Shanghai shipping delays

zen · Sep 27, 2007

Ok, so it's just because I'm a tad excited about receiving my BTO 20" iMac next week, and this is the first time I've ever used the UK Apple Store, but I just checked the courier tracker and saw a rather dissappointing message:

Pick up date 26 Sep 2007
Destination Macclesfield
Delivery Date
Signatory
Date Time Location Status
27 Sep 2007 09:00 Pudong International Airport Potential Connection Delay
26 Sep 2007 22:24 Shanghai Shipped From Originating Depot
26 Sep 2007 15:44 Shanghai Consignment Received At Transit Point
26 Sep 2007 15:08 Shanghai Consignment Picked Up

Nooo! Anyway, I was wondering if this would affect any other Apple orders that are coming from Shanghai. Or is this just a relatively routine thing and it should be moving in a day or so?

davekarn · Sep 27, 2007

zen said:
Ok, so it's just because I'm a tad excited about receiving my BTO 20" iMac next week, and this is the first time I've ever used the UK Apple Store, but I just checked the courier tracker and saw a rather dissappointing message:

Pick up date 26 Sep 2007
Destination Macclesfield
Delivery Date
Signatory
Date Time Location Status
27 Sep 2007 09:00 Pudong International Airport Potential Connection Delay
26 Sep 2007 22:24 Shanghai Shipped From Originating Depot
26 Sep 2007 15:44 Shanghai Consignment Received At Transit Point
26 Sep 2007 15:08 Shanghai Consignment Picked Up

Nooo! Anyway, I was wondering if this would affect any other Apple orders that are coming from Shanghai. Or is this just a relatively routine thing and it should be moving in a day or so?

I think you may be on to something. Here is my story from another thread concerning a similar situation.

"I had another couple interesting conversations with both Apple and FedEx. Again Apple said that my iMac shipped on the 26th and that FedEx's tracking info hasn't been getting updated recently. I called them because FedEx wanted me to verify the shipping date and airbill number. Well Apple had no idea what an airbill number was so they verified the tracking number again and that was that.

I then emailed FedEx with this information (as directed in their email to me) and received an email saying to call their 1-800 number. So I call and give them my tracking number and tell them that how Apple told me their tracking info has been slow to update recently and the FedEx rep informed me that there are 40 packages linked with my tracking number that have yet to be handed over to FedEx from Apple. She said that there is no way they would be missing 40 packages and said that Apple simply hasn't had FedEx take them off their hands. She said that they have been receiving many calls concerning the same issue and that it is all on Apple. She then sent an email to the IPD department for me so that they could put a trace on my package because she said that China is on holiday all next week and if they don't pick up my package tomorrow then it probably won't get out for another week! I'm surprised at this turn of events, especially after hearing from that one guy last night who said I will receive my package on Friday (the bastard)."

Mawrter · Sep 27, 2007

This is not good news at all. I just checked and it's true - all next week is Chinese National Day: http://www.qppstudio.net/bankholidays2007/china.htm.

davekarn · Sep 27, 2007

Mawrter said:
This is not good news at all. I just checked and it's true - all next week is Chinese National Day: http://www.qppstudio.net/bankholidays2007/china.htm.

Wow good find...I'm starting to get pissed off that I am getting the run around. It would be different had they told me that it was coming later, but to say that it is due this week and it's not even shipped yet is something else.

zen · Sep 27, 2007

Surely the entire country won't grind to a halt? Certain sectors would work through a holiday - including international cargo?

zen · Sep 28, 2007

Rang Apple - they said there WAS a delay, but it has been sorted, delivery is still on for 3rd October.

Rang TNT - they said there WAS a delay due to some cargo needing to be offloaded from a shipment, but that this was now all reloaded and delivery was still on for 3rd October.

So... I'll have to believe them, I guess!

Mawrter · Sep 28, 2007

My package still showing "data transmitted.."

Spoke with a rather unhelpful Fed ex person this morning ( informed that since my tracking number had "just been generated.." - okay over 2 days ago). She said that until Fed ex receives a manifest there is no package as far as they're concerned. These tracking numbers are generated by Apple more or less when they log into the Fed ex system. And worse, she confirmed that next week Fed ex will be working with a skeleton crew in Shanghai.

