GHQ Models Forums

I've ordered countless products from GHQ over the years and I placed another order this weekend; I was surprised today to get an email with a tracking number In all the orders I've placed this is the first time I've gotten a tracking number from GHQ. This time it came from Fedex (usually orders come UPS or USPS), so maybe this is a one-time occurrence or maybe GHQ has changed their shipping provider?

It may seem weird that I'm excited about a tracking number but I have to tell you that I think communication like this really improves customer relations and doesn't leave you guessing as to when you'll get the stuff you paid for. It can set a company apart from the others who leave you in the dark. For example, I placed an order with CinC 3 weeks ago and I'm still playing a guessing game as to when my package will show up.

Bravo GHQ! I hope this is not just a one time occurrence because I have an oversized box (Terrain Maker); and if it is a single occurrence please consider making this a permanent change to your customer service experience.

Thanks!
Tanner

I work in the transportation industry and while I don't want to take anything away from GHQ the real force behind this is that UPS has recently added tracking to thier 5 day standard ground packages.

Tracking numbers have been around for several years but only recently have retail customers had access to them. You used to need a log on and passwords and tied to an active shipping account before you could track packages.

Now anyone who knows thier freightbill number can track a package. I agree it is a great comfort to have that number.

Also if there are delivery issues you can change the shipping now on your own. You can change to pick up your package at UPS, make an address correction directly with UPS. This would save having an order go back to GHQ due to a bad address and further delay of your delivery. While GHQ does a great job sometimes things like that happen. (Usually less than 2% of the time.)

Hopefully, tracking numbers will be provided on USPS shipments, even though there is a small additional cost to do so. That is one of the things I really like about Amazon - they provide tracking numbers on their shipments plus email notification when the item is delivered (in my case, at a PO box in the U.S.).

Voltigeur,

Yep completely agree... I think we've all come to expect tracking numbers with online purchases and to be honest GHQ has lagged a bit in this area. Most online retailers (Ed, Amazon is a perfect example!) have been doing this for years; that's not necessarily the case for the wargaming industry though

I think adding this standard on all shipments (even USPS) would be a huge step forward for GHQ.

Tanner

intobattle - Does this mean you'll be hosting a game soon?

I don't think GHQ has lagged as much as UPS has finally come around to a more accommodating position. While FedEx has let anyone, shipper or consignee track packages for years UPS was the last holdout insisting that they will only deal with their "customer".

With this policy it didn't do you any good to have the tracking number because if there was a problem GHQ had to do all the tracking and filing of a claim anyway.

I was working claims for a major retailer and I saw UPS start easing up on what was a very rigid standard. FedEx and DHL have had more liberal standards for a decade or more where they would deal with their customer or the owner of the product. (This gets in to FOB terms and why GHQ ships FOB Origin.)