iPad Pro FedEx fun and Apple ‘support’

[ferretguy]

Was expecting delivery of my new IPP 11” today by 2:30 PM EST. Because of the heat o took off half a day to wait for it. Needless to say it never showed up. Got numerous text from Apple and FedEx saying it was “out for delivery”. Spent a two hours with some idiot at Apple support who, as I eventually found out, didn’t have a clue how to help me. Spent another half hour on the phone with someone else from Apple. Same result. Called FedEx and was Not able to speak to anyone but kept being told by the nice machine lady it was “out for delivery “. Now I can’t be here tomorrow. It will sit on my porch in 95 degree heat.

Just had to get that out.

Do we think it will be fried by the time I get it home? (Nearest FedEx holding facility is an hour)

 

[Richard8655]

Often times FedEx delivery day is delayed to the next day. It's happened to me a few times. You could keep checking the tracking number where status is usually updated to "delayed" or similar. I wouldn't worry about the outdoor temperature. Its internal electronics generate more heat than the ambient temperature as high as it might be.

 

[sparksd]

It can really be frustrating, no question.

We got a FedEx delivery the other day - a to-be-assembled metal cabinet. The box was 15"D x 34"W x 80"H and weighed 97 lbs. but it was delivered across the street and up our front stairs by one somewhat small guy carrying it - and he helped me as I got in the house. I couldn't believe it - FedEx must have wide insurance latitude for its drivers.

 

[russell_314]

Often times FedEx delivery day is delayed to the next day.

I find this is also true. Similarly with UPS it will often give me a crazy early date that I know doesn’t make sense. I’ve had packages showing they’re in California claiming they’re going to be at my location across the country in two hours.

Never trust those expected delivery dates unless it’s from Amazon. The only reliable information is when it says it’s near you. If it says it’s in your city and out for delivery, it’s likely going to be delivered that day.

 

[bousozoku]

I find this is also true. Similarly with UPS it will often give me a crazy early date that I know doesn’t make sense. I’ve had packages showing they’re in California claiming they’re going to be at my location across the country in two hours.

Never trust those expected delivery dates unless it’s from Amazon. The only reliable information is when it says it’s near you. If it says it’s in your city and out for delivery, it’s likely going to be delivered that day.

If FedEx tells me that the package will be across the country in four hours, it usually is.

If UPS does it, they will scan it into the nearest (to the package) ground location four times, and re-set the delivery for the morning. This usually turns out to be the same morning the following week. If I call to ask about it, I will hear laughter.

I've had some trouble with FedEx showing me that the package seems to be sitting on the side of the freeway, even though it's supposed to be Out for Delivery.

 

[kitKAC]

Was expecting delivery of my new IPP 11” today by 2:30 PM EST. Because of the heat o took off half a day to wait for it. Needless to say it never showed up. Got numerous text from Apple and FedEx saying it was “out for delivery”. Spent a two hours with some idiot at Apple support who, as I eventually found out, didn’t have a clue how to help me. Spent another half hour on the phone with someone else from Apple. Same result. Called FedEx and was Not able to speak to anyone but kept being told by the nice machine lady it was “out for delivery “. Now I can’t be here tomorrow. It will sit on my porch in 95 degree heat.

Just had to get that out.

Do we think it will be fried by the time I get it home? (Nearest FedEx holding facility is an hour)

I'm confused, why did you think Apple could help you with FedEx delivery scheduling?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Spent a two hours with some idiot at Apple support who, as I eventually found out, didn’t have a clue how to help me. Spent another half hour on the phone with someone else from Apple. Same result. Called FedEx and was Not able to speak to anyone but kept being told by the nice machine lady it was “out for delivery “.

I could have saved you 2.5 hours. Once it’s in FedEx’s hands, it’ll get there when it gets there. Phone calls to Apple will be a complete waste of time, phone calls to FedEx only marginally less so.

 

[citivolus]

Apple shipped me my iPad back via FedEx overnight priority this past Saturday. Expected delivery was Monday by 10am. Since I wasn’t going to be home, I signed for it electronically the day before and got a confirmation email from FedEx. Monday comes and I get a notice that the driver made an attempt to deliver it but I wasn’t home so it will be held at the FedEx station for me to pick up. Frustrated, I go there after work and show them the email, asking why didn’t they leave it since I had signed for it electronically. The FedEx agent says, “oh it looks like you signed for it on Sunday, and we’re closed on Sundays.”

