OT/MISC The saga of my Nesco electric canner and Amazon's new wonky shipping practices.

[Wildwood]

On August 31, I finally placed my order for that new Nesco canner I've wanted so badly for a while. I excitedly announced my purchase in the Granny's Kitchen forum. I couldn't wait and already had a plan for what I would can first...silly naive girl that I was. I paid around $226 plus taxes but really, my frequent flyer miles paid for it. It was one of the last ones available and the seller had shipping around 5-7 days out. I broke my rule and ordered from an individual...that's how bad I wanted it.

When two weeks went by and it wasn't shipped, I contacted the seller and was informed my money had been refunded right after purchase because the carrier destroyed it right after they picked it up. I was never notified. Then, because it had to be my lucky day, canner number 2 immediately popped up from another seller for $170 plus taxes and it was shipped by Amazon plus I would save over $50.

I canceled that first order...that still shows up as active...and ordered the cheaper one feeling pretty confident since Amazon was shipping it. The same thing happened with the second one. They said they shipped it and gave me the tracking number. I tracked it every day right up until it supposedly got to Little Rock and it stalled there for days and then they changed my arrival date ten days out...I'm in Arkansas.

I was beginning to see a pattern. Lo and behold a third one popped up for $145 from yet another seller, also shipped by Amazon. At this point, I was done and called DH. He encouraged me to buy the $145 canner immediately and cancel the one stuck in LR and so I did. This one I paid out of my checking account instead of the miles and it showed up today.

I think they are taking orders for merchandise that is not quite in stock yet and having it drop shipped from various stores that carry that item. The one I got today was suppose to be shipped by Amazon but it was not. On the first one, I don't think they ever had it but they created a pick up for it and a likely story. I also wonder about big ticket items and the frequent flyer miles.

It took 26 days but I saved around $80 so it was worth it. I'm over being excited about it and DH is the one that opened it when he got home. I'll test it tomorrow but I finished up my garden canning with my American. Just today, DH got a message about a parts order he placed with Amazon several days ago and was due to arrive tomorrow. Same story, it was running very late and had also been rerouted.

 

[JeanCat]

I have had problems too. I ordered a dehydrator. It was made in California. It shipped out of Texas, went to Jackson, MS, went to Nashville, went to Memphis, went to Starkville, MS, for delivery and was badly damaged.

 

[Tigerlily]

Same story here. I ordered a 5 gallon container of peanut butter on Sep 6th. They claim it is shipped, and they kept adjusting the delivery date. But, now it is in tracking limbo. My son has a similar problem with his order that said it shipped weeks ago, but no movement.

 

[lanningro]

Conway Ar. is another lost package zone. BTW I live north of Hattieville.

 

[Illini Warrior]

we just have crazy azz Amazon delivery truck driver stories >>> they keep the truck weight down so there's no CDL license required - warm bodies and dead heads are all they can hire ....

had one that didn't want to open & close the truck back doors - was driving around town slinging packages on the corners & bumps ....

had one recently that was driving across lawns up to the front porches so they didn't have to leave the truck & walk - also sideswiped a few parked cars from the reports .....

 

[Cardinal]

we just have crazy azz Amazon delivery truck driver stories >>> they keep the truck weight down so there's no CDL license required - warm bodies and dead heads are all they can hire ....

had one that didn't want to open & close the truck back doors - was driving around town slinging packages on the corners & bumps ....

had one recently that was driving across lawns up to the front porches so they didn't have to leave the truck & walk - also sideswiped a few parked cars from the reports .....

Other delivery drivers will report those @$$holes if they see them doing that crap. Also folks with those ring doorbells that film people will report them, and they won't last long.
And for the other side of the story, it may have been a driver sick to death of aggressive dogs.
That is a real thing, too.

 

[SackLunch]

It's amazing what a $1.00 bottle of cold soda or a gift card at the holidays can do to see that your delivery drivers make the effort to treat your delivery properly. We are blessed with amazing UPS drivers. FedEx, not so much, but they are trying.

 

[Sacajawea]

It's part of the vendor's contracts when they sign up to sell with Amazon, to handle all the shipping from their facilities. I've read those contracts carefully.

Out here, we'll never see an Amazon truck; too rural. But UPS & FedEx are getting rare as well. My amazon orders have been coming into the post office - who doesn't deliver to rural addresses - and I have to go in and pick up the cases of paper products, etc. I order.

