Amazon using "A1 International for Prime" - Huh?

[bunkaroo]

So I had an order in for the cheap Slumdog Millionaire Blu-ray which was backordered. No big deal.

I get the notice saying it will ship sooner than anticipated, and I get a shipping note over the weekend. It say shipping method is A1 International. I figure, OK, this was a special case with likely high demand, so they shipped it via a different carrier.

Then I notice my pre-order for I Love You, Man shipped the same way.

I tracked the Slumdog package at A1's site and saw an Out For Delivery status yesterday morning. OK.

So I get home at 7:00 pm and nothing. Again no biggie - maybe it comes tomorrow. Still says out for delivery online.

I leave for work this morning, and there's an Amazon box on my doorstep - at 8:30 am. I go online to track it and it was marked delivered at midnight. Yes you read that correct.

So basically this carrier thinks it's just fine to leave packages on dark doorsteps in practically the middle of the night. Unreal.

I just fired off a nastygram to Amazon and if they don't make sure my orders are some reputable carrier like UPS or Fedex, I'm cancelling all my orders and Prime subscription. I mean a $14 Blu-ray is one thing, but what if they did this with my $200 Battlestar Galactica Blu-ray set?

Anyone else have an experience with this carrier?

[meglet]

Sounds like a local "guy in a Nissan sentra" type carrier. In my area (Seattle) this is handled by a company named Dynamex. They are usually a same-day carrier, and feel it's completely appropriate to THROW a box from ground-level onto my front porch 5 feet up.

However, their delivery times in the status window do NOT match what time they actually deliver. If A1 is similar, it's more likely the package was delivered between 7 and 9pm, or was handed off to the delivery person at midnight and left on your doorstep at 6am.

[bunkaroo]

See that would make sense, but I don't think that's what happened here:

Here are the two tracking line items:


08/11/2009 00:01 LAD FRNT DOOR
08/10/2009 22:25 Arrived at Delivery

This reads like the package was handed off at 10:25 pm, and then LAD (left at door?) at 12:01 am.

[GizmoDVD]

I'm pissed they shipped my new BD390 ($330) in its actual box and let it sitting out all day on my front porch. My $5 DVD comes in an envelope yet my $330 BD player can't?

[12thmonkey]

Weird you should mention this today.

I ordered some stuff on Saturday, and when I tracked my package yesterday the Amazon site showed that A1 had it out for delivery yesterday (08-10). The box never showed up, so I figured it would probably get delivered today, but both the Amazon and A1 sites showed that it had been LAD (Left At Door) yesterday. It wasn't.

Called A1 and they were going to contact the dispatcher in Chicago,etc. Haven't heard back from them, nor do I know where my box is...

[awil1026]

I'm pissed they shipped my new BD390 ($330) in its actual box and let it sitting out all day on my front porch. My $5 DVD comes in an envelope yet my $330 BD player can't?
Amazon does have this posted on the item's page:

Ships Separately in Original Packaging: To conceal its contents mark it as a gift.

[bunkaroo]

Yeah see this is what I was afraid of. This "A1" probably underbid UPS and is going to start delivering for Amazon around here. Uh uh - my Amazon days are done if this is the case.

With UPS 9 times out of 10 my releases would come in today. I was actually looking forward to watching I Love You, Man tonight. Now I have to deal with some rinky-dink courier service who deliver it whenever. Hell no.

Fry's is about to see more money from me. I'll be going there with my 8/18 purchases unless I get a promise from Amazon they will not use this service again for my orders.

[12thmonkey]

Yeah see this is what I was afraid of. This "A1" probably underbid UPS and is going to start delivering for Amazon around here. Uh uh - my Amazon days are done if this is the case.


Yeah, if this is any indication I'm with you. I may experiment with a couple of additional purchases to see if A-1 Courier Services is used again.

[GizmoDVD]

Amazon does have this posted on the item's page:

Yeah I noticed that after I e-mailed them. Of course, I've bought a MacBook, Vacuum, HD DVD Players, other Blu-ray players etc. and all come shipped in a normal box. Guess I gotta look out for their trickery in the future.

[GizmoDVD]

Yeah see this is what I was afraid of. This "A1" probably underbid UPS and is going to start delivering for Amazon around here. Uh uh - my Amazon days are done if this is the case.

