Warning: Ordered iPod direct from Apple - got empty box

[emptybox]

The first thing you should have done was call UPS, the 1800pickups #.
filed a claim with them, then you should have called apple, and had them initiate a claim with them.
UPS is not a perfect company. there is loss all over. Be it from damaged boxes not being filled properly, or theft from them. Be it from people robbing things from them. We are not mail. We do have the right to go into most boxes and inspect the contents of that box. Some people don't inspect, they just tape.
a few years ago a driver was fired with his loader because the driver would take games out of gamestop cases, retape the box, and deliver to gamestop. the driver would give the games to his loader, who would resell the games to gamestop.
things like that happen at UPS, FEDEX and DHL. Loss prevention really needs to know there is a problem going on there, and the only way you can notify them is to call - it hurts everyone, shipping charges go up, package insurance goes up.... etc....

Well I did call UPS the second time this happened because the box looked like it had been opened. The UPS guy picked up that box yesterday. But hey, two iPod shipped by UPS and 2 iPods lost! It seems to me that UPS has more than its share of problems than FedEx.

I did call Apple today again because no one from them had called me back yet. They said they are waiting from a response from UPS...

If UPS doesn't make some progress on this issue I'm switching to USPS and/or FedEx. I spent over $100 last month shipping stuff out by UPS. That may not sound like alot but over a year or several years it sure adds up.

 

[Hunts121]

I used to work for UPS and I will say the packages do a lot of traveling within the building (or hub as its called) before it actually gets on the truck. I will say that more than likely its NOT the delivery driver's fault. Various people unload the boxes which goes on the belt system, then to a bunch more people at the sort (where they determine which set of delivery trucks it goes to) and finally to the preloader (person who loads the delivery trucks) who loads the truck. In fact iPods are often cased in a brown box (mine was when I ordered it) to prevent this type of problem.

Also just a note, for better chances try expediting it, the next day air unloading is watching much more closely than regular ground packages. I know its more expensive but its just a thought oh and one more thing, if UPS wanted to they could find out who was handling your package from the people who unloaded the trailer it was on to the person who loaded the truck your package goes on...whether or not they do...well thats up to them, keep it up though, you may convince them. They are a little slow sometimes (management) however they usually figure it out in the end lol

 

[milo]

- but Apple IS shipping empty boxes and that's the reality.

But you said the box had been tampered with. Sounds like UPS is more likely the culprit than apple.

So did the part that was tampered with have tape that said "don't sign for this if this tape has been tampered with"?

I have handed over stuff worth over a thousand dollars to my UPS guy and I've never had a loss.

So that somehow makes it impossible for UPS to screw up this time?

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

And that's just a hunch on your part with no facts to back it up. Based on your post, I'm more inclined to still buy from the apple online store but pick someone other than UPS for shipping.

Yes, that's exactly what I had planned to do, open the boxes at the door. Unfortunatelly, when the UPS guy arrived today he had three boxes for me and handed them to me in a stack so I didn't notice that one of them was obviously empty.

Well, I hope you learned your lesson. When you get a box, look at it to make sure it hasn't been tampered with, and heft it to make sure it's not empty. Don't sign for it until you feel that it's intact.

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.

You have zero evidence which company screwed up, yet you're 100% sure that it's Apple. And you're recommending people boycott their web store based on zero evidence. It doesn't take a fanatic to recognize that your accusations are completely biased. I'd have the exact same response if you got an empty box from Dell.

http://www.jewelersresource.com/Business/Road/ShipTips.html

And that article completely blames the shipping companies. Way to go! You've just provided evidence that contradicts your whole argument!

This thread is hilarious.

 

[emptybox]

But you said the box had been tampered with. Sounds like UPS is more likely the culprit than apple.

On the second iPod shipment the box looked like it had been tampered with. On the first iPod shipment the box was *perfect* (except that there was no iPod in it).

Based on your post, I'm more inclined to still buy from the apple online store but pick someone other than UPS for shipping.

That's might cut down on the chances of a loss but we don't know it was UPS and Apple is still ultimately responsible because the supply chain includes the delivery process.

Well, I hope you learned your lesson. When you get a box, look at it to make sure it hasn't been tampered with, and heft it to make sure it's not empty. Don't sign for it until you feel that it's intact.

Absolutely! I will never, ever sign for a box unless the delivery guy agrees to stand there and watch me examine and then open the box.

