Not really. (I hope.)

Last week I got an eBay order that was shipped Amazon Prime as a gift. Searched on it and find that such "drop" shipping by Amazon has been used by eBay sellers for quite some time (10 years). The way it works is simple: eBay sellers look for bargains on Amazon, then list them on eBay for a margin. If they get a sell, they use Amazon Prime to send the item as a gift and pocket the margin minus costs.*

What I have noticed is that my last three eBay purchases have come that way and my first experience was just last week. I wonder whether Amazon has taken a more proactive role to encourage such drop shipping and develop that market to compete with so-called "smart" post**, which was anything but fast and smart (i.e., tracking often didn't work). One "seller" charged sales tax, the other two didn't. All three "sellers" were out of state. I don't mind paying sales tax, and it doesn't affect my buy decisions, but it may come into play as the "actual" (?) seller is Amazon.

Any insights to share?

John

*My prior experience with drop shipping was when distributors or dealers that didn't have stock, they would have an item dropped shipped from the manufacturer. That is quite common, particularly for unusual or high ticket items.
**UPS processes and moves the shipment, then transfers to USPS for home delivery. I have seen a package destined for me go from a nearby Ohio location to the USPS office in Detroit and back to me at a cost of at least 2 days..

 

**UPS processes and moves the shipment, then transfers to USPS for home delivery. I have seen a package destined for me go from a nearby Ohio location to the USPS office in Detroit and back to me at a cost of at least 2 days..

Quite a few Ebay sellers are doing this with DHL too. Doesn't make sense if DHL is paying the full USPS fee. Getting stuff here from sellers doing it is bad, the Stow, Oh hub sits on stuff till they get a truck load to take to the post office.

 

Neither DHL nor Amazon pay the full USPS fee. USPS even delivers on Sunday -- at least for Amazon Prime in my area.

One of my thoughts was that maybe Amazon Prime had actually gotten into the parcel business per se. That is, without needing to order the item from Amazon. It wouldn't surprise me, as Amazon's contract with USPS (including Sunday delivery) is quite beneficial to Amazon.

 

Down here Amazon has begun delivering its own packages itself. That is, it skips UPS, DHL, FedEx or whatever, and hires independent drivers (UBER style) and they're in charge of picking up the packages at its designated distribution nodes, and then deliver them directly to the customer's address ... I gotta say, I'm impressed with that business model ... traditional couriers are going to start feeling the heat pretty soon, I'm sure.

 

I'm impressed with that business model ... traditional couriers are going to start feeling the heat pretty soon, I'm sure.

I've been wondering lately if there wasn't a big opportunity to über-ize freight shipping. If I need a package shipped to an address, I drop it off at a complying location (or pay a little more to have it picked up), and volunteer drivers get the package the rest of the way, scanning as they go, getting paid for their miles and volume of packages. If I'm driving to Denver and have some room in the car, why wouldn't I carry a few packages to help pay for my gas?

The internet and modern computing can handle all the transactions and tracking very inexpensively. Developing the software would be hard but Uber, Lyft and so on have obviously figured out a lot of the features. You'd also need to find warehouse spaces where packages could accumulate and be processed. But just about any location with a little extra space could handle this.

I really do agree that the traditional couriers, with their dedicated capital costs and direct labor, are going to feel the heat.

 

The first and last times I experienced "uber-ized" home deliver was when I lived full-time in Cleveland about 5 years ago. I don't remember whether it was UPS or FedX. The delivery person typically drove a older van or Caravan-type vehicle. There were three deficiencies: 1) You never knew when to expect the delivery. In contrast, UPS and FedX routes are relatively predictable; 2) The drivers were not familiar with all the suburbs and got lost (Parma Heights, Beachwood, and Rocky River have many of the same-named streets) so deliveries are delayed until the next day; and 3) The vans weren't marked.

