Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
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Jim Manley
Hello All, A QCX-mini kit donated to our school amateur radio club was scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, December 17th. However, there was a moment of heart-rending trepidation on the part of Our Hero, as the TNT tracking showed the package suddenly in transit through Houston, TX, after bouncing around in Belgium for a couple of days, followed by customs clearance _before_ clearance was logged as being required. Then, the most frightening thing happened - the package was logged as Out for Delivery in Houston ... however, I live about 1,285 miles West of Houston in Central Arizona! Either that delivery truck has an _immense_ delivery service area
(well
it _is_ 2020, and COVID-19 is resulting in record holiday shipping loads), or My Precious was going to wind up in the hands of some potentially no-good varmint in the Lone Star State, if they didn't notify FedEx that they weren't the intended recipient on the address label. Here's the tracking log posting sequence: I notified orders@... of the impending calamity, and Hans responded that this happens often, in many cases involving reported movement to, and delivery impending, in Houston. He said to wait to see if it arrived by Friday, and if not, he would ship a replacement immediately.
A while after receiving his response, I checked the TNT page again, and it indicated that The Blessed Package had been delivered today (Wednesday), a whole day _earlier_ than originally estimated. When I checked the porch, voila, there it was! I didn't hear the FedEx truck stop in front of the house, the delivery person approach the front door, or hear the doorbell ring in our very quiet house. It seems that Standard Procedure for Deliveries is now to not ring doorbells - what are they thinking, that home invaders will stop torturing the occupants and will leap out and murder the delivery person? You're a mean one, Tracking Grinch! You really are a heel You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Tracking Grinch! So, beware the TNT Tracking Grinch - he really is a heel of an eel! Thank you Hans, Assistants, and Junior Assistant Labs Technicians, and Jim KJ7JHE |
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Mont Pierce KM6WT
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020 at 05:55 PM, Jim Manley wrote:
I checked the TNT page again, and it indicated that The Blessed Package had been delivered today (Wednesday), a whole day _earlier_ than originally estimated. When I checked the porch, voila, there it was!Yep... TNT Tracking has some issues to be sure. I always get my package from QRP-Labs exactly 4 days after receiving the initial TNT Tracking email. So I've learned to ignore everything on TNT tracking except the "Delivered" status. The fact that their tracking #s are mixed up with others (i.e. not unique #) may be part of the reason their tracking system has issues.... Just guessing... Anyways. Have Fun!!! km6wt |
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I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states. I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium. USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages. Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much. China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is. On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote: On Wed, Dec 16, 2020 at 05:55 PM, Jim Manley wrote: |
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Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...>
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
You got that right. I just got another notice that my Mini and my new paddle are both delayed again. I understand that COVID is causing USPS issues; maybe they should just quit writing checks they can’t deliver on. One thing of note however is that my Mini shipped from Sedalia via First Class; seems like Priority Mail would have been more appropriate. After all, a small flat-rate box only costs $8.30 to ship. That said, I’m NOT complaining – just making observations.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states.
I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium.
USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages.
Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much.
China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is.
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote:
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Paul
I agree on USPS. I have had a package sitting 90 miles away in the main distro center since Monday at 0130. It is now Wednesday at 2000 and it probably won't have any action until Friday. I was suppose to have received the package last Friday. No wonder that the USPS is crying over the inability to do a simple job. Paul AC7UT On 12/16/2020 7:54 PM, Mike Besemer -
WM4B wrote:
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jjpurdum
Many people don't realize that of the current First Class postage rate ($0.55), $0.03 is for delivery and $0.52 is for storage. Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 10:06:38 PM EST, Paul <c7ranch@...> wrote:
I agree on USPS. I have had a package sitting 90 miles away in the main distro center since Monday at 0130. It is now Wednesday at 2000 and it probably won't have any action until Friday. I was suppose to have received the package last Friday. No wonder that the USPS is crying over the inability to do a simple job. Paul AC7UT On 12/16/2020 7:54 PM, Mike Besemer -
WM4B wrote:
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
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Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...>
Oh… that’s BAD, Jack!
