Where's my spare UMPC battery?

As if it's not agonizing enough to wait for mobile tech deliveries, it's even worse when someone else gets what you've been waiting for. Tomorrow, I'm expecting FedEx to deliver the 2 GB RAM module I ordered, while my spare 6-cell battery for the Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium was delivered by the USPS today. Only one problem: I never received it!

According to the tracking info, it was delivered this morning at 10:17 am, which is about the right time for the postman to drive through the sticks where I live. We have all of our regular mail (ironically all junk today) but no 6-cell battery. Hopefully, it just appeared in someone else's mailbox here since I doubt the cows that live nearby have need of it. The methane they produce should power 10 UMPCs based on the morning "aroma" that enlightens our senses. Got any delivery horror stories to make me feel better while I sort this out?

Comments

[ChangBM]

Just one. About 5-6 years ago I needed to send in a toshiba e740 pocket pc for repair, so toshiba sent me a empty box to put the device in so they could fix it. Now at the time I didn't know you didn't need to send in a battery for them, but I did. 1 week later the box returned and the toshiba was fixed. I plugged it into the wall to check. There was only one thing missing... the battery. For some reason they forgot to put it in the return box and for 4 days I had a pocketpc that needed to be tethered to power to work. Long story short, make sure to detail what you gave them before the box is sent out or the box you get back maybe 1/2 empty.

I know this isn't the shipping companies fault but still... a PDA without a battery isnt a PDA.

[HG]

Just about 3 weeks ago I ordered some screen protectors for my Fujitsu U810 and also was going to be shipped by USPS and showed that they where delievered. The problem was it wasn't in my mailbox.(So I thought) then next day I got the mail and I got all the mail out and just happen to touch up and low and behold the screen protector package some how got caught up in the top of the mailbox. I couldn't believe how it got stuck. I know your battery can't do this but thought I share what happen.

[HG]

Just about 3 weeks ago I ordered some screen protectors for my Fujitsu U810 and also was going to be shipped by USPS and showed that they where delievered. The problem was it wasn't in my mailbox.(So I thought) then next day I got the mail and I got all the mail out and just happen to touch up and low and behold the screen protector package some how got caught up in the top of the mailbox. I couldn't believe how it got stuck. I know your battery can't do this but thought I share what happen.

[Benjamin Ries]

Wow Kevin, hope you can get to the bottom of this!

You know, this whole mystery would be easy to solve if companies like FedEx would make better use of the data they're already collecting and detail it on the tracking page. I've seen some companies that not only report the exact address of the delivery, but show a JPEG of the signature of whomever signed for the package.

That said, I've got to give kudos to USPS, Canadian customs and Canada Post for making quick work of my most recent eBay purchase of last week: a T-Mobile Shadow smartphone... shipped from Portland on Thursday, processed in Seattle on Good Friday, and cleared customs in 30 minutes at Toronto this Easter Monday morning. On track for delivery tomorrow. I don't ever remember a gadget coming that quick!

[Dave Zatz]

"1 week later the box returned and the toshiba was fixed. I plugged it into the wall to check. There was only one thing missing... the battery."

Wow, that must have been a major missing battery epidemic a few years ago. I was connecting Melissa's Mom's ANCIENT laptop to a new WiFi network (had an extra router and PC card), and I asked her if she was planning to move the laptop around the house (for router placement). And she said when she sent the laptop in for service a few years ago, it came back without a battery - but she didn't notice it for months (and never got it replaced).

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As far as shipping horror stories - summer of 2007 I shipped ALL my possessions for a cross country move. And then UPS went on strike for like 2 weeks plus add another week for transit. THAT sucked. I still avoid UPS when I can.

[Dave Zatz]

Summer of 1997, that is. ;)

[Marc]

Here is some very interesting info regarding Battery use between Visa and XP.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/03/22/lenovo-vista-battery-life-shorter-and-uses-more-power-than-windows-xp/

[ChangBM]

Haha, it seems that everyone has had some sort of battery crisis at one time or another.

[Keith]

Ordered Hot Fuzz from Amazon, it was delivered to the office of my apartment complex as usual and placed on the rack with all the other packages. Someone else took it. So it was officially delivered according to everyone but me.

[rw- --- ---]

I hope you receive your 6-cell battery very soon. This is by far the best investment I've done in a long time, my Q1P is useless with the standard battery,I was almost sending it to ebay...

[khak]

I had the same at Amazon ! twice ! What's going on ?

[Andreas]

If it makes you feel any better, I have a 6-cell-battery coming as well and I'm waiting impatiently, too.

BTW, will you put Vista with SP1 on your Q1UP?

[James Kendrick]

Sorry Kevin, I was wondering why the battery didn't fit the Redfly. I'll have to send it to you.

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Well at least I got my 2 GB RAM module via Fed Ex. They just swung by with an early morning delivery. Looks like I'll be headed to the local Post Office later today. :(

Andreas, yes I plan to install Vista on the Q1UP although it won't be an upgrade. I'll do a fresh install. Once I've got the system configured to my liking, I'll put SP1 on as well since my prior experience with it was positive.

[nomo]

Two words: Mike Cane