 

[ferretguy]

I find this is also true. Similarly with UPS it will often give me a crazy early date that I know doesn’t make sense. I’ve had packages showing they’re in California claiming they’re going to be at my location across the country in two hours.

Never trust those expected delivery dates unless it’s from Amazon. The only reliable information is when it says it’s near you. If it says it’s in your city and out for delivery, it’s likely going to be delivered that day.

The tracking info said it was on a truck yesterday at 6:45 am for delivery yesterday. As of now nothing has changed, still out for delivery. Been on that truck 24 hours.

 

[ferretguy]

I'm confused, why did you think Apple could help you with FedEx delivery scheduling?

Well, Apple pays for FedEx to deliver their orders. It wasn’t so much helping me with scheduling as it was trying find out where the hell package was.

 

[*~Kim~*]

Also, if FedEx do eventually claim “delivered” when the OP doesn’t have the iPad, Apple may be more likely to try to trace the iPad/replace it rather than simply say it was delivered if he has already been reporting issues with the delivery.

If the iPad was damaged, who bears the risk? He presumably took the day off because he didn’t want the risk of the iPad being damaged or stolen. Apple may be able to request that FedEx do not leave the iPad outside, or leave with a neighbour. FedEx will only take those instructions from the sender.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

This is the reason I buy from Best Buy know what I am getting and have it in hand.

 

[Richard8655]

As a veteran I've always bought my iPads from the online military exchange. There is no other choice other than FedEx and never had a problem. Sometimes delayed a day or 2 beyond delivery date, but never lost. Often the best deals are done with delivery companies, and I'm completely ok with that (as the OP has done).

 

[HouseLannister]

(Nearest FedEx holding facility is an hour)

You don't have a Walgreens nearby? They hold FedEx packages. Just sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager and you should be able to send it to one. I guess it's too late now since you started this thread yesterday.

 

[mpetrides]

As a veteran I've always bought my iPads from the online military exchange. There is no other choice other than FedEx and never had a problem. Sometimes delayed a day or 2 beyond delivery date, but never lost. Often the best deals are done with delivery companies, and I'm completely ok with that (as the OP has done).

That may be true where you live, but it’s not true here in Central Vermont. I‘m also a veteran and buy from the Military/Veterans store at the Apple Store (which is what I assume you are referring to). Most of the time my hardware gets shipped via UPS.

In the winter, both carriers are crap but UPS is usually more so—since they do not equip their trucks with 4WD and often not even with proper snow tires. FedEx is often better but I’ve had situations where something trivial (in terms of cost, not necessity) was stuck in their system for days. One time, it was a package of cables. After 3 days of calling AAPL to complain, they simply resent the package overnight delivery (also via FedEx) and told me if the original package ever arrived, I could keep it, gratis. Interestingly enough, the replacement package and the original package ended up coming on the very same day.

My point to OP: AAPL may not be able to fix your _specific_ delivery issue with FedEx but if it is an ongoing problem, they can provide some sort of recompense. And if you feel the iPad was damaged by heat exposure, you can always return it to AAPL for an exchange within their 14 day return period.

 

[masotime]

(Nearest FedEx holding facility is an hour)

Unless it’s more than 2 hours out, always hold the shipment. It’s never worth it to have to wait for a shipment to arrive if you don’t have someone else who would be at home anyway to sign and receive it (could be a doorman if you live at a condo).

 

[masotime]

The tracking info said it was on a truck yesterday at 6:45 am for delivery yesterday. As of now nothing has changed, still out for delivery. Been on that truck 24 hours.

Well, Apple pays for FedEx to deliver their orders. It wasn’t so much helping me with scheduling as it was trying find out where the hell package was.

Also, recommend avoiding this kind of approach. It’s not worth your mental health to obsess about delivery specifics.

If you really care enough about it, it’s a much better idea to drive to the Apple Store to pick it up. Unlike the delivery company, the Apple Story employees are paid to make sure you get the best possible experience (competence notwithstanding) - the delivery company just treats your shipment like every other shipment they have to deal with, and you’re unlikely to get special treatment.

 

[Richard8655]

That may be true where you live, but it’s not true here in Central Vermont. I‘m also a veteran and buy from the Military/Veterans store at the Apple Store (which is what I assume you are referring to). Most of the time my hardware gets shipped via UPS.

