Apple leaving open orders unresolved?

Ugh. The exact same I-Pod delivery problem with FedEx happened to me today. FedEx delivered it to the wrong floor of my office building, and the mail room down on the 1st floor promptly lost it. Somebody stole it, I am sure. The mail room denies responsibility. It was for my girlfriend's birthday tomorrow. Now I need to do this whole FedEx/Apple dance to get the thing. Ugh.

By the way, just by way of update on this story since I realize it hasn't been done yet - Edward did finally receive his Mac mini on 2/16/05. He thinks the publishing of this story may have helped generate some buzz and grease the wheels - we're not sure (we hope so!), but we would love to think we had been able to help out in any way. Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments and suggestions! Oh, and please consider this thread totally open to collecting other similar grievances in one place, whether past issue or current conundrum. Thanks!

I just ordered an engraved iPod 20gb at apple.com which I'd planned to show up in Tokyo with next week to surprise my gf. Upon checking the tracking # today, I learned that not only is it (1) shipping out of Shanghai rather than CA (as my invoice states), but that (2) despite the 2-3 day expedited shipping that I paid for, it isn't estimated to arrive until next Thursday... just when I'm flying out. Called Apple, got a friendly but helpful rep who refunded my expedited shipping charge and wished me better luck next time. At this point, I'm just hoping that the estimate is on the late side--or that I was given the wrong tracking number altogether and that I'll actually be getting it this week. Anyone have or know of similar experiences? As others have been saying, this really sounds like more FedEx's problem than Apple's, but my invoices suggest that there does seem to be some shady outsourcing on Apple's part, too. Also, they gave me two different tracking numbers, one of which was a package headed for Indianapolis. This all looks like a classic case of demand outstripping resources. Sad to see such an elite company getting mired down in all of this...

I ordered RAM from Tiger Direct that was lost by Fedex. Using the Fedex Web site and the order's tracking number, I determined it got lost halfway through transit. I called up Tiger Direct and they comfirmed over the phone the same conclusion. They immediately sent me more RAM that arrived this time. It seems that retailers and manufacturers have to swallow the cost of Fedex mistakes. I imagine a lot of highly-sought-after Apple products are going "astray" right now.

I suggest you to buy computer at CompUSA or Fry's Electric Store. All Apple computers have stock in there. I am interest to get PowerBoook G4 with 15" and it would already be in stock and I simple would purchase upgrade RAM to install myself volia! That's all I need for that awesome laptop. I don't trust any products for over $1,000 in mail. Maybe need to get an insurance if necessary??

GEAH, Mainly because there were a number of conflicting issues; Grace was out of town for the early part of the time, Apple had no more refurbs available for much of the time, EVERY TIME I called there was going to be something done immediately, Christmas season was upon us, and at a certain point it becomes important to SETTLE an issue rather than just dismiss it. Only today, after calling and insisting on the Executive Complaint department, then moving up to a supervisor, was Grace able to secure a promise of shipping along with a $100 credit to her MC. So, if it finally materializes, she will have made her point, been recompensed for her troubles, and have the machine she wanted. Finally.

So i just posted an update, by going through their complaint department I was able to get a replacement order put in. Now I just have to wait 3-4 weeks for it to ship. That will make my overall wait time nearly 2 months...

Jim, why did you waste all that time? If the box was delivered empty, then simply call the credit card company and dispute the charge. Then, just purchase a replacement. Simple. Why go through all that drama?

I do think that the weak link in e-commerce (ugh, what a term) is delivery. With a large and growing group of people spending a lot of money on-line, good fulfillment would, I think, really make a difference to people when choosing who to buy from.

Fedex is horrible! I work at a large university science research lab. We ordered a vial of bird serum (i.e. blood) spiked with a virus (deactivated, but potentially alarming to the public) It was sent FedEx to our campus address, but we never received it. We checked into it, found that it was signed for at an undisclosed off-campus address. they never recovered it. Goodness knows where our vial of bird blood is. Probably some little old lady just off campus signed for it- and had an unpleasant surprise when she opened it! Mmmm virus-y bird blood! I worry for my Mini that will be shipped to me in a few weeks!