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Don't panic over these iPad delivery exceptions

by TJ Luoma Mar 30th 2010 at 5:00PM

UPS DeliveryLots of TUAW readers have written in today, worried about their iPad deliveries. Since they received shipment notices, many folks have been tracking their progress, and are now seeing messages like:

  • UPS INTERNAL ACTIVITY.
  • SHIPMENT IS HELD TO VERIFY COMMODITY DESCRIPTION WITH THE CUSTOMER FOR CORRECT CLASSIFICATION
  • "Your package has experienced an exception"
If you received one of these notices, you are not alone. Apple has taken similar measures in the past to make sure that deliveries do not arrive before the official release date. In fact, Boy Genius Report suggests that Apple is purposefully withholding clearance papers for the iPads to make sure that they are not delivered early.

As anxious as these next few days of waiting will be, and as nerve-racking as it is when this is your iPad, I fully expect that 99.99% of the iPads scheduled for delivery on Saturday will be delivered on Saturday.

We've also heard directly from someone who works "for a certain shipping company" who reports that they will have double the number of drivers out in their particular delivery area on Saturday, due to the increased traffic. I would expect that other areas would see similar increases. Nobody who works for a shipping company wants to have to go back to Apple and explain why they couldn't meet delivery needs.

That being said, the same source does not expect exceptions to be made for areas without Saturday delivery, so you may have to wait until Monday for your iPad to be delivered. Don't panic -- we're sure UPS will do everything it can to get your iPad to you on time. If you're not sure about the delivery policy in your area, you may want to contact UPS to verify.

Image via UPS.com. Please note, this man is not actually delivering an iPad. If you see him, do not try to wrest it from his hand.

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Lots of TUAW readers have written in today, worried about their iPad deliveries. Since they received shipment notices, many folks have been...
 

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mandrews

Waiting with everyone else, hope its cool. Shouldn't be a problem, given I'm in the Los Angeles area. Just get here already! - m

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http://www.mosecode.com

April 03 2010 at 1:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
s_kornblut

I was assured by Ups this Am that I would be receiving my ipad today but when I check the tracking it is sitting in Florence SC.I know they do not deliver in this area on Saturday so it does not surprise me that the info says it is there which is 30 miles from here and they are closed on Sat.I wish Apple had kept Fedex as the delivery company on this order then I know it would have come this AM for sure this is not right Apple if you promise April 3rd delivery it should be here on that day!

April 03 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

I encourage everyone that does not receive their iPad today to help cause a PR nightmare for UPS! Call your local TV newsrooms, your local news radio, and your local newspaper. There is no excuse for this as UPS knew we would not be getting Saturday delivery when they took the order!

If I had known I would have reserved an iPad at the local Apple Store. To live in the suburbs of a city as large as Philadelphia and not get delivery is unacceptable.

Plus, my iPad has been (and still is) sitting in Louisville for 3 days. If it were at the local UPS hub 15 miles away I could have driven their and picked it up (and saved UPS some money).

I have ordered many Apple launch event items and never had this problem with FedEX.

Time for UPS to go back to their "Whiteboard" and draw up how to entertain my friends at our iPad party tonight!

April 03 2010 at 1:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Genmaicha

Just a quick followup which confirms the shipping exception in the earlier tracking; the Apple Store sent the following e-mail stating that my iPad won't be delivered until April 5.

To Our Valued Apple Customer: Thank you for your recent purchase of the magical and revolutionary Apple iPad. We would like to advise you Saturday delivery is not available in your area. Your order will be delivered on Monday April 5th.

Now this doesn't surprise me since what I noted previously in my March 31st posting about UPS shipping in my area. I held out hope that this wouldn't be the case but next time, I know and will just wait and not go through this whole preorder business.

What is ridiculous is that I curiously called three of the Apple Stores in my city (all located between 25-30 miles away) and they are getting iPad's in stock for those who pre-reserved for pickup. So it looks like UPS where I live is willing to drop shipment to the retail stores but weren't willing to accommodate delivery to residential customers. I swear, UPS sucks and why Apple decided to go with them rather than FedEx for this goes beyond me.

Out of principle, I'm not going to even bother receiving it and will let UPS attempt redelivery before they have to return to sender, make Apple credit my card, and then just wait a few weeks for the 3G version when it is readily available in the store.

April 02 2010 at 8:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fish

My iPad (which I have been closely tracking) says New York, NY, US and it says OUT FOR DELIVERY exciting!!!

April 02 2010 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chhmiami

The tracking site says mine is in China.
UPS says this:

"Interesting discussion at your blog today. We’ve been closely following the online conversations and recognize that the tracking details at UPS.com have created confusion for some customers. As you pointed out, the iPads are on track for delivery tomorrow as part of Apple’s launch day.

UPS worked closely with Apple to fulfill its goal for a coordinated delivery on the iPad launch day. When executing a special delivery plan such as this, our tracking system does not reflect all of the package movements. We appreciate the confidence customers have in our service. Thanks for sharing your perspective. We hope you enjoy your iPad.

Debbie Curtis-Magley
UPS Public Relations
upsfeedback@ups.com"

April 02 2010 at 2:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eli

Just got off the phone with my "local" UPS sort facility.

He told me that they do not offer Saturday delivery - BUT - that they had already been notified by management that 7 iPads were going to be processed through that sort facility, and that they were to expect "special instructions" to come with that shipment, which he expected in sometime on Friday.

He told me to call back late tomorrow afternoon, and that if they aren't going to be able to deliver it on Saturday, they could hold it so I could drive down and pick it up.

I'm personally hoping the "special instructions" include home delivery, but if not I'm driving down there.

April 01 2010 at 5:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

Well for the record MOST of America does not have Saturday delivery in unless it is paid for, so I am hoping that Apple has worked something out with the UPS people...

April 01 2010 at 12:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MojoRising

Out of principal - my payment was submitted at 8:32am on March 12th and if I do not receive it this Saturday, I will sell the iPad Monday when I receive it. Incidentally, UPS does not offer Saturday deliver in my area (FedEx - Yes; USPS - yes; UPS - No).

March 31 2010 at 11:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ian L.

APPLE PASSES THE BUCK ! Moves blame for iPad not delivering to UPS !

I just got this email from Apple Store (a do not reply)...

Looks like they are refunding my "expedited shipping" claiming it's not necessary... and moving any blame for not getting an iPad on the PROMISED DATE ! (the magic April 3rd) onto UPS !

They (Apple store) now claim "too bad if UPS don't delivery in your area on Saturday" !

Well Apple...

You chose Saturday April 3rd... NOT me !

And... You also chose UPS... NOT me !

Apple also knew UPS does deliver on Saturdays in all area, yet decided to ship UPS anyway ! They knew where I live form my Zip code, they knew that I Apr 3rd was the date to deliver ! they knew I wanted "expedited shipping" too !

Apple FAIL ! and worse... Passed the blame to me and UPS for their failure !

Now I know I'm not alone here... you folks had better check this out if you want iPad's on time !

Apple email -

--------------------------------------------------

 To Our Valued Apple Customer:



Thank you for your recent Apple iPad purchase.

 Our records indicate that when you placed your iPad pre-order, you
 chose to pay for expedited shipping.

 Expedited shipping is not necessary to ensure delivery. Apple has
 processed a refund for the shipping charge on your order. Please
 contact your card-issuing bank for information on when the credit
 will be posted to your account.

 Your iPad will deliver on April 3rd in the areas where UPS offers
 Saturday delivery.

 You can view the most up-to-date status of your order at
 . 

 Sincerely,
 The Apple Store Team
--------------------------------------------------

March 31 2010 at 8:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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