Damaged Packages

So, you've researched the product, shopped for the best price, selected your shop and placed your order. You wait for your order for what seems like an eternity until the coveted day finally arrives. You rush home from work to unwrap your newfangled goodies only to find a soggy cardboard accordion sitting on your doorstep. Most people react with... (well, let's use a popular online acronym) "WTF!"

No one enjoys this experience so most people strive to create reasons for why something so tragic would occur. One may react by thinking 'FedEx is the worst shipping agency on the planet! That's why my package was ruined.' Are they really the worst? What about all the other big shippers like UPS, DHL, Cal Overnight, or the good ol' United States Post Office? Are they really any better or worse?

People form strong prejudices against certain shipping carriers based on the experiences they've had- which makes sense. It makes sense to give FedEx a black mark on their record for feeding a package to the dog or leaving it in the sprinklers... doesn't it? Every carrier I've ever used has had some sort of an issue at one time or another, but I think the main thing to keep in mind is that some things in life are just outside of our control, and either becoming a cheerleader or a basher isn't going to help you keep your sanity.

Out of the thousands and thousands of packages that we've shipped I have never been able to identify one carrier as the king of package eaters, but don't use that out of context. I was logging every negative shipping issue for a long time and I learned one thing: everyone makes mistakes. There are special options available such as requiring a signature or using a high-cost express service to increase the likelihood of success, but at the end of the day you just can't say for sure.

I think the most important factor in this equation is the company you're buying the product from. If you know that they have your back then it's not quite as stressful when you realize your order was forwarded to someone in Nicaragua with the same name. I'm coming up with all of these obsurd analogies to illustrate the point that (for lack of a better phrase...) sh*t happens. If you want guarantees and assurances then go vote. If you want peace of mind when you order online, order from us. If something is damaged or lost in transit we'll get you another one, and that's that.

I heard a story a long time ago about how a man returned a set of snow tires to Nordstroms even though they've never sold tires. Folklore or not, the story stuck in my mind. I'd like to think we go that extra mile for our customers. I guess it's a good thing we actually sell tires!