Occasionally I get requests to put together custom robotic platforms.
I usually try to persuade the client to go with Lynxmotion, but occasionally the customer has other ideas.
Well, I got a rush order from a valued customer that needed a special platform yesterday as in right now!
They wanted a Superdroid chassis, but with 12v motors from The Robot Market Place.
Both the chassis and the motors were ordered on the 18th with Express Shipping so as to be delivered today, the 19th, in CA.
The chassis from Superdroid was shipped by USPS Express mail and arrived today, the 19th which is nothing short of astounding.
The motors from The Robot Market Place were shipped by DHL Express on the 18th and are still in FL as I write this critique of DHL Express. The DHL Express website still indicates a delivery date of the 19th (LOL).
A call to DHL Express customer service got me the customary"we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience, sir" and no offer to deliver the motors on the 20th or the 21st.
The motors will be delivered instead on the 22nd!
I have contacted The Robot Market Place by email and have requested a refund of the Next Day Shipping costs. I know that this is not The Robot Market Place’s fault and they have provided me with very good service.
Hopefully The Robot Market Place will decline to use DHL Express for Next Day service in the future until DHL can prove that they can provide the service contracted for!
And yes, I have left a reasonably worded critique of DHL Express Next Day service on their website.
I doubt that Robot Marketplace will refund you. And I don’t really think they should. The shipping time and delays are completely out of their control.
I personally hate DHL. I find them extremely unreliable even for local or in province deliveries. I NEVER use them. UPS sucks and their fees are insane but UPS Express shipping is always next day as promised. Same with Fedex.
I ordered some end effectors from ATI and needed them next day by the time they were finished. I paid $240 for Fedex Next day on a Thursday morning. Nothing arrived on Friday so I called and they said there was mixup with the trucks and it could be dropped off Monday but she would do her best to get it to me Saturday. Well Saturday morning a Fedex guy showed up at 8:30am with my parcel.
That was great and all but for $240, I wouldn’t expect any less when they are late.
Unfortunately, shipping delays are the buyers risk. Regardless of the method or cost. Sorry to hear about your problems.
DHL Express Customer Service indicated that The Robot Market Place could request and receive a refund of the Next Day delivery charges, but, as you say, there may be no reason for The Robot Market Place to pass the refund on to me other than to maintain good customer relations.
Also, maybe a vendor\supplier needs to base the shipping contractors they deal with on the quality of service as evidenced by the level of complaints they receive?
Additionally, as much as I like The Robot Market Place, I am planning on telling any prospective clients that I will not deal with The Robot Market Place on an overnight delivery basis until they quit using DHL Express for Next Day deliveries.
I have yet to have UPS screw up a 2nd or 3rd day delivery and in some cases a 3rd day delivery came in two days not three.
You are right. I never thought of that. I guess they should refund RMP for the not making the deadline as promised.
I have received orders from large motors to small controller from RMP and had them delivered USPS Express, UPS ground/Express, and Fedex Ground. They have always shipped the way I requested.
The shipment from RMP in FL is coming to LA in CA and I have tracked it to the DHL facility near LAX.
It should be delivered on Monday, the 22nd, which is three days late. At least I will get my order without having to wait for it to materialize from the other side of the country!
