CTO Macbook Pro UPS tracking mystery

[Iceberg33]

Hey Guys,

Ordered a 15 inch CTO macbook pro on Monday. I was abale to track it using UPS track by reference and everything seemed normal until I got this message:

The package is awaiting clearing agency review. Alternative tracking number: ××××××××××××××

When I click on the new tracking number using ups my choice, everything is different. Destination is now IL instead of WI., the package wait is lower and all the refrences including order number and the mac's serial number arr different now. Looks like a wrong order. My guess is my macbook and another one were dispached together and when they hit customs they got seoerated hence resulting in anew tracking number linked to a compltely different order. Btw, both orders are set to be delivered Sep 5. I paid for expedited shipping but they used UPS World express saver. More sounds like an economy service instead of an expediting one. I was hoping for fedex. Not really impressed so far.

Anyone has an idea what's going on here? Naybe the other mac belongs to one of you, Looks like a 13 inch based on the weight

 

[TonyK]

UPS re-uses tracking numbers. The 2nd tracking number may be an older number. You should call the customer care center and they can help sort things out.

BTW, this is based on a recent experience with UPS and B&H Photo.

 

[Iceberg33]

UPS re-uses tracking numbers. The 2nd tracking number may be an older number. You should call the customer care center and they can help sort things out.

BTW, this is based on a recent experience with UPS and B&H Photo.

Thanks for your reply. I'll definitely call them today.

 

[campyguy]

OP, keep in mind the regional weather issues! I regularly order from B&H, always get the deliveries via FedEx - however, the Memphis area is getting hammered with rain and there are several tornado warnings east of there at this writing. All of my FedEx packages have been rerouted via USPS or UPS. Patience…

 

[hallux]

"Clearing agency review" is customs. Apple should pre-clear the shipment for customs, but it still needs to pass through, just in an expedited manner.

 

[Iceberg33]

OP, keep in mind the regional weather issues! I regularly order from B&H, always get the deliveries via FedEx - however, the Memphis area is getting hammered with rain and there are several tornado warnings east of there at this writing. All of my FedEx packages have been rerouted via USPS or UPS. Patience…

That's probably the reason it went with UPS. I called UPS and the rep told me to just ignore the new tracking number.
[doublepost=1504311015][/doublepost]I just got the tracking update. It went to Osaka, Japan overnight, Didn't expect that!. and it is now enroute to Louisville after stopping at Anchorage. Looks like it has been on the same
plane which departed from Shanghai. All the scan times on UPS tracking matches the exact arrival and departure times of UPS flight 105. Are they just update the status when the plane takes off and lands without actually scanning the package? I know it may seem that I'm worried too much. I was reluctant to order BTO since I knew It was gonna ship from China but I wasn't expecting three or four stops along the way increasing chances of damage. I have couple of questions for those of you with experience ordering BTO from apple or some insider knoledge:

1- Does apple ship BTO's in single packages or in batches then single packages get sorted in UPS/Fedex facilities in the US based on their final destination?
2- Is it normal it went to japan first instead of going directly to Anchorage?
3-- Do packages get scanned in every airport stop even when not changing planes?
4-- Is there a way to increase the chance to have it shipped Fedex instead of UPS? ie use standrd/expedited shiiping or call apple and ask before it gets shipped? Really prefer Fedex since I haven't had a good experience with UPS.

Thanks in advance

 

[PBz]

That's probably the reason it went with UPS. I called UPS and the rep told me to just ignore the new tracking number.
[doublepost=1504311015][/doublepost]I just got the tracking update. It went to Osaka, Japan overnight, Didn't expect that!. and it is now enroute to Louisville after stopping at Anchorage. Looks like it has been on the same
plane which departed from Shanghai. All the scan times on UPS tracking matches the exact arrival and departure times of UPS flight 105. Are they just update the status when the plane takes off and lands without actually scanning the package? I know it may seem that I'm worried too much. I was reluctant to order BTO since I knew It was gonna ship from China but I wasn't expecting three or four stops along the way increasing chances of damage. I have couple of questions for those of you with experience ordering BTO from apple or some insider knoledge:

1- Does apple ship BTO's in single packages or in batches then single packages get sorted in UPS/Fedex facilities in the US based on their final destination?
2- Is it normal it went to japan first instead of going directly to Anchorage?
3-- Do packages get scanned in every airport stop even when not changing planes?
4-- Is there a way to increase the chance to have it shipped Fedex instead of UPS? ie use standrd/expedited shiiping or call apple and ask before it gets shipped? Really prefer Fedex since I haven't had a good experience with UPS.

Thanks in advance

1. Can be many or one in the box. Many would be a consolidated clearance. Cheaper & easier and likely 'breaks' at main hub (Lousville for UPS)
2. Seems weird. Anchorage is a popular customs clearance location. My CTO flew direct FDX from Shanghai to Memphis. Maybe if Japan is en-route, there are parcels there and flight can hit main sort for on-time deliveries with the stop. Guessing.
3. Box (if consolidated will be the box with multiple boxes in it) get scanned at each handle and load but may not get scanned if they change planes and stay in same 'igloo' (maybe they relate/scan igloos now ..been out of industry for a while).
4. Not really. Both 98%+ reliable but 2% of millions is many not happy people.
[doublepost=1504324121][/doublepost]This makes me miss my logistics days. Good times.

 

[Iceberg33]

1. Can be many or one in the box. Many would be a consolidated clearance. Cheaper & easier and likely 'breaks' at main hub (Lousville for UPS)
2. Seems weird. Anchorage is a popular customs clearance location. My CTO flew direct FDX from Shanghai to Memphis. Maybe if Japan is en-route, there are parcels there and flight can hit main sort for on-time deliveries with the stop. Guessing.
3. Box (if consolidated will be the box with multiple boxes in it) get scanned at each handle and load but may not get scanned if they change planes and stay in same 'igloo' (maybe they relate/scan igloos now ..been out of industry for a while).
4. Not really. Both 98%+ reliable but 2% of millions is many not happy people.
[doublepost=1504324121][/doublepost]This makes me miss my logistics days. Good times.

Thanks for your insight. According to flightaware, a direct flight took off from Shanghai to Anchorage just ten minutes after the Osaka flight. Maybe that flight was full already and they used the Osaka>Anchorage flight.
[doublepost=1504373863][/doublepost]I tracked both numbers and found some interesting timings:

The first one is mine and the second belongs to the alternate tracking number. Looks like they traveled together and got seperated in Louisville?

 

[campyguy]

1- Does apple ship BTO's in single packages or in batches then single packages get sorted in UPS/Fedex facilities in the US based on their final destination?
2- Is it normal it went to japan first instead of going directly to Anchorage?
3-- Do packages get scanned in every airport stop even when not changing planes?
4-- Is there a way to increase the chance to have it shipped Fedex instead of UPS? ie use standrd/expedited shiiping or call apple and ask before it gets shipped? Really prefer Fedex since I haven't had a good experience with UPS.

AFAIK, products like Apple's will always ship in bulk first - always will IMHO. As for routing through Japan there's a couple of reasons that I can see that happening, dropping off a delivery of Macs and/iPhones at Osaka or either a refuel or dealing with Bogoslof. With shipping vendors, it's hit and miss - generally the shipper with better rates gets my vote for bulk items out of my offices, however, I end up choosing a licensed courier for one-offs; personally I'm tiring of UPS as well - the last 4 packages that went through them to me were to be signing required but were left on my front step and a refrigerated package I ordered recently sat in a warehouse for 6 days without refrigeration.