 

[tnphil]

I'm getting really tired of the Amazon bait-and-switch on deliveries. Several times I've ordered stuff that says "overnight delivery" if you order $35 (we have Prime). Some stuff I've needed overnight for work, etc. After placing the order, I reviewed only to find out that delivery was 2 days or more. I've learned to carefully check orders before placement, and they pull this crap constantly.

 

[Wildwood]

Conway Ar. is another lost package zone. BTW I live north of Hattieville.

I'm south of Ozark and our UPS packages always go to Ft. Smith. If they can get them to FS, we are usually good to go.

 

[Wildwood]

It's amazing what a $1.00 bottle of cold soda or a gift card at the holidays can do to see that your delivery drivers make the effort to treat your delivery properly. We are blessed with amazing UPS drivers. FedEx, not so much, but they are trying.

Right now, both are good but we've had some horrible UPS drivers. Our route is coveted by the drivers for some reason I don't understand and with UPS it's all about seniority. For twenty years, we had the best driver ever and when he retired, we got a city boy who was terrified of dogs and anything country. He transferred out as soon as he could and they replaced him with a city boy who was even worse. Finally, a local guy got this route and life is good but he's about to retire too.

Our Fedex driver is an independent contractor and he's had this area as long as I can remember. No matter who is driving for him, it's all good but I know he's got to be close to retirement.

 

[Zahowey]

Same story here. I ordered a 5 gallon container of peanut butter on Sep 6th. They claim it is shipped, and they kept adjusting the delivery date. But, now it is in tracking limbo. My son has a similar problem with his order that said it shipped weeks ago, but no movement.

5 gallons of peanut butter? I thought I was going through a 1 pound a month was outrageous.

 

[Wildwood]

Bait-and-switch is exactly what is happening with those canners. Rose Red on youtube has given it glowing reports and it's in high demand right now.

 

[Cardinal]

It's amazing what a $1.00 bottle of cold soda or a gift card at the holidays can do to see that your delivery drivers make the effort to treat your delivery properly. We are blessed with amazing UPS drivers. FedEx, not so much, but they are trying.

Some folks leave out baskets of goodies, and water bottles for delivery drivers. That is so sweet, and especially appreciated during the dog days of summer.

Right now, both are good but we've had some horrible UPS drivers. Our route is coveted by the drivers for some reason I don't understand and with UPS it's all about seniority. For twenty years, we had the best driver ever and when he retired, we got a city boy who was terrified of dogs and anything country. He transferred out as soon as he could and they replaced him with a city boy who was even worse. Finally, a local guy got this route and life is good but he's about to retire too.

Our Fedex driver is an independent contractor and he's had this area as long as I can remember. No matter who is driving for him, it's all good but I know he's got to be close to retirement.

I see a lot of retired folks driving for both Fedex and Amazon. As the economy gets worse, I expect that will increase.

 

[rbt]

I’ve started to have problems with Amazon each one seems to be different, ordered a new winter hat, i have the hat they want to give me a refund. Ordered a new Holosun red dot, I was told it was lost in shipping they issued a refund item arrived same day. I have one right now lost.

 

[BassMan]

Re: the OP, Amazon has stuff they sell directly from their warehouse, which ships predictably. The also "host" sellers, much like eBay. That is much more "hit-miss".

In always try to go with "ships from Amazon" (something like that), but when I need to go with a "hosted" seller, I check reviews on seller.

 

[Double_A]

Don’t buy Duracell “D” size flashlight batteries and have them shipped/delivered!

Duracell’s Packaging for the D size is completely inadequate. Twice I received batteries rolling around loose inside the box, dented batteries.

First time this happened early this year bought from Amazon and a second time two months ago from Costco. Both times the batteries were rolling around loose inside the cardboard box and some were dented.

Duracell’s packaging is the problem. Bigger size and weight of the D-cells and they bust out packaging.

Side note: where are the Energizer batteries? Always preferred Energizer that seem to last longer when I use the Energizers.

 

[Josie]

There are certain "black holes" in shipping. The FedEx hub in Indy is one for me. Items make great progress until they hit there and then they disappear, never to be seen again. Items that go USPS can disappear just about anywhere. My gut is telling me that a lot of this stuff is taken by employees. Ever get a box that has "accidently" been opened in transit and then a half pound of tape was used to reclose it? I'd be willing to bet some employee decided to take a look and see if they could start their Christmas shopping. That's what happens when you are forced to hire based on gender or race and you pretty much can't fire them...affirmative action.

 

[Siskiyoumom]

My friend got someone else’s Amazon order, shipping label and manifest were her details. It was a solar battery and panel. Amazon had her keep it and then sent her her original $25.00 order of dog treats. The Amazon rep said that it was their policy to not send a return shipping label since it was their error.

