Warning: Ordered iPod direct from Apple - got empty box

[emptybox]

You misunerstand what everyone is telling you. here it is plain and simple: Apple ships ipods from china by the millions, the odds that you, not you and someone else across the country, just you would get ripped more than once is worse than me and you winning the lottery tomorrow. The odds of someone IN your closer area stealing it (it wouldn't have to be a ups person, it could be anyone that walks into the ups place for a tour (i'm gonna try that now)) go up very quickly.

-The Dulcimer-

No, I understand the iPod shipment process. I read an article recently on FedEx's Internantional Priority Direct Distribution service. The shipment I ordered also had other item on the invoice so somewhere here in the US the shipment gets put together and shipped out to me by UPS. That collection center before UPS gets it is proably where the problem is. I don't know if Apple owns that collection center or not but it's Apple's problem anyway because Apple took the money.

 

[Shaun.P]

Is the guy that delivered the nano the same guy that delivered the iPod with video? Sounds to me like the parcel people are opening them up and simply stealing them.

 

[TheDulcimer]

... it's Apple's problem anyway because Apple took the money.

Here is where your problem could be solved, buy it from an apple store next time.

-The Dulcimer-

 

[Flowbee]

The fact that Apple is so casual about this makes me think it's happening all over.

So where are all of the reports from people receiving empty boxes in the mail? Yours is the first I've ever seen.

 

[emptybox]

Ours is a small world

So where are all of the reports from people receiving empty boxes in the mail? Yours is the first I've ever seen.

Not everyone who buys from Apple has a MacRumors account.

 

[WildCowboy]

So where are all of the reports from people receiving empty boxes in the mail? Yours is the first I've ever seen.

They're all in on it.

 

[Flowbee]

I read recently that a job at UPS is now considered one of the best blue collar jobs out there. They make bgood money adn have great benefits. I doubt a UPS guy/gal would risk losing all that.

UPS drivers may make a decent salary with benefits, but the people that load and unload boxes in the middle of the night don't.

 

[emptybox]

Is the guy that delivered the nano the same guy that delivered the iPod with video? Sounds to me like the parcel people are opening them up and simply stealing them.

Today's delivery guy was someone new. I'd never seen him before. 99% of the time I get the same UPS guy and usually about the same time of day. That's one reason I use UPS so much - I trust my UPS guy. The first empty box was my regular UPS guy.

 

[WildCowboy]

Today's delivery guy was someone new. I'd never seen him before. 99% of the time I get the same UPS guy and usually about the same time of day. That's one reason I use UPS so much - I trust my UPS guy. The first empty box was my regular UPS guy.

So what you're saying is that your regular UPS guy is really good at resealing the boxes so that people don't notice anything's missing. The sub isn't quite so good at it...probably still learning from the master.

 

[emptybox]

RDF in full effect

They're all in on it.

This is an example of why things don't get fixed at Apple - Apple has an invisible shield of fanatics who protect the company from anyone who might say a disparaging word.

UPS, on the other hand, just has guys in brown shirts.

I'm not saying it can't be UPS but it could be someone who works for Apple at a distribution point along the way.

 

[emptybox]

My regular UPS guy is awesome!

"You must be one with the box, young brownie"

My regular UPS guy is awesome! He has handled many thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment from me and never lost a shipment. There is no way my UPS guy would steal a $300 iPod. No. Way.

 

[TheDulcimer]

I'm not saying it can't be UPS but it could be someone who works for Apple at a distribution point along the way.

What you miss is that apple can't "Baby" your ipod the whole time, and as bad as this might sound, apple won't be the only people handling your ipod along the way, nor will UPS.

You seem very intent on saying it IS apple and people shouldn't buy ipods because of this ONE single case, is that what your saying?

-The Dulcimer-

 

[WildCowboy]

This is an example of why things don't get fixed at Apple - Apple has an invisible shield of fanatics who protect the company from anyone who might say a disparaging word.

UPS, on the other hand, just has guys in brown shirts.

I'm not saying it can't be UPS but it could be someone who works for Apple at a distribution point along the way.

I was just having a bit of fun with you...Apple is not perfect. But I don't care what (reputable) company is sending me the product...if the box is empty, I tend to blame someone at the shipping company. Now, eBay...that's a different story.

If Microsoft sent me and empty box, I'd still blame UPS.

 

[emptybox]

What you miss is that apple can't "Baby" your ipod the whole time, and as bad as this might sound, apple won't be the only people handling your ipod along the way, nor will UPS.

You seem very intent on saying it IS apple and people shouldn't buy ipods because of this ONE single case, is that what your saying?

No, I'm not telling people not to buy iPods. I'm telling people not to order them from Apple's online store until Apple get's it's stuff together.

The first shipment loss I had was weeks ago and Apple has had plenty of time to investigate. Apple gladly took my money and with that they took responsibility for delivering the product.

Please turn down the little knob on your RDF generator.

 

[emptybox]

I was just having a bit of fun with you...Apple is not perfect. But I don't care what (reputable) company is sending me the product...if the box is empty, I tend to blame someone at the shipping company. Now, eBay...that's a different story.

The box I got today had been tampered with but the one I got last month definitely had not. And besides, I get lot's of stuff by UPS why is it just the iPods go missing?