I have lived many years in Baltimore (South of 30th street), Pittsburgh, St. Louis (near Euclid), and Cleveland. I do not like opening my door to people I do not recognize, unless I am armed, and doing that inappropriately can be awkward. Problem is, an impostor bad guy can hang any sign they want on their vehicle. A brown box-truck is more expensive to fake and offers a measure of confidence that you are not about to be mugged.

 

Most Fedex deliveries are , or at least around here, are done by private contractors. Even if you see the big Fedex box truck. Fedex owns the truck but the delivery guy bids on the job, buys his own fuel and uniforms.

 

Most Fedex deliveries are , or at least around here, are done by private contractors. Even if you see the big Fedex box truck. Fedex owns the truck but the delivery guy bids on the job, buys his own fuel and uniforms.

Yes, that is my conclusion as well - Amazon is not the only one that does this, and it fits the so-called "Justin Time" model. Seems to me that the in-house maintenance crew of any utility company is little more that a skeleton crew for the same reason. Of course, service can suffer in high demand times, but not enough to be an economical liability.

You mentioned Stow (I never heard that word and "hub" in the same sentence)...I am curious, did you ever go to the Outpost in the 70s...or make the short trek to Water Street and listen to 15-60-75 at JB's?

 

First UPS, then 6 (!) years later, FedEx. Did FedEx lawyers get their degrees in a Cracker Jacks box?

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9058b2b4-85ca-4808-aedf-829b1f70d433
https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/artic...ver_misclassification_lawsuit_for_240_million

Independent contractor versus employee will never be settled as there is no bright line distinction (yet). But just off the curb, it seems to me there is a huge difference between a salaried attorney or physician and a delivery person. Why can't some $1000/hour attorney figure out in unambiguous legal logic what that difference is?

 

You mentioned Stow (I never heard that word and "hub" in the same sentence)...I am curious, did you ever go to the Outpost in the 70s...or make the short trek to Water Street and listen to 15-60-75 at JB's?

Never when to Kent State or any college. But did hang out sometimes to see/hear certain bands. And drink.

There is a hub or what ever it's called for DHL in Stow, or at least a Stow address.

 

This is only mildly related to this thread, but I want to rant for a bit about Amazon and shipping, so please understand that.

A few months ago, I placed an order for a few items. I get the usual Amazon shipping and tracking and after a bit I look and see that it is out for delivery (it is at a place that is maybe 10 miles away or less). Then, after the time that I am used to getting the deliveries I look it up and it simply says that the package is damaged and you will get a refund...and of course they are so sorry. So, I think wtf and oh well and I do get a refund posted in a day or so.

Advance to the present. I ordered a few cheap items and then a few days later I ordered a new camera (expensive by my standards). Apparently, Amazon combined the orders into one shipment, even though they were several days apart. After a few days, I get the shipping notice for all the items. Same exact deal...it's out for delivery from the same place maybe 10 miles away or less). Then, that night, after it is not delivered, the tracking changes to "delayed". Then the email says - "it may still come in a few days" but contact us if it doesn't. Then another email stating that it is scheduled to arrive in a couple of days (but there is no change in the tracking). Then, the email that says, "it's damaged or lost and it is not going to be delivered - please contact us...oh, and we are so sorry". But, this time there is no "you will get a refund in a day or two", just a "contact us".

So I contact them and end up in a chat with "customer service". What I ask is that they refill the orders with no inconvenience to me and expedite the shipping at no expense to me. No more, no less. Instead, I am told flatly, that they can't do that, I need to request a refund and then I can reorder the items. I say NO! I say, I ordered the items, I paid for them (you already have my money) and you have told me that you are not going to deliver the items. Now, you want me to go through these hoops so that I can do it again? Don't you folks know how to order stuff on Amazon? OK, I did not say that last part but I was insistent that they simply refill the dang order! Again, "we can't do that". I continue unmoved and insisting that they provide simple customer service.

Now, his story changes and he says he CAN refill the camera order, but not the smaller order. I say, "do you understand that you just changed your story?". He replies that he doesn't want to confuse me and that's why he asked that I request a refund and re-order. I tell him that I am not confused at all.

