Later

[Martin]

So I left at 2 yesterday and FedEx showed up at 2:30 so delivery was delayed. They just arrived. The driver had a mask. Of course it was protecting his neck rather than his face. He handled the signature just like the UPS guy with one exception. The UPC guy stood back, with a mask on, asked for my last name and set the package down. The FedEX guy stood at the door with the mask around his neck, asked my last name, and handed me the package. So FedEx has it set up so they do not need to be at the door to have me sign anything but they still stand right at the door. But at the end of things I have my 22nd King signature and I have number 214. I also had not realized that the limitation was much smaller than Joyland. My Joyland is 484 of 724 while Later is 214 of 374.

Both the Amazing Universe and Forbidden Planet orders shipped from the same address.

[Martin]

Yeah neither UPS or FedEx wear a mask when picking up or delivering to the CD offices. Amazon does though. Amazon has other failing though, they've been known to just leave packages outside in the rain when no one is at the office.

It happens to rain here a lot. For that reason I think the drivers are pretty tuned in to that. I have a covered porch and packages are almost always left there. Amazon is also pretty good at leaving smaller packages hidden behind some potted plants so you have to look to see them. Occasionally a package is left on a bench that is exposed but never when it is raining. That said, I am sure I have a lot less package traffic at my house then CD does.

[Dan Hocker]

Yeah neither UPS or FedEx wear a mask when picking up or delivering to the CD offices. Amazon does though. Amazon has other failing though, they've been known to just leave packages outside in the rain when no one is at the office.

[Martin]

I have had two UPS purchases requiring signature recently and both times the driver had a mask to approach the house. I have also seen the Amazon driver come to the door and drop a package without a mask but they had no intention of human contact, just a drop and retreat.

Historically I have had much better results from UPS with regard to delivering on time. Lately FedEx has been good though.

[Brian861]

This is all really interesting because from my perspective (at least in this area) FedEx and UPS are the same. The FedEx drivers tend to be a bit rougher around the edges, but I think that's just cause they aren't union. But I never see either wearing masks or anything like that.

No courier services are wearing masks while delivering here as well to residents. They probably do if they have to physically enter a location. Businesses, etc.

[Dan Hocker]

This is all really interesting because from my perspective (at least in this area) FedEx and UPS are the same. The FedEx drivers tend to be a bit rougher around the edges, but I think that's just cause they aren't union. But I never see either wearing masks or anything like that.

[Martin]

Yeah, and it was weird. Fedex showed up and actually required a sig, and not wearing a mask. Every UPS shipment I've got needing one the driver stands at the edge of my porch and asks for confirmation and does whatever is needed without any unsafe or physical action. It proves my point that Fedex is barely a shell of what UPS provides. Nevermind my normal weekday Fedex driver is a maniac. I'm surprised he hasn't hit anything, whips in an out of short driveways when he would be way faster to just park on the road.

That will be interesting. My UPS guy sets the package at the door, steps back about 10 feet with a mask and asks me to state my name. They take that as a signature even when alcohol is in the shipment. On a side note, I did get my first Moderna shot yesterday!

[khaos]

I think I learned some things about FedEx. I always think of the scans as the item being moved from one truck to another in a facility and the actual package is scanned at the transfer point. This packaged scanned in five city's in and around Chicago over 5 days. It then scanned in four cities, covering four states, in two days. Some of those scans the truck would barely have the time to stop based on times of scan. I believe FedEx is using a truck scan rather than a package scan. So my thought is that they were stopping at Chicago area distribution points taking on all packages destined to the NW while my book patiently waited in the truck. Early in the process they revised my delivery date from the 21st to the 22nd. The package is now out for delivery on the original estimated date. Now the problem. I have a family situation going on and absolutely must leave my house by 2:00 and the package is set for signature required. If it is not here by 2:00 I will not get it until tomorrow. On a brighter note the unsigned hardbound is coming today USPS so I will have that one today for sure!

Yeah, and it was weird. Fedex showed up and actually required a sig, and not wearing a mask. Every UPS shipment I've got needing one the driver stands at the edge of my porch and asks for confirmation and does whatever is needed without any unsafe or physical action. It proves my point that Fedex is barely a shell of what UPS provides. Nevermind my normal weekday Fedex driver is a maniac. I'm surprised he hasn't hit anything, whips in an out of short driveways when he would be way faster to just park on the road.

[Martin]

Sounds kind of like the journey some reproduction SNES cartridges I bought are taking. Seller lives in Arkansas. I paid for Priority USPS. The carts left Little Rock, skipped right the hell over the Carolinas, and are currently on a tour of distribution centers in Maryland.

I think I learned some things about FedEx. I always think of the scans as the item being moved from one truck to another in a facility and the actual package is scanned at the transfer point. This packaged scanned in five city's in and around Chicago over 5 days. It then scanned in four cities, covering four states, in two days. Some of those scans the truck would barely have the time to stop based on times of scan. I believe FedEx is using a truck scan rather than a package scan. So my thought is that they were stopping at Chicago area distribution points taking on all packages destined to the NW while my book patiently waited in the truck. Early in the process they revised my delivery date from the 21st to the 22nd. The package is now out for delivery on the original estimated date. Now the problem. I have a family situation going on and absolutely must leave my house by 2:00 and the package is set for signature required. If it is not here by 2:00 I will not get it until tomorrow. On a brighter note the unsigned hardbound is coming today USPS so I will have that one today for sure!

[slayn666]

Congratulations! Mine is taking a very interesting route to get to me. I am actually enjoying seeing the scans showing the progress. It has been traveling on the closest highway to Canada that runs east west. Last scan was White Fish Montana just south of Glacier National Park and the Canadian border. It is beautiful up there, I would like to go back there at some point when it is not work related.

Sounds kind of like the journey some reproduction SNES cartridges I bought are taking. Seller lives in Arkansas. I paid for Priority USPS. The carts left Little Rock, skipped right the hell over the Carolinas, and are currently on a tour of distribution centers in Maryland.

[Martin]

Maybe you should have them hold your book there and go pick it up. Nice excuse to take an early Spring trip

Worth considering.

[bookworm 1]

Congratulations! Mine is taking a very interesting route to get to me. I am actually enjoying seeing the scans showing the progress. It has been traveling on the closest highway to Canada that runs east west. Last scan was White Fish Montana just south of Glacier National Park and the Canadian border. It is beautiful up there, I would like to go back there at some point when it is not work related.

Maybe you should have them hold your book there and go pick it up. Nice excuse to take an early Spring trip

[Martin]

My copy is sitting at home, waiting for me to open it.

Congratulations! Mine is taking a very interesting route to get to me. I am actually enjoying seeing the scans showing the progress. It has been traveling on the closest highway to Canada that runs east west. Last scan was White Fish Montana just south of Glacier National Park and the Canadian border. It is beautiful up there, I would like to go back there at some point when it is not work related.

[slayn666]

My copy is sitting at home, waiting for me to open it.

[Martin]

I got mine, #34, from another universe and it came from Illinois. So that shipping from Illinois for Forbidden being handled by someone in Illinois might be real.

Congratulations. My copy has finally left Illinois so I may get it this week yet.