Guys,
I have worked out how Merge in Transit can work and why it is Apple doesn't want you to see how your order gets tracked before it gets to their Distribution Centre.
For those who don't know, Apple ship to Europe using 2 different shipping methods: "Fast Ship (EMEA)" and "Merge in Transit".
Merge in Transit orders are handled by Kuehne and Nagel. They group up orders into pallets and handle the logistics of getting them to an Apple Distribution Centre in Leicester. Most orders will go through this route and those that need to be combined with other order items (accessories) will be priorities to go via this route. People who have "Merge in Transit" will only get tracking information once the item is shipped from the Apple Distribution Centre (not when its shipped from Shanghai). Sometimes there will be the odd item that can't be added onto a pallet (though this isn't the only reason, I don't know the others) so they go by Fast Ship (EMEA).
"Fast Ship (EMEA)" orders are shipped individually by courier (usually UPS) straight to the customer. It's usually a faster method of transport because goods don't need to be grouped, sent to an Apple Distribution Centre and then couriered individually. You also get tracking information straight from Shanghai. This post is about "Merge in Transit" so no more needs to be said about "Fast Ship (EMEA)"
Once there's a pallet of orders ready to go K+N are informed and make a plan on how to get the goods to Apple. Goods are shipped by Apple on a 'standard 8 day service'. See here for an example. It doesn't mean it will take 8 full days, usually its much quicker but its more of a worst case. Its all about cost - in this example we see a flight going from Shanghai to Stansted to Heathrow.
Apple will have tentatively booked a courier to pick up your package from their DC and at this point they'll let them know if that date needs to change. Once the item arrives at the DC it'll either be packaged up with any accessories or it'll be given straight over to a courier.
Note: I don't know why Apple's GTT system shows 'Luxembourg' when the order will actually never go near there. I'm gonna guess that's where the logistics decision makers are.
The fact is, Kuehne+Nagel and Apple's Merge in Transit' is extremely cost-effective, Apple will be reluctant to not use this method. If you look at the way K+N provide their tracking estimates, they are very conservative - I think most people would be quite upset if Apple provided those.
Then again, its extremely unfair and frustrating not to see this information and to know that some customers will get rapid shipment with full tracking while others see a black box. People have said that Apple should offer the choice of priority shipments in Europe like they do in the US but if Apple do that they may not be able to fill pallets efficiently which puts up the cost and inefficiency of that system. Hmm.
Some screenies attached for your information.
So how do you track your order? Try calling Apple asking them for the Carrier Tracking Number beginning with SHA (e.g. SHA-03584711) (Its the second column on the first table on the Delivery Notice screen). There are 2 lines in that column, you only need the first. If they give it to you then you can go to www.kn-portal.com and put it in (Choose 'H/AWB No.' from the drop-down).
I have worked out how Merge in Transit can work and why it is Apple doesn't want you to see how your order gets tracked before it gets to their Distribution Centre.
For those who don't know, Apple ship to Europe using 2 different shipping methods: "Fast Ship (EMEA)" and "Merge in Transit".
Merge in Transit orders are handled by Kuehne and Nagel. They group up orders into pallets and handle the logistics of getting them to an Apple Distribution Centre in Leicester. Most orders will go through this route and those that need to be combined with other order items (accessories) will be priorities to go via this route. People who have "Merge in Transit" will only get tracking information once the item is shipped from the Apple Distribution Centre (not when its shipped from Shanghai). Sometimes there will be the odd item that can't be added onto a pallet (though this isn't the only reason, I don't know the others) so they go by Fast Ship (EMEA).
"Fast Ship (EMEA)" orders are shipped individually by courier (usually UPS) straight to the customer. It's usually a faster method of transport because goods don't need to be grouped, sent to an Apple Distribution Centre and then couriered individually. You also get tracking information straight from Shanghai. This post is about "Merge in Transit" so no more needs to be said about "Fast Ship (EMEA)"
Once there's a pallet of orders ready to go K+N are informed and make a plan on how to get the goods to Apple. Goods are shipped by Apple on a 'standard 8 day service'. See here for an example. It doesn't mean it will take 8 full days, usually its much quicker but its more of a worst case. Its all about cost - in this example we see a flight going from Shanghai to Stansted to Heathrow.
Apple will have tentatively booked a courier to pick up your package from their DC and at this point they'll let them know if that date needs to change. Once the item arrives at the DC it'll either be packaged up with any accessories or it'll be given straight over to a courier.
Note: I don't know why Apple's GTT system shows 'Luxembourg' when the order will actually never go near there. I'm gonna guess that's where the logistics decision makers are.
The fact is, Kuehne+Nagel and Apple's Merge in Transit' is extremely cost-effective, Apple will be reluctant to not use this method. If you look at the way K+N provide their tracking estimates, they are very conservative - I think most people would be quite upset if Apple provided those.
Then again, its extremely unfair and frustrating not to see this information and to know that some customers will get rapid shipment with full tracking while others see a black box. People have said that Apple should offer the choice of priority shipments in Europe like they do in the US but if Apple do that they may not be able to fill pallets efficiently which puts up the cost and inefficiency of that system. Hmm.
Some screenies attached for your information.
So how do you track your order? Try calling Apple asking them for the Carrier Tracking Number beginning with SHA (e.g. SHA-03584711) (Its the second column on the first table on the Delivery Notice screen). There are 2 lines in that column, you only need the first. If they give it to you then you can go to www.kn-portal.com and put it in (Choose 'H/AWB No.' from the drop-down).
they must be the only company who does that...