Then we have a little discussion about a 5% rebate from the CC company that was offered at the time I placed the order but is no longer offered. He basically says that I can be reimbursed for that. The point came where I asked him if he had the authority to reimburse me as the customer - he says no, he does not.

This goes on for a while longer and I basically tell him, quite politely, that I simply do not believe him and that he appears to be running a (very poor) script. I told him that I think it would be better if I dealt with the CC company and I said "have a nice evening" and he said "thank you".

Then I close the chat and request a transcript. The screen then asks for feedback and, as you can guess, I gave the "terrible" rating and enter the basics into a comments section. Then the screen says something like, "give us another chance and asks that I open another chat session or send them an email. I chose to send them a carefully worded email, ending with...I have disputed the charge through the CC company (which I had just finished doing).

The CC company was quite obliging, opened the case, gave a preliminary approval for the refund (offered to honor the 5% rebate) and I uploaded some simple documentation (i.e., the emails and orders screen). Took about 15 minutes including discussion with two people over the phone.

What does all this have to do with shipping? Well, I don't know for sure, but it seems to me, based on my recent experiences, that Amazon is doing something with some local shipping that is not working out too well.

What I find most annoying, however, is when "customer service" arbitrarily appears to change what they can do [I have, in the transcript, clear as a bell - we can't refill the order], and then, later, we can refill the big item order and as an explanation tells me that it is too confusing. It seems pretty simple...you offer something for sale, I buy it and give you the money, you accept the money and then tell me that you are not going to deliver the goods. Then, you say that you will grant me a refund, if I request it, and then I am free to do it all over again - what is confusing about that? Contrast that kind of customer service with what I reported here.

Amazon is really convenient and they are awfully successful, I hope neither changes.

 

So, to update the issue in the preceding email....This morning (after raising the dispute and after my post), I received an email from them that they shipped the camera and it was scheduled to arrive today. It arrived just a bit ago - it is in my line of sight as I type. They also issued a refund for the smaller item order and said that they would wave expedited shipping if I placed the order again (although they didn't say how).

I spoke with the CC people after it came and I updated some documents. They advised me to check the camera out over the next few days and give them a call and if all was ok, they would close the dispute.

I wish I knew everything (or if anything) actually transpired "behind the scenes" - I just don't know. I would have been happier if it had gone the way it was supposed at first, but I am impressed that it arrived in ~24 hours.

Edited to add: As it turns out, I have had this CC for longer than the person that I spoke to tonight from there, has been alive. That is also a sobering thought

 

I think the shippers are just making sound business decisions. I've received items that were shipped by UPS and FedEx and have them delivered to my mail box by USPS. Sometimes they reflect that in the initial tracking report; other times, it switches from, for example FedEx, to their "smart post" delivery that's USPS.

USPS doesn't deliver to our street address because I live on a private road, but they will for Amazon.

 

I have found that the UPS/FedEx shipping "partnerships" with USPS delay packages at least a day, sometimes 2 or 3 days. One package made it to the parcel shipper terminal in Cleveland, went to the USPS distribution center in a suburb, then to Detroit, and back to Cleveland. Tracking after the transfer to USPS is often impossible.

Recent case in accord with @Raymond Genovese experience, two separate orders a week ago Thursday, were combined and held by Amazon ("free shipping") and shipped yesterday from Wisconsin with an expected delivery tomorrow (Saturday) by USPS. They are now in Twinsburg, OH (near Cleveland). I will be surprised if they get delivered tomorrow.

So far as I can tell, "Prime" offers faster processing by Amazon, not faster transit per se. Since Amazon is almost certainly automated with respect to processing orders, I suspect that non-Prime orders from Amazon (as seller) are intentionally delayed. Other vendors on Amazon as "shipper" don't seem to suffer that delay.

