I have recently paid for the Xiaomi M365 from Shopro website and after the discount it is $508. Shoppro claimed that their warehouse is at Mulgrave (Melbourne suburb) and given that I also live near by (~12KM), I made my purchasing decision also based on that as I want to gift it to someone for birthday.
On the 13th of Nov, they sent me the tracking number 1 day after purchase. As I was not able to track on AusPost, they sent me a link to FastWay.com.au. Out of curiosity, I googled FastWay have seen this page below:
https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/fastway
After a couple days more seeing the package status always stucks at "Delayed", I contacted fastway via phone and patiently waited for 20min until I got a real person. Well, as expected, it did not help! I asked for an ETA, the person had no idea, I offered to pick it up myself, the person said she did not know where the package is! I mean is it crazy? She said I will need to wait for 2 business days. Now, 5 business days later the status is still "Delayed".
Okay, what's interesting is that in between these days, I have contacted both Fastway and Shopro via their web page, below is the exact responses from the 2 companies:
From FastWay:
"hi, please let us to know the parcel. we don't have received any update from our parcel status, regards debby"
From Shopro:
"hi, sorry about that! we still waiting for fastway reply, we will get back to you today, regards debby"
Now it looks like fastway is just forwarding shopros enquiry back to me, or it could be run by the same person? I will leave you to decide.
I have started a dispute in PayPal already, as I have lost all my confidence that the package will be delivered. Shopro, if you are reading this, please cut of your ties with this dodgy company or provide local pickup option. To ozbargainer, please make sure which courier these eshops are using. Do not buy anything shipped by FastWay, it's too much trouble that outweighs the discounts you get.
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Just an update on this issue:
called Fastway again, different person answered and she is very helpful although the package was lost. I asked to send me an email for evidence and she promptly did it on the phone.
called Shopro, they said happy for me to pick it up in the warehouse.
I have edited the heading and I think it maybe due to bad luck and initially I was spooked by all the negative reviews. I will leave the rest of contents unedited for you to decide.
In this case I am happy with shopro on how they handled it. The only issue is the response they provide may be slow and brief. I suppose phone calls are better solutions.
I think the best way in this case is persistent with calls. Do not use email.
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Another update, I have arranged and picked up the scooter, people at Shopro are pretty friendly. Had a casual chat and found out that they have recently been losing quite a few items with the courier. They currently do not provide a pick up or alternative courier option. However you can call them up right after the purchase and arrange pick ups.
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Another update, the seller forwarded me an email that Fastway sent them the “evidence” that the package has actually been delivered. It’s a photo of the packaged left at my front door. And as expected it is a photo with the package left at A front door, just not mine.
2 points here:
This is a stupid mistake, as the street is very easy to find and I have very clear street number in front of my house. You cannot miss it. The photo shows a front door I do not recognise. It’s not even on my street!!!
The package would have come with my address, whoever got it for more than a week now. Whoever got it did not bother to contact me at all.
I have had multiple bad experiences from Fastway. I believe it boils down to the drivers being franchisee's and you get various levels of service.
One time my package was DUMPED on my neighbours front lawn 5 houses up and across the street. WTF! I didnt even give them authority to leave unattended.
Another time I had a package say "delivered" but it never was, and when I chased up it was "lost". I assumed this meant "stolen".
Another time the same driver left a package sitting open on my porch when there's clearly spots to at least hide it behind a pillar with 1 second of additional effort like every other courier driver manages to do at my house.
Generally their delivery times is also slow even when it says "onboard for delivery" it can be 2-3 more days in my experience even when tracking shows it in my area.
I have complained to their head office a few times but never get a response.
In summary Fastway are terrible and I avoid them from now on. I have actually asked a few online stores for alternatives and explained why.