The only problem we have had in recent memory receiving a package from the UK was through the mail. Royal Mail said they gave it to the US Postal Service. The US mail said they never received it. Neither could do anything to help me locate my package! In the end I had to cut my losses and reorder the merchandise on that one. That's been an isolated expereince, which is bound to happen from time to time when one does a lot of overseas shipping and ordering.

Aye,
Matt

[Jerry]

As has been much remarked here, we know many of you guys dislike Fedex. (Please let's not rehash the reasons here... it's all there in previous threads!)

We've recently been offered a deal by DHL which is now competitive with Fedex on price but offers us other administrative advantages. So we're giving them a trial, which will involve sending a couple of packages a day with them to see how their service compares in practice.

So, if you're thinking of placing an order with us and would prefer to get delivery by DHL, please just specify this on your order and it will be done.

Also, if anyone has particular experiences about DHL they'd like to share, we'd be interested. Feel free to PM me off-list if you prefer.

Thanks

Nick

I have two experiences, both so negative that I WILL NOT BUY from anyone who insists on shipping DHL. The first time I paid for next day delivery, and was informed after a week that DHL doesn't ship next day to my location. I was not offered a refund of the extra I paid for shipping and was told, that I might get my money back if I contacted corporate headquarters. I didn't get it. In the second instance. They could not find my home. In fact, they insisted my address did not exist. I wound up having to drive 50 miles to get the order myself. Again I did not get any of my shipping charges refunded. So, in my opinion, DHL is a distant fourth behind, mail, UPS, Fedex................................DHL

[Colin]

I have had both good and bad experiences with both firms Nick. Of course I was a shipper/receiver for about 10 years so I can say the same with almost every courier service. You will always have problems with any delivery company, but you hope the majority of experiences are good ones.

Good luck trying out the new carrier. I think giving people the option is a good one.

I did have a few deliveries, from another firm, come to me by Parcel Force and I was actually pretty pleased with them. There deliveries came via post. It took more time, but it saved on the "extra" duty fees that firms like FedEx and UPS can add for their brokerage fee. I know one of my biggest hold ups on a number of items from Scotland is lack of a post option. I am one of the few that don't expect their product in 3 days so the extra week or so for delivery is usually not an issue especially when waiting for any kind of handcrafted quality goods.

[Lyrd]

I have two experiences, both so negative that I WILL NOT BUY from anyone who insists on shipping DHL. The first time I paid for next day delivery, and was informed after a week that DHL doesn't ship next day to my location. I was not offered a refund of the extra I paid for shipping and was told, that I might get my money back if I contacted corporate headquarters. I didn't get it. In the second instance. They could not find my home. In fact, they insisted my address did not exist. I wound up having to drive 50 miles to get the order myself. Again I did not get any of my shipping charges refunded. So, in my opinion, DHL is a distant fourth behind, mail, UPS, Fedex................................DHL

There is no "corporate headquarters"..DHL is franchise in the USA. We all just use a central call center. When you call 1-800-call-DHL your just getting some call center. You needed to talk to your local depot to get a refund. As for DHL not shipping to your address next day, many addresses cannot be shipped to next day, DHL, Fedex, UPS..even USPS. It's YOUR responsibilty to check not the package delivery service. They have no way of knowing until your package hits a depot after being picked up what level of service you have requested. The best way to avoid this is to make sure the person shipping has an actual DHL account online, can print waybills electronicaly , and can check service levels for addresses they are shipping to. If you had to drive 50 miles to pick up your package, either you live in a really rural area or your package was sitting in the wrong depot. You can't expect package delivery services to deliver one package a month to your specific rural area and remain in business. Sorry, but this sounds like out of wack expectations on your part. If i'm off base my oppologies, but you should ALWAYS call your delivery service if your unsure about any aspect of your delivery.

Be Well
Marc