With UPS 9 times out of 10 my releases would come in today. I was actually looking forward to watching I Love You, Man tonight. Now I have to deal with some rinky-dink courier service who deliver it whenever. Hell no.

Fry's is about to see more money from me. I'll be going there with my 8/18 purchases unless I get a promise from Amazon they will not use this service again for my orders.

At least you get titles on release day. I never do :(

(But you could also buy I Love You from a retailer today and return your sealed Amazon copy tomorrow...)

[bunkaroo]

I won't do that since I hate making the extra trip. I will just buy locally and wait to see if/when this crap gets sorted out.

I never used to get it Tuesday, but it seemed like in the last year or so they started shipping out of a local UPS hub so I was in a 1-day zone for ground.

I almost ordered the new Oppo BD player this weekend Amazon - so glad I didn't now.

[bunkaroo]

So mods, I guess Why The Fuss is too strong for a thread title? LOL

[12thmonkey]

Well, my missing package - the one that A1 told me was delivered the night before (and wasn't) - was just delivered at 8:49 PM.

Hmmm...

[bunkaroo]

That is weak. I got the standard apology letter from Amazon. The "international" CS surprisingly didn't have anything meaningful to offer. Said some BS about passing feedback to the courier, Yeah right,

I guess I'm done with Amazon. Getting rid of the 30 day price guarantee was a nail in the coffin and this is basically the dirt being piled on.

[12thmonkey]

That is weak. I got the standard apology letter from Amazon. The "international" CS surprisingly didn't have anything meaningful to offer. Said some BS about passing feedback to the courier, Yeah right,

I guess I'm done with Amazon. Getting rid of the 30 day price guarantee was a nail in the coffin and this is basically the dirt being piled on.

I received the same sort of standard Amazon apology, and they are reshipping the two items 1-day, even though I'll just have to return them since my package showed up last night just before 9:00 pm(!). Their customer service is fine, it's A1 I'm not so sold on.

I've got until the 22nd to cancel my Prime trial. What to do...what to do...?

[vg111]

Yeah, I'm also from Illinois.

I just ordered some books and crap from Amazon and they ship it via A1 international. This courier is crap, there isn't even an estimated delivery date like with UPS.

Usually when I order stuff with 2-day Prime, I get it in one day with UPS. A1 took 3 days.

I'm done with Amazon if they're going to use this instead of UPS.

[bunkaroo]

Yeah they're giving me the spiel about how their system is automated and they can't choose a courier. So what, did their system achieve consciousness and choose to use A1 on its own? I'm sure they could mark customer accounts with details like "only use this carrier" but I'm sure they won't.

Gotta love it when places to try cut costs by going with the lowest bidder only to lose business because the service sucks. What was wrong with the status quo? I bet their UPS rep is going to laugh his ass off when they come back to them asking for more service again.

[bunkaroo]

I received the same sort of standard Amazon apology, and they are reshipping the two items 1-day, even though I'll just have to return them since my package showed up last night just before 9:00 pm(!). Their customer service is fine, it's A1 I'm not so sold on.

I've got until the 22nd to cancel my Prime trial. What to do...what to do...?

If you're just in a trial I think you'd have to cancel. I bought my Prime subscription based on the expectation it would be UPS or maybe Fedex. Not some fly by night joint.

I would cancel and tell them exactly why. They need to get complaints from customers if they're going to rethink using this service.

[12thmonkey]

If you're just in a trial I think you'd have to cancel. I bought my Prime subscription based on the expectation it would be UPS or maybe Fedex. Not some fly by night joint.

I would cancel and tell them exactly why. They need to get complaints from customers if they're going to rethink using this service.

Right now I'm leaning heavily toward "cancel". And letting them know why, for what it's worth.

My first five Prime orders all shipped UPS, by the way.

I have a preorder (Dexter S3 for $18.50) that is supposed to ship next Tuesday, so I think I'll do it once that is sent. Hopefully it won't be A1...

[bunkaroo]

I cancelled everything I had pre-ordered through the next few months. The only open order I have is for the PS3 Arkham Asylum game since I got $5 off plus a decent price. If that ships A1 I am definitely done with them. As it stands I just cancelled two dozen orders - this should show I'm not BS-ing about how serious I am. I know they won't care, but if someone in this country actually reviews the correspondence maybe something will be done.