You have zero evidence which company screwed up, yet you're 100% sure that it's Apple. And you're recommending people boycott their web store based on zero evidence. It doesn't take a fanatic to recognize that your accusations are completely biased. I'd have the exact same response if you got an empty box from Dell.

Like I said, Apple is ultimately responsible. I'm not saying it wasn't a UPS employee but the combination of Apple + UPS = trouble

And that article completely blames the shipping companies. Way to go! You've just provided evidence that contradicts your whole argument!

No, it tells shippers how to package and ship to lower the chances of loss while the package is in transit.

This thread is hilarious.

That's because it wasn't YOUR iPod that was stolen.

I used to work for UPS and I will say the packages do a lot of traveling within the building (or hub as its called) before it actually gets on the truck. I will say that more than likely its NOT the delivery driver's fault.

Yes, I can buy that. I trust my usual UPS delivery guy (ours has 15+ years experience). I'm just not that confident about what goes on before/after he handles the package. The gal at UPS did tell me that not that many people handle the package during transit.

 

[StarbucksSam]

Yes, I can buy that. I trust my usual UPS delivery guy (ours has 15+ years experience). I'm just not that confident about what goes on before/after he handles the package. The gal at UPS did tell me that not that many people handle the package during transit.

Oh my god. I just read EIGHT PAGES of your MINDLESS GARBAGE. Can you stop babbling on already? There was either a small error in the distribution chain, or someone is stealing from you, and the problem will be rectified. If you want to spread utter ******** that is going to hurt my stock by saying 'Don't order from Apple online', then maybe you should get a show like Rush Limbaugh has and a life, because nobody here appreciates your witless rant.

Suck it up. Nobody cares. You got an empty box. That therefore means that Apple is corrupt, the government is watching everything we say or do, aliens are about to invade from a planet RIGHT NEXT TO EARTH that we just HAVEN'T found yet, the apocolypse is coming on St. Patrick's Day and oh my god, the iPod's don't actually exist, DO THEY?

I am usually very patient here, but your thread, plus your continued insistence on being correct could be some of the least tactful posting I've ever seen.

 

[XNine]

I have to chime in here... The sheer stupidity of this thread in the first place is humorous. The comments about the Invisa are even funnier.

Yeah, Apple shipped you an empty box.

How many other people get to handle that box between Apple and you? 5-10? 10-20?

Here's my suggestion:

APPLE, DON'T SHIP ANYTHING TO "EMPTYBOX." HE WILL BLAME EVERYTHING ON YOU, EVEN IF IT'S GEORGE BUSH'S FAULT.

 

[emptybox]

If you want to spread utter ******** that is going to hurt my stock by saying 'Don't order from Apple online', then maybe you should get a show like Rush Limbaugh has and a life, because nobody here appreciates your witless rant.

So that's what's bothering you. You don't want anyone bad mouthing Apple because you are worried about your stock.

The fact that the problem happened to me twice means that it may be a widespread issue. Not talking about it won't solve anything. There is a real problem in Apple's supply chain. Apple and UPS need to resolve this matter immediately and what I'm doing by calling attention to the problem is actually an effort to ultimately help Apple (and UPS too). That may be hard for you to understand given your shortsighted attention to the stock price.

 

[yg17]

So that's what's bothering you. You don't want anyone bad mouthing Apple because you are worried about your stock.

The fact that the problem happened to me twice means that it may be a widespread issue. Not talking about it won't solve anything. There is a real problem in Apple's supply chain. Apple and UPS need to resolve this matter immediately and what I'm doing by calling attention to the problem is actually an effort to ultimately help Apple (and UPS too). That may be hard for you to understand given your shortsighted attention to the stock price.

Apple didn't do anything wrong

 

[emptybox]

I have to chime in here... The sheer stupidity of this thread in the first place is humorous. The comments about the Invisa are even funnier.

Yeah, Apple shipped you an empty box.

How many other people get to handle that box between Apple and you? 5-10? 10-20?

Here's my suggestion:

APPLE, DON'T SHIP ANYTHING TO "EMPTYBOX." HE WILL BLAME EVERYTHING ON YOU, EVEN IF IT'S GEORGE BUSH'S FAULT.

