Apple cost-cutting again?

[profmjh]

Last week I ordered a Milanese loop. Every Apple product I ordered last year — and I order a lot — were delivered by either DPD or UPS. I was always thrilled when I saw DPD were shipping — they give you one-hour delivery slots and you can stalk the driver so you know exactly when he's coming.

But for this order, DPD was only available as a paid extra. Otherwise I had to put up with Royal Mail. Like an idiot, I decided to save the money and chose Royal Mail. The best they offer is to give you a four-hour delivery window when they "expect" to deliver. That window closed an hour ago and — of course — they're still not here.

I've been an Apple fanboy for 30 years. But in the last few years, my loyalty has slowly been draining away. The endless cost-cutting, the huge price rises, the incompetence — late product launches, inadequate supply . . . have had me considering for the first time switching to another brand. A friend of mine showed me his S9 — it's a fine looking phone. Vastly better looking than the X. For now I'm happy with my 8, but when the time comes to replace it, it's no longer obvious to me that I'll only look at Apple's offerings.

 

[mtneer]

<.....>

I've been an Apple fanboy for 30 years. But in the last few years, my loyalty has slowly been draining away. The endless cost-cutting, the huge price rises, the incompetence — late product launches, inadequate supply . . . have had me considering for the first time switching to another brand. A friend of mine showed me his S9 — it's a fine looking phone. Vastly better looking than the X. For now I'm happy with my 8, but when the time comes to replace it, it's no longer obvious to me that I'll only look at Apple's offerings.

I don't understand why consumers show "loyalty" to Apple (or any other corporation). The only loyalty they have is to their shareholders - not to you, not their employees or anyone else. The only way you can impact decision making at Apple is to hit them where it counts - in the bottom line. The longer you make anything Apple puts out an automatic purchase, the less incentive they have to do anything for the consumer. Let them earn your purchase for a change.

 

[profmjh]

Let them earn your purchase for a change

I agree. My spending on Apple products in 2018 is vastly lower than in 2017 and it will stay that way. And I will look at other options now, whereas in the past if Apple had the kind of thing I wanted, I bought it.

 

[the future]

Boy are you in for a let-down.

 

[willmtaylor]

I’d be thrilled to have a 4-hour delivery window for packages.

 

[Starship67]

Apple is flawed because YOU chose to save a couple of bucks on shipping and you can’t get what you ordered when YOU think you should. Talk about cost cutting and flawed.

 

[csurfr]

Apple is flawed because YOU chose to save a couple of bucks on shipping and you can’t get what you ordered when YOU think you should. Talk about cost cutting and flawed.

First world problems, right?

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Last week I ordered a Milanese loop. Every Apple product I ordered last year — and I order a lot — were delivered by either DPD or UPS. I was always thrilled when I saw DPD were shipping — they give you one-hour delivery slots and you can stalk the driver so you know exactly when he's coming.

But for this order, DPD was only available as a paid extra. Otherwise I had to put up with Royal Mail. Like an idiot, I decided to save the money and chose Royal Mail. The best they offer is to give you a four-hour delivery window when they "expect" to deliver. That window closed an hour ago and — of course — they're still not here.

I've been an Apple fanboy for 30 years. But in the last few years, my loyalty has slowly been draining away. The endless cost-cutting, the huge price rises, the incompetence — late product launches, inadequate supply . . . have had me considering for the first time switching to another brand. A friend of mine showed me his S9 — it's a fine looking phone. Vastly better looking than the X. For now I'm happy with my 8, but when the time comes to replace it, it's no longer obvious to me that I'll only look at Apple's offerings.

That's weird, I don't get an option to chose courier, just the 'free delivery' and this is usually DPD or UKMail.

 

[NoBoMac]

Wait a minute!

So, went to search DPD, who they are, any news item that mention Apple changing delivery companies, and one of the first hits is this.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-dpd-uk-the-worst-company-in-the-world.2095246/

You think DPD is the worst, and now you are mad that you can't use the worst delivery company?

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Wait a minute!

So, went to search DPD, who they are, any news item that mention Apple changing delivery companies, and one of the first hits is this.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-dpd-uk-the-worst-company-in-the-world.2095246/

DPD is the worst, and now you are mad that you can't use the worst delivery company?

Have to disagree, DPD is much better in central London than any of the others. Funny you found that link though...

 

[willmtaylor]

Wait a minute!

So, went to search DPD, who they are, any news item that mention Apple changing delivery companies, and one of the first hits is this.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-dpd-uk-the-worst-company-in-the-world.2095246/

DPD is the worst, and now you are mad that you can't use the worst delivery company?

Hahaha. Find of the day. Well done!

 

[akash.nu]

I’ve finished my tea ️ thinking about this, still struggling to understand how this is Apple cutting cost! ‍♂️

 

[profmjh]

You people crack me up.

 

[srshaw]

First world problems, right?

I much prefer royal mail to dpd. They are far more likely to deliver to a safe place or neighbour rather than the inevitable trip to the depot.

 

[csurfr]

I much prefer royal mail to dpd. They are far more likely to deliver to a safe place or neighbour rather than the inevitable trip to the depot.

Lately every Apple product I have purchased here in the states has been delivered by FedEx. I don’t know if maybe it’s because they are shipping from a distribution center close to FedEx or ?? It used to be that all of my Apple products came via DHL or UPS.

 

[Brookzy]

I noticed this too - I ordered the space grey keyboard and trackpad and it shipped by Royal Mail when usually items over £100 ship by DPD or UK Mail.

This seems to be a very recent change. I guess they weighed up the cost of postage versus the lower insurance Royal Mail offers and found out they were better off overall raising the £100 limit even after taking into account lost packages. (This is also the second time this has happened in about two years - the Royal Mail limit used to be £49.)

Personally I don't mind because it's just my normal postman who delivers it and he comes at about the same time every day. While DPD gives an hour slot, for me at least it is unpredictable when in the day that slot will be, whereas the postman is here at the time time, plus or minus 45 minutes, every day.

They seem to be using Royal Mail Tracked 24 which also has the added benefit of usually delivering on a Saturday whereas DPD and UK Mail will never deliver an Apple order on a Saturday unless you paid for it.

 

[danny842003]

If the item is returned to a depot for collection the local post office is normally much easier to collect from than a courier as well.
If they had started to use Hermes I would agree it was cost cutting.

 

[Nell]

While I enjoy the option of stalking my parcel and wondering at the bizarre routes DPD uses, given the choice I’d always choose Royal Mail because if I miss the delivery it’s easy to get to the sorting office. Plus, as I understand it, my Royal Mail delivery person will be paid better and not working in such a stressful employment culture.