[mh4268]

Wow, I love prime. It sucks if they were to do this in my area. Most everything here is UPS, although my last two small orders (dvd and cd) have shipped USPS. Both arrived in 1-2 days, the only reason I noticed it USPS was that the items were in my mailbox and not the door like UPS.

[bunkaroo]

USPS would be fine it Amazon used something like Priority. I don't care. Funny thing is, I got to this A1's website and they don't even list that they have offices in IL.

[bunkaroo]

Here's a fun link at the Amazon Discussion boards:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/forum/cd/discussion.html/ref=cm_cd_pg_pg1?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx20DX5GEB7TUX8&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1S36AZK6I1PPQ

Apparently these shenanigans have been going on for some time in other parts of the country. It wasn't until about a year ago that my stuff started shipping from a local UPS hub and I was in a one day zone. Now it seems like that is my downfall, as A1 seems to have taken over deliveries from locations within reach of a local depot.

And as an aside, is A1 about the laziest name one can pick or what? Ooh, look at us, we're at the top of the phone book listings! Apparently they put the same amount of effort into their deliveries as they did with their name.

[vg111]

Wow, it's been going on for a year and a half in some parts of the country?

Damn, looks like Amazon has no plans to get rid of A1 in the future. Looks like us Chicagolanders were the recent recipients of the A1 infection and we'll be stuck with it for a long while now.


Anyway, I got another package from A1 today (this time they actually made the 2 day speed). Too bad the guy just threw my package at the door and left. Luckily there were only books in there. I'll think twice before buying electronics from Amazon for a while.

And wtf, can't they get some marked vehicles and uniforms? It looks so weird when some guy in street clothes and a Honda Accord delivers my package. Shady as hell.

[filmsoncon]

Oh, A1 is just AWFUL.

They've been doing New York deliveries for a good year and a half, two years now. I had so many bad experiences with them that I pretty much stopped ordering from Amazon.

I once had to cancel and reorder because their records showed that it had been delivered when it hadn't. While I had the Amazon rep on the phone, I mentioned that this service was really terrible and I'd rather just have items sent first class or media mail. He said he'd "pass that on." Riiiiiight.

[12thmonkey]

Well another order of mine just shipped via A1.
My Prime trial ends in a week or so - I think I'm done.

Bye bye Amazon. Hello Fry's/BB...

[bunkaroo]

Same here. I had one non-media shipment pending. Half shipped UPS from Indy, the other half with f***ing A1. I knew it was going to be them when I didn't get a shipped email until over a day later.

I officially have no open orders with Amazon for the first time in probably 8 years.

[12thmonkey]

In effort to maximize my Prime trial before I cancel I ordered some blank DL media. Curious to see who delivers it.

It's a shame they don't realize - and/or don't care - the impression these third-rate couriers have on perception and future sales.

Bummer for them, I guess.

[Dr_Evil]

I'm in Chicagoland and bummed about this switch. It seems really hit or miss. One of my orders with two day shipping arrived less than 24 hours from ordering it, the other is on day 3 now. Very inconsistent. I live in a high rise apartment, and they left it outside the apartment door rather than at the office where all the other packages get delivered.

The whole point of prime is two-day shipping, and they need to be able to provide that. I'm coming up on my renewal in December, and will not renew if this courier stays. I've had it for a couple years and UPS has worked out great. What a dumb move by Amazon.

[12thmonkey]

Another A1 shipment - actually a replacement of the original order that eventually arrived a day after it was marked as delivered - and it just was dropped off on my porch at 9:20 pm. I am done with Amazon.

What the fuck...

[Dr_Evil]

Well I got my shipment last night at 9. Apparently A1 left it at the front door of the apartment complex at 7:30. I live in a 16 story building, so there are hundreds of people that go by. Luckily one of the was nice enough to grab it for me and bring it up on their way in before someone else took it. What kind of idiot leaves a package outside the door to an apartment building? I'm done using amazon except for large items I know will go UPS. Sad, as I really liked their service before this.

[abrg923]

I don't get it...instead of complaining about it, why aren't you all filing complaints about each of these with Amazon? You have paid for 2 day shipping through Amazon Prime and have a right to receive it - if you're not, you need to be contacting them and demanding they do something about it. I've found Amazon to be very helpful on this front in the past...I'm guessing that if enough of you complain about this service, they'll do something about it.

