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Jan 09, 2008 -- DHL/Walgreens pact to put the heat on FedEx, UPS
Clark loves competition. He always worries when you have a shared monopoly like FedEx and UPS do in the package-delivery business. Shared monopolies usually result in higher prices or a decline in service. Case in point: FedEx and UPS announce their rate increases every December. Now it looks like DHL will step up as a viable competitor and cease being the 98-pound weakling of the industry. That's because DHL is teaming up with Walgreens to launch service centers in 6,500 stores. One of the big problems with DHL -- owned by the German post office -- had been that it was difficult to find a drop spot. Clark recently had to send an overnight package via DHL. He had to pass several FedEX and UPS drop areas and travel to a shady, industrial part of town to get to the DHL facility. But that will all change thanks to the Walgreens deal. In capitalism, it is the third competitor that creates true innovations in price and service. Meanwhile, Clark buys his DHL overnight mailing envelopes at Costco for a low price. Did you know that there are now 50 million Americans (out of our 300 million total population) who are Costco members? That's about 1 in every 5 adults -- even though Costco is only in about 37 states.
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Two years ago I had three large boxes to ship for Christmas. I contacted DHL to pick them up. I had them addressed but the UHL man told me to put the addresses on the slips he handed me and he would return later to pick them up. I did this. Hereturned and asked how I wanted them shipped. "The cheapest way" I said. When I received a bill of over $600.00 dollars I almost died. He had sent them overnight! I tried everyone I could possibly contact and told them my problem. The only thing they would do was take off $200. I then mailed the exact same package last year with UPS and only spent $33.00. So I guess with DHL you are at the mercy of what the driver puts on your ticket. I will NEVER use them again and will not recomend them to anyone. I was robbed! Ann Parker
DHL TRYING to put the pressure on FedEx and UpS
I dont know if it's just me but EVERY single time I'm in my car and i see a yellow DHL van comming- i leterally get out of the way! They hire the WORST drivers ever- they tail-gate, do not use signals when turning and they ALWAYS drive way too fast! I dont understand how they ever get deliveries made..they drive so terrible im suprised more of them aren't in wrecks ALL the time! DHL: teach your "drivers" to be be courteous...i will never ship with them for this reason!
