An Open Letter to DHL

Why can they never match up with UPS and FedEx? I failed to see why DHL can be considered as a courier service. Heck, even the Canada Post is ten times better than them.

On the 9th, I saw a DHL delivery attempt note on my door when I got off work.

"Hmm.. I should arrange a pickup because I won't be home next time they come around for sure." So, I called them at around 7-ish. No Luck, DHL hotline/office closed at 7. Okay, I will call on Monday then.

Monday morning, I called the DHL center and told the representive that I would like to pick up my package instead of a delivery. I gave her my info and the #'s so that she can arrange it for me.

"Everything is set, Sir! You can just go to that pickup center and pick up the package within 5 business days. But I have to let you know that there would still be another delivery attempt going to your house today because it is too late already, so you can go pick it up tomorrow with the AWB# you have with your ID." the DHL representative said.

"Okay, that's fine." I said. I was thinking it wasn't too bad, even though that pick up center is in another town.

Two days have passed, I was still seeing new delivery attempt notice on my door when I got home from work. I was thinking, "why did they still come here when I already told them I am going to pick it up?"

On the 14th, I took a day off and planned to go to pick up the package. Before going there, I called the DHL center again just to confirm.

"Sir, we have NO record of you calling in before, let me give you a reference # for the pick up. You have to 'wait' for the pickup center to call you to make sure your package is ready to pick up" the male representative said.

"Huh? I've called on Monday." I said.

"Sir, there is no record here." He said.

"Okay, then can I arrange the courier to come today because I am going to be home today.", I said.

"Sir, yesterday was our last attempt, you have to pick up the package in the pickup center.", he insisted.

"Okay.. there is nothing else I can do other than 'wait' for the pick up center to call then? What if they not calling me?" I asked.

"Well sir, that's why I gave you the reference # for you to call back." he said.

"Alright...", after the call, I left my house and went to pick up a few more things for Valentine's.

When I got home in the afternoon, I saw yet ANOTHER delivery attempt notice on my door! I was speechless ...

To sum up what went wrong:

1. The office/hotline close @ 7pm while other couriers close @ 8pm
2. Only 4 pickup center serving Toronto
3. Customer representatives failing to record who called in and misleading customer
4. NO communication between the DHL center, the pickup center and the delivery service AT ALL

Update:
5. Type in "DHL toronto pickup" in Google and you will see even MathPoints ranked higher than anything from DHL.