Christmas presents, get them now!

[Member 34319]

Buy from a store and do it now.

Spoke to a friend in Reno at length today. He just left FedEx after 18 years with them. No retirement, no pension, no severance. He had had enough. Biden apparently is mandating UPS/Fedex and similar to go 24/7, but they haven't quite figured out how to finance any of it without huge financial repercussion. Some things he wasn't too happy about were coming down the pipeline because of it and he didn't want anything to do with it. He will be okay, but the gravity of the situation is severe.

Our logistics systems are in bad shape. He was saying that they are blowing money left and right in the wrong places. Hiring temps at ridiculously higher rates than actual employees. Meaning most if not all of the regulars are leaving. Renting empty lots to store trucks that wait in cue to get unloaded/sorted. Mandatory overtime. bubblegum work environment, and tons more micromanagement.

Worst one. Anytime a driver quits, they bid the route to subcontractors, the lowest bid wins. They have zero control over who drives those trucks. Look for the sticker near the door, mine is some random company. Lots of stuff getting stolen by subcontractors, marked delivered, never leaves the truck. Gets offloaded somewhere, then sold second hand or pawned.

He didn't stop there. He knows, and so do I, folks within UPS. It's not as bad there, but it's very similar. Good friend of the two of ours is saying the Reno UPS hub so understaffed and overwhelmed, stuff is stretched out almost 6-10 days longer than it ever was.

Amazon is just about done killing FedEx, and UPS is in their sights!

Thought I'd share.

On an entirely different note! If anyone sees a Paw Patrol original, not the movie or mighty pups, lookout tower. Let me know! Last gift on the list and it might be impossible to find!

Best wishes this holiday season! It sounds like it is going to be FUN,

Reno

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[Alexx1401]

I know people get tired of hearing this but, again this is what a HELL of a lot of people voted for, hope they enjoy it. As for "things", yes. Many have been ringing the warning bell for a while. Container ships are often sitting for weeks at port, waiting for a slot. Then the price of fuel is shooting up. Soon stuff that took a couple days to get will take weeks. This time instead of ammo it will be almost everything. All this is being done by choice of those voted into power. Bottom line is still if you think you want something? Best not wait to start ordering it. Or plan on waiting a while as the back up just keeps getting worse. Maybe mid terms roll around some will wake up and vote well but, who knows.

 

[Labradorian]

Ain't capitalism fun?!?

 

[L84Cabo]

Ain't capitalism fun?!?

WTF?!

Yes! Compared to Socialism, Communism, Marxism...and EVERYTHING else...capitalism is fantastic!

Moreover, the shortages we are currently experiencing are in no way shape or form the result of the capitalistic system in our country, but are due to the moronic jack-holes currently running this shhh...errr...crap-show.

King Barry should be thanking his lucky star! Because due to the monumental ineptitude and incompetence of Brandon, Barry will no longer be viewed as the "Worst President In History."

 

[slimmer13]

Xmas presents are the least of my concerns. A new XBox or whatever won't mean much if you don't have food and fuel.

I'll say it again, the govts reaction to Covid is far worse than the disease could have ever been. They took an awful disease and "helped" which may very well bring the world's economy and supply chains to their knees and bring untold amounts of suffering.

 

[Alexx1401]

WTF?!

Yes! Compared to Socialism, Communism, Marxism...and EVERYTHING else...capitalism is fantastic!

Moreover, the shortages we are currently experiencing are in no way shape or form the result of the capitalistic system in our country, but are due to the moronic jack-holes currently running this shhh...errr...crap-show.

King Barry should be thanking his lucky star! Because due to the monumental ineptitude and incompetence of Bradon, Barry will no longer be viewed as the "Worst President In History."

YEP! This mess is directly the result of a lot of people who claim to hate capitalistic set up. Of course the ones screaming for "fair" do so while waving a phone that cost as much as a working vehicle. They of course do not want to be fair to the people they claim to champion. When they get done waving and screaming they do NOT invite any of the downtrodden they claim to love to come camp at their house while they play video games in the basement and ask Mom when dinner is going to be ready.

 

[Member 34319]

I know people get tired of hearing this but, again this is what a HELL of a lot of people voted for, hope they enjoy it. As for "things", yes. Many have been ringing the warning bell for a while. Container ships are often sitting for weeks at port, waiting for a slot. Then the price of fuel is shooting up. Soon stuff that took a couple days to get will take weeks. This time instead of ammo it will be almost everything. All this is being done by choice of those voted into power. Bottom line is still if you think you want something? Best not wait to start ordering it. Or plan on waiting a while as the back up just keeps getting worse. Maybe mid terms roll around some will wake up and vote well but, who knows.

While that might be some of it, it isn't all of the issue.

Our systems weren't designed for everyone to be getting everything shipped instead of purchased from a store. Never mind testing out this new way of doing things in the middle of a global pandemic/power grab.

Those still working logistics are working their a$$ off.