[12thmonkey]

I don't get it...instead of complaining about it, why aren't you all filing complaints about each of these with Amazon? You have paid for 2 day shipping through Amazon Prime and have a right to receive it - if you're not, you need to be contacting them and demanding they do something about it. I've found Amazon to be very helpful on this front in the past...I'm guessing that if enough of you complain about this service, they'll do something about it.

I have, and the response from Amazon was "thanks for the feedback, we'll pass it along to the carrier". They're claiming they don't control the carrier that gets used, which seems like crap. I'm sure it's simply a cost-cutting measure.

In Amazon's defense, they did reship my "ghost" package after A1 couldn't find it, but they used the same carrier. A1's tracking is vague, in most cases inaccurate and this after 9:00 pm delivery is questionable, at best.

I intend on dropping my Prime membership before the end of my trial period and shopping elsewhere. I'll let Amazon know, but I'm sure it will be met with another "thanks, we'll pass on the feedback" letter.

[bunkaroo]

Yeah I'm not sure how you missed the parts of this thread where we said Amazon doesn't appear to care after complaining numerous times. I had already filed my first complaint before I even started the thread.

One might guess they'd do something about long-time customers cancelling dozens of orders over this and explicitly stating so in correspondence to them, but one would be wrong. Just like 12thmonkey - you just get the "we'll pass this along to blah blah blah". I guess that's what happens when you set your frontline support up on the other side of the globe. They can click the Reship and Refund buttons easily enough, but give them a real issue, and it's all form letters and apathy LOL.

[12thmonkey]

Here we go again:

As an experiment before I cancel my Prime, I ordered some blank DL discs yesterday. They shipped via A1.
I check the status today, and it shows 'out for delivery'. Not bad - 1 day delivery, right?

Then I check the status about 10 minutes ago and it shows 'delivered' within the last 15 minutes. Guess what? It wasn't...

Oddly enough my preorder of Dexter S3 also shipped today, but that went UPS.


UPDATE: Package "appeared" on my porch about 45 minutes after it was marked online as delivered.
So, the good news is that the delivery time was 1 day. Hmmm...

[Dr_Evil]

That's the problem for me, you never not what you're going to get. I've had amazing turn around time and delivery to my apartment door, and I've had slow turn around and the package left outside the building. I'd prefer consistency over sometimes amazing sometimes horrible.

[hindolio]

That's the problem for me, you never not what you're going to get. I've had amazing turn around time and delivery to my apartment door, and I've had slow turn around and the package left outside the building. I'd prefer consistency over sometimes amazing sometimes horrible.

ot, but that reminds of the (common?) saying that mcdonalds excels in mediocrity: the food is very average, but you know you are going to get that very average food every single time.

[jjcool]

Luckily I havent had anything delivered by a carrier other than UPS or the USPS from Amazon. In fact, UPS just delivered my tvio in a big brown box the other day. even a day earlier than expected.

[GatorDeb]

Amazon thread link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/cd/t/Fx20DX5GEB7TUX8/-/Tx1S36AZK6I1PPQ/15

My experience:

First package ever delivered by A1, first package ever lost! I called them and someone answered "Hello" like they were sitting on a recliner at home bored watching TV.

Amazon of course is following through with another package, but I'm pissed at A1. We all know each other here, a misdelivered package would have found its way to my front door.

The tracking says "Left at front door."

Sent a handful of emails to Amazon and they didn't care. I told them A1 was ruining their stellar reputation (seriously).

[bunkaroo]

So this is my first week in a long time I have had nothing coming from Amazon.

I wound up ordering the Kagemusha Blu-ray from DD and I'm getting Dexter S3 and the Simpsons S12 from Target or Best Buy since their prices are comparable on these items.

Also, I bought Uncharted for the PS3 at $30 and True Blood S1 on Blu for $40 yesterday at Best Buy. Normally Amazon price matches Best Buy and I wait for them.

So right there, that's almost $180 worth of stuff I would have bought this week alone from Amazon. They've lost all those sales over this courier. I've once again emailed them to make this point.

Such a shame.

[spontcumb]

Yeah, if this is any indication I'm with you. I may experiment with a couple of additional purchases to see if A-1 Courier Services is used again.