Anyways, this would all be alot more amusing to me if I were listening to my new iPod right now. I had the playlist set up and everything...

 

[Flowbee]

Dude, you were right... I think I found a picture of the guy who stole your nano. He just seems to be flaunting it. And notice... he doesn't have the box.

 

[TheDulcimer]

Please turn down the little knob on your RDF generator.

I'm so sorry, but this sure seems like a flamebait thread. Did you NOT expect this? do you want us to say "Oh Emptybox that is so terrible, i'm going to call apple right now and tell them i'll buy a dell player if they don't get their act together... even though my ipod came and all my friends did correctly..."



-The Dulcimer-

 

[GilGrissom]

My regular UPS guy is awesome! He has handled many thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment from me and never lost a shipment. There is no way my UPS guy would steal a $300 iPod. No. Way.

Ok...it could easily be someone at Apple. If it is someone along the distribution chain then they may not totally work for Apple. As TheDulcimer said, they can't wrap everything inside cotton wool and personally deliver everything to you. Apple is not alone here.

Maybe they should have more control over it.

Maybe they should have tracking devices inside every box or built into every iPod so this never happens...or maybe that will just open up a whole can of ethical worms.

Fact is, this can and does easily happen with other companies and more often than not the one thing linking them together is the shipping company (and it doesn't have to be good old Bob the UPS man who always delivers to you, who has 3 kids and a grandson on the way, who-incidently, is thinking about redoing his kitchen.) so more often than not it may be the delivery company (not guy...SOMEONE).

But yes, by the same token it could still be some previously thought reliable person at the heart of Apple conspiring, or just making an honest mistake...maybe they were out of cafine that day, or they had received bad news. Maybe they simply made the terrible mistake of not packing the iPod...plain and simple...clearly their fault, no one others, no excuses.

Truth is we'll probably never know.

Apple sell that many iPods that I'm not surprised it's happened. As long as Apple get the product to you one way or another is the main thing, I think it should still be down to them to organise it for you, whether it be their fault or UPSs fault.

I've been to McDonalds so many times and they haven't given me what I wanted (just the other day actually...first time in ages...mmm...burger...anyhoo...). I took it back and they gave me a new one...I'm not gonna say to people never ever go through a drive in again because there is something fundamentally wrong with the system and they regularly give out the wrong order, its a mistake...I had my correct burger and all is well...

 

[sam10685]

is the Apple logo and word on the box?

 

[emptybox]

No...

I'm so sorry, but this sure seems like a flamebait thread. Did you NOT expect this? do you want us to say "Oh Emptybox that is so terrible, i'm going to call apple right now and tell them i'll buy a dell player if they don't get their act together... even though my ipod came and all my friends did correctly..."



-The Dulcimer-

No, I expected at least a few folks to say "hmm, there might be a problem here" and instead of buying an iPod from Apple's online store they might decide to go buy one locally just to be safe.

I was also hoping that if enough people saw my post we'd get someone else to speak up about a missing iPod shipment. I can't be the only one this has happened to. I'v bought lot's of Apple stuff over the years so there's np reason for stevo to be pissed at me.

 

[TheDulcimer]

I was also hoping that if enough people saw my post we'd get someone else to speak up about a missing iPod shipment.

And i am thankful you posted, because if my ipod didn't come and it was just a box, i would want to post it on here and scream and yell and tell everyone how mad i was that steve screwed me.

The fact is you got a respones of "we think its UPS", and you said that is the farthest thing from your mind.

-The Dulcimer-

 

[zach]

just to say, when i ordered my ipod, it didn't come in a box.. it came in a padded shipping envelope with the ipod box inside.

i call BS on this story.

 

[emptybox]

Label

is the Apple logo and word on the box?

No. That's what's weird. The label says "ACI" and the address is on MicroDrive, that's what threw me this morning. If it had said "Apple" I would have made the UPS guy stand and wait while I opened the box.

I'm pretty sure other stuff I ordered from Apple used to say "Apple" and had the logo on the label. This is another reason I think this problem is widespread since I believe Apple used the "ACI" label so as not to draw attention to the box - but it didn't work this time.

 

[Kingsly]

I think it's more likely someone(s) at Apple and not UPS. That's why I'm warning people.

You're really out to burn Apple, aren't you? Those things change hands so many times from the moment they leave the factory in Shanghai to the moment they reach your door, and yet you've got yourself convinced that its Apple.
Factory in Shanghai
Delivery truck
Sorting station
Delivery truck
Chinese customs
Cargo plane
US customs
Sorting station (alaska)
Cargo plane
Sorting station (usually midwest)
Truck (or plane) to California
Sorting station (california)
Truck to San Diego
Sorting station
Truck (out for delivery)

Somewhere along the line it has been stolen. Sorry.
At least Apple is replacing it for you.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

I doubt a UPS guy/gal would risk losing all that.

It's a risk vs reward calculation.

The risks of tampering with the package are much greater at Apple, which is undoubtedly under surveillance from end-to-end, than they are on the UPS truck or in one of the supply depots.

It's easy to knife an iPod box (they all look the same, so you learn what items are in which box), pull the iPod, retape the box, and deliver the box. Threw the iPod on eBay and you have an easy $300+.

Sure, the box may not LOOK like it's been tampered with, but anything is possible with enough practice and enough patience.