Then spoke with Apple again. They have been getting a lot of calls. The woman there said that they had received an email at 7:30 am CT today saying that a shipment of iMacs had been delayed in Shanghai. That these iMacs were now "in transit" even though none of the tracking information shows that and are still scheduled for delivery as promised. I asked if "in transit" meant actually on an airplane and she said yes. She said at this point I can still expect my iMac on Monday, which is a little hard to believe.

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

Mawrter said:
My package still showing "data transmitted.."

Spoke with a rather unhelpful Fed ex person this morning ( informed that since my tracking number had "just been generated.." - okay over 2 days ago). She said that until Fed ex receives a manifest there is no package as far as they're concerned. These tracking numbers are generated by Apple more or less when they log into the Fed ex system. And worse, she confirmed that next week Fed ex will be working with a skeleton crew in Shanghai.

Then spoke with Apple again. They have been getting a lot of calls. The woman there said that they had received an email at 7:30 am CT today saying that a shipment of iMacs had been delayed in Shanghai. That these iMacs were now "in transit" even though none of the tracking information shows that and are still scheduled for delivery as promised. I asked if "in transit" meant actually on an airplane and she said yes. She said at this point I can still expect my iMac on Monday, which is a little hard to believe.

I guarantee that you are on that same pallet as me then, because that is exactly what she said to me. I'm just upset because I was expecting it today, but what can ya do. I don't know why Apple and FedEx are giving conflicted information because apparently none of FedEx's tracking info is out of date despite Apple saying so.

Mawrter · Sep 28, 2007

I wouldn't have been upset if they hadn't told me to expect it. I would have been okay with getting it next Wed or Thurs. But once they said - "it's coming," I wanted it when they said I'd have it. Better to deliver early than tell peope it's on the way and then fail to deliver.

And of course now it sounds like if it doesn't or hasn't left Shanghai today, it might not leave at all next week.

I can't reconcile what Apple and Fed Ex are saying. it is hard to believe that Fed Ex has a pallet of very expensive cargo on one of its planes and no idea that it's there. At this point, I'd just like them to give me a realistic delivery date so I can accept it and stop thinking about it until then.

Feverish Flux · Sep 28, 2007

My iMac has been sitting in "Package data transmitted to FedEx" for four days.

I'm seriously considering calling Apple today and telling them I'll take a stock unit and install the RAM myself (employer demanded I order it with it preinstalled).

I'll give it till this afternoon...

zen · Sep 28, 2007

Hmm.

When I rang this morning (and as I said above mine is coming TNT, not FedEx), both Apple and TNT said "Yes here is your shipment - delivery is expected 3rd October" then that was it, and I was the one to bring up the possible delay. Then both said the delay was temporary and had been sorted, and delivery was still expected on time.

I know next week is a Chinese national holiday, but given the vast quantities of cargo that go out of China every day (ie, just about everything in the world), I find it hard to believe that there will be any shipping issues. I'm sure FedEx and TNT planned well ahead to make sure operations ran smoothly. Nobody can afford to lose that much business over an entire week.

I'll try and resist checking my order status over the weekend. If it is still listed as "Potential shipping delay" on Monday morning I'll ring them again.

Feverish Flux · Sep 28, 2007

Has anyone actually called Apple and what has been the response?

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

Mawrter said:
I wouldn't have been upset if they hadn't told me to expect it. I would have been okay with getting it next Wed or Thurs. But once they said - "it's coming," I wanted it when they said I'd have it. Better to deliver early than tell peope it's on the way and then fail to deliver.

And of course now it sounds like if it doesn't or hasn't left Shanghai today, it might not leave at all next week.

I can't reconcile what Apple and Fed Ex are saying. it is hard to believe that Fed Ex has a pallet of very expensive cargo on one of its planes and no idea that it's there. At this point, I'd just like them to give me a realistic delivery date so I can accept it and stop thinking about it until then.