I placed a "Next Day" order for a book which was supposed to arrive on Monday, August 10th. Many calls to Amazon and A-1 with no success. When it FINALLY arrived, 2 days late, the delivery person had alcohol on his breath, (he showed up at 9:30PM), was dressed in street clothes and drove in what I assume to be his own automobile. Amazon was very cool and refunded $3.99 for shipping, and eventually refunded the cost of the book as well.

I'm supposed to be receiving the Dexter: Season 3 box set today. The Amazon email I received stated that it is being shipped via A-1, again. If I do not receive my order today, particularly since I once again ordered next day delivery, I will no longer be an Amazon.com customer. I just did a track of the order on A-1's site and according to them, they don't even have it! I WANT MY UPS!!!!!

[bunkaroo]

Yep just bought Dexter S3 at Target this morning. Same price as Amazon for the Blu-ray set. So I paid tax to avoid the aggravation.

[ResIpsa]

Haha, this is funny as hell. Some random dude in an Accord throwing packages in the driveway. Welcome to the recession, Amazon :)

[Superdaddy]

Bottom line for Prime members is, we are supposed to be guaranteed delivery within two business days of shipment. If we do not get it, we are paying amazon $79 per year for nothing. My wife and I love Prime and have been using it for over three years, but if this happens in our area it will be the end of that membership.

We get 99% of our Prime deliveries from UPS and the remaining 1% from Fedex. In fact our UPS guy jokes with us all the time about how much stuff he delivers. We probably get 80-100 packages per year from amazon alone. Many weeks he stops at our house two or three weekdays.

This is bad, bad news. Stay away from Long Island, A1!

[bunkaroo]

Bottom line for Prime members is, we are supposed to be guaranteed delivery within two business days of shipment. If we do not get it, we are paying amazon $79 per year for nothing. My wife and I love Prime and have been using it for over three years, but if this happens in our area it will be the end of that membership.

We get 99% of our Prime deliveries from UPS and the remaining 1% from Fedex. In fact our UPS guy jokes with us all the time about how much stuff he delivers. We probably get 80-100 packages per year from amazon alone. Many weeks he stops at our house two or three weekdays.

This is bad, bad news. Stay away from Long Island, A1!

And that's the problem - there is no shipping to refund when you're in the subscription. It's basically "tough luck". I'm waiting another week to see if I get a formal reply from Amazon, but if I don't, I'm issuing a chargeback for the whole subscription via my credit card. I offered Amazon the chance to give me a prorated refund of 50% since I just re-upped in April but they haven't replied.

[hindolio]

^ weird stuff i am reading about amazon, which has been imho, the gold standard for online retailers in the last couple of years. i sincerely wish yous guys luck with this shipping debacle and hope this is not an indication of a new "better" customer service direction by amazon.

and btw, i think amazon just recently posted a nice gain in profits.

[12thmonkey]

My Prime trial comes to an end in a couple of days.

I placed an order today for an item that was not Prime eligible - it ships from a third-party company - but I was not charged shipping.

I assumed Prime only meant free 2-day shipping, and that non-Prime items would be subject to whatever the standard shipping rates would be.

[12thmonkey]

My Prime trial comes to an end in a couple of days.

I placed an order today for an item that was not Prime eligible - it ships from a third-party company - but I was not charged shipping.

I assumed Prime only meant free 2-day shipping for Amazon-shipped items, and that non-Prime products would be subject to whatever the standard shipping rates would be.

[Superdaddy]

My Prime trial comes to an end in a couple of days.

I placed an order today for an item that was not Prime eligible - it ships from a third-party company - but I was not charged shipping.

I assumed Prime only meant free 2-day shipping for Amazon-shipped items, and that non-Prime products would be subject to whatever the standard shipping rates would be.

Did the item say "fulfillment by amazon" anywhere in the description? Some sellers have amazon handle fulfillment of their orders. In those cases, you won't be charged shipping and you will get Prime delivery.

If that's not the case, I can't explain it. I have Prime and am otherwise always charged shipping when ordering through the Marketplace.

[jjcool]

Bottom line for Prime members is, we are supposed to be guaranteed delivery within two business days of shipment. If we do not get it, we are paying amazon $79 per year for nothing. My wife and I love Prime and have been using it for over three years, but if this happens in our area it will be the end of that membership.


