Urgent: Is Signature Required?

Hey all,

I was just wondering if when the Inspiron 1520s come to your door, is a signature required from DHL, FEDEX, and UPS? Please answer those three seperately so that I know if I need to be by the door. I might be out of town for the one day when they might ship it before I leave for college, and having to have a signature would suck if I'm not there.

Also, in case no one is there to sign it, what happens? Do they come back in a couple of days (time which I do not have)? How do you find out the nearest Fedex, DHL, or UPS hub closest to my house? I live in a suburb of chicago (45 minutes away)?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

yes it is. mine was attempted to be delivered today but I was at work so they didn't leave it. at least that was w/ DHL in the US

 

I always leave a note with signature etc on it and usually they have no problem leaving something.

 

Most often if I'm not there they leave the package at the back door.

 

Call DHL or whatever shipping company, and tell them your situation. In most cases they will advise you the proper procedure. Most likely they will want you to come pick it up.

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Dell Insperion 1520
Jet Black
Inspiron 1521, AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 (2.0GHz/1MB)
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1680x1050)
ATI RADEON Xpress1270 HyperMemory, Inspiron 1521 (Integrated)
160G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini Card
NO WEBCAM OPTION, for I1521
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 1521
a Windows Vista Premium System

 

I was wondering the same thing. I hope I'm around when this thing ships.

 

It's been my experience:

UPS - Will damn near leave anything on your doorstep. I dislike shipping with them for that reason. I've had items dissapear while I was at work before because they dropped it and ran. For business they always require a signature, and this may have changed in the last year or two as I havn't shipped with them since the last $1500 box of PC parts was left on my front step (I got to it in time, but it made me mad!).
FEDEX - Signature always required
DHL - Signature always required

Now, each carrier has the option of delivering per your instructions but you need to call them to let them know you won't be there and they'll give you instructions on how to pick it up or how to have it delivered differently.

 

Ok, so my laptop has SHIPPED as of 8:34 AM CST today!!! YAY!!! I was also wondering, based on your comments, it makes sense that I can call whoever will deliver my laptop at whatever number is given when the tracking info comes up and tell them to deliver it at one of my neighbor's houses?

Also, I was upgraded to next day shipping, and like some other people on the forum, my thing shipped today, but delivery date is estimated at 8/21-8/23. Is this correct or will it really ship then. I'm having a hard time getting one solid answer.

Thanks.

 

my delivery said next business day, but DHL said "Ground" and gave a range of 3-5 days. My laptop was indeed delivered next day. It did require a signature. I would contact whatever carrier is being used to determine proper procedure in the case you aren't home. They can page drivers with instructions. For instance, they told my delivery person if they couldn't be at my house by 2:15, to wait until 2:45 (as I'm gone for that half-hour to pick up my kids from school). They said they would NOT leave it at the door, even with a note on the door saying it was okay, "due to the nature of the contents of the package." Better to be safe than sorry, so call!!

Good luck!

 

I have another question: is any signature OK, or does the signature have to be from someone over 18?

 

I've signed for packages when I was in elementary school and never been told I was too young to sign for it, so things may vary depending on the carrier, and the mood of the person delivering it, but you should be okay with a kid signing it. (as a backup you could give the kid a signed note from you and tell them that they should show it to the delivery guy if they get denied).

 

actually I"m 17 so I'm wondering if my parents will need to be home. like you said though, you've signed for stuff in elementary school and so have I but sometimes companies are particular about that stuff. I'll do what you said though and just get a signed note just in case. And I just checked DHL and it's guranteed by 3:00PM tomorrow!

 

I just had my M1330 delivered by FedEx. No signature, not even a knock on my door or a ring of my door bell. I only knew the guy had been there because my over enthusiastic dog notified me.