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Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 3:31:25 PM   
gbm

 

Posts: 61
Joined: 3/12/2008
From: Connecticut
Status: offline 		So, I couldn't decide whether to aim this at the company from whom I purchased the wine - let's call them 'W.com' - or the actual shipper - 'Fx'.

'W.com' has apparently recently changed from shipping by UPS to 'Fx' and the latter do not know how to handle wine.  Today was a third delivery attempt.  Normally, UPS would leave a voicemail on the day of delivery so someone could be home to sign for it (signature is necessary for delivery of alcohol in my state) or I could reschedule.  'Fx' does not do that. 

The shipment was left on the porch (no signature obtained) at 4:00 PM on a 90 degree day after having spent who knows how long in the truck.  The bottles were warm (the way you like your bath) when I opened the cardboard box and I am staring at them wondering if they took two other full day trips in the hot 'Fx' truck.

Thankfully, it is only two bottles.  I have already contacted 'W.com' and am waiting for a response.  On the one hand, I would love to open them up and see what the heat has done.  On the other, I am horrified that (1) alcohol was left on my doorstep without a signature and (2) wine was left on my doorstep in 90 degree heat.
Post #: 1
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 3:57:00 PM   
GalvezGuy

 

Posts: 239
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline 		Because almost all of my wine is shipped in (actually cheaper to ship it here because of the stupid 3-tier system), I have the same issues.  Also being here where it gets really hot, I don't have any wine shipped from May through October except for my Wine Access club wines, which are shipped temperature controlled until they are on the final delivery truck.  I prefer UPS for the reasons you mention above and direct the people that ship to me to always use UPS (when I can have a choice).  It makes my life a lot easier.  It only takes cooking a few bottles of wine to make you realize the risk of shipping in the summertime. 

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Post #: 2
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 4:02:44 PM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 251
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: gbm

So, I couldn't decide whether to aim this at the company from whom I purchased the wine - let's call them 'W.com' - or the actual shipper - 'Fx'.

'W.com' has apparently recently changed from shipping by UPS to 'Fx' and the latter do not know how to handle wine.  Today was a third delivery attempt.  Normally, UPS would leave a voicemail on the day of delivery so someone could be home to sign for it (signature is necessary for delivery of alcohol in my state) or I could reschedule.  'Fx' does not do that. 

The shipment was left on the porch (no signature obtained) at 4:00 PM on a 90 degree day after having spent who knows how long in the truck.  The bottles were warm (the way you like your bath) when I opened the cardboard box and I am staring at them wondering if they took two other full day trips in the hot 'Fx' truck.

Thankfully, it is only two bottles.  I have already contacted 'W.com' and am waiting for a response.  On the one hand, I would love to open them up and see what the heat has done.  On the other, I am horrified that (1) alcohol was left on my doorstep without a signature and (2) wine was left on my doorstep in 90 degree heat.


Like GalvezGuy, I always specify UPS, when possible.    I also have all wines shipped to a business address where there is always someone there to receive the wine, so using Fed Ex isn't a problem.  I make sure that wine is shipped on a Monday so that it won't have to sit in a warehouse in the heat over a weekend. 

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I don't have a drinking problem. I drink. I get drunk. I fall down. No problem.

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Post #: 3
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 4:43:37 PM   
RoundersRob

 

Posts: 278
Joined: 7/1/2006
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: offline 		Amazing.  Fedex dumped off a 4 pack on my doorstep on tuesday that clearly stated "adult signature required".  And it was hot.   Luckily I heard them and grabbed the wine quickly.  I think from now on I will also specify UPS.  the UPS guys are always bang on.

(in reply to Blue Shorts)
Post #: 4
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 4:52:31 PM   
jhannah27

 

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Status: online 		You would think that there is some sort of legal reporting that needs to be submitted since the signature is required by law.  Makes you wonder if they are forging them, which also makes you wonder if an 8 year old answers the door would they just let them sign off on it and be on their way.

Good to see that they keep their customers and the safety of the items shipped in the forefront of all they do...


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The best use of bad wine is to drive away poor relations.
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Post #: 5
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 4:58:04 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1228
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: online 		...and what was the exact reason YOU chose to have wine delivered in summer?
gbm, us Floridians know the little trick:
NO WINE DELIVERIES BETWEEN APRIL AND NOVEMBER
works for us all the time, even with  Fx

< Message edited by Serge Birbrair -- 7/17/2008 4:59:10 PM >

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(in reply to jhannah27)
Post #: 6
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 5:05:49 PM   
gbm

 

Posts: 61
Joined: 3/12/2008
From: Connecticut
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27

also makes you wonder if an 8 year old answers the door would they just let them sign off on it and be on their way.



