Two of the nation’s biggest package handlers and shippers are under fire for broken promises by giftless, disappointed customers who didn’t receive their Christmas presents on time. Social media simmered over with contempt for the package moguls, with angry consumers expressing furor over customer service.
Delays were blamed on inclement weather throughout the country, soaring online sales and a shorter holiday shopping period, with Thanksgiving so late in November. Online spending skyrocketed 10% this year, with online purchases increasing each year.
“We had a shortened holiday season in terms of shopping: six fewer days and a surge in online demand, particularly accelerated by a surge in mobile devices,” described Mark Mahaney, an online retail analyst. “Mobile accounted to 40 percent of all Internet sales.”
FedEx and UPS has issued apologies, in addition to shipping costs refunds, by calling 1-800-PICK-UPS. ”UPS apologizes to both shipping and receiving customers who may have delays. We had additional sorting operations at Worldport, the UPS international air hub in Louisville, Ky., on Christmas and are making deliveries and pickups today,” read UPS public apology.
Not all reactions were bad in response to the delayed Christmas spectacle. After “#UPSfail” became a Twitter trending topic, few optimistic tweets were sprinkled through the online chaos. Many posters recommended customers to shop earlier, blaming their procrastination as the reason for late presents.