Ordering on-line woes, part VXCMXIII

Why, dear God? Why? What did I ever do to deserve dealing with some people? Was it something in a previous life? Last three orders placed on-line:

First one was for DVDs, which I paid priority for but it took 2 weeks to deliver. The site said it did not charge for the upgrade to priority shipping, but naturally, I was billed the additional $5 though the package was obviously sent media male.

Second was for an item that was shown in stock. Several days go by, no item in the mail yet. I check back with the website and now the item shows out of stock. I contact vendor, who apologizes for not updating their website. I've used them several times before without any problems, so perhaps it's an oversight on their behalf. Oh well, !@$# happens.

Third takes the cake. I see a website that sells D'Orsay. I note they show they deliver FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc. Their prefered method is UPS. I send them an e-mail outlining WHY I prefer USPS (can't have the package delivered to work--government agency, don't want it left out in the wide open, won't be home to sign, etc.) Sure! We can send it USPS! No Problem! They even suggested I call them so they could place the order to ensure it was dealt with accordingly. I did so, last Friday and yesterday I get an e-mail letting me know the UPS tracking number. WTF?

Fine. I'll track the damn package and just make a run from work when it shows up. Guess what? They want a signature as well.

I tell you--I could write an entire book on these types of mishaps. Fortunately, I don't get nearly as upset as I used to... I almost expect the worst now-a-days. But come on, there's really something to be said about calling in your order to talk to a LIVE person who still manages to screw it up.

Maybe I'm just having one of those lives where I missed the short-bus.

Well, here's the e-mail I sent to about five different e-mail addresses at beautiful perfumes (I've edited out any personal content). I'll follow up with anything responses I receive. The bottom of the thread is my initial inquiry...



Can somebody please explain to me why, following the chain of e-mails from my initial inquiry, the package was shipped UPS when it was explicitly asked, and agreed upon, that it would be shipped USPS? It was even noted in the special instructions. Upon coming home from work today, I had a note from UPS on my door for 1st attempt at delivering the package. No signature was required, however, they remarked with comments: Need safe place to leave package. The next estimated delivery attempt is scheduled for tomorrow, between 10:30am and 2:00pm. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I EXPECTED THE PACKAGE TO BE DELIVERED USPS. If you can't be bothered to explain this to me, or inform me of what measures are being taken to correct this, then perhaps you can give me a good reason why I shouldn't inform UPS to return the package. It is extremely disheartening in this day and age to deal with consumerism issues behind the anonymous veil of internet shopping. It's all the more disheartening when one tries to take actions, including phoning in the order as recommended, to prevent instances like this from occuring, and yet, they still do. It obviously speaks that you don't care about your customers.


***Do not reply to this e-mail. UPS and PBWF INC will not receive your reply.

This message was sent to you at the request of PBWF INC to notify you that the package information below has been transmitted to UPS. The package(s) may not have actually been placed with UPS for shipment. To verify when and if the shipment is tendered to UPS and its actual transit status, click on the tracking link below or contact PBWF INC directly.

Important Delivery Information


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scheduled Delivery: 16-August-2005

Shipment Detail


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ship To:
"the bark"
XXXX UNIT 2020
LAS VEGAS
NV
89147
US
Number of Packages: 1
UPS Service: GROUND
Weight: 1.0 LBS


Tracking Number:
Reference Number 1:
Reference Number 2:


Click here to track if UPS has received your shipment or visit
http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US on the Internet.








Thank you for your order with BeautifulPerfumes.com! This email confirms that
your order has been received and is in processing for shipment. Please save a
copy of this email for your reference.

We ask that you review the shipping address below and contact us immediately via
email at info@parfumery.com with any corrections if needed. Once an order has
been shipped, we are unable to revise your order.

Time in Transit is based once the package has left our warehouse. Expedited
shipments are processed on business days before 1 pm PST, excluding holidays and
weekends.

Order Date: 8/12/2005
Order Time: 8:25:43 PM
Order Number: 204117
Web Confirmation Number: 1873-1543-XXXX
Ship Date: 8/15/2005
Shipping Method: Ground (U.S. 50 States)

Sold To:
========
"the Bark"
XXXX UNIT 2020
LAS VEGAS NV 89147-8260
USA

Ship To:
===========
"the bark"
XXXX UNIT 2020
LAS VEGAS NV 89147-8260
USA

Special Instructions/Gift Message: SHIP USPS ONLY--DO NOT SHIP UPS!!!!!