 

I have found that the UPS/FedEx shipping "partnerships" with USPS delay packages at least a day, sometimes 2 or 3 days. One package made it to the parcel shipper terminal in Cleveland, went to the USPS distribution center in a suburb, then to Detroit, and back to Cleveland. Tracking after the transfer to USPS is often impossible.

Watching tracking information near the destination is maddening. It arrives at a local shipping hub, then goes to one further away, then gets transferred to USPS, and then it finally makes it way back towards you.

We get our mail delivered to a community box about a mile from our house. If there are no "parcel" boxes available, they leave a notice telling us to pick it up no earlier than the next business day.

 

We get our mail delivered to a community box about a mile from our house. If there are no "parcel" boxes available, they leave a notice telling us to pick it up no earlier than the next business day.

Been there. My mailbox is at the highway, but my home is up a rather steep, gravel drive that gets icy. The golf carts the PO drives are no match for it. Town is about 10 miles away. If I can track, I call ahead and have them hold packages. One of the letter carriers for my route is fantastic. I give her a little appreciation at the holidays. I have also pulled her out a few times. That is the only reason I keep the tractor's engine heater plugged in in the Winter. The others just leave a note in the mailbox.

DigiKey is my biggest headache. Regardless of how small my order is, it ships in a box that is too big for a standard USPS rural mailbox. I have talked to them, but no change. Mouser is not like that, and I have started ordering from it more, particularly in the Winter.

 

One of the letter carriers for my route is fantastic.

Our letter carrier is horrible. The only thing worse is when he's on vacation. The postmaster is terrible; seems like she's just putting in time so she can retire.

 

I had a very similar experience to @Raymond Genovese I had ordered something and paid extra for one day delivery. I got the “Sorry... Contact us” email. And I had almost the same chat with Customer Service. But, I was more satisfied with the result. They refunded me the delivery fee, the price of the item, honored the flash sale price, gave me one day shipping at no charge AND gave me a $20 credit on my Amazon account (the item was $16).
I guess it depends on who you get!

 

My wife lives by Amazon Prime. I mean all sorts of stuff. Today a 25 pound box of dog biscuits (Milk Bone) showed up delivered by Fed-Ex with a Sam's Club label. She always gets tracking info but overall everything Amazon Prime is here in a few days. Sometimes an Amazon truck, sometimes Fed-Ex, sometimes UPS and sometimes USPS. Overall things work fine and the only screw ups are the USPS and only when they leave one specific post office. I also noticed it is not unusual for the post office to do Sunday deliveries which surprised me. I don't care how it gets here as long as it gets here.

There was a toaster oven which showed delivered but it wasn't delivered, not here anyway. Kathy exchanged a few emails and in two days a new toaster over was delivered here. Then a week later what shows up? Another toaster oven. OK, so Kathy calls Amazon and we wanted to be billed. We figured we would just give it to one of the kids rather than try to send it back. Kathy is just one of those naturally honest souls. Amazon just told us to keep it and they would not charge us. Overall considering the volume of stuff which shows up here from Amazon everything comes out good with the exception of a few items being delayed. Looking at the big picture we have always been happy and again, there is a heck of a lot of stuff. I like having big box bulk heavy stuff show up on my doorstep and she earns enough points we do half our holiday shopping using Amazon points and credits. Every time Kathy has had to deal with Amazon over the phone she has hung up a happy girl and customer. This makes my life nice and I like nice.

Ron

 

Interesting (to me) Amazon note.

I ordered a couple of microwave sensors (RCWL-056) @ 5/$8 and a GPS board (DIY) $15 and a few other things. These seem to me to be near "Bay" prices but they arrived about 5 days after ordering. No 2 month wait for an overseas order.

The other thing that I noticed is that, for the first time, the box delivered (again, via white van not UPS or similar), while still carrying the familiar Amazon log and tape with amazon and whole foods logos, was largely colored with an advertisement for a new movie, featuring two rodents. There is a message about Wonder Park and Wonder Box and apps that are available and a whole bunch of junk.

No space shall existed unmarked where there could be an advertisement.