Really How does Amazon Logistics Work?

[wcd]

So I ordered two flashlights with the traditional switch. One for my wife and one for my son. Both ordered at the same time selected quantity of 2. One gets delivered today then I get an email Oops your package is running late. Anticipated delivery one to two day. So how does one arrive on time and not the other? And why not just put them in the same box?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

They may have shipped from 2 different warehouses if the stock was llmited in both or if you ordered it from a vendor, one vendor may have had one and they gave the other order to another vendor. (Best I can come up with).

 

[wcd]

They may have shipped from 2 different warehouses if the stock was llmited in both or if you ordered it from a vendor, one vendor may have had one and they gave the other order to another vendor. (Best I can come up with).

Possibly, I always try to make sure I select prime as a filter sometimes it works sometimes not so much. I think there are like 3 of their warehouses here?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Possibly, I always try to make sure I select prime as a filter sometimes it works sometim es not so much. I think there are like 3 of their warehouses here?

I try to remember to double check the deliver times before I click place order. More than one time I thought I was getting everything at once only to notice after the order was placed, they were coming at different times. Even though all the items say they’ll “be here by Monday if you order before x:xx”, sometimes they lie.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Possibly, I always try to make sure I select prime as a filter sometimes it works sometimes not so much. I think there are like 3 of their warehouses here?

Is it from the same vendor? It may not even be from a Amazon warehouse

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

Speaking of Amazon logistics... We are starting to get deliveries via Amazon prime's own trucks now. Interesting for being in the sticks. Delivery times have greatly improved to 1-2 days sometimes. I used to think Amazon was intentionally delaying shipments to rural customers to make them leave Amazon so Amazon didn't have to pay UPS, FedEx or USPS. If this keeps up I'll renew my Prime. Just my $.02.

 

[Creedmoor]

I try to remember to double check the deliver times before I click place order. More than one time I thought I was getting everything at once only to notice after the order was placed, they were coming at different times. Even though all the items say they’ll “be here by Monday if you order before x:xx”, sometimes they lie.

Try scrolling to the bottom of the page before your click order now.
Many times you can change the prime delivery day.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Speaking of Amazon logistics... We are starting to get deliveries via Amazon prime's own trucks now. Interesting for being in the sticks. Delivery times have greatly improved to 1-2 days sometimes. I used to think Amazon was intentionally delaying shipments to rural customers to make them leave Amazon so Amazon didn't have to pay UPS, FedEx or USPS. If this keeps up I'll renew my Prime. Just my $.02.

You are stealing OUR trucks!.

I just got the 2nd one via USPS. But it doesnt appear to start out as them. Its like they are following the UPS weird service where they use USPS for last mile. (forgot what its called)
"you will have your package in 2 days on the 14th."
(afternoon of the 14th) "There has been a delay. Expect your package between the 15th and 19th"
(afternoon of the 15th) "your package was delivered. It was placed in the mailbox" LOLWUT?

Sure enough its there with a USPS tag on it. But you see it bouncing around in the Amazon system on schedule (and in their distribution network) until it gets to town. Then it transfers to another location across town instead of being delivered to you on time.
And a day late (or two if USPS is having a bad week) it arrives.

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

So far, these shipments all have the Amazon TBA tracking#.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Try scrolling to the bottom of the page before your click order now.
Many times you can change the prime delivery day.

No, its not always that. I had that happen this week. Its going to be here in 1 or 2 days "if you order within the next x hours and minutes." UNTIL you get the order confirmation, then it magically has slipped a day. Or two. Even though 20 seconds ago you had 2 hours to order.

 

[indyjohn]

Amazon is the Sears & Roebuck of the 21st Century.

Founded 129 years ago, Sears had become the largest retailer in the US by the middle of the 20th Century. They sold everything, including homes that were shipped to you in a kit via railroad and the final miles by horse drawn wagon. They were trailblazers for the day in terms of sourcing, purchasing, warehousing, marketing, and distribution.

Amazon is a logistics success story. Some very smart people have devoted a lot of time and thought into delivering your online order as quickly and cheaply as possible. Their oops detailed by the OP falls into a category percentage that begins with a dot, when compared to their total items delivered. Considering how often an Amazon owned or leased transportation vehicle is involved in a disruption (crash, derailment, breakdown, theft) it's amazing how often they still get your order right.

Hooray for Capitalism.

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

A few years ago, I once ordered a tub of cat litter, via Prime, that was shipped overnight air. Ouch! I don't think they would do that again.

