Pallet Story, Part 1

August 8th, 2010

Background: I’m expecting a shipment of about 40 boxes of stuff on a pallet from Germany. It’s been trying since I was promised the shipment in June, then early July, then, well… read on.

The guy who is sending it to me emailed the Bill of Lading on July 17. He told me it was arriving, by boat, in Chicago, then being trucked to LA.

So I called the local shipping company to find out the status. This is not the call verbatim, but you get the gist…

Phone: Shipco Transport.

Me: Hi! You guys are shipping a pallet to me can I get the status of it?

Phone: Sure, do you have a Container ID?

Me: APHU 673 244 dash 8.

Phone: And you are Don suuu…

Me: Yeah, that’s me, don’t bother trying to pronounce my last name.

Phone: The boat is due to arrive on July 27.

Me: Due to arrive where?

Phone: Los Angeles

Me: Good! How long before I get it?

Phone: I’m not sure, we’ll know better on the 27th.

Me: Okay. Why is that?

Phone: Well, then it’s going to Chicago.

Me: Why?

Phone: Because it’s been routed to Chicago.

Me: (laughing) Okay. Let me get this straight. It gets here in Los Angeles on the 27th, then you’re sending it to Chicago. Why?

Phone: Because that’s where it’s routed.

Me: (still laughing) You can’t just ship it to me from Los Angeles?

Phone: No, I’m sorry we can’t.

Me: (thoroughly enjoying myself) You HAVE to ship it to Chicago first?

Phone: Yes, we do.

Me: (laughing harder) Now please take into consideration that I’m really STOOPID and not familiar with the shipping business, but how do I get it here from Chicago?

Phone: Well, sir, I’m sure you’re not stupid… but… umm… Why are you laughing?

Me: I’M IN LOS ANGELES!!!

Phone: (Laughing)

Needless to say, they decided it was a better idea to ship it to me when it arrives here in L.A.

Thank goodness.

But my troubles were only beginning…