I would say that I pay for two day delivery from the time I order the item, as long as the item is in stock and I order early enough in the day. Bottom line is, if I order soemthing from tehir website that Amazon sells, and it says in stock, and I order it at 9 in the morning, it should go out that day, and get to me two days later.

[Superdaddy]

I would say that I pay for two day delivery from the time I order the item, as long as the item is in stock and I order early enough in the day. Bottom line is, if I order soemthing from tehir website that Amazon sells, and it says in stock, and I order it at 9 in the morning, it should go out that day, and get to me two days later.

I agree...if only I had the time to make sure all my orders are placed in the A.M., I would.

I remember being told by a CSR one time that the guarantee officially was two days from shipment, not two days from order, to account for the very variables you allude to (items not in stock or ordered late in the day).

Quite frequently, orders I place early in the day get to me the next business day. I love it. This is particularly true when they originate from that DE shipping address that they use. Being in NY, I know that whenever that shows up on the UPS tracking, it won't be long at all before the package shows up.

[bunkaroo]

So Amazon decided to refund my entire Prime fee after 5 months of use instead of agreeing to stop using A1 on my account. I guess they really don't care about quality of service.

Meanwhile I've already spent over $300 on movies and games in the past couple weeks that would have been theirs. What a waste.

[hindolio]

^ i am not defending this new practice by amazon, which sounds just awful, but my guess is the reasoning is some kind of contractual thing. i.e. amazon has already contracted a1 for delivery for a certain period of time blah blah whatever.

in any case, if you havent already, perhaps an email or phone call in the right direction might help amazon see their dumb ways for the future. as in, if they get enough complaints, maybe they will switch back later. i know it doesnt help you now, but i have a hard time believing amazon just doesnt care about customer service.

[Josh-da-man]

I guess they really don't care about quality of service.

Amazon has been steadily going downhill for years.

Up until about six or seven years ago, I placing orders at Amazon almost weeky for books and things.

Now, I don't think I've placed a single order this year.

[meglet]

Interestingly, I've been getting much better service from Dynamex (who appear to be a similar service to A1 International) lately.

Items shipped via Dynamex arrive the same day, usually before I arrive home from work. One day, I had 2 boxes ship to me, at 2 different addresses (work and home) and someone from Dynamex called to see if they were both coming to me and would I like to have both shipments delivered to one address.

There were definitely some teething problems when they were first used, but now I'm actually happy to see Dynamex as the courier. So, I'd say if A1 is still having problems, make the effort to call or email every time and complain. It's annoying, but Amazon really does have enough leverage to make the courier change their ways if there's enough complaints/incentive. Or so says my dad who used to work for a shipping company.

[jjcool]

Still havent had anything delivered by anyone other than UPS from Amazon here at my end.

[Viper187]

Dammit! I was finally gonna start using Prime and now this. I think I'll be more temped to avoid Amazon in the future if this isn't resolved. That thread someone linked to on Amazon has been there for what, 6 months? STILL no real response from Amazon about the issue? No option to choose your courier or blacklist one? It's insane. Has anyone determined the actual areas affected by these A1 assholes or are they everywhere?

[bunkaroo]

Dammit! I was finally gonna start using Prime and now this. I think I'll be more temped to avoid Amazon in the future if this isn't resolved. That thread someone linked to on Amazon has been there for what, 6 months? STILL no real response from Amazon about the issue? No option to choose your courier or blacklist one? It's insane. Has anyone determined the actual areas affected by these A1 assholes or are they everywhere?

The thread is actually over a year old. It seems A1 is branching out by subcontracting. Apparently in the Chicago area they're using some fly by night joint called Chicago Messenger.

Not sure what area you're in, but if there is an established local courier service you might be at risk too.

Prime is not worth $79 when it's some shady courier doing the delivering.

[OmahaStar]

The thread is actually over a year old.



Uh, how do you figure? It was started on August 11, 2009. Today is September 3, 2009. This thread is less than a month old. Not sure how they measure time on your planet, but where we come from, a month is just a wee bit less than one year.

[Walker Boh]

Uh, how do you figure? It was started on August 11, 2009. Today is September 3, 2009. This thread is less than a month old. Not sure how they measure time on your planet, but where we come from, a month is just a wee bit less than one year.They weren't talking about this thread on DVD Talk. They were talking about this thread on Amazon.Amazon thread link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/cd/t/Fx20DX5GEB7TUX8/-/Tx1S36AZK6I1PPQ/15
That thread someone linked to on Amazon has been there for what, 6 months?The thread is actually over a year old.