Here is an email I sent to cso_dspecialists@apple.com and sjobs@apple.com. I have yet to get a reply but it may help:

To Whom It May Concern:

I've been getting the run around as of late with the shipment of my iMac (Order #: ******** & Tracking #: ***********). I'm seeing on FedEx's website the same status for the past two days stating "Package data transmitted to FedEx" which was posted at 5:52 PM on Sep 26, 2007, and that hasn't changed despite me choosing the 2-3 day shipping option when I purchased my iMac. Apple is telling me that it has shipped and FedEx's website hasn't been updating their tracking info recently thus the reason why I am not seeing any change. I called FedEx and they are telling me that all their tracking is up to date and that there are 40 packages linked with my tracking number that have yet to be shipped from the Shanghai location. They also said that they have been receiving numerous calls recently regarding the same issue as me. My main concern is that I know a Chinese holiday is coming up next week and if my package isn't shipped tomorrow then it may not be for over another week! I have purchased several items from Apple in this past year alone, including 2 iPhones and 2 new iPod classics, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival for my first iMac. I know that mishaps happen when shipping items halfway around the world, but I would just like to receive a straight answer on when I will receive it. It is discomforting to hear two different stories from both Apple and FedEx on what is truly going on and I know that I am not the only one as others have stated the same as me. Any help in this matter would be appreciated and I thank you for your time in this matter.

Feverish Flux · Sep 28, 2007

davekarn said:
Here is an email I sent to cso_dspecialists@apple.com and sjobs@apple.com. I have yet to get a reply but it may help:

To Whom It May Concern:

I've been getting the run around as of late with the shipment of my iMac (Order #: ******** & Tracking #: ***********). I'm seeing on FedEx's website the same status for the past two days stating "Package data transmitted to FedEx" which was posted at 5:52 PM on Sep 26, 2007, and that hasn't changed despite me choosing the 2-3 day shipping option when I purchased my iMac. Apple is telling me that it has shipped and FedEx's website hasn't been updating their tracking info recently thus the reason why I am not seeing any change. I called FedEx and they are telling me that all their tracking is up to date and that there are 40 packages linked with my tracking number that have yet to be shipped from the Shanghai location. They also said that they have been receiving numerous calls recently regarding the same issue as me. My main concern is that I know a Chinese holiday is coming up next week and if my package isn't shipped tomorrow then it may not be for over another week! I have purchased several items from Apple in this past year alone, including 2 iPhones and 2 new iPod classics, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival for my first iMac. I know that mishaps happen when shipping items halfway around the world, but I would just like to receive a straight answer on when I will receive it. It is discomforting to hear two different stories from both Apple and FedEx on what is truly going on and I know that I am not the only one as others have stated the same as me. Any help in this matter would be appreciated and I thank you for your time in this matter.

I really wish people would leave the sjobs@apple.com address as a last resort so people with real issues can get the help they need. A shipping delay does not warrant an e-mail to the executive office.

chrisdazzo · Sep 28, 2007

If this helps anyone...

FedEx directs you to Apple.
Apple says that there's been a typhoon, shipping delays, etc.
Right now, after seeing "Shipped" on Tuesday the 25th, I've finally got an update... My iPod Touch, after 3 days, is in transit in Shanghai, China. All I want now is my iPod Touch by next Wednesday. That'll happen, right?

Basically... You've just got to wait for your order to be updated. It sucks, but that's life. Complaining to Apple is definitely not going to make things any better.

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

Feverish Flux said:
I really wish people would leave the sjobs@apple.com address as a last resort so people with real issues can get the help they need. A shipping delay does not warrant an e-mail to the executive office.

Well I could only find 2 email addresses in which I could contact Apple and I CCed the sjobs one. If that matters, I doubt it, but we will see. When it comes down to me not knowing where something I paid over $2000 for, I don't care who I have to talk to, it's not something to sneeze at for me.

Feverish Flux · Sep 28, 2007

davekarn said:
Well I could only find 2 email addresses in which I could contact Apple and I CCed the sjobs one. If that matters, I doubt it, but we will see. When it comes down to me not knowing where something I paid over $2000 for, I don't care who I have to talk to, it's not something to sneeze at for me.

Fair enough, I'm anxious just like you (and reminding my boss what a complete idiot he is for not letting me order the RAM and put it in here). We have a big project that is waiting for this machine and I told him it would come from China just because of the RAM. A standard machine would have come from Pennsylvania.

