Warning about DHL

[Jerry]

This isn't really kilt related, but we all, here on this forum, order things (such as kilts) from time to time. I ordered a hand held GPS for hunting. The company I ordered from listed 2 day shipping, using DHL express as the shipper. The GPS unit was shipped around 6 PM PST, Thursday, from Washington state. It arrived at the DHL terminal in Richmond Va at 7:42 am on Friday. The held it at the terminal and the tracking website for DHL said it would be delivered on the following Monday. We had light snow and sleet on Monday. Even though the weather didn't amount to much, Dhl did not deliver my unit that day either. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, and said "okay, the weather was bad", they will bring it tomorrow. I also sent them an email stating that I understood delays caused by weather, but If they didn't deliver my GPS the next day, that I felt I should be due a refund on what I paid for 2 day shipping. They did not even bother to respond to my email. Of course they didn't deliver my GPS that day either. I contacted the manager of the company from which I ordered the unit and he contacted DHL. He was told that I was being unreasonable. They didn't deliver it on Friday or on Monday because of the snow. Of course, the weather in Richmond and for at least 100 miles in any direction was clear with the temperatures in the mid to high 40s F. They also informed him that they do not make daily deliveries in rural areas. They only deliver to these areas on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. In other words, I paid for a delivery service that they did not even offer in my area. I sent DHL another email and told them that they had lied about the weather on Friday, and That I felt that they falsely advertised "express 2 day delivery". I also told them that the next time I want fast delivery on something, I would ask to have it delivered "proprity mail" by The United States Postal Service. Believe or not, I once had The USPS make a delivery on a Sunday because it was shipped by priority mail. I guess, I'm using this forum to vent just a bit, but I think everyone should be warned, and have the chance to choose alternate delivery services, especially if they live in a rural area. My GPS did finally arrive late Wednesday afternoon 6 days after it was shipped "DHL 2 day express" I've said my piece, so I guess I'll go pour myself a dram of good single malt and turn in after I finish it.

[Rob Wright]

DHL does not deliver to rural areas at all. You order something overnighted they get it to the nearest city and then put it in the mail and send it certified.

UPS and Fed Ex both do a much better job serving rural areas and the Post Office is really hit and miss depending on who's running it.


Oh and you should get a refund on the shipping you paid as well.


Rob

[bubba]

I've heard other horror stories about DHL, particularly concerning duty collection and their fees. I always request delivery by USPS or, in a pinch, UPS.