[Viper187]

You're right. That started in 2008. WTF? A year and a half and Amazon isn't saying shit? What gives?

[Living Dead]

Uh, how do you figure? It was started on August 11, 2009. Today is September 3, 2009. This thread is less than a month old. Not sure how they measure time on your planet, but where we come from, a month is just a wee bit less than one year.

They weren't talking about this thread on DVD Talk. They were talking about this thread on Amazon.

AN EXCERPT FROM THE HANDBOOK OF SUCCESSFUL SARCASM: "When making fun of others, make certain to have your facts straight in order to avoid looking stupid."

[bunkaroo]

Uh, how do you figure? It was started on August 11, 2009. Today is September 3, 2009. This thread is less than a month old. Not sure how they measure time on your planet, but where we come from, a month is just a wee bit less than one year.

Better stay on the bench a bit longer. :)

[vg111]

Well, just to update this thread:

My last 6-7 orders have been shipped via UPS as usual now instead of A1.

Not sure if they changed anything, but if they keep it up ... I'm gonna renew my Prime subscription :)


-Chicagoland area if anyone is interested.

[bunkaroo]

Thanks for the update. I've been monitoring the Amazon thread and it still sounds like some are getting A1.

I was thinking of using them for a couple things next month to see what happens. For now I've just been giving the business to Fry's and Best Buy.

[Gizzyeq]

I just got my first package delivered by A1 on Sunday. My first order from Amazon after renewing my Prime membership.(Before that was UPS every time even the order I placed 3 days earlier)

The guy that delivered it was driving what looked like his own minivan (looked like a Honda Odyssey)
It did come 1 day earlier than scheduled, but I wasn't expecting it to come on Sunday. Lucky I was home.

I was pretty worried about them because of reading this thread and the one on Amazon but I guess it turned out ok. The not being able to track it is pretty damn stressful tho.
I do hope they go back to UPS tho, I couldn't care less about receiving packages on Saturday or Sunday

[shacmasta]

Yea I'm a bit disappointed with this A1 courier service they are using as well. My item(wizard of oz) was delivered w/o a problem but I know I will run into one soon, since I work in NYC and see them first hand and how they operate and it isn't good at all.

[fumanstan]

My recent order from Amazon is coming from ONTRAC.

http://www.ontrac.com/

First time i've seen of it and I order a ton of stuff from Amazon

[EdTheRipper]

I ordered two items yesterday from Amazon. Both are expected to arrive tomorrow. One from FedEx and one from "Unknown". Obviously with the mystery shipper, I have no tracking info. I'm hoping to not encounter any issues here but I'm a bit skeptical.

[jjcool]

Just placed an order from Amazon on Sunday. got notice Monday morning that it was being shipped free 2 day via UPS. Still havent gotten anything delivered with prime by any company other than UPS.

[EdTheRipper]

Still havent gotten anything delivered with prime by any company other than UPS.

This is my first time with anything aside from UPS. That's why I'm so freaking nervous about it,lol.

[jjcool]

This is my first time with anything aside from UPS. That's why I'm so freaking nervous about it,lol.

I would be too. That item I ordered sunday, showed up today, delivered by UPS. When you pay for prime, you are paying for the shipping, and in my opinion, you are paying for UPS or fedex shipping. My opinion is that Amazon is not living up to their end of the deal if they are using these fly by night companies, and anyone gettign something delivered by them should complain each and every time. I wont suggest anyone claiming they are not recieving the packages, because that would be wrong.

[EdTheRipper]

Agreed with you 110%. UPS and FedEx are the main reason I signed up for Prime and even renewed my membership in it. I trust my UPS driver and he typically delivers around the same time each and every time. That's the type of service I'm paying for. If I wanted some schmuck dropping packages on my porch from some random company, I'll take my business elsewhere.

And now, my Amazon tracking page shows a tracking number that appears to be a UPS number. Why it would still be listed as "Unknown" is beyond me. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[EdTheRipper]

I wound up e-mailing Amazon about my concerns yesterday. I received a $10 credit on my account. It's a nice gesture but it doesn't make up for the peace of mind that comes from having a package delivered by a reputable company. And they still don't seem to know who is delivering my package. :(

As a frequent Amazon shopper (69 orders in 2008 and 42 so far this year), I think this is the first time I've genuinely been pissed about something they've done.

