Expect delays and rejections due to more stringent security measures in Hong Kong, Singapore

[JRudey]

Ive had 1 or 2 of my FT orders magically appear while apparently skipping customs in San Fran. No idea if they missed the scan or what, but no record of it on tracking.

If my theory holds-up, we'll be seeing that phenomenon more often. I suspect that the USPS wants to drive more business to Priority Mail. They're spending lots of money on the advertisements. They realize that businesses are getting free tracking data even when they aren't paying for tracking. So, why would a customer pay extra for tracking if they already get it for free?

The scanning could be happening, but USPS might have created a way to suppress the data from getting posted to the web-portal. In my work experience I've seen companies deliberately delay service when the customer declined to pay for same day service. Even when it would've been easy to just get it done right away.

 

[szot]

US customs is not USPS...2 seperate government quasi agencies....Customs agencies in all countries do scans in ports of entry and ports of departure for illegal contraband, in and out of the country, but not necessarily of every package...USPS does scans also but only for zipcodes, but of EVERY package entering the US and then redirects it to the nearest "sort" NDC (National Distribution Center) near your home, where its scanned again and delivered (train, plane or truck) to your home town and then sorted again at your local post office for delivery to your house, with sometimes other scans at another NDC along the way...USPS sometimes will not auto update the tracking of the last scan, either because of computer glitches or laziness of a worker/mail clerk who is paid to ensure that tracking is updated....so yes it does happen, packages arrive at your door and its tracking has missed many places it was routed along the way....for example my last FT order showed San Francisco then directly to my local town post office , when I know for a fact it was sent from San Fran (NDC) to NY (NDC) to another nearby regional postal facility in Springfield Mass (NDC), and THEN my local town post office... so I always just think of USPS tracking as more of a general guide of movement and don't consider it as gospel..

 

[ScandaLeX]

I'm currently having an issue with my package that arrived in SF 4 days ago.
It managed to make it to my state (PA) but instead of being delivered to me the next day it found it's way to MI.
It's left and reentered the MI sort facility twice.

Someone from USPS was supposed to call me back today but that didn't happen.

 

[szot]

I would be surprised if its not at your door on Saturday..

 

[JRudey]

US customs is not USPS...2 seperate government quasi agencies....Customs agencies in all countries do scans in ports of entry and ports of departure for illegal contraband, in and out of the country, but not necessarily of every package...USPS does scans also but only for zipcodes, but of EVERY package entering the US and then redirects it to the nearest "sort" NDC (National Distribution Center) near your home, where its scanned again and delivered (train, plane or truck) to your home town and then sorted again at your local post office for delivery to your house, with sometimes other scans at another NDC along the way...USPS sometimes will not auto update the tracking of the last scan, either because of computer glitches or laziness of a worker/mail clerk who is paid to ensure that tracking is updated....so yes it does happen, packages arrive at your door and its tracking has missed many places it was routed along the way....for example my last FT order showed San Francisco then directly to my local town post office , when I know for a fact it was sent from San Fran (NDC) to NY (NDC) to another nearby regional postal facility in Springfield Mass (NDC), and THEN my local town post office... so I always just think of USPS tracking as more of a general guide of movement and don't consider it as gospel..

Tracking Number: RQ215017705SG

This one jumped all the way to Minneapolis without being reported. Who knows how many times it was scanned. None of the scans ever made it to the tracking system.

 

[Jadesrayne]

will leave Hong Kong for its destination on 27-Sep-2013!!!!!!! (for those keeping track it was accepted in HKpost on 19th)

 

[darkknight187]

Well. here's one more for the batteries making it through crowd. My SVD 2 panasonics, protank 2 and drip tip have just updated to will leave for its destination on the 27th. It had been in processed for departure since the 17th

 

[kittybite]

Been lurking here and thought I'd add my experience. Received the shipping email from fasttech on 9/15, accepted in Hong Kong on 9/17, just processed through sort facility on 9/26. Shipment includes 2 eGo twists, an MVP 2.0 (I hope it's V2), and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff (iClear 16s, an EVOD, atomizers, beauty rings, chargers, etc). I'm hoping for delivery in 7 days, but we'll see what happens in San Francisco

 

[flowerpots]

I know some battery packages are making it through HK, I am reading. I placed an order of batteries only shipping out of HK with acceptance on Sept. 4th and no updated tracking/scanning since then. I opened a ticket with FT, and they asked me to wait a few more days - that was 14 days ago. At this point, is it safe to assume my batteries won't make it and I should request a refund? Or wait longer? Any suggestions?

