Anyone ever ordered from Warmoth just before Christmas?

[stubhead]

They appear to have some agreement with the shippers that the package receives the lowest priority and it arrives later than the target delivery date. I have not received one package on time from them after three orders.

"on time" as notified by the SHIPPER? That's the shipper... But Warmoth's specific instructions to UPS to be late? I'm missing some key logic, I guess.

As far as Warmoth goes, this is not a company who intersect well with impatience or ANY sort of outside calculations about how long things "should" take. Even if it's just a bridge or something off the shelf, they have their own system for processing orders, and it certainly has to do with the number of employees & inventory management, i.e. they carry parts as a tool to sell wood, not an end in itself. It shall always remain a "black box" to US. These guys and USACG do a very considerable amount of OEM work - incalculable as to percentage, at least by ME.  I would assume that if Yamaha dials them up and says "We need 150 necks and, umm, oops - kinda soon?" - my order is going to nudge towards the slower end of the spectrum. Even Bill Crook or Ron Kirn dialing up Tommy at USACG and needing a mere half-dozen necks, maybe - that's advertizing worth it's weight in mojoberries. Warmoth makes several things I can't get anywhere else except full-on full-custom starting in-the-low-thousands builders.

I can say, I've been buying 'em (very off'n'on) since... forever? late 80's? But online since 2001, and from 2001 to now, they have never NOT been trying to hire people! When the economy's good - their sales go up. When the economy's bad - their sales go up too! There are only two other industries I personally heard of like that - funeral homes and accoutrements - coffins, gravestones, directors with 70's porn moustaches, platitudes etc.; and the sales of alcohol ou d'autres substances intoxicantes (if you're a little kid ask yo momma to translate that for you. You little monster :icon_thumright.

 

[SlartiBartfast]

Warmoth took care of it!

Well, that's good to hear. Unfortunately, MY body and neck disappeared from my front porch, too. The thing that really chaps my hide is that I even asked Warmoth to instruct UPS to hold for pickup, and after I saw that it was being shipped to me, I called UPS right away and changed the delivery option to hold for pickup as I wasn't going to be home for more than 24 hours on the date of scheduled delivery. UPS STILL managed to try and bring it to me at my house for some reason, even after I received confirmation that it would be held at their facility for pickup.

I've already filed a claim with UPS, but I have no idea what to expect from here on.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

My experience was as a transportation dispatcher for 17 years prior to joining Warmoth's sales staff 6 1/2 years ago for a year.  I was at Warmoth for one week less than one year, when I was then affected by the dip in the economy and had to be let go.

I think at this point, it is important to note that even UPS has a disclaimer on thier website stating that during the holidays, they cannot guarantee delivery dates due to factors such as inclement weather, and escalated volume.  Remember, these dates posted by the shipper are merely "estimates" according to what is generally provided by the shipping company. 

A good example, recently I sent something out to a client UPS Next Day Air, from Seattle, Wa. to Charlotte, NC, with the expected delivery date of Christmas Eve, December 24th, by noon.  It arrived at the hub in Kentucky and a delayed flight bumped it by 24 hours, which it then ended up getting delivered on the 26th.  Stuff happens.  It can seem to happen more when we're emotionally tied to it, and it can seem to happen more when other factors beyond anyone's control are present.

Lesson.  Don't run the lead time too tight, and exercise a little grace for those that are working hard to get it to you.  There are so many things going on behind the scenes.  Try not to micromanage everyone's job and steps along the way.

 

[brokebymonday]

ups will try to weasel out of anything from my experience.  their customer service is terrible and covered in red tape that really doesn't let them take care of anything that happens.  lesson learned.  since i spend the majority of my time at this stupid job, everything i order will be sent to work.

bomba

 

[stubhead]

MY body and neck disappeared from my front porch, too. The thing that really chaps my hide is that I even asked Warmoth to instruct UPS to hold for pickup, and after I saw that it was being shipped to me, I called UPS right away and changed the delivery option to hold for pickup as I wasn't going to be home for more than 24 hours on the date of scheduled delivery. UPS STILL managed to try and bring it to me at my house for some reason, even after I received confirmation that it would be held at their facility for pickup.

In this case I find it impossible to believe there could be any blurring of responsibility - as long as you can pull up your instructions - email is advantageous that way. Do let us know how this turns out. This is the first I had ever heard of people following a UPS truck around to steal stuff off of porches, but I'm kind of innocent that way. I would even guess around Christmas is their favorite! I moved to a little town from the big mean city 20 years ago, and I ain't going back.

 

[musicispeace]

If it helps anyone I ended up having my packages all delivered to a package place because I live in an area UPS and Fed Ex generally won't even leave packages in and I had literately chased random UPS trucks in the neighborhood after work to see if they had my package after coming home to a note on the door. But the point is I have my stuff delivered to an attended shop and pick it up from them. A little inconvenient but its been 100% so far.

 

[Cagey]

That's a good tip. More than once I've shipped necks or guitars to UPS stores where they'll hold for pickup. No charge, and they're out of sight so nobody's tempted.