I had posted on here about my Pullip Alice in Steampunk World coming into stock. I did get a shipment notice four days later. I always get actual doll purchases shipped via EMS because who knows what could happen when it comes to international postal services. Plus, it's trackable and insured.
EMS is a bit more expensive but honestly, it's worth the peace of mind it gives me should anything go wrong. And I am glad I do this because for the first time, something went wrong.
Two days ago, I jumped on and checked the EMS number because in my experience, it usually takes 1-2 days before status updates on parcels actually show up on the tracking website.
So you can imagine my utter surprise when the status update said my doll was in Chicago, USA. What the hell? I am in Australia. My first thought was, okay, so they must have given me the wrong EMS number. I sent an email to the company straight away in a right panic.
I finally heard from them today (there was a delay in their response).
So instead of my doll arriving within 3 days as it usually would via EMS from Japan, it's going to take longer because even though it is EMS, I've found from the USA, that doesn't really mean much and I usually get it maybe a week and a half at the earliest if I'm lucky (I've actually had Priority Mail from the USA arrive before EMS parcels). So there's that, which I am not happy about.
Anyhow, the company I ordered from was not responsible for this error. In fact, they were really good in finding out what was going on. They had addressed my parcel properly with my correct address.
The fault was with Japan Post who for some inconceivable reason decided to ship my parcel to the USA. Again, what the hell? How on earth can you mistake "Australia" for USA. I would understand mistaking 'Australia' for AUSTRIA but USA??
So the postal service in the USA have redirected the parcel back to Australia so hopefully my doll will arrive without any further issues *fingers crossed*. It's now a waiting game. I think several strands of my hair have turned white from the stress.
That sucks, and I think it happens often than it should. I once had a package sent to another city. Same country but wrong city, it was an absolute pain to correct the route and get it back. and I've heard many people with similar problems.
ReplyDeleteSince we are in a hobby were multiple packages are arriving to us constantly, I think it's bound to happen to us at some point.
I'm glad that you chose EMs and it was easy to solve, gotta love EMS efficiency
I think I've been really lucky that it hasn't happened to me before and this is the first time. I don't know how other people deal with it when it happens to them constantly. I would be a bundle of stress! But I am glad for EMS, although admittedly from some countries, this method is really really expensive (UK, Canada to name two that spring to mind). The only postal services that confuse the heck out of me is the ones from the USA. I never knew First Class Mail could be insured and tracked as I always equated that to standard airmail but when I bought Eve's head, that was how she was sent to me and everything was fine.
DeleteUgh, sorry to hear that such thing happened to you >.< I really hope your doll will find its way to you!! At least you're able to track the package, would've been even more horrible if such an error happened with an untrackable package...
ReplyDeleteI always try to insist on a method that has tracking and insurance if I can afford it because of these sorts of errors although I never thought that I would have to deal with an error like that! I checked the tracking this morning and the doll is in Australia already so hopefully she'll be here soon. I'm kind of surprised at how fast she got to Australia to be honest.
DeleteDon't worry! I'm sure it will all work out! Plus the company sounds very supportive too.
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue here, I have to write the country's name in Chinese or they won't have a single clue what it is.
The company has always been incredibly good with their customer service. I've been using them since 2012 and they're always willing to help when something goes wrong although nothing has gone wrong before now.
DeleteI can't even imagine the issues that would arise with non-english speaking countries.
International shipping is always so risky sometimes isn't it?
What a bummer Alasse, at least you know it is in it's way. Hope the wait isn't too long and it arrives soon.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
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It wasn't long at all! International shipping has always made me a little antsy because you just never know what could go wrong. It's the uncertainty of it all I think more than anything else.
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