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Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

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Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#61

Post by tzs »

jrockway wrote: post #25
massysett wrote: post #15

I wonder if the number of stolen boxes (either while in shipment or when left on porches) went up?

Will any delivery company actually just leave a TV on your porch?

I don't remember if it was FedEx or UPS, but whichever it was left a top of the line Apple PowerBook at my front door, despite that shipment being very prominently marked as signature required. My apartment complex had a front office that could accept and sign for packages.

What made it even more annoying was that many times that company would leave packages at the front office when I was home. They would not even try to deliver to my apartment. They would just go straight to the front office.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#62

Post by Gracana »

Havoc wrote: post #34
douche wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shippers huck stuff around with little regard for the contents, particularly if they aren't blazoned all over with fragile/biohazard stickers. Fedex and UPS tend to be just about one-half step above the folks handling baggage at the airport, and how many times have you seen those people wing around suit-cases like they were throwing the hammer in the Olympics, and seeing just how far back they can toss from and still…

Strange. I've never had a damaged Amazon item in 100+ items.

There's a story I like to tell about Amazon shipping.. I often get standard sized boxes with a single air pillow or nothing at all protecting the smaller package inside. The latter is what happened when my friend ordered a phonograph needle and barbell weights. Smash, smash.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#64

Post by [deleted] »

rcthompson wrote: post #58
logicallee wrote: post #51

True, but they could reduce damage even more by putting a picture of a stained glass window and giant letters "HIGHLY FRAGILE DELICATE STAINED GLASS WINDOW! HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE!!" on it. That would certainly reduce damages further. The problem is that it isn't one (a TV). Why would someone feel mortified if they accidentally drop a packaged bicycle from 2-3 feet (typical carrying height) when a fully assembled b…

This isn't about customers dropping their own boxes, this is about shipping companies dropping boxes.

[deleted]

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#65

Post by mikeash »

JWLong wrote: post #39
legodt wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doubtful. The largest mail order bike companies are rather upscale. Look at Canyon, Planet X, Rose, Bikes direct, and others for a sampling of the most popular mail deliver bike companies. These aren't fly-by-night sketchy retailers either, Canyon bikes are ridden by many pro teams despite not having a storefront presence.

Absolutely, but I was speaking to the experience of the loaders. Edit: Sorry, I should have made that clearer in my previous comment.

You mean the fully assembled ones they ride or see others riding, right? It took me a bit to figure out you meant that and not the ones in the boxes they handle. That might be the confusion.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#66

Post by hunterwerlla »

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #52
Consultant32452 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the same week UPS made me sign for a set of $5 kitchen utensils I'd ordered off Amazon but left a Mac Mini on my doorstep no problem.

Been there. It's worse with condos too where they often refuse to deliver unless you're there, they won't even take a signed note. Really annoying when you have a textbook delivery and an upcoming assignment.

Even worse when you can't get your package because they give no delivery window and attempt to deliver it to you during class, make you pick it up somewhere, then say it's your fault for not being at home 24/7.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#67

Post by colejohnson66 »

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #52
Consultant32452 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the same week UPS made me sign for a set of $5 kitchen utensils I'd ordered off Amazon but left a Mac Mini on my doorstep no problem.

Been there. It's worse with condos too where they often refuse to deliver unless you're there, they won't even take a signed note. Really annoying when you have a textbook delivery and an upcoming assignment.

With UPS, you can sign up for MyChoice(?) (it's free) and "presign" online.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#69

Post by beloch »

userbinator wrote: post #63

I wonder what sort of damage these bikes are receiving, because they're designed to be ridden by a person... a TV is definitely far more fragile.

Carbon fiber frames can be surprisingly fragile, especially when subjected to forces they weren't specifically designed to withstand, such as being crushed inwards from the sides.

Vanmoof (the company in the article) seems to specialize in aluminum commuter bikes though, which should be reasonably robust. Aluminum is a wee bit brittle, but it's a lot more burly than carbon fiber. As such, I suspect the frames aren't the problem. It's probably what's bolted onto the frames. Shifters, pedals, fenders, etc. can all bend/break if a package is given "UPS special" treatment.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#70

Post by dkresge »

creshal wrote: post #14
WalterBright wrote: post #13

Unfortunately, the boy who cried wolf will apply if this is more widely adopted, and then pity the poor folks who order TVs.

Maybe the resulting increase in shipping insurance payouts will finally force logistics companies to actually give a fuck about their quality. It's about time.

I ordered expensive-ish tower speakers that were shipped FedEx Ground. When the driver arrived, I was present to give him a hand getting them off the truck. Standing about 5 feet tall, he decided "on their side" would be easier -- and proceeded to simply knock them over. My incredulity was met with a "if you think that's bad, you should see how they're handled at the warehouse". Fine. I understand. And while I appreciate the candor, did you really have to do that in front of the customer?

edit: so, in reply, I sincerely hope so.

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