Holiday Season Deliveries

No, I am not talking about Santa and his reindeer. Friday was not a good day. I came in from work and noticed a note stuck in the front door. My husband was in the back yard painting the house. Now this was a good thing.

It seems a freight carrier had came by the house to deliver a wonderful Christmas present to my husband, a deer stand, which was one pallet consisting of 5 packages weighing

300 lbs. The note said “Call this number for pickup Saturday before noon.” 

The good thing is we have a pickup (nearly everyone in Texas has a pickup) and we could drive to Dallas, approximately 20 miles away to pick up the packages. We immediately called the number and after a long conversation, we were told to pick up Monday at their terminal. If we wanted it Saturday we would have to pay a premium as they only had a small staff working on the weekends.

There was no “sorry we missed you.” Or “when can we redeliver?” They did not even inquire as to the name or pro number. Being a buyer, I have had many occasions to contact freight carriers, expedite shipments and etc. for company business and it is an all together different response. It seems like freight lines are only interested in their preferred customers. It may get to the point that they will only handle major shippers.

Of course this was not the day before Christmas but still you receive a gift and you have to go pick it up takes away a little of the joy. It reminds me of the time I had a note in my mail box that I had a postage due letter at the post office. Well I had to take off work the next day and drive 20 miles to the post office to pick up the letter, plus wondering what it was until I picked it up. I arrived at the post office, paid the one cent, got the letter and it was a Christmas card from Briggs-Weaver, my employer. I was not very happy about this.

Telling that story reminds me of another story. Last Christmas, I searched the Dallas area for a particular purse my daughter wanted for Christmas. It seemed she could not make up her mind until the last minute. All the stores were sold out. Saks found one in New York City and ordered it for me. They guaranteed delivery by five on Christmas Eve. It was getting late and dark and I was in the panic stage when the FedEx truck arrived with my package. I was overjoyed. I really feel bad that I did not get the driver’s name and write a nice letter to FedEx for the service the driver provided.

Speaking of FedEx, a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the FedEx facility in Irving, Texas. It was totally amazing the packages they handle a day and the service they provide. They are a company that hires many part time students, which they offer flexible hours for the students to continue their education.

There are many companies that work with students offering them flexible hours and work with them so they can stay in school. These companies should be recognized for the support they are offering the students.