Holiday disaster looms as UPS, FedEx overloaded after online shopping soars

[cheryl]

Holiday disaster looms as UPS, FedEx overloaded after online shopping soars - Business Insider

An unexpected surge in online purchases is putting pressure on UPS and FedEx to get packages out on time this holiday season, and that could result in extra costs for retailers.

An executive at one fulfillment company – which picks and packages customer orders for retailers – told Business Insider that packages in New Jersey and California are sitting in trucks outside of FedEx and UPS hubs, and waiting several days to be unloaded and processed.

The person, who asked not to be identified, explained that shoppers tracking the package will only see that a label was created, but not that it was picked up by UPS or FedEx. That won't happen until the package is unloaded from the trucks at the distribution facilities.

 

[Operational needs]

I think this article is fantastic. Maybe it will wake people up to the fact that they can't order something December 23 and think it will arrive the next day.

 

[Brownslave688]

This will soon be an annual thing unless consumers are willing to absorb higher shipping costs all year.

 

[Shifting Contents]

Iam just glad that an article like this mentions fedex too




For once

 

[Shifting Contents]

This will soon be an annual thing unless consumers are willing to absorb higher shipping costs all year.

Surge pricing should curb consumer stupidity

 

[Brownslave688]

Surge pricing should curb consumer stupidity

I don't blame the consumers for ordering a ton of stuff. The ups man dropped off 5 packages at my house yesterday.

However they have to understand a company isn't going to pump billions into infastructire for 20 days worth of volume. And really probably only 5-7 really heavy days.

 

[Big Arrow Down...D]

Once people get accustomed to not going to the store free shipping will be a thing of the past...

 

[Operational needs]

I don't blame the consumers for ordering a ton of stuff. The ups man dropped off 5 packages at my house yesterday.

However they have to understand a company isn't going to pump billions into infastructire for 20 days worth of volume. And really probably only 5-7 really heavy days.

I blame the shippers for promising their customers that we can work miracles, and both UPS and FedEx for not "putting their foot down".

 

[Operational needs]

Iam just glad that an article like this mentions fedex too




For once

I agree with you 100%. FedEx got off easy with the media in 2013 and in reality it was ugly.

 

[Operational needs]

Once people get accustomed to not going to the store free shipping will be a thing of the past...

Yep. The old bait and switch trick.

 

[Brownslave688]

I blame the shippers for promising their customers that we can work miracles, and both UPS and FedEx for not "putting their foot down".

The shippers have the perfect set up promise away if it fails it won't be on you. I don't really blame them. That's how the business world works. I blame ups and fedex for not better informing the public.

 

[By The Book]

Can I get a TIT guarantee please?

 

[Brownslave688]

Yep. The old bait and switch trick.

Shipping will stay "free" the cost will just be built into the product price.

 

[Operational needs]

Shipping will stay "free" the cost will just be built into the product price.

I'm not sure about that. With the economy tanking, people have become very good at comparison shopping and using coupons. They might not want the price built I to an item. They might want to have it broken down for them so they can compare.

 

[Returntosender]

I'm not sure about that. With the economy tanking, people have become very good at comparison shopping and using coupons. They might not want the price built I to an item. They might want to have it broken down for them so they can compare.

Some big box retailers also price match with Amazon. Instead of dealing with a possible delay with your online order. They just walk into the store price match.

 

[Brownslave688]

I'm not sure about that. With the economy tanking, people have become very good at comparison shopping and using coupons. They might not want the price built I to an item. They might want to have it broken down for them so they can compare.

It's always built in even now. Someone is paying the shipping bill

 

[Brownslave688]

I see what you mean @Operational needs but people are stupid. They see the word free and that's it.

 

[oldngray]

Some big box retailers also price match with Amazon. Instead of dealing with a possible delay with your online order. They just walk into the store price match.

You do take the risk of the store not having the item in stock at the last minute. The best option is still to shop early enough and not wait until the last minute. People need to learn they can't wait until the 23th and still expect to get that Playstation for little Billy.

 

[Catatonic]

I'm not sure about that. With the economy tanking, people have become very good at comparison shopping and using coupons. They might not want the price built I to an item. They might want to have it broken down for them so they can compare.

Plus, if shipping is rolled into product price, then shipping cost will be taxed.

 

[Brownslave688]

Plus, if shipping is rolled into product price, then shipping cost will be taxed.

That's a very interesting argument. Because anywhere that offers free shipping is pricing it into the products.