First of all, it is Apple's fault. Apple is responsible for the entire supply chain and that includes delivery to the customer. Second, the box in the first shipment had not been tampered with. There were absolutely no signs that the tape was ever removed or cut. This means the box either left Apple's shipping dock without an iPod or someone at UPS opened the original box, removed or duplicated the sticker and placed it on a new, empty box that they taped up. Either way it is Apple's responsibility. They've known there's a problem somewhere along the route and they haven't fixed it yet.

 

[StarbucksSam]

So that's what's bothering you. You don't want anyone bad mouthing Apple because you are worried about your stock.

The fact that the problem happened to me twice means that it may be a widespread issue. Not talking about it won't solve anything. There is a real problem in Apple's supply chain. Apple and UPS need to resolve this matter immediately and what I'm doing by calling attention to the problem is actually an effort to ultimately help Apple (and UPS too). That may be hard for you to understand given your shortsighted attention to the stock price.

Yeah. Two occurances of an issue is widespread. Obviously. I mean, I know nothing, and Apple has NO faults, simply because I have stock. Of course not! Obviously Apple has faults - but this isn't one of them. You have clearly demonstrated your ability to employ complete sophistry in quite a titillating manner.

 

[emptybox]

Apple didn't do anything wrong

Yes they did. They ignored the problem and now it's happened again.

If they are sincere in their efforts to solve the problem (which I hope they are) they either haven't put enough effort into it or they haven't been able to coordinate the task successfully with UPS.

I'm getting tired of the accusations that I'm anti-Apple. I'm not. I just spent $300 on an iPod yesterday (bought at a local brick n' mortar). I've bought iBooks (G3 and G4), iMacs (G3, G4 and G5) and PowerBooks (G3 and G4) as well as iPods beginning with the original 5 GB model on through the nano and video models. Apple has taken alot of my money and I may give them more but I sure do reserve the right to complain when something goes wrong!

 

[XNine]

First of all, it is Apple's fault. Apple is responsible for the entire supply chain and that includes delivery to the customer. Second, the box in the first shipment had not been tampered with. There were absolutely no signs that the tape was ever removed or cut. This means the box either left Apple's shipping dock without an iPod or someone at UPS opened the original box, removed or duplicated the sticker and placed it on a new, empty box that they taped up. Either way it is Apple's responsibility. They've known there's a problem somewhere along the route and they haven't fixed it yet.

First of all, it ISN'T Apple's fault. They have no control of your package after it leaves their hands. Blame who IS responsible and that's UPS.

Your rant is rediculous. It's like this: You put your wife on an Airplane to go to her family, the airplane crashes and kills her. Should her family blame you? Or should they blame the airline? The airline.

Common sense is key here. I suggest you make a little flowchart in order to see the full scope of the situation. If Apple IGNORED you like you claim, they wouldn't have even bothered to send you a 2nd iPod.

 

[emptybox]

First of all, it ISN'T Apple's fault. They have no control of your package after it leaves their hands. Blame who IS responsible and that's UPS.

Your rant is rediculous. It's like this: You put your wife on an Airplane to go to her family, the airplane crashes and kills her. Should her family blame you? Or should they blame the airline? The airline.

Common sense is key here. I suggest you make a little flowchart in order to see the full scope of the situation. If Apple IGNORED you like you claim, they wouldn't have even bothered to send you a 2nd iPod.

No, business sense is key here and Apple is responsible for the delivery because it's part of their supply chain. If a component breaks in my Mac Apple doesn't (and shouldn't) say "We didn't manufacture that, call XZY in Taiwan". Same thing applies here; even though Apple didn't load the shipment or drive to my house those actions are still part of the Apple iPod supply chain.

I didn't say Apple ignored me. They just did the easiest thing and that was to send out a replacement. That's a good first step but they need to follow through and track down the problem.

As far as the flow chart goes, I studied a flow chart this week in a business class and it clearly states that: shipping and delivery are part of a company's supply chain.

 

[XNine]

No, business sense is key here and Apple is responsible for the delivery because it's part of their supply chain. If a component breaks in my Mac Apple doesn't (and shouldn't) say "We didn't manufacture that, call XZY in Taiwan". Same thing applies here; even though Apple didn't load the shipment or drive to my house those actions are still part of the Apple iPod supply chain.

That's not at all the same, your example really sucks. UPS was handling the shipping, not Apple. UPS did not make any part of your computer, so of course Apple can't say go back to UPS. They LOST something during shipping. VERY large difference.

