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stressed out, out of pocket, package lost, who's to blame?

by thedog
8 replies
Hi guys. Seriously stressed out here, and looking for some feedback on who's at fault.

I had some flyers made up for a big show in dublin. Got the exact address I needed, the right person, the right hall, the event... everything, spot on.

I used a well known Dublin printer, I could have gone with a cheaper option, but it was essential that my flyers got to the right person, on the right day.

My flyers never arrived.

The venue say they never got anything, said they checked a load of different offices, nada. Said they need the name of who signed for it.

The printers send me over a document, stating that it was delivered ahead of time, but don't have a record of anyone signing for it... oh, and the courrier company is closed on Saturday, so, they cant find out where it is until Monday... which is worthless to me.

So, I'm out 170euro for the printing costs, + whatever lost revenue I could have made, all my time I put into it, and have probably lost future business.

The only way I could have made the address more clear was to draw a map on it.

Who's at fault here? Or is it just one of those things? Should the courrier company have got a sig?

This is the largest and longest running venue in Dublin, I can't believe how unprofessional all this is.

Maybe I need to use the courier company that delivers transplant organs in future?
#blame #lost #package #pocket #stressed
  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    I'm sorry, life happens sometimes. If you gave them the correct information, you did what you were supposed to do.

    First, I think you should release it and let this go.

    Once you've let the stress go, call the printer back and try to talk to the person you've had the best connection with. Say, "Could you help me out? I've invested a lot into tonight and I know that there are a box of flyers sitting overlooked somewhere that are going to go to waste if I can't locate them."

    If this printer is that established and does that much business, there *has* to be someone that has a cell phone number to someone in the courier company. All you need the number to the right person.

    But you can't be worked up and yelling about it and at this point it really doesn't matter who is at fault. It would be good business for the printer to do what they need to do to make it right, but they don't have to go the extra mile for you. Pretend the person on the other end of the line is someone you're trying to get to go out with you. Charm them into helping you out.

    And if they do try to help you, whether the outcome is successful or not, be sure to send them a thank you note for their effort.
    Signature
    "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."
    ~ Plato
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    • Profile picture of the author thedog
      Completely agree. The printer was actually on holiday, and had to drive 90 min to his office to try and find the name of whoever signed for it. I did appreciate that. He threw on a little guilt trip... but I had no idea who was at fault...

      I'm fairly certain that the blame lies with the venue.

      I think they may be able to locate the flyers, too late for this show, but their is one in october, that they could be used at.

      I'm down a lot of cash, but the main thing that has annoyed me is, I may have lost a long term business partner... all because of some incompetent fool.

      I was really excited about this too... I invested a lot of time an effort, and now all I have to show for it is a headache and an empty wallet.

      I hope I can at least still do business with my partner at the show.



      Originally Posted by cma01 View Post

      I'm sorry, life happens sometimes. If you gave them the correct information, you did what you were supposed to do.

      First, I think you should release it and let this go.

      Once you've let the stress go, call the printer back and try to talk to the person you've had the best connection with. Say, "Could you help me out? I've invested a lot into tonight and I know that there are a box of flyers sitting overlooked somewhere that are going to go to waste if I can't locate them."

      If this printer is that established and does that much business, there *has* to be someone that has a cell phone number to someone in the courier company. All you need the number to the right person.

      But you can't be worked up and yelling about it and at this point it really doesn't matter who is at fault. It would be good business for the printer to do what they need to do to make it right, but they don't have to go the extra mile for you. Pretend the person on the other end of the line is someone you're trying to get to go out with you. Charm them into helping you out.

      And if they do try to help you, whether the outcome is successful or not, be sure to send them a thank you note for their effort.
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author Atyro
        The courier company needs to have a signature for receipt of the flyers.

        So once you've ascertained that, you will find out if they delivered them right, wrong, or not at all.

        So either the Venue have shoved them under the stairs, or the courier has delivered them to the wrong address and not got a signature.

        Regarding liability - I guess you didn't sign anything with the printer so you have no recourse I suspect.

        Next time get a commitment from them to ensure they follow up and know the flyers have been delivered as requested.

        Alternatively, you hire the courier yourself, and get the courier to pick up from the printer and deliver where you want.Courier Companies regularly stuff up a lot of business....most are very poorly run. You'd be better off hiring a local cabbie to go and pick up the flyers and do the job for you if it is seriously important.
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        • Profile picture of the author thedog
          Yes, it seems most likely that the courier company is at fault, so, by association, the printers.

          So, even though I've paid for the service, have written proof of where it should go, and conformation of this (email) no one is liable?