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of jjpurdum via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 10:11 PM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
Many people don't realize that of the current First Class postage rate ($0.55), $0.03 is for delivery and $0.52 is for storage.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 10:06:38 PM EST, Paul <c7ranch@...> wrote:
I agree on USPS. I have had a package sitting 90 miles away in the main distro center since Monday at 0130. It is now Wednesday at 2000 and it probably won't have any action until Friday. I was suppose to have received the package last Friday. No wonder that the USPS is crying over the inability to do a simple job. Paul AC7UT On 12/16/2020 7:54 PM, Mike Besemer - WM4B wrote: “USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
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Ed Pflueger-AB4IQ
My Mail Lady says she tired of working for Amazon. She delivers packages that UPS and FedEx pass off to USPS mostly in the morning then delivers the mail after that.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 8:55 PM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
You got that right. I just got another notice that my Mini and my new paddle are both delayed again. I understand that COVID is causing USPS issues; maybe they should just quit writing checks they can’t deliver on. One thing of note however is that my Mini shipped from Sedalia via First Class; seems like Priority Mail would have been more appropriate. After all, a small flat-rate box only costs $8.30 to ship. That said, I’m NOT complaining – just making observations.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states.
I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium.
USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages.
Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much.
China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is.
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote:
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Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...>
I don’t get it… she’s getting paid a good hourly wage. Maybe she can’t just work a 4-hour route and go home anymore.
I’m tired of working for my boss too, but I like to eat and buy kits from QRP-Labs.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Ed Pflueger
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 10:15 PM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
My Mail Lady says she tired of working for Amazon. She delivers packages that UPS and FedEx pass off to USPS mostly in the morning then delivers the mail after that.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
You got that right. I just got another notice that my Mini and my new paddle are both delayed again. I understand that COVID is causing USPS issues; maybe they should just quit writing checks they can’t deliver on. One thing of note however is that my Mini shipped from Sedalia via First Class; seems like Priority Mail would have been more appropriate. After all, a small flat-rate box only costs $8.30 to ship. That said, I’m NOT complaining – just making observations.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states.
I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium.
USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages.
Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much.
China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is.
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote:
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Ok. I wasn't going to say it, but on a box that sized priority is only about thirty cents more retail. The stuff I sent out the difference was 50%... Once you are over two pounds priority gets pricey. But it's almost no difference on small boxes. Still the fact that Hans can ship from Turkey for less money than me sending something to Chicago tells you how broken the US is in general now, however. But that thirty cents does multiply up when you get in the hundreds. I get that. And it could be a completely different scenario in bulk for commercial. The local post office said that the last day to have a guaranteed first class by 12/25 was the 9th so technically I should look for it on the 26th since it went out on the tenth for me. We will see. I just got a box today that was supposed to be here on 12/9... If I get it even a few days after Christmas... Meh... I just want to get it a few days before I go back to work on January 4th... Otherwise you will see me post about it in April. :) You didn't want to be the first few to build this one anyway... On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 8:06 PM Paul <c7ranch@...> wrote:
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Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...>
I’ll gladly pay the extra 30-cents – and toss in an extra 70-cents for the junior lab-techs college fund!
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
Ok. I wasn't going to say it, but on a box that sized priority is only about thirty cents more retail. The stuff I sent out the difference was 50%... Once you are over two pounds priority gets pricey. But it's almost no difference on small boxes. Still the fact that Hans can ship from Turkey for less money than me sending something to Chicago tells you how broken the US is in general now, however.
But that thirty cents does multiply up when you get in the hundreds. I get that. And it could be a completely different scenario in bulk for commercial.
The local post office said that the last day to have a guaranteed first class by 12/25 was the 9th so technically I should look for it on the 26th since it went out on the tenth for me. We will see. I just got a box today that was supposed to be here on 12/9...
You didn't want to be the first few to build this one anyway...
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 8:06 PM Paul <c7ranch@...> wrote:
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Ed Pflueger-AB4IQ
I live in the county and she drives her own vehicle. The good part is maybe the USPS will start making some money. Sort of Like Amtrak, they haven’t made a dime since 1971. She does put in a good 8 hour day but I remember a friend who walked his route and cut across yards and was in the coffee shop at 11. Of course he got overtime on route check day. LOL.. My Mini came from Sedalia, MO. And that’s not far from where I live in far W. KY. We used to have a major sorting facility here but they shut it down. So I send my neighbor a Christmas card it leaves the facility here goes to Evansville, IN., gets postmarked and shipped back to the same place it originated.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 9:18 PM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
I don’t get it… she’s getting paid a good hourly wage. Maybe she can’t just work a 4-hour route and go home anymore.
I’m tired of working for my boss too, but I like to eat and buy kits from QRP-Labs.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Ed Pflueger
My Mail Lady says she tired of working for Amazon. She delivers packages that UPS and FedEx pass off to USPS mostly in the morning then delivers the mail after that.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
You got that right. I just got another notice that my Mini and my new paddle are both delayed again. I understand that COVID is causing USPS issues; maybe they should just quit writing checks they can’t deliver on. One thing of note however is that my Mini shipped from Sedalia via First Class; seems like Priority Mail would have been more appropriate. After all, a small flat-rate box only costs $8.30 to ship. That said, I’m NOT complaining – just making observations.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states.