 

[Cardinal]

I’ve started to have problems with Amazon each one seems to be different, ordered a new winter hat, i have the hat they want to give me a refund. Ordered a new Holosun red dot, I was told it was lost in shipping they issued a refund item arrived same day. I have one right now lost.

I can splain some of that lucy.
You item got to the warehouse, got put on a cart for a delivery driver, but somehow was not scanned.
Delivery driver finds item that was not on itinerary, delivers it anyway.
You get item, Amazon computer says item was lost or missing, issues refund.

 

[Wildwood]

Re: the OP, Amazon has stuff they sell directly from their warehouse, which ships predictably. The also "host" sellers, much like eBay. That is much more "hit-miss".

In always try to go with "ships from Amazon" (something like that), but when I need to go with a "hosted" seller, I check reviews on seller.

I'm usually really strict about not ordering anything that is not shipped by Amazon but that was the only way I could get the canner. This experience just reaffirmed why I have that rule but I did save $80.

 

[Dozdoats]

I don't have problems with Amazon. I quit using them.

 

[anna43]

Isn't this just another sign of the times. Since everything else is going to He!! in a handbasket why not Amazon shipping too?

 

[Griz3752]

I'm getting really tired of the Amazon bait-and-switch on deliveries. Several times I've ordered stuff that says "overnight delivery" if you order $35 (we have Prime). Some stuff I've needed overnight for work, etc. After placing the order, I reviewed only to find out that delivery was 2 days or more. I've learned to carefully check orders before placement, and they pull this crap constantly.

^^^^^
I can verify this same crap happen in 38104/105

 

[Meemur]

It's amazing what a $1.00 bottle of cold soda or a gift card at the holidays can do to see that your delivery drivers make the effort to treat your delivery properly. We are blessed with amazing UPS drivers. FedEx, not so much, but they are trying.

I never see the same ones twice!
We finally got a USPS carrier who has been around for the last four months, but that's a record. We've been getting a new one every several weeks.

 

[Tigerlily]

5 gallons of peanut butter? I thought I was going through a 1 pound a month was outrageous.

Sorry, I meant 5 lbs.
FYI, those things that are lost were shipped by Amazon.

 

[Meemur]

Isn't this just another sign of the times. Since everything else is going to He!! in a handbasket why not Amazon shipping too?

There's not one but two Amazon fulfillment centers nearby (Grimes & Bondurant). Last year, I could order stuff and have it arrive in a day or two, without paying extra. However, my last order (same sorts of things) took over three weeks to arrive, and while the stuff was fine, the box looked like it had been through several football games.

At this point, I'm no longer ordering anything. If I can't find it in the area, I'll find a substitution or do without.

 

[Wildwood]

Sorry, I meant 5 lbs.
FYI, those things that are lost were shipped by Amazon.

I didn't think 5 gallons was over the top at the rate we go through it lol. We have slowed down a little because DH doesn't love it nearly as much since he had covid a few months back. For years he had it for breakfast and lunch most days.

 

[Milkweed Host]

Amazon is okay, but I stay away from their third party sellers.

I have had fantastic luck with Paypal over at Ebay.
Ebay has lots of credible, high volume sellers with great feedback.

Other sellers not connected to Ebay, also use Paypal.
I have had problems with some sellers on Ebay and Paypal will quickly
reverse the charges. On any Ebay return, I always take a photo of the issue
and have yet to have a problem with Paypal.

I also try and avoid buying directly from China as they are just a bunch of criminals.

Any yes, I've watched tracking numbers go all over the country before delivery, don't know why.

I've also seen UPS place a package for delivery on the truck's rear bumper, drive down road
with the package on the bumper. Apparently it saves time on the next delivery.
At times, my UPS package will be covered with road dust. but we live on a hard surface road.
I've asked a UPS driver about a package on the rear bumper, he thought nothing of it as it saves time.

 

[Knoxville's Joker]

My canadian friend refuses to use Fedex as they add on after the fact customs fees when customs was already paid. Third world malarky in first world country type stuff.

Amazon is going to get into big trouble with these sort of issues. Partly why I go with THEIR supplies direct...

 

[greysage]

UPS dropped my Amazon package, as well as my neighbors package in an entryway to another home up the road. I probably looked like a porch pirate while hunting it down, just by coincidence my neighbor's package was there as well.
Pretty sure UPS did it to get out of the neighborhood faster.

