Drs. Foster and Smith

[InfernoST]

I placed an order and it shipped today, I'll let you all know how it takes to get to NY.

[spoonman]

"Gutsiest move I ever saw Mav"

[Kurt_Nelson]

Just stumbled on this thread.

Until about 4-5 months ago, I was a "buy everything" from DFS guy. I've sworn off them too. They hadn't switched to SmartPost yet (hate that service with other online stores) but you could tell something was different with the way things were packaged - or their lack of packaging. I'm not going to get into the details, but I gave them a couple shots to get it right, and they still didn't.

In the end... I was cheerfully refunded my money, and I have to say that everyone I've ever talked to there is nice, cheerful, and the most helpful folks I've found. But the best customer service in the world doesn't make up for shortcomings in the shipping or packing department. Yes... they'll make things right - but when it happens time after time, you eventually just want it right. And yes... I've told them this over the phone so it's not like I'm running around saying things behind their back!

It reminds of the bank I had accounts with many moons ago. They started the ol' "if you have to wait more than 5 minutes for a teller, we'll give you $5." Cool, I thought... 'cause I was starting to get ticked off waiting. Two things I found out: (1) 5 minutes waiting in line at a bank is a looooonnnnnnnngggggg time, and (2) after waiting that long, and when you're in a hurry, $5 really doesn't "make it better."

[virgonurse]

I just placed my first order 6 days ago and did not leave WI until 2 days ago though my e-mail said it was shipped 4 days ago. Questioning my 2nd ordering from them also.

[sumpnfishy]

I've been happy with the Drs in the past but I've seen the longer ship times as well. FedEx to the USPS adds a day or 2 to the delivery.

[InfernoST]

Ok, i got one package today from my salt order which was ordered last wednesday, This isn't too bad 5 days with a weekend in between. I'll re-post when the salt gets here. Hopefully FED-Ex wont break this box/bags like they did last time.

[Joker741]

Just a heads up, UPS is doing this same thing now. Where they hand off to the post office. I ordered a non-fish item and it took 9 days to get to OR from CA, normally this is an next day or 2 day max for shipping. It is a cheaper shipping method for them since the Post Office delivers daily to every neighborhood. Less drivers needed for FedEx and UPS.

[InfernoST]

Your right because the partial shipment I received was delivered by USPS.

[CaptainAhab]

The USPS should kick some butt and promote that fact that these other 'high end' delivery companies are using them anyway.. So why not just use us to start...

But then it is the gov't

[InfernoST]

The USPS is a privately held and run organization governed by our government not owned by them. Most people aren't aware of that.

[CaptainAhab]

It is a government agency , is it not?

from their site (usps.com)

'For the fourth straight year, the Postal Service was rated by the American public as the most trusted government agency according to the 2008 Privacy Trust Study of the U.S. Government conducted by the Ponemon Institute.'

'usps.com is one of the most frequently visited government sites, with 438 million visits in 2008 — averaging 1.2 million visitors each day.'

When they can fund themselves, offer direct public investment, operate under the same conditions as their competition and quit living off the private dole,,, maybe..

Probably semantics but anyone who lives by line items in the federal budget is nor privately owned, IMO.

If it's privately held, held by who?

[InfernoST]

I'll get back to you, I have to interrogate where the information came from (The Wife), She was a VP for a bank that did lending to them so I trusted her word when she read your post. If she is wrong I will apologize on all 4's and lock her in the garage.

[thincat]

Is there such a thing as "unprops"????

[InfernoST]

Her you go CaptainAhab, this is the definition of the USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an "independent establishment of the executive branch" of the United States Government (see 39 U.S.C. § 201) responsible for providing postal service in the United States. Within the United States, it is generally referred to as "the post office."

The USPS is often mistaken for a government-owned corporation (e.g. Amtrak), but as noted above is legally defined as an "independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States,"[cite this quote] as it is wholly owned by the government and controlled by the Presidential appointees and the Postmaster General. As a quasi-governmental agency, it has many special privileges, including sovereign immunity, eminent domain powers, powers to negotiate postal treaties with foreign nations, and an exclusive legal right to deliver first-class and third-class mail.

[Aquarium1]

So it basically means it's not owned by the govt. it's just a branch of it?

[hbeth82]

I think PetSolutions is doing the same thing, splitting up shipping between FedUp and USPS. A few months ago, an order that was sent from within my state took 5 days to arrive - a homing pigeon could have probably flown down there and brought the package back to me, without busting the bottle of Prime as the 'professionals' had done, and in much less time!

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by Aquarium1

So it basically means it's not owned by the govt. it's just a branch of it?

That's what I get from it. It's similar to common wealths such as Washington DC.

[InfernoST]

It seems to me that the economy has a lot to do with the way these companies are doing business, looking to save where ever they can.

[gzeiger]

This is like arguing about whether the Department of Education is owned by the government.

[InfernoST]

Another update, I received my salt yesterday. I don't think it's that bad. I think I'll still use them.