================================================== ================
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 Etiquette Bleue by D'Orsay - 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette
Spray $60.00

================================================== ================
Product Total: $60.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $5.95
Discount: $0.00
Gift Wrap: $0.00
Grand Total: $65.95
Payment Method: Visa


We truly appreciate your business and hope that you visit
www.BeautifulPerfumes.com for all your future fragrance and beauty needs!

BeautifulPerfumes.com
16130 Gothard Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
info@BeautifulPerfumes.com













========= GENERAL INFORMATION =========

Merchant : BeautifulPerfumes.Com
Date/Time : 12-Aug-2005 05:18:06 PM

========= ORDER INFORMATION =========
Invoice : XXXX
Description : Internet order
Amount : 65.95 (USD)
Payment Method : Visa

==== BILLING INFORMATION ===
Customer ID :
First Name : The
Last Name : Bark
Company :
Address : XXXX #2020
City : Las Vegas
State/Province : NV
Zip/Postal Code : 89147
Country : USA
Phone : 702-XXX-XXXX
Fax :
E-Mail : XXXX

==== SHIPPING INFORMATION ===
First Name :
Last Name :
Company :
Address :
City :
State/Province :
Zip/Postal Code :
Country :






This is an automated message acknowledging successful initial
processing of your order placed on the World Wide Web.

You may check your order status by writing to:
beautifulperfumes@parfumery.com
For inquiries, please reference order# 1873-1543-0272

Visit us often at: http://www.beautifulperfumes.com

Order Details:

-------------------Payment Information---------------------

Card Type: visa

------------Cardholder Billing Information-----------------

First Name: The
Last Name: Bark
Company:
Street: XXXX #2020
City: Las Vegas
State: NV
Zipcode: 89147
Country: USA
Email: xxx
Phone: xxxx

----------------Shipping Information-----------------------

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Street:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Country:

---------------------Order Summary-------------------------

Item Subtotal: $60.00
Shipping Cost: $5.95
GRAND TOTAL: $65.95
NOTE:Customer declared exemption from 4.65 sales tax.

Shipping Method: Ground (U.S. 50 States)

--------------------Special Instructions-------------------

SHIP USPS ONLY--DO NOT SHIP UPS!!!!!

-----------------Individual Item Breakdown-----------------

Item Ref. Price ea. Qty. Description

etiq17m $60.00 1 Etiquette Bleue by D'Orsay -
1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

------------------------End of Order-----------------------






Dear James,

Absolutely! When placing your order online, please indicate that you would
like your order shipped via USPS in the comments section. We can definitely
accommodate to that request.

If you'd like, I'll be more than happy to place your order via telephone to
ensure that your order is shipped via USPS. You may contact me @ toll free
888.617.2488 x13; M-F 9am-6pm PST.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend...

Kind regards,

Michelle Chow, Customer Care

Beautiful Perfumes

www.beautifulperfumes.com

888.617.2488


-----Original Message-----
From: xxxx
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 4:26 PM
To: service@beautifulperfumes.com
Subject: ordering question

You have a product I am interested in ordering, however, I have some
concerns with shipping. I reside in a second floor condo unit with the
entrance outside, right in the open. I am weary of ordering anything via
UPS as there's simply no place to put the package securely. I cannot have
the package shipped to work, because as I am employed by the Government and
well, there's too many reasons to list. Would it be possible to have the
order placed via USPS delivery? The condo has a large, centralized and
secure post-drop/pick-up. This would be preferred, as I would not be present
for signature either. Is this something you may be able to accommodate?

Thanks in advance.

Hey dav-here--glad to hear you were able to resolve your issue with at least being reimbursed, but it is funny how those things stick in your head. I left a note for the UPS guy with several options, including returning the package to the vendor because they can't follow instructions. He chose option #2, which was to walk around the corner and throw it up on my 2nd floor balcony. Option #1 was just to leave it at the door and I'll get it when I get it. Beautiful Perfumes followed up with what appeared to be a sincere apology, but quite frankly, I will probably never use them again--I mean, it's one thing to say mistakes happen from time to time, but something entirely different when you go through the lengths I did to try and prevent this from happening in the first place.

I had, in the past, focused on making purchases with companies that ship via USPS. Some are quite good, like lusciouscargo... I get a package all the way across country in two days. Allshewants from ebay is the same way. Those are the two off the top of my head that I recall--I know others do, including beautycafe, but I haven't been making many purchases as of late.

Hope this helps.