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Somewhere inside I knew I should have just coughed up the extra money and ordered from a domestic supplier but those prices were just too good to pass up. So much for that!!! Man I'm so bummed!

Where do you think the domestic supplier got theirs?

You pay for the "convenience" of them being just another arm of the Chinese supply machine...

Hey it's your money...

 

[ScandaLeX]

I would be surprised if its not at your door on Saturday..

I can only hope.
I ordered for the 1st time from FT on 9/3.
Most of the delays I've read about have been mainly related to HK.
It's one thing for them to hold up packages for increased inspection/security.
It's another when your own postal service screws up.

I'm not complaining.
Things happen and I've resigned myself to it'll get here eventually.

 

[szot]

I know some battery packages are making it through HK, I am reading. I placed an order of batteries only shipping out of HK with acceptance on Sept. 4th and no updated tracking/scanning since then. I opened a ticket with FT, and they asked me to wait a few more days - that was 14 days ago. At this point, is it safe to assume my batteries won't make it and I should request a refund? Or wait longer? Any suggestions?

since U opened a ticket and FT responded 14 days ago , and still nothing, then I would open another ticket....if its been shipped already and in the hands of postal then a new ticket won't hurt...if it was never shipped , a new ticket would go back to the bottom of their list, but since they responded already then your initial ticket has been closed, I believe..my order that was delivered to me on 18 Sept went into acceptance on 4 Sept, so yours is way overdue and something is not right, even by FT current situation and standards.....I would definitely open another ticket..

 

[flowerpots]

since U opened a ticket and FT responded 14 days ago , and still nothing, then I would open another ticket....if its been shipped already and in the hands of postal then a new ticket won't hurt...if it was never shipped , a new ticket would go back to the bottom of their list, but since they responded already then your initial ticket has been closed, I believe..my order that was delivered to me on 18 Sept went into acceptance on 4 Sept, so yours is way overdue and something is not right, even by FT current situation and standards.....I would definitely open another ticket..

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I need to do that.

 

[Jadesrayne]

How many days till I should worry? it left HK on 27th(their time) and still not scanning in SF

Edit; Finally updated, I am super patent till it is actually close then get antsy it my thing lol.

 

[szot]

its only the 28th...chill...give the plane time to fly across the Pacific , land, unload, and customs to do their thing and give it to USPS to sort and input the tracking data..least a few days....

 

[Ifeelfine415]

Thanks everyone for sharing! My FT order shipped 09/09. USPS tracking shows:

First-Class Package International Service
Acceptance
September 10, 2013, 3:06 pm
HONG KONG
International Letter

Four mechanical mods, one variable mod, three RBAs, tips and other whatnot. Four batteries. No juice. That's my story. Good luck to all!

Sept. 28, zero FT vape mail and tracking has not updated from initial acceptance notification. Sits in Hong Kong or ???

Also, no email from FT concerning returned parcels!!!

 

[Jadesrayne]

Sept. 28, zero FT vape mail and tracking has not updated from initial acceptance notification. Sits in Hong Kong or ???

Also, no email from FT concerning returned parcels!!!

So going to quote what i just read in fourms on FT
"We did a major protest at one of their acceptance office yesterday and we're told that packages that are shipped on around 9/5 and are still stuck are going to be given a go/no-go status update early next week.

Fingers crossed."

It was posted here: HK Post Random Handling: FastTech Forums

 

[Ifeelfine415]

Thanks, Jadesrayne, I'll check it out!

 

[Jadesrayne]

Good luck hope something happens for you soon.

 

[Maggiemw]

This whole thread HK Post Random Handling: FastTech Forums is enlightening. Geek explains what FT has been doing to try to move our stuff, and there is a really nice template for complaints to HK. Thanks to JeffH for the email template.