I didn't say Apple ignored me. They just did the easiest thing and that was to send out a replacement. That's a good first step but they need to follow through and track down the problem.

You didn't say they were ignoring this? Then what is this:

Yes they did. They ignored the problem and now it's happened again.

You keep running yourself in circles here. You're wrong through and through. Jsut admit it. It's okay. everyone is wrong from time to time. Not 8 pages worth of wrong, but we can ignore that large detail.

As far as the flow chart goes, I studied a flow chart this week in a business class and it clearly states that: shipping and delivery are part of a company's supply chain.

Hm.. That sounds like a pretty good class. I'm guessing you paid 150 bucks for it?

Essentially, yes, shipping and delivery is a part of how a company operates and distributes their product. Yet, when a 3rd party, such as FedEx or UPS come into play, there are rules that surround their services both to the primary company and the consumer. Should the 3rd party who is hired take on the responsibility of distribution screw up, it is THEIR responsibility to take care of it.

I'll laugh when one day you ship something to someone, and not everything is in the package, and your customer comes back and blames you. What are you going to say? "Sorry, it's my fault that it was all in the box when shipped to you and I will take full responsibility"? No, in fact I bet paychecks that you will go against your entire ******** argument in this thread and say "don't look at me, it was in there, call UPS, they were the ones handling your item."

 

[aristobrat]

But they need to follow through and track down the problem.

Apple isn't just going to "write off" the cost of the replacement iPod that it's sending to you. They will file a claim with UPS who will investigate the incident further.

I'm also pretty sure Apple keeps tabs on how many times that they have to do this because of UPS-related issues. If that number continues to grow, then I'm sure Apple wouldn't have a problem switching carriers.

What more do you expect?

 

[Hunts121]

Yes, I can buy that. I trust my usual UPS delivery guy (ours has 15+ years experience). I'm just not that confident about what goes on before/after he handles the package. The gal at UPS did tell me that not that many people handle the package during transit.

Once its on the truck in route to the destination he's (the driver) the only one that has contact with it, its probably the person who loads his truck, but like I said, it could be others.

 

[StarbucksSam]

No, business sense is key here and Apple is responsible for the delivery because it's part of their supply chain. If a component breaks in my Mac Apple doesn't (and shouldn't) say "We didn't manufacture that, call XZY in Taiwan". Same thing applies here; even though Apple didn't load the shipment or drive to my house those actions are still part of the Apple iPod supply chain.

I didn't say Apple ignored me. They just did the easiest thing and that was to send out a replacement. That's a good first step but they need to follow through and track down the problem.

As far as the flow chart goes, I studied a flow chart this week in a business class and it clearly states that: shipping and delivery are part of a company's supply chain.

Congratulations, you can read a flow chart. Enthralling. I'm so excited for you.

If I ship something to someone, insure the package, and the thing doesn't get there, or is tampered with, HOW is that my fault? I've had it happen before, and I've dealt with the issues as they arose... but like, WTF? Find something better to do, and admit that you're WRONG. You have about 64 people in here who will tell you so.

 

[Josh]

I'm surprised this thread is still alive/open.

You cannot convince someone, who unjustly or not, only wants to see something one way.

The OP is so dead-set on only one possibility for the problem, it makes me wonder why the thread was created. They weren't looking for a solution, a possible other outcome...so what was it?

No one in this forum can return your iPod.

The fact is, UPS lost/stole/misplaced it, and you need to call Apple to get it back. Apple will work with UPS to find it, or Apple will just send you a new one.

However, the case of missing items seems to be common place with deliveries to you, so like one person said, you should feel lucky if Apple sends you anything and you should be entirely grateful of ANY help they offer.

This is so incredibly suspicious...I'd find it hard to believe that you're being 100% honest.

 

[whooleytoo]

First of all, it ISN'T Apple's fault. They have no control of your package after it leaves their hands. Blame who IS responsible and that's UPS.

Actually (just to row against the tide..) I'm with emptybox on this part.

He(she?) has no contract with UPS here, he isn't directly paying them for their services, and has no idea of the hand-off point, time, or person from Apple should UPS enquire. He can't, for example, threaten to withhold/withdraw (if paid via credit car) payment if he doesn't get satisfaction from them, as he isn't paying them in the first place.

He does, however, have a contract with Apple for the purchase and delivery of goods which haven't arrived, thus his dispute is with them.