          I'm down at least $2k here, plus the 170euro printing costs and possibly any future business with the guy who the flyers were intended for.

          The printers said they'd refund me if it was the fault of the courier, which is the least I expect... I guess there's not much hope of compensation for loss of earnings, and the hours wasted on the project.

          I really thought I was dealing with professionals, hard lesson learned I guess.


          Originally Posted by Atyro View Post

          The courier company needs to have a signature for receipt of the flyers.

          So once you've ascertained that, you will find out if they delivered them right, wrong, or not at all.

          So either the Venue have shoved them under the stairs, or the courier has delivered them to the wrong address and not got a signature.

          Regarding liability - I guess you didn't sign anything with the printer so you have no recourse I suspect.

          Next time get a commitment from them to ensure they follow up and know the flyers have been delivered as requested.

          Alternatively, you hire the courier yourself, and get the courier to pick up from the printer and deliver where you want.Courier Companies regularly stuff up a lot of business....most are very poorly run. You'd be better off hiring a local cabbie to go and pick up the flyers and do the job for you if it is seriously important.
          Signature

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        • Profile picture of the author thedog
          Yes, it seems most likely that the courier company is at fault, so, by association, the printers.

          So, even though I've paid for the service, have written proof of where it should go, and conformation of this (email) no one is liable?

          I'm down at least $2k here, plus the 170euro printing costs and possibly any future business with the guy who the flyers were intended for.

          The printers said they'd refund me if it was the fault of the courier, which is the least I expect... I guess there's not much hope of compensation for loss of earnings, and the hours wasted on the project.

          I really thought I was dealing with professionals, hard lesson learned I guess.


          Originally Posted by Atyro View Post

          The courier company needs to have a signature for receipt of the flyers.

          So once you've ascertained that, you will find out if they delivered them right, wrong, or not at all.

          So either the Venue have shoved them under the stairs, or the courier has delivered them to the wrong address and not got a signature.

          Regarding liability - I guess you didn't sign anything with the printer so you have no recourse I suspect.

          Next time get a commitment from them to ensure they follow up and know the flyers have been delivered as requested.

          Alternatively, you hire the courier yourself, and get the courier to pick up from the printer and deliver where you want.Courier Companies regularly stuff up a lot of business....most are very poorly run. You'd be better off hiring a local cabbie to go and pick up the flyers and do the job for you if it is seriously important.
          Signature

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          • Profile picture of the author Atyro
            Yes - probably that Dog

            Sometimes in life its easier to do the job yourself.

            Courier services will have 'guaranteed 24 hour services', but I can warn you,
            they still often don't achieve their targets.

            Some courier services have an online tracking system for your parcel. that's a start....

            but in truth, if I had an important parcel to get from Dublin to Wexford at short notice, I'd either hire a cab, or run it myself...

            unless I had a written contract with liability clauses with the Courier Company.

            The worst case scenario with a courier company is that they deliver to the wrong address and the parcel disappears...or they leave it on a doorstep..and it disappears
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            • Profile picture of the author thedog
              I wasn't actually dealing with the couriers, the printer was.

              They had a week. It actually got there on time, but it looks like it just got dumped somewhere, no one signed for it.

              Also, a friend was at the show, and said the organizers couldn't give a toss...

              I would have brought them there myself, but I'm not in the country.

              Courier has one job, deliver package to person or office, they didn't manage either... ah fcuk it, I'm done stressing over it. Just a shower of useless $hites....

              If they can track down the flyers, I may be able to use em elsewhere... lesson learned, if I ever do this again, I'll get someone reliable to bring them in person.



              Originally Posted by Atyro View Post

              Yes - probably that Dog

              Sometimes in life its easier to do the job yourself.

              Courier services will have 'guaranteed 24 hour services', but I can warn you,
              they still often don't achieve their targets.

              Some courier services have an online tracking system for your parcel. that's a start....

              but in truth, if I had an important parcel to get from Dublin to Wexford at short notice, I'd either hire a cab, or run it myself...

              unless I had a written contract with liability clauses with the Courier Company.

              The worst case scenario with a courier company is that they deliver to the wrong address and the parcel disappears...or they leave it on a doorstep..and it disappears
              Signature

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              • Profile picture of the author wbinst2
                Mate, i feel for you. But the printer is in the printing business, not the delivery business.

                Ive been in business a long time and you should have picked them up yourself from the printer and taken them to the venue.

                No one cares about your sh!t more than you do. Its a good business lesson for you, don't rely on other people and then complain when they don't deliver. In business, excuses don't count, only results.

                If its very important - as this was - do it yourself.
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