I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium.
USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages.
Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much.
China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is.
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote:
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Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...>
Well, they brought in $73.3B in 2020. Seems like with that sort of revenue, there ought to be some profits. If not, maybe they need to have a look at themselves.
If you want to screw something up, let the gov’t run it. As a lifetime military member/employee, I can assure you that the gov’t can screw up an anvil with a rubber hammer.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Ed Pflueger
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 10:31 PM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
I live in the county and she drives her own vehicle. The good part is maybe the USPS will start making some money. Sort of Like Amtrak, they haven’t made a dime since 1971. She does put in a good 8 hour day but I remember a friend who walked his route and cut across yards and was in the coffee shop at 11. Of course he got overtime on route check day. LOL.. My Mini came from Sedalia, MO. And that’s not far from where I live in far W. KY. We used to have a major sorting facility here but they shut it down. So I send my neighbor a Christmas card it leaves the facility here goes to Evansville, IN., gets postmarked and shipped back to the same place it originated.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
I don’t get it… she’s getting paid a good hourly wage. Maybe she can’t just work a 4-hour route and go home anymore.
I’m tired of working for my boss too, but I like to eat and buy kits from QRP-Labs.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Ed Pflueger
My Mail Lady says she tired of working for Amazon. She delivers packages that UPS and FedEx pass off to USPS mostly in the morning then delivers the mail after that.
Ed.. AB4IQ
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer - WM4B
“USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others.”
You got that right. I just got another notice that my Mini and my new paddle are both delayed again. I understand that COVID is causing USPS issues; maybe they should just quit writing checks they can’t deliver on. One thing of note however is that my Mini shipped from Sedalia via First Class; seems like Priority Mail would have been more appropriate. After all, a small flat-rate box only costs $8.30 to ship. That said, I’m NOT complaining – just making observations.
Mike WM4B
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Fred Spinner
I was not impressed on the last order with TNT. It's a lot like FedEx tracking is in the states.
I am going to say that despite everyone saying that it takes 4 days. It took three weeks for me. I was about to bother Hans... Almost did. Tracking only updated in Belgium. And it said it was running late there. Got it literally the next day when that happened. The last time I checked it still showed being stuck in Belgium.
USPS really isn't any better this time around... But they haven't been on anything since about the middle of November...I am at a week since the shipping notice on the mini with them too... But I have this happen with about half the stuff I had shipped this year, including on stuff I shipped to others. They still are better than domestic FedEx ground by a fair shake... They at least don't lose and destroy packages.
Having said that it is no worse than buying anything else internationally, so I would not worry too much.
China has gone from one month to three on most of their shipments so this is still really good. It really is.
On Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 7:28 PM Mont Pierce KM6WT <de.km6wt@...> wrote:
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Also the 3day priority shipping means it has sit somewhere for three days while in route. I’ve had a few priority packages shipped from California to North Carolina and all have taken 7 days to arrive. I just add a day to what ever I’m told about shipping time, it takes an extra day to get to out here in the Smoky mountains.
Skip NC9O |
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For all those whose mini shipped from the US warehouse, I think i see yours right next to mine in the third bin from the front.
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Man. I created a monster. It's an entertaining monster though... On Thu, Dec 17, 2020, 9:42 AM N3MNT <bob@...> wrote: For all those whose mini shipped from the US warehouse, I think i see yours right next to mine in the third bin from the front. |
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Na. Those are all ballots.
Sorry, could not resist!
Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois
Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton – J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com
Moderator – North American QRO Group at Groups.IO.
email: bill@...
From: QRPLabs@groups.io <QRPLabs@groups.io> On Behalf Of N3MNT
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2020 10:42 AM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Beware the TNT Tracking Grinch!
For all those whose mini shipped from the US warehouse, I think i see yours right next to mine in the third bin from the front. |
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KN6HGG
My QCX+ had also gone "out for delivery" in Houston, TX. Destination: Oakland. It caused me much anxiety as I thought it would be delivered to Oakland, TX instead of Oakland, CA. It did show up at my doorstep a short while later though \o/
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Joe WB9SBD
What location is this?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
WOW! Joe WB9SBD On 12/17/2020 10:42 AM, N3MNT wrote:
For all those whose mini shipped from the US warehouse, I think i see yours right next to mine in the third bin from the front. |
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Jim Manley
It’s the government warehouse where they wheeled the crate containing the Ark of the Covenant off into the distance, never to be seen again, at the end of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”! Jim KJ7JHE On Thu, Dec 17, 2020 at 10:39 AM Joe WB9SBD <nss@...> wrote:
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