I've had a few packaging mistakes in goods I've received from Amazon, but I always contacted Amazon directly and the issue was immediately resolved. Either way, the responsibility lay with Amazon - it wasn't for me to second-guess who/where/when the packaging mistake was made, I paid money to Amazon so they're my point of contact (and blame).

(p.s. why oh why oh why do people insist on posting "I don't care"/"We don't care"/"Nobody cares" messages? If you don't care, why are you reading and posting in this thread? This thread wouldn't be 8 pages long if no one cared. )

 

[WildCowboy]

I just don't understand what more Apple is supposed to do. emptybox notified Apple and they are sending him a new iPod. The problem is almost certainly with UPS (which emptybox denied for the longest time before seemingly changing his tune around Page 5 or so to actually allow for the possibility of UPS being at fault), and Apple will file a claim with UPS. Apple can't break down the doors at UPS and investigate themselves...all they can do is get reimbursed by UPS. It's up to UPS to investigate and stop this.

And yes, I'm sure Apple has stats on how often this happens, and would stop dealing with UPS if the problem was significant. But evidently it's not. Apple is not going to cut off their business relationship with UPS simply because of a UPS problem delivering to emptybox's house. I'm sure there's a FedEx worker somewhere snatching an iPod or two, and a DHL worker too. Looks like The Steve is going to have to hand-deliver every Apple product from here on out.

And please, close this thread.

 

[aristobrat]

Either way, the responsibility lay with Amazon - it wasn't for me to second-guess who/where/when the packaging mistake was made, I paid money to Amazon so they're my point of contact (and blame).

And how many "Warning: I just ordered something from Amazon that was stolen en route, so therefore Amazon.com's ordering system is fundamentally flawed and you shouldn't trust them" threads did you start?

 

[300ZX]

Don't know if someone posted this or not yet, but:

My replacement parts from my ibook always come from "ACI". When I first saw it, it confused me as well.

I am pretty sure it stands for "Apple Computer Incorporated". In fact, if you google "Apple computer incorporated", the first hit is "Apple Computer Inc. www.apple.com".

That's all ACI stands for.

 

[whooleytoo]

And how many "Warning: I just ordered something from Amazon that was stolen en route, so therefore Amazon.com's ordering system is fundamentally flawed and you shouldn't trust them" threads did you start?

At the latest count... zero. But different strokes for different folks, eh?

 

[sel1965]

Last year alone I ordered 5 nanos, and 1 30gig video ipod from the apple store not one issue and they were all delivered via FEDEX. I'm sorry but the more I read the more I don't believe this story. It really does amaze me at how many members of mr there are and emptybox is the only one this has happened to not once but twice. Nope not a believer!

 

[Eniregnat]

...Apple shipped me an empty box with nothing but brown wrapping paper in it!
...
Apple did send me an iPod after they called me back but it took several days and I didn't have the iPod for Valentine's.

I have already called Apple and reported today's problem but until they fix whatever is going wrong I strongly suggest you

DO NOT ORDER AN IPOD FROM THE APPLE STORE ONLINE!

$300 is way too much to pay for an empty box!

I have ordered from Apple online a bunch of times, and have never had a problem. I have had issues with shippers. I open boxes with the UPS guy standing there, he has to wait. Now I'm cool and offer the guy a soda, and I only do it when it's electronics, but it's your right to do it.

Onetime, I had a server fail and my IT people overnight me a replacement. The UPS guy came in and the box was drenched in water. "I don't know, I didn't do it.", and I beleived him. My options were, accept the delivery, reject the delivery, or have the UPS guy note that the box was severely damaged, and accept it. He came back 3 hours later and asked if everything was OK. He then checked back the next day, and said if there were problems he would accept shipment as refused a day later.

Seeing as I was running with out a backup file server (all of our RAIDs are also mirrored), I was in a pickle. I had to accept it,but if I didn't ask what my options were, I don't think that every UPS guy would have freely volunteered the information.

I trust my UPS guy, but not the whole chain. Apple's loading docks are well controlled, but they ship from all over the world. UPS doesn’t always have control over all of their shipments, when it goes into a cargo container, if it isn't a UPS jet, what happens to it? FedEx, DHL, etc... all suffer from the same control flaws.

At least with Apple, it seems as though they have a quick and easy remidy.

The upshot- inspect your packages before you accept them.