Avoiding Amazon's Slow Boat From China

timwinters

timwinters

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How do you?

I recently ordered a new battery for my cellphone (Motorola Droid Razr) and, only after the purchase was complete, I discovered that shipping will take over a month! The order was placed in late August and expected delivery date is early October.

I've gone back and cruised around Amazon's site and I don't see that there is a way to determine how long it will take to get something until after the deal is done.

What am I missing? Is this information typically there somewhere?

Fortunately, in this case, it's not a big deal...my current battery life is simply a fraction of what it once was and it's time to install a fresh one. But, had it been something that I really needed, it would've been a PITA to cancel the order and re-order elsewhere.
 
For the products I have ordered recently, it was easy to information on who is fulfilling the order and expected delivery time. And I could see that before I place the order.

My experience is if it says "fulfilled by Amazon", it's a very short time between placing order and getting the "it's in a box and here is the shipping info" email. When the order is filled by someone else, it can be an extra day or three.
 
AggieMike88 said:
When the order is filled by someone else, it can be an extra day or three.
Click to expand...

Or month in this case! ;)

The other amazing thing is that they can ship it from China (literally in this case) for $1.99...even on the slow boat.
 
AggieMike88 said:
For the products I have ordered recently, it was easy to information on who is fulfilling the order and expected delivery time. And I could see that before I place the order.
Click to expand...

I drilled down into that and see it now, thanks.

In this case though, it says 7 to 10 business days...but my actual estimated delivery date remains October 10th for an order placed on August 28th.

Hmmm...maybe they meant "business weeks" instead of "business days?"
 
My experience is that China usually beats the expected date, or Amazon just sets a date so far out they know it will make it by then. Not unlike the airlines extending the arrival time to look good in the ontime rankings.
 
I don't know, Apple fedex's there's from China. I got it a couple of days after I ordered it.
 
Geico266 said:
Was it out of stock? Sounds to me like they are waiting for a new batch.
Click to expand...

nope, shipped the next day.

35B33 said:
My experience is that China usually beats the expected date, or Amazon just sets a date so far out they know it will make it by then. Not unlike the airlines extending the arrival time to look good in the ontime rankings.
Click to expand...

I can only hope! :)
 
35B33 said:
My experience is that China usually beats the expected date, or Amazon just sets a date so far out they know it will make it by then. Not unlike the airlines extending the arrival time to look good in the ontime rankings.
Click to expand...

And here, ladies and gentlemen, we have today's speculative winner of the game!

I picked up the mail in town today and the battery was in the PO box. 8 business days. They beat Oct 10 by a month and a day.
 
You didn't buy it from Amazon. You bought it from an "Amazon Merchant" (third party seller) based in China.

I have no problem buying small stuff I'm in no hurry for direct mail shipping from China where the item with shipping costs like $4.
 
Last edited:
I make a point to only buy prime eligible items from amazon, with the exception of watch bands, and who cares how long they take to arrive?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I don't buy anything from amazon (and I pretty much buy everything from amazon except groceries) unless it has the "checkmark / Prime" icon beside it. I'll buy used CDs from 3rd parties, but that's it.
 
I only buy products from Amazon that are Prime and always receive them within 1 to 2 days. I wish they didn't have so many other vendors selling on their site.
 
I ordered a book a couple of weeks ago. Expected delivery date was 9/15. WTF???? Went and parsed my order apparently I ordered something from the UK. Arrived about 3 days later than I would have expected. But on the plus side it was the only place on earth to find the book.
 
Buy on eBay and filter "US only". Though I routinely buy from China and it takes a lot less time these days than it used to. Used to be a month or more, now less than two weeks often and you can usually track it through China and the US.
 
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