Carbon Limestone Co.

[chuck geiger]

holy crap!

[Chris333]

My HOn30 Whitcomb parts from Shapeways: Ordered them on Nov 23rd. Then a few days after checking the porch for them I get this e-mail from Shapeways:

We are writing to inform you that your recent order # xxxxxxxx might ship with a slight delay.

As a courtesy, if your order was placed with one of our standard shipping options, we will upgrade your shipping method to an expedited alternative at no additional cost to you.

Usually they ship USPS priority mail that takes 2-3 days. They did me a "favor" and shipped this UPS on Dec 3rd. On Dec 5th is was in Cleveland OH (45 min from me) and now 2 days later still nothing. It looks like it was handed off to the USPS. How is this any faster or easier than just using the Post office to begin with?

Thanks for doing me a favor      It's ALWAYS the stuff you want fast!!!

[wcfn100]

I got the same email a couple days ago except 3 of the 4 items I ordered hadn't even been made yet (and still haven't).

Jason

[C855B]

Interesting... my FXD order was mailed and dispatched from the regional USPS center in SLC on Monday. No UPS on mine according to the tracking. It was supposed to have arrived today, but status remains "on its way to...".

Chris, I'll bet the UPS thing is "UPS Mail Innovations", which is a seriously sucky UPS-USPS hybrid that I swear has a lower handling priority than junk mail. In several cases, I've verified with tracers that it was parked in a trailer at our regional USPS center for three days, waiting for the roundtuit, I guess.

[wcfn100]

Chris, I'll bet the UPS thing is "UPS Mail Innovations", which is a seriously sucky UPS-USPS hybrid that I swear has a lower handling priority than junk mail. In several cases, I've verified with tracers that it was parked in a trailer at our regional USPS center for three days, waiting for the roundtuit, I guess.

In Springs, the UPS package get 'received' at the post office Tuesday, 'accepted' at the post office Wednesday, and delivered Thursday.   

Jason

[C855B]

Ha! Yes, admittedly I've also noticed it to be inconsistent. I get my knickers in a bunch and start composing an e-mail to Shapeways about "Innovations"... and then it shows up on time.

The problem might lie with my regional office. I just re-checked the status on Monday's package, and they processed it through the regional a couple of hours ago, so I'll have it tomorrow. I have a hunch the three days of "...on its way to..." was the same situation, sitting in a trailer in St. Louis, in the queue to be unloaded.

[Chris333]

I figured they were backed up after the free shipping thing. Just pisses me off that they tell me to make up for it they will ship it out even faster and it ends up way slower than normal.

And as usual I'm waiting for the parts while I have new revised models already uploaded and waiting to confirm before re-ordering    I was in a hurry to get the free shipping!

[C855B]

My SW package is stuck in STL, so not today, and they're not promising tomorrow, either. Another order from last weekend from a reliable shipper also seems to be in in-transit limbo. However, this one is a kitchen-table operation, he doesn't do "it's been shipped" notifications, so I don't know for certain. Patience, grasshopper.

I think online shopping finally broke the shipping system this week. It was going to happen eventually.

EDIT: Here's an interesting twist... the SW package arrived 10 minutes ago (thanks, Jason!). The "broken" part of at least the USPS system seems to be the tracking. Either the tracking computer network is clogged to the point that transactions aren't making it through, or they are manually sorting to help clear the backup in the automation, which skips scanning. No sign of the other package.

EDIT 2.0: It might be both. I happened to see the letter carrier scan the barcode in his truck before bringing it up the walk. The "delivered" status didn't post until an hour later.

[Chris333]

Still no parts. I slapped some paint on an old MDT shell to test the paint color. This is warpac green:


Compared to the best color photo I have:


Guess I need to add some gray to the color?

[C855B]

Still no parts. I slapped some paint on an old MDT shell to test the paint color. This is warpac green:... Guess I need to add some gray to the color?

I'd say add a couple of drops of that OMG! bilious green to a light gray. Wow.

[Chris333]

Any better?



Dispite getting straight A's in art class I can't mix paint for crap 

[Chris333]

Darkened it up:


and then lightened it 


I'm happy with it now. There will be black lettering on the cab and some white dusty weathering when done.

[C855B]

Darkened it up:
... and then lightened it 


I'm happy with it now. There will be black lettering on the cab and some white dusty weathering when done.

Better.     

[DKS]

Might improve even more after weathering. Hit it with a fade coat, then some dirt and grime.

[Chris333]

My attempt at the logo in autoCAD. I have since spaced out the "The" and "Co." so there is a little more space around them. Shortened the center leg of the 3.