 

[Cardinal]

UPS dropped my Amazon package, as well as my neighbors package in an entryway to another home up the road. I probably looked like a porch pirate while hunting it down, just by coincidence my neighbor's package was there as well.
Pretty sure UPS did it to get out of the neighborhood faster.

I can splain that too.
Amazon, like Fedex (who ALWAYS leaves my stuff next door, despite my having my house number not just on the house and door, but on a sign by the drive in my front yard) uses a gps in their app that drivers must use to locate the residence, then be able to scan the package in order to mark the package delivered.
That gps can take you all over the place, especially in low signal areas.
Amazon also uses the trick of taking two closeby residences, which both have deliveries, and calling it one stop.
Thus, you can have (for an Independant Contractor) 48 packages, but only 35 stops on your itinerary.
Trying to accurately mark packages delivered in the app can take some maneuvering.
It can be done, but it's a PITA.
I suspect that UPS,Fedex and Amazon all use the same method.

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

I ordered a case of bean soup last month from Amazon, and their website declared the packaged ”damaged” and “undeliverable” about two days after it was due foe delivery. They said I WOULD GET A REFUND IN 3 to 5 business days.

However, FOUR WEEKS later, my refund had not been issued!

I had to call customer service, and it was a haggle, but I did get my refund back.

Fast forward to Monday of this week.

I had a large Subscribe and Save order with 14 items ordered. 11 of the 14 items were contained in a single box.

Three of the items arrived on time, without any problems.

But my box of 11 items was dripped off at the local post office. It was never put out for delivery, but was just sitting at the PO, according to the USPS tracking information posted Monday.

This morning, I just checked, and they are now claiming that the package was damaged and is undeliverable. Same message I got with the case of bean Soup. once again, they are saying I will get my refund in 3 to 5 days.

Just like they claimed with the bean soup.

My Prime renewal is coming up.


I am seriously thinking about cancelling it, rather than paying the increased fee they want for their rapidly deteriorating service.

Meantime, now I get to haggle with them again, to get eleven different refunds on eleven different items.

Because I am sure that they will, once again, fail to refund me my money.

 

[Wildwood]

I ordered a case of bean soup last month from Amazon, and their website declared the packaged ”damaged” and “undeliverable” about two days after it was due foe delivery. They said I WOULD GET A REFUND IN 3 to 5 business days.

However, FOUR WEEKS later, my refund had not been issued!

I had to call customer service, and it was a haggle, but I did get my refund back.

Fast forward to Monday of this week.

I had a large Subscribe and Save order with 14 items ordered. 11 of the 14 items were contained in a single box.

Three of the items arrived on time, without any problems.

But my box of 11 items was dripped off at the local post office. It was never put out for delivery, but was just sitting at the PO, according to the USPS tracking information posted Monday.

This morning, I just checked, and they are now claiming that the package was damaged and is undeliverable. Same message I got with the case of bean Soup. once again, they are saying I will get my refund in 3 to 5 days.

Just like they claimed with the bean soup.

My Prime renewal is coming up.


I am seriously thinking about cancelling it, rather than paying the increased fee they want for their rapidly deteriorating service.

Meantime, now I get to haggle with them again, to get eleven different refunds on eleven different items.

Because I am sure that they will, once again, fail to refund me my money.

That is horrible.

Shipping has gone to heck in a handbasket for all the big shippers it seems.

I restore small vintage items from time to time and love a certain red spray paint color I get at Walmart. It is the good old deep red color so popular in the 50's. My store was out and since I rarely leave town anymore, I decided to have it shipped in. When I saw it was half price, I decided it was being discontinued and ordered seven cans. I also added a can of Minwax satin poly...can't stand shiny, and some glue sticks to make it $35. Those nine small items came in three separate boxes. The Poly was gloss instead of satin. Two of the cans of paint were the wrong shade of red and one box was damaged. I don't think free shipping is working out for Wm if they have to spread it out over three shippings for $35 dollars worth of product. I just went through the same thing this past week. My grandson saw a t-shirt at Wm that he really wanted but they didn't have it in his size so I ordered it and added a bottle of vitamins and a bottle of facial serum to make it $35. It came in three separate shippings on three consecutive days.

I'm usually pretty easy to get along with but that just irritates me for some reason. Mostly for my Fedex guy who has to drive all the way out here for one small item. He's an independent contractor and that hurts his bottom line. He doesn't make enough profit to pay for his gas, much less his time.

 

[Cardinal]

an independent contractor

Then he is doing it wrong.
He needs to have a hi mpg vehicle, workout of a local warehouse and maybe do multiple gigs.
Lots of ic delivery drivers are not being realistic about gig work.