 

[Cameramonkey]

So far, these shipments all have the Amazon TBA tracking#.

And I havent seen it in couple months, but in the heat of Covid, I'd have stuff slip a day right off because there were no semis to take it from the warehouse. I[d place the order, and then overnight I'd get an alert that there was a problem with the order and it wasnt going to be on time. Sure enough, it hadnt even left the warehouse.

I heard that for a while they were paying below cost to run routes, and so drivers were refusing to take the loads. One driver reported that the run he would normally take would cost him $200* in fuel but Amazon was only willing to pay $180* for the run. So he wouldnt take the run. Cant say I blame him. And this was even before gas prices went crazy.


*random numbers for illustrative purposes only

 

[wcd]

Amazon is the Sears & Roebuck of the 21st Century.

Founded 129 years ago, Sears had become the largest retailer in the US by the middle of the 20th Century. They sold everything, including homes that were shipped to you in a kit via railroad and the final miles by horse drawn wagon. They were trailblazers for the day in terms of sourcing, purchasing, warehousing, marketing, and distribution.

Amazon is a logistics success story. Some very smart people have devoted a lot of time and thought into delivering your online order as quickly and cheaply as possible. Their oops detailed by the OP falls into a category percentage that begins with a dot, when compared to their total items delivered. Considering how often an Amazon owned or leased transportation vehicle is involved in a disruption (crash, derailment, breakdown, theft) it's amazing how often they still get your order right.

Hooray for Capitalism.

For the most part I have good luck with Amazon.
And they make getting things easier. Especially when looking for unique items such as a room fan motor for a multi fuel stove.

 

[Ingomike]

Not new that Amazon uses USPS for last mile delivery, they were doing this regularly in 2015 for my orders.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Not new that Amazon uses USPS for last mile delivery, they were doing this regularly in 2015 for my orders.

This is fairly new for us. No exaggeration, Amazon trucks go down my street at LEAST once a day. I'd say confidently that an amazon van passes my house on average 10x a week. And thats not accounting for the uber-like contractors using POVs to deliver small stuff.

 

[radar8756]

I was getting most orders in 1-2 days on the day Promised or Early ... but in the last couple months they started doing the Handoff to USPS - 90% of the Handoffs have resulted in Late by 2-5 days from Estimates

If they would be honest in the Estimated Delivery and say Friday - I would accept that - but saying Tuesday - then after they get the Money it changes to Delayed and shows up on Friday - is what makes me Mad

 

[Cameramonkey]

I was getting most orders in 1-2 days on the day Promised or Early ... but in the last couple months they started doing the Handoff to USPS - 90% of the Handoffs have resulted in Late by 2-5 days from Estimates

If they would be honest in the Estimated Delivery and say Friday - I would accept that - but saying Tuesday - then after they get the Money it changes to Delayed and shows up on Friday - is what makes me Mad

My observation is buy bigger stuff. Everything I've had handed off to USPS would fit in a small mailbox. e.g. a trolling motor prop and tent pegs (which I was able to buy "used" for less than walmart retail... SCORE!) . Ihavent had anything bigger than a shoebox handed off.

So the solution is only buy things too big for the mailman to put in the box and they'll keep the deliveries in-house. LOL

 

[churchmouse]

So I ordered two flashlights with the traditional switch. One for my wife and one for my son. Both ordered at the same time selected quantity of 2. One gets delivered today then I get an email Oops your package is running late. Anticipated delivery one to two day. So how does one arrive on time and not the other? And why not just put them in the same box?

As stated they may come from warehouse local or they may have ran out before they pulled both of your pieces. Had to go elsewhere for the second one. Happens all the time.
When you clicked submit order they may have shown in stock but how many anxious men clicked right before you did. No inventory system on the planet can stay on top of the Massive amounts of inventory they put out the door.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

My observation is buy bigger stuff. Everything I've had handed off to USPS would fit in a small mailbox. e.g. a trolling motor prop and tent pegs (which I was able to buy "used" for less than walmart retail... SCORE!) . Ihavent had anything bigger than a shoebox handed off.

So the solution is only buy things too big for the mailman to put in the box and they'll keep the deliveries in-house. LOL

Well, not necessarily. My most recent order was for a large jug of Iron Out and it got the USPS handoff thing and USPS left it on my porch. I didn't really pay much attention to the delivery time, (because it was just Iron Out to add to my softener salt), but like you, I would've expected it to come via Amazon van.