Delayed package and problems with delivery terms

[robertsloan2]

I'm still waiting for my order.

It wouldn't be so bad if FedEx tracking had not, back on the fourth, listed a delivery date of the 4th. Then it was Sunday, so I figured it'd sleep over wherever it was and arrive yesterday. Sure enough, FedEx listed delivery on the 6th ... and then it didn't arrive.

This morning FedEx listed the 7th for expected date of delivery and of course the package has not arrived yet. The stress of anticipating it and then not getting it has been getting intense and I'm getting dispirited because of the posted dates as much as the delay. Each day I think it'll come and get excited and then it doesn't. I'm starting to wonder what happened to it. It left Missouri, which is right near Kansas, on the 6th and still isn't here.

So I have no idea what's going on and I'm starting to worry that it won't even be delivered to my door. I'm disabled and don't own a car, not actually able to just run out to the post office.

I also dislike the FedEx Best Way descriptor, it is very misleading and adds to my disappointment. If it had been listed as FedEx Bargain or FedEx BargainPost or something like that it'd be easy to shrug it off. But the raised rates for FedEx Ground, which is what I've loved and been used to all these years I spend most of my money at Blick, are so very high and the discounts do not apply to it any more.

I know you folks sometimes need to tighten up somewhere but please, at least be accurate rather than misleading in how these things are described. Of course to offer free shipping you'd use the cheapest method. I did understand that aspect of it. But I'm going nuts waiting for this package and wondering if it's even going to be handled well or if my stuff is going to be damaged. The more it's delayed the more I worry.

Accurate tracking and delivery estimates would make a big difference along with not using misleading terms for different plans. And if it is not Home Delivery then it is dangerous to me to imply it is because I do not actually have the means to leave my home.

[Blick Art Materials]

Thank you for purchasing from Blick Art Materials!

To keep our operating costs down we have started providing different shipping options. We give our customers the option of Fed Ex Best Way, Fed Ex Home Delivery, Fed Ex two day air, and Fed Ex one day air. There is a complete listing of our shipping options and descriptions on our website http://www.dickblick.com/customerservice/shipping/ (http://www.dickblick.com/customerservice/shipping/) .

With FedEx Best Way our warehouse system determines what carrier is most efficient for your delivery based upon several factors including merchandise ordered and delivery address. Consumer orders within the 48 contiguous states will ship either FedEx SmartPost or FedEx home Delivery within 1-2 business days of receipt and will deliver within 5-6 business days after leaving our warehouse. FedEx SmartPost has final delivery by your local postal service. If postal address is different than the physical address, please provide both.

We also offer Fed Ex Home Delivery. If you wish to specify that your package be delivered by FedEx Home Delivery only, simply select FedEx Home Delivery during Check-Out. An extra $4.00 surcharge will apply. FedEx Home Delivery Orders are shipped within 2 business days of placement. Orders placed on weekends or holidays will ship the next business day.

For faster service please choose Fed Ex two day or one day air. Air orders placed after 2:00pm CST on our website will be shipped on the next business day. FedEx does not deliver express shipments during weekends or holidays. Air shipments are expedited through our order process and generally ship via FedEx Overnight or 2-Day Air, although other carriers are sometimes used. For items shipped directly from the factory (FOB), please add one additional day for processing. You will receive an order tracking number via when your order is processed.

If your package is delayed beyond the time frames listed above please contact us and we will be happy to look into this. Customer Service can be contacted Monday thru Friday from 7am to 8pm CST and on Saturday from 8am to 4pm CST at 1-800-723-2787. We can also be contacted at custserv@dickblick.com (custserv@dickblick.com) .

We appreciate your business!

[robertsloan2]

Please do pass it on to them that if they called it Best Bargain or something instead of Best Way it would lead to a lot less disappointment. People may choose it in order to save the $4 -- there are times when I might if I'm trying to squeeze something into an order that I can barely afford. But caling it Best when it's actually worst is something that creates stress and disappointment.

Maybe I should contact FedEx with that feedback.

[Prismaguy]

I am also unhappy about this new shipping arrangement. My orders take much longer to deliver now than before. Choosing regular fedex delivery instead of "Smartpost" adds 4 bucks, making it more expensive for the same delivery time we used to get under the old shipping rates. I placed an order on the 9th, and I just checked the tracking, and its not coming until the 20th! Sorry, that doesn't cut it. I'm a full-time artist. If I have to spend 10bucks to get a small order delivered in a timely fashion, you are going to lose me.
Greg

[Blick Art Materials]

Thank you to all of our loyal Blick customers!

Due to the continued rising cost of shipping we were forced to change our shipping methods. We are offering the Fed Ex Best Way, Fed Ex Home Delivery, Fed Ex two day air, and Fed Ex one day air options of shipping. To keep our operating costs down when the Fed Ex Best Way option is chosen our warehouse system determines what carrier is most efficient for your delivery based upon several factors including merchandise ordered and delivery address. Consumer orders within the 48 contiguous states will ship either FedEx SmartPost or FedEx home Delivery within 1-2 business days of receipt and will deliver within 5-6 business days after leaving our warehouse. FedEx SmartPost has final delivery by your local postal service. If postal address is different than the physical address, please provide both. We are offering this Fed Ex Best Way delivery option at the same low shipping cost we have always had.

We understand that many of our customers want their shipments faster. We are still offering the Fed Ex Home Delivery option. When this option is chosen a $4.00 surcharge will apply due to the rising cost of this service.

We encourage all of our customers to take advantage of free shipping offer on qualifying merchandise orders totaling over $200. These orders will ship freight free via the Fed Ex Best Way method. Of course if a customer would like to guarantee that their shipment will ship Fed Ex Home Delivery they can still choose this option. The $4.00 surcharge will apply if this method is chosen.

We are continuing to work diligently at keeping our shipping costs low. We understand the need of the customer to obtain the best shipping offer available.

We appreciate the opportunity to explain our shipping costs.

Thank you for your continued support.

[Prismaguy]

I appreciate the reply. I suppose it is not Blick's fault but rather Fedex is jacking us to make up for their fall in profits due to the recession and fewer deliveries. What other explanation given the drop in oil prices?

[idylbrush]

You can't totally blame FEDEX for this one, Blick has negotiated the deal and had to accept it at some point. In this scenario, everybody gains something but the customer. Makes one feel as though they are getting the short end of the stick. Used to be suppliers had customer service, doesn't seem to be the concern these days. I also have had several issues with the current delivery plan and long delays. Sorry guys, all the explaining in the world isn't going to excuse poor service.

[Prismaguy]

I agree completely. If they are going to hit me up for higher costs to cover their profit reduction during a recession, I will be just as ruthless when it comes to saving. If I can save a couple bucks ordering from someone else, I will, just on the principle of it.
In the end, it is Blick that is going to pay the price for the higher rates/reduction in service, in lost orders. They can explain that during their monthly sales meetings.