Today in History

31 December 2019

Free isn't free. And next-day delivery isn't next-day.

Amazon is beginning to feel the weight of its own size.  Making a guarantee of "same-day" or "next-day" delivery has been shown by this year's Christmas shopping season to be a near-impossibility.

With one exception, all of my recent purchases have arrived in a timely fashion.  BUT, several of them seem to have taken an around-the-world trip in getting here.

One that comes to mind is a certain recipe book.  On one day, I ordered a copy for a family member.  It was delivery WEEKS before Christmas.  Two days later, I reconsidered and ordered an additional THREE copies, both for personal use and for potential gifts.  Just two days.  These books are still out there somewhere.

When I checked two days ago, the infamous shipping flow chart showed that they had been shipped and were "Out For Delivery", even though the location they were being distributed from is 60 miles away.

Today, when I checked the status again, this same order was now located not even within 500 miles; in New Jersey.

Why do we tolerate this?  Because we've been trained to believe that "Your Order Has Shipped" means that it's actually moving somewhere.  In fact, this has really meant that your item is no longer considered part of THEIR inventory.  And, you'll get it when you get it.

I'm starting to get the feeling that "Out of Stock" is NOT part of their business model; that they glue down that ONE last item, just so it can't be placed into the queue of purchases.

Let's hope "Big Brother" Amazon doesn't creep further into our society.  This waiting for package delivery is starting to sound standing in line in the Socialist environment.  

Now I can't seem to get Ron Howard singing ….. "O-ho the Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin' down the street.  Oh please let it be for me....."

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