[12thmonkey]

I wound up e-mailing Amazon about my concerns yesterday. I received a $10 credit on my account. It's a nice gesture but it doesn't make up for the peace of mind that comes from having a package delivered by a reputable company. And they still don't seem to know who is delivering my package. :(

As a frequent Amazon shopper (69 orders in 2008 and 42 so far this year), I think this is the first time I've genuinely been pissed about something they've done.

You're lucky. My frequent complaints about the use of A1 was met with a couple of "gee, we'll look into it" form letters.

[EdTheRipper]

The $10 surprised the hell out of me, honestly. I wasn't expecting that at all. Aside from that, it was pretty much the standard form letter. They said in it that they use UPS, FedEx, OnTrac, or A1 Courier Service to deliver for Prime. OnTrac and A1 apparently don't serve RI though so I'm extremely baffled as to who has my package,lol. The tracking number that had appeared is no longer there so I'm in the dark.

[EdTheRipper]

Received the first package from FedEx. A second e-mail from Amazon is claiming that there is an error with the tracking information on the second item. Well, no shit. I've got to wait until the end of the day tomorrow to see if it arrives. I'm not pleased about having to wait the extra day because I work late on Thursdays and now I have to dump the problem in my wife's lap.

[MrAnonymous]

My first two A1 experiences have been fantastic. I'm not a Prime member and had not ordered from Amazon in about a year prior to this week's Gold Box deals.

1)Ordered the complete Angel around 4AM CST on the 26th, received the package on the 27th. Left note on door asking for package to be left inside poor. A1 Delivery person complied.
2) Ordered Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection around 4:45AM CST on the 28th, and received it on the 29th. A1 guy rang bell, and I met him at the door. He was wearing red jacket (didn't notice if it was company outfit or personal) and drove normal car.

Today's delivery was a bit after noon, and apparently so was the 1st delivery. I used the free super saver shipping on both orders, so getting free overnight delivery on each was very unexpected. I'm in Chicago, and both orders originated in Chicago, which helped. In the past, most of my Amazon orders originated on the West Coast. I wonder if Amazon has a huge warehouse here, or if they just spread around Gold Box products beforehand.

[bunkaroo]

Consider yourself lucky, and brace for the inevitable problem. Some of these couriers are just keeping this stuff and saying it's delivered because they know Amazon will reship. How do they know? Because Amazon uses them to ship it again!

[EdTheRipper]

My item from "Unknown" never arrived. I'm thinking Amazon's tracking error is their way of saying that it never shipped or got lost immediately. At any rate, they've reshipped and upgraded to one-day shipping for me so I should be seeing it come Monday.

[porieux]

DHL was what got me to not sign up for Prime in the first place. When Amazon stopped using DHL, I signed right up. If they start using DHL again, or if I see any of this A1 business, that will be it for me, I will cancel it.

[JB7]

I don't think you will be seeing DHL again unless you live outside the USA. DHL no longer exists in the USA. (unless something has changed that I have did not hear about)

[porieux]

I hope that is true about DHL, but I have unfortunately seen a couple of their trucks on the road recently.

It's not just DHL though, I will pretty much refuse a package from anyone other than UPS or FedEX.

[Nth Power]

My recent order from Amazon is coming from ONTRAC.

http://www.ontrac.com/

First time i've seen of it and I order a ton of stuff from Amazon
An order just shipped and is being delivered by these guys. It should arrive at my work tomorrow or the next, so hopefully they are reliable.

[EdTheRipper]

Time for a bit of closure regarding the issues I was having...
my second item did arrive on Monday November 2nd, as promised. It arrived via UPS. The "Unknown" item was somehow mislabeled on their end and was returned to them as undeliverable. I was reimbursed the original $14.99 and wound up getting the item completely free of charge. I'm assuming it was a mistake so I sent them an e-mail regarding the issue and never heard back. Guess it worked out pretty well for me.

[Nth Power]

My order was delivered a day early which is nice. Of course, today is a holiday so I'm off of work. -rolleyes- I'm curious as to whether it was signed for or if it was left outside.