In the winter, both carriers are crap but UPS is usually more so—since they do not equip their trucks with 4WD and often not even with proper snow tires. FedEx is often better but I’ve had situations where something trivial (in terms of cost, not necessity) was stuck in their system for days. One time, it was a package of cables. After 3 days of calling AAPL to complain, they simply resent the package overnight delivery (also via FedEx) and told me if the original package ever arrived, I could keep it, gratis. Interestingly enough, the replacement package and the original package ended up coming on the very same day.

My point to OP: AAPL may not be able to fix your _specific_ delivery issue with FedEx but if it is an ongoing problem, they can provide some sort of recompense. And if you feel the iPad was damaged by heat exposure, you can always return it to AAPL for an exchange within their 14 day return period.

Hi there fellow vet. No, I'm not referring to Apple's military store but to branches of service exchanges such as Army/Air Force (AAFES), Navy (NEX), and Coast Guard (CGX). I've always found better military discounts there than Apple military. Including tax free.

Sorry to hear about your past delivery issues, especially UPS. But over the years, I've never had an issue with FedEx (which is the default carrier for the exchanges). And you're right, no matter from where purchased, if the package is lost the seller will almost always recompensate equitably.

 

[philipma1957]

I have had Apple, Fedex, UPS, Amazon, USPS, DHL, Best Buy all fail at least once when it comes to shipping. I have had to fight with UPS for 110 days about a lost package. They finally paid me the insurance. I had to fight with a failed Fedex shipment from Best Buy. Best Buy honored it. To be fair I do a lot of shipping in and out of my home. I would say all of the companies are better than 90% and none are 100%

 

[ferretguy]

Was expecting delivery of my new IPP 11” today by 2:30 PM EST. Because of the heat o took off half a day to wait for it. Needless to say it never showed up. Got numerous text from Apple and FedEx saying it was “out for delivery”. Spent a two hours with some idiot at Apple support who, as I eventually found out, didn’t have a clue how to help me. Spent another half hour on the phone with someone else from Apple. Same result. Called FedEx and was Not able to speak to anyone but kept being told by the nice machine lady it was “out for delivery “. Now I can’t be here tomorrow. It will sit on my porch in 95 degree heat.

Just had to get that out.

Do we think it will be fried by the time I get it home? (Nearest FedEx holding facility is an hour)

Update. No ones knows where it is. FedEx said they were going to ask the driver. Have not heard back from them. Apples wants me to wait until Friday before they can resend the order. They said I could make a new order, pay a second time and then rein one if they both show up. I said no thank you. I asked if I void go to the closest Apple Store and have them replace my order. Nope.

Guess I just wait. Obviously frustrating. Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[philipma1957]

Update. No ones knows where it is. FedEx said they were going to ask the driver. Have not heard back from them. Apples wants me to wait until Friday before they can resend the order. They said I could make a new order, pay a second time and then rein one if they both show up. I said no thank you. I asked if I void go to the closest Apple Store and have them replace my order. Nope.

Guess I just wait. Obviously frustrating. Thanks for everyone’s input.

Sounds like the driver could be a bit crooked. Stay on top of this. Use the 3 p's. Polite, Persistent, Professional. It may take a week or so to fix it. Good luck.

 

[cardfan]

…

 

[astrorider]

Apple says iPads can be stored in temps up to 113º F so it should be fine sitting on your porch I'd think:

If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support

Learn about the operating temperatures and temperature management of iPhone and iPad.

support.apple.com

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Apples wants me to wait until Friday before they can resend the order. They said I could make a new order, pay a second time and then rein one if they both show up. I said no thank you.

Seems reasonable. FedEx may find it & get it to you. If you don’t want to wait purchase another one & return the original if it shows up, or the order will be cancelled if it doesn’t.

These types of delays aren’t common, but not unheard of either.

 

[russell_314]

Well, Apple pays for FedEx to deliver their orders. It wasn’t so much helping me with scheduling as it was trying find out where the hell package was.

The person you’re calling at Apple isn’t going to know anything more than you can see on the FedEx website.

The only difference with calling Apple is you’re going to get somebody that says yes sir, yes sir, I completely understand, we’re very sorry this happened. The phone rep doesn’t want you to give them a bad review so they’re going to tell you whatever so you don’t do that 🤣