Since 7:30 this morning my estimated delivery changed from today until tomorrow. Looks like FedEx picked up the package from the B&H warehouse in N.J and took it to Pennsylvania instead of Delaware.

Surprised? No!

While I was typing this an email popped up from UPS stating they will deliver a package today that was picked up in Maryland. I bet it shows up before I sit down to dinner.

Which other camera retailer frequents these forums, and dpreview and fredmiranda, etc? I think this is just one indication that B&H cares about our customers and their experiences.

UPS, FedEx, DHL & USPS all struggled over Christmas a few years ago, hiring too few seasonal workers and underestimating traffic and volume. The next year they went too far the other way and overspent, incurring the wrath of stockholders. I don't recall the date we switched to FedEx offhand but I'm confident it preceded this unfortunate situation.

Here’s what I don’t like about my recent transaction with B&H. On 8/18 I ordered the Sony RX10IV and the online purchase when smoothly. At the time of purchase I was provided with a delivery date of Monday, 8/23. That was fine I wasn’t in a hurry. The following day, 8/19 I received an email from B&H stating they were using “expedited” shipping and I would get the camera on Saturday, 8/21—great. But the email also said that a signature would be required. I didn’t like the idea of having to stay home all day so I began trying to see if I could narrow down the delivery time; not possible. All day Saturday, until around 4:00pm, the status showed “in transit at Orlando.” Then it when to “arrived Orlando 11:52am.” Well is was well, 4pm was it still coming?

Around 5pm I checked and it said the package had been delayed and would be delivered Sunday 8/22 before evening. Just wonderful, now I’m married to the house for a second day. Still no window of delivery time, just Sunday 8/22.

B&H has a great reputation and I have purchased from them before without issue. I didn’t check their competition on this order but I will next time. I don’t know why they use Fedex when it’s common knowledge their service is no where near as reliable as USPS or UPS, at least here in the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area. And why the required signature? I have purchased items more expensive than this one from other vendors and no signature was required.

One last mention about Fedex. Several days ago my wife ordered air pods online and the seller selected Fedex as the delivery service. Immediately she got an email saying they would be delivered on 8/17. Late on 8/17 an email changed the delivery day to the next day. They were delivered on 8/18 in the evening, more than 24 hours after the initial delivery date/time. It took Fedex 8 days to get these from Tennessee to Tampa. But no signature was required so we were not MARRIED to the house. It took Fedex 5 days to get my camera from NJ to Tampa. Both my wife and I have agreed that from here on we will pretty much purchase from companies that DO NOT USE Fedex.

Final note: The camera arrived at 12:30pm 8/22. The driver rang the door bell and then departed. No signature was requested.

Kind of a coincidence, but UPS dropped a package at my door yesterday. It's a box of medical supplies for the veterinarian who lives on my street.

That brings up a recent problem with UPS: different drivers. It used to be that I always got my packages from the same driver, and I'd give him/her a tip at Christmas. Now, I have a different driver just about every day, so they don't get to know the people, and they make mistakes. FedEx has always had different drivers, but at least they arrive much earlier in the day than UPS.