Oh well, sit and wait I guess. Keep us posted.

zen · Sep 28, 2007

Hmm, but neither Apple nor TNT said anything to me about a typhoon or bad weather affecting shipping. TNT said the delay was temporary caused by some cargo needing to be unloaded and reloaded. Apple said the delay was temporary, but didn't have any more info. Neither mentioned shipping problems with the Chinese holiday next week.

I think FedEx, TNT and Apple are just having problems transmitting accurate and up to date shipping/tracking info to each other. Fingers crossed anyway.

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

Called FedEx (again) and they said the same thing in that the package has not reached their tender yet in China due to what happened last week (the typhoon) and she said she wasn't sure if shipments would be sent out regularly or not due to the holiday. She also said that it's too late for my package to get out today even because it's about 2200 in Shanghai right now. Now all I can do is hope for a delivery next week at the earliest.

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

davekarn said:
Called FedEx (again) and they said the same thing in that the package has not reached their tender yet in China due to what happened last week (the typhoon) and she said she wasn't sure if shipments would be sent out regularly or not due to the holiday. She also said that it's too late for my package to get out today even because it's about 2200 in Shanghai right now. Now all I can do is hope for a delivery next week at the earliest.

Okay I called Apple (yes again) and finally got a straight answer that links up with what FedEx is saying, which alleviates some of the disturbance. She said that the information has been sent to FedEx that packages are ready to be picked up, but because of the typhoon last week, they are playing catch up and haven't been able to get to mine yet, and she said that she was told they should be going out today (which isn't going to happen according to FedEx). I then expressed concern over the holidays next week in China and she said that shipping WILL be affected next week and said that this only happens once a year when China has a holiday of this magnitude where work is kind of shoved to the side. She said that my delivery won't make it by my original date (that being the 1st) and I should probably expect it by next Friday at the earliest.

It still kind of sucks that I just happened to order in the worst possible time frame that I could've chosen, but at least I have an answer that both sides are giving. So, I'm less upset now that I'm not getting the run around and all hope of a timely delivery is out the window. It's nobody's fault really, just bad timing on my part and the typhoon last week (which the effects of make my iMac problem pale in comparison). Hopefully you all get your's sooner than that and hopefully this will give us some peace of mind for the weekend.

Mawrter · Sep 28, 2007

Thanks for the update. It's really what I suspected, contrary what the woman from Apple told me this morning, which didn't seem logical to me. My regret is that had I known this I would have waited to order. It's now very possible that the Leopard ship date will be announced while our computers are still sitting on the Apple loading dock. If that happens, I may have lost the chance for a free upgrade without having the benefit of actually enjoying the computer now.

Stetwin · Sep 28, 2007

I placed an order for a stock configured iMac back on September 13th and it was still at Not Yet Shipped this morning so I cancelled the order, placed an order for a Dell and delivery is due for next week wed/thurs,

davekarn · Sep 28, 2007

Stetwin said:
I placed an order for a stock configured iMac back on September 13th and it was still at Not Yet Shipped this morning so I cancelled the order, placed an order for a Dell and delivery is due for next week wed/thurs,

Wow you went in a completely different direction huh?! Well I hope everything turns out better for you with your Dell!

Feverish Flux · Sep 28, 2007

My iMac is finally "In Transit" in Shanghai.

Probably be here Tuesday next week. Half way around the world all because of a 1 gig stick of RAM.

Stetwin · Sep 28, 2007

davekarn said:
Wow you went in a completely different direction huh?! Well I hope everything turns out better for you with your Dell!

I was just sick of waiting, Ive been without my own computer (this ones on loan) for a few weeks now and when i woke up this morning and found that it was still "not yet shipped" it was enough to make me cancel the order and buy the Dell, also cancelled my iPod Touch pre-order and ordered a Zune.... which i will also get next week, maybe sometime in the future i will order from apple again but not until they sort out there delivery times and phone support, shame too because i was really looking forward to joining the Mac world and experiencing OS X

Hope you all enjoy your iMac's..... if they ever arrive!

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