But if that 8 year old was ingenious enough to get the cork out, I might be willing to share a sip or two (that should be enough to keep them away from grape juice for a month or two, too).

(in reply to jhannah27)
Post #: 7
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 5:13:24 PM   
gbm

 

Posts: 61
Joined: 3/12/2008
From: Connecticut
Status: offline 		I have to say that wine.com was fantastic in both their response and response time.  A replacement shipment is already on the way...and I get to compare it with what I expect to be heat damaged wine.  Interesting experiment for a novice like me.

FedEx must be much more lax than UPS.  I thought about complaining to them directly, but we get a lot of other deliveries from FedEx and they are nice guys.  I don't want to get the driver in trouble if he thought he was doing me a favor.

As for summer deliveries, I knew it would be a problem, but I was given a 12 month subscription as a gift.  I guess I could have delyaed the summer shipments and gotten a couple extra in the winter, but it didn't seem like an issue when UPS was delivering. 

(in reply to gbm)
Post #: 8
Delivery Rant - 7/17/2008 5:59:22 PM   
mjobtx

 

Posts: 79
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline 		Like most others on this board; no deliveries after mid-May or before 1 October.  For me, FedEX is more convenient because if there is a delivery problem, their pick up site is close to my house.  UPS's pick up site is 30 miles away.  I have had problems with both carriers; the last being with UPS.  The driver attempted delivery at my office address on Friday afternoon (or maybe he just said he attempted).  He marked the delivery incorrect address.  It was not incorrect.  The goods were finally delivered on Monday after sitting on the truck all weekend.  It was May and marginal for a weekend in the truck. 

I also received a bottle that I bought at auction on WineCommune from a seller that agreed in email to hold until October to ship.  I received it 8 July (99 degrees and it came through AZ from Southern Califonria).  I contacted the seller and he agreed that a mistake, said he had another bottle of the same wine, and that he would send it in October.  If he does, then everything is okay.  I won't know until October.

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PlanoWino

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Post #: 9
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 6:04:31 PM   
zippz

 

Posts: 231
Joined: 6/28/2008
From: Chicago IL USA
Status: offline 		Has anyone used DNL?...
occasionally i see their big mustard colored van here in the city...
from what i understand they are more international in scope then UPS & Fedex.
http://www.dhl.com/publish/g0/en.high.html?main_index=yes


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“See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil... just Drink wine” ~ CT mantra

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Post #: 10
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 6:20:30 PM   
mjobtx

 

Posts: 79
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline 		I am familiar with DHL and international is their forte.  I don't know any of the places that I buy from that use or offer DHL as a shipping option.

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PlanoWino

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Post #: 11
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 8:04:04 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1228
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: online 		Small trick I use to expedite deliveries:
I always have wine shipped to the Corporate Name
(Like winetal.com, inc for example)
UPS, FedX know that Corporation will be most likely closed after 5, so they deliver earlier in the day.
When I was getting those shipments as a person, sometimes I got them after 6 pm!

_____________________________

Sexy Wines - "Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance."
-- Benjamin Franklin

(in reply to mjobtx)
Post #: 12
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 8:22:39 PM   
petitblanc

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 2/20/2007
From: Madison, WI
Status: offline 		Always insist on getting a tracking number from the seller, so you'll know what day it will be delivered, well in advance. Fedex seems more lax about signatures than UPS, but I admit I usually find this helpful so I don't blow a whole day waiting around the house to sign. Still, in your case, the wine was probably exposed to more prolonged heat during transit than the brief time spent on the porch.

In any event, the bottom line is really that the wine shouldn't have been shipped at all, until summer is over. Any reputable seller should know this, and you shouldn't have to tell them.


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pb

(in reply to gbm)
Post #: 13
RE: Delivery rant - 7/17/2008 10:36:33 PM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 681
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: mjobtx

I am familiar with DHL and international is their forte.  I don't know any of the places that I buy from that use or offer DHL as a shipping option.


DHL is one of the few companies who will ship wine to Mass.  I have never had a problem with them but avoid summer delivery and always deliver to my office.  The only downside is that my colleagues and delivery person (a patient of mine) probably think I have an alcohol problem.   Oh well, you can't win them all.
Craig

(in reply to mjobtx)
Post #: 14
RE: Delivery rant - 7/18/2008 6:13:21 AM   
fingers

 

Posts: 462
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline 		Out of the three,  I've been much happier with DHL and I request it when ordering from any source.  Perhaps their routing in our area is different, but they seem to pay attention to the "Temperature Sensistive" label and always deliver wine before 10am to our business.  The driver told us that the policy is to get those boxes delivered first to avoid the hot part of the day.

