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rural couriers (was cheap lawn aeration)
On Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:25:16 +1100, David Hare-Scott wrote:
Jeßus wrote: On a related topic: My spreader *finally* arrived (communicating with couriers here is a nightmare) last Friday. Only took 3.5 weeks - all the way from Hobart (a mere 3 hour drive!)... Still, it only cost about $300, I couldn't find anything else under $1300 (not all that much better in build quality anyway). So the wait was worth it... Anyway, I digress. You have a courier who actually delivers? Oh David - don't get me started... I have ONE courier who delivers to my door - as long as you make several STD phone calls over a period of a week AND only if it suits them. In the few months that I have lived here, I could write a small paperback on the trials and tribulations of dealing with couriers here. This is one industry which seems to lead a very charmed life. Most engage in outright theft here, IMO The system here is they (or some part of the delivery chain) take delivery of an item but by the time they get to the nearest main road they decide they will not go further to our minor road. Yep... When I refuse to allow items to be dropped at a shop on the main road, where I would have to pick it up and security is uncertain, the courier gets abusive. If I point out that the destination is plain and if he (or his upstream agents) cannot deliver it then they shouldn't take it in the first place. Oh yes indeed, a very obvious and sensible policy that'd be. But then, they already have your package - and the delivery is pre-paid. So they have no real incentive to do what theyve actually been paid for. At this point he goes ballistic, it's all my fault you see. Yep. Along with you not having checked in advance for any problems (their usual claim), even though you have enquired into every possible scenario you can think of in advance already. Right? I have tried to get vendors to check in advance before they consign stuff but it does no good, the head of the chain always says yes we can do it. Yep... As I have just mentioned - no amount of pre-emptive checking does any good. Somebody is rorting the system but I cannot determine who. The couriers are, from pickup to 'delivery'. As mentioned - they have your goods - they've already been paid, so what is their incentive to deliver anything that requires what they perceive to be any extra effort? I could tell you some incredible stories regarding the couriers I have dealt with. None of the senders initially believe my claims - not until a few weeks have passed, and I'm forced to make contact with them for connote numbers, etc. I ordered a coffee grinder and beans yesterday. I explained to them what the problems are with couriers. They called TNT (not a company I have dealt with here, as far as I can recall). They phoned TNT, who assured them that the goods will be delivered to my door. I've never seen a TNT van here. You watch what will happen... It's really unfortunate that some businesses are so inflexible with shipping options. The item is under 6KG but cost over $60 in shipping costs via TNT. I'll wager I have to travel the 160KM to Launceston to pick it up - and this is after a few weeks of misleading phone calls, etc. Add to that the extra cost charged to deliver it to my home address, despite the fact that it doesnt even leave Launceston. They couldve sent it via Aus Post, who would charged approx. $15, and it'd be here in a few days. Some businesses are willing to cooperate though, and will send my stuff via Aus Post after considerable nightmares tracking down my items. I've had items 'delivered' and vanished without a trace. Thankfully the businesses concerned sent replacements. Another common stunt here is that without warning, deliveries get transferred to a completely differnt courier company. They *never* tell you this either. And then you wonder why the connote number is invalid... No point giving them your phone number either - they will NOT phone you - not ever. They *know* you'll have to chase them up, as you have no other choice. You also need to be a mind reader, as all the companies have unique and many quirks - ie; only deliver if there is also a beer delivery for the town club, or the astrological signs permit it. That sort of thing. Heres another nice experience: the *steel* 16" wheels for my 4X4 - two arrived smashed, literally. The ones I waited 4 months to arrive from the U.S, of course. How in Gods name does that happen? And the courier had NO problems with that at all - even though it was plainly obvious... didnt even say a word about it *at all* until I did. It's now put together, ready for use. I'll wait another week for the grass to grow, then give it a test run. Looks like there will be a lot of trial and error to work out the setting for the correct rate of release of fertiliser and/or seed. I might try a few dummy runs with the 30y/o sawdust I have access to, thats assuming it doesnt clog it up. You can also use sand or sandy loam to dilute seed. Good tip, thanks. I'm hoping the sawdust *won't* clog up in the spreader, as I was thinking about spreading the sawdust each and every time I cut the grass, since there is not much in the way of organic matter in the lawn. Previous owners clearly used a catcher for many years, unfortunately. Not something I'll ever do! But where did they put the clippings? Some 'down the back' along the creek, but also at the local tip, probably. Oddly enough, a lot of people within the township go to the trouble of carting their clipping away. And no, I don't understand it either |
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