Toshiba and UPS team up for an epic shipping FAIL

When you have to send your laptop in for repairs it’s never fun. Shipping it alone can be nerve wracking and with good reason. I had to send my 6 week old laptop into Toshiba last week because of a hard drive failure (It happens, even to brand new systems!). Toshiba’s tech support was stellar. I got through right away with no hold time and to a rep that spoke and understood English (doesn’t always happen as anyone who has had to call a tech support or customer service line knows). They sent me a box and prepaid shipping label right away and off it went. I got a notice on Monday that it had been shipped back to me and would be delivered today. Hurray!

Well last night I was dodging raindrops as I made my way home from the CEA Line Show here in New York City when I saw a large box sitting on my steps. I hurried up the walkway and to my horror it was my laptop. Yes, UPS left my laptop sitting on my steps in the rain. Did I mention this is New York City? I had been gone all day so it had probably been sitting there for awhile in first 90 degree heat and then rainshowers. It’s amazing it didn’t get stolen! As I went to pick it up, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing, I noticed a large hole punched into the top. I was livid! Just as I got inside a downpour started so I was lucky I got there when I did. When I opened the package the laptop looked fine. I booted it up and it ran through the Windows 7 setup just fine. What a relief-but then there was a pop up:

“Warning! A problem has been detected with the cooling system. Turn off your system immediately and return it for service.”

Trying not to lose what’s left of my mind I called Toshiba and got a great tech. He told me to reset the BIOS. I did and the error disappeared and the computer has been functioning normally ever since. Thank goodness! While I was on the phone I told the tech about the delivery and he said Toshiba never allows packages to be delivered without a signature. He took my info and we hung up. I then called UPS who claimed they weren’t required to get a signature but the rep admitted leaving a laptop on someone’s steps isn’t very smart.

I don’t know who is responsible for this FAIL (I am leaning toward UPS-they once delivered an expensive cell phone I’d ordered by leaving the package on my garbage can!) but the bottom line is, if you’re expecting an expensive delivery like a laptop, stay home!