Im certainly glad I'm not in it anymore, I put in my time at UPS back in Reno!

I think I'm going to do that thing others have been posting online and set up some gifts for my delivery drivers. Gatorade's, water, snacks.

 

[gryghin]

@Reno Thanks for sharing this. A buddy of mine that owns a company in the Bay Area told me the same thing. So, that's two independent sources.

 

[Member 34319]

Xmas presents are the least of my concerns. A new XBox or whatever won't mean much if you don't have food and fuel.

I'll say it again, the govts reaction to Covid is far worse than the disease could have ever been. They took an awful disease and "helped" which may very well bring the world's economy and supply chains to their knees and bring untold amounts of suffering.

Thankfully, our region has not truly been hit by food shortages. We grow and make a lot up here and though I do see out of state food items becoming less available, I haven't noticed any local products in decline. That can always change.

However, that discussion is for another thread!

 

[Dungannon]

I'm a California dock worker facing record cargo-ship backlogs. It'll be catastrophic if things get worse.

A California longshoreman shared what it was like to work in ports during record backlog. They said they saw ships anchored in the water for miles

www.businessinsider.com

Amazon is reportedly shopping for used cargo jets that can fly from China, an effort that would help the company side-step major port delays

The massive jets could fly goods directly from Asia to the US — evading port delays that could tack on weeks to a delivery date.

www.businessinsider.com

Companies are mentioning the words 'supply chain' more than ever before during earnings calls

Issues like labor shortages and port congestion are contributing to delays and disruptions retail companies face ahead of the 2021 holiday season.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[OldTengu]

If anyone is wondering, I need primers and bourbon. Maybe some boot socks.

 

[Alexx1401]

While that might be some of it, it isn't all of the issue.

Our systems weren't designed for everyone to be getting everything shipped instead of purchased from a store. Never mind testing out this new way of doing things in the middle of a global pandemic/power grab.

Its not 90's again. "Just in Time" has been around a good while. It was all working great for years. It did not just all of a sudden crash due to over use. It is 100% done by incompetence at best, at worst it was done for a reason. The system was running perfect and kept getting better. It had become "normal" to get things the same day or next day. Then a choice was made to completely screw it all up to gain control. A LOT of people voted for it. Now of course buyers remorse kicks in so they want to "spread the blame". Those who voted for this only need to look in the mirror for why its a mess. The "system" can easily run just as smoothly as it did for years. People have to choose to let it do so.

 

[Member 34319]

Its not 90's again. "Just in Time" has been around a good while. It was all working great for years. It did not just all of a sudden crash due to over use. It is 100% done by incompetence at best, at worst it was done for a reason. The system was running perfect and kept getting better. It had become "normal" to get things the same day or next day. Then a choice was made to completely screw it all up to gain control. A LOT of people voted for it. Now of course buyers remorse kicks in so they want to "spread the blame". Those who voted for this only need to look in the mirror for why its a mess. The "system" can easily run just as smoothly as it did for years. People have to choose to let it do so.

Ehh, I just don't see how it is entirely politically sourced.

I personally just don't think everyone needs there cereal shipped next day in a separate box to their door versus going to a store and buying multiple items.

The friend I spoke of in my original post, mentioned the Fedex subreddit. I kid you not one of the top posts the other day was some guy losing his mind over a box of Fabreeze that took 6 extra days to get.

 

[A2theK]

If Sears and Roebuck was still around I could order something from Chicago, use the sections I don't need for TP, and enjoy the "lingerie" section drinking whiskey in the outhouse on a Saturday night, and wait 6 months for the wagon to deliver my new Colt Peacemaker.

....and it would still be quicker and better quality than Scamazon.

 

[Member 34319]

I've got two packages stuck at the troutdale FedEx. They have been there for about a week and a half.

 

[A2theK]

I've got two packages stuck at the troutdale FedEx. They have been there for about a week and a half.

"Weather" related <cough> <cough>

 

[Soli]

Held hostage to a high tech transportation network? (And make no mistake the size, speed and ability to organize logistics is high tech, even if they just look like the ships, trucks, etc of yore.)

It was foretold.

The Roads Must Roll

 

[GWS]

Ain't capitalism fun?!?

Yes, when its not being mismanaged by a senile fool and his cabal of socialists.

 

[SonicBlue03]

The people that voted for this are notoriously quiet now that the shoe is on the other foot.

FedEx used to be my go-to, but especially during COVID they've taken a giant poo on their ability to deliver anything on time. The vaccine mandate, the job protests, etc., it's just a matter of time before Amazon buys them for pennies on the dollar and finishes creating its stranglehold over logistics, which has been one of their top goals anyway.

So do what I do. Individual shipments on everything if you have to order from Amazon. Might as well extract whatever pound of flesh you can.

 

[GWS]

Meh.
I can't count the number of times Fed Ex screwed up deliveries.
I'll pay extra to avoid them.