(in reply to zippz)
Post #: 15
RE: Delivery rant - 7/18/2008 9:37:45 AM   
RoundersRob

 

Posts: 278
Joined: 7/1/2006
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

...and what was the exact reason YOU chose to have wine delivered in summer?
gbm, us Floridians know the little trick:
NO WINE DELIVERIES BETWEEN APRIL AND NOVEMBER
works for us all the time, even with  Fx


For me, when the wine is coming from San Francisco / Napa / Sonoma it is a one day delivery.  They drop it off in the afternoon and I get it before noon the next day.  I've never had heat damaged wine in those cases but if it is really hot during that particular week, I will tell them to hold it until the temp comes down a bit.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 16
RE: Delivery rant - 7/18/2008 6:01:04 PM   
J2K

 

Posts: 227
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: Pittsburgh, PA- U.S.A.
Status: offline 		I am not able to get wine delivered to my house but out of curiosity, how much can a few hours in the heat affect the wine? Has anyone opened a wine that was exposed to a few hours of heat and found it extremely effected?
I could understand if the wine was not in a box or bag and was exposed to direct sunlight for a long extended period of time, but what about the the wines coming from Europe, Australia, and Chile. How are they shipped, boats, planes? Are they in those large shipping containers which are metal and often exposed to sunlight. I doubt those have any type of cooling system and could get extremely warm sitting on a dock for a few hours. Then go to some warehouse and finally to a delivery truck to the retail store. How much can a wine take?? Not to mention sitting in the warm retail store for several months or sometimes years.
Seriously, i'm not trying to be a smart ass. As i said, I can't get wines delivered to my house so I don't know but I am intrigued. Please enlighten me. ( the subject did say "rant", I should have used a Dennis Miller reference- that wine was warmer then.......)

(in reply to RoundersRob)
Post #: 17
RE: Delivery rant - 7/19/2008 12:57:45 PM   
GalvezGuy

 

Posts: 239
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline 		To address your questions about overseas wines.  Importers have the wine shipped in temperature controlled containers (be it air or ship) and take delivery in temperature controlled warehouses.  Wholesalers generally take the same caution.  Shipping from the retailer to you can be an adventure.  I have picked up leaking bottles out of a shipped case, you can be certain that wine has been cooked and will oxidize very soon.  Often, the temperature in the back of FedEx/UPS trucks can soar to 135-150 on a hot sunny day.  This much heat is more than most bottles can take and it certainly is not worth the risk.  If I have to have something in the summer (for tastings, special requests from friends, etc), I have them shipped overnight to my office with guaranteed 10:00AM delivery to limit time spent in the heat.

_____________________________

Cheers Y'all

(in reply to J2K)
Post #: 18
RE: Delivery rant - 7/19/2008 4:16:37 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1228
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: online 		J2K, while GG answered 1/2 of your question, the 1st part is much trickier. There is no iron clad evidence to answert your question. The rule of thumb is:
if the wine wasn't exposed for a long time to the high temp and the wine hasn't sipped thru the cork -
you are ok.

_____________________________

Sexy Wines - "Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance."
-- Benjamin Franklin

(in reply to GalvezGuy)
Post #: 19
RE: Delivery rant - 7/23/2008 10:32:16 AM   
gbm

 

Posts: 61
Joined: 3/12/2008
From: Connecticut
Status: offline 		Update:

Received the replacements, which FedEx kindly held in their warehouse over the weekend and then gave a full tour of the town before delviering them to my house in the afternoon.

Now I know what it looks like when wine leaks through the cork....purple stains in the shipping container (about 1 cm each) and sticky residue around the bottom of the foil.

No more summer deliveries for me...

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 20
RE: Delivery rant - 7/23/2008 10:47:21 AM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 251
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: gbm

Update:

Received the replacements, which FedEx kindly held in their warehouse over the weekend and then gave a full tour of the town before delviering them to my house in the afternoon.

Now I know what it looks like when wine leaks through the cork....purple stains in the shipping container (about 1 cm each) and sticky residue around the bottom of the foil.

No more summer deliveries for me...


I'd fault wine.com for most of this problem.  Given your posting dates and your comments, it appears that wine.com shipped your wine at the end of a week, thereby ensuring that it would have to sit in a warehouse over the weekend regardless of who the shipper was.

I always specify that wine be shipped on a day that will ensure delivery by Friday.  Most of the vendors that I deal with will do this on their own.  Wine.com seems pretty lame in this regard.

Hopefully wine.com will never get into the Live Lobster shipping business. 

< Message edited by Blue Shorts -- 7/23/2008 11:05:10 AM >

_____________________________

I don't have a drinking problem. I drink. I get drunk. I fall down. No problem.

(in reply to gbm)
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