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MacBook Pro shipping delays caused by UPS 'mechanical' problems

Apple relies heavily on air freight (here with iPhone 12) Source: Apple

UPS has reportedly been updating some MacBook Pro buyers, saying the unexpected delays to their orders were caused by unspecified "mechanical failures."

A number of people expecting to receive their new MacBook Pro on their first day of availability, October 26, instead just got emailed about delays. In each case, the emails contained a new delivery date in December, but no further details.

Now according to MacRumors, distribution company UPS has been following up Apple's initial email with ones giving slightly more information.

"A mechanical failure has caused a delay," one email reportedly says. "We will update the delivery date as soon as possible."

Users tracking their orders say that they are being told the MacBook Pro is back in China, after presumably having left. Specifically, they are listed as being in Shanghai and Seoul, South Korea.

It appears likely that the mechanical issues are to do with aircraft.

There do not appear to be many UPS flights scheduled to depart from these cities. One flight that had been scheduled from Seoul to the UPS hub in Cologne, Germany, has reportedly been canceled.

AppleInsider has reached out to UPS and Apple for more information.



17 Comments

lkrupp 19 Years · 10521 comments

"AppleInsider

 has reached out to UPS and Apple for more information."This is one hell of a first world problem, wouldn’t you say?

davgreg 9 Years · 1050 comments

Not a fan of Oops! (UPS).

Not sure why Apple uses them instead of FedEx and DHL. I would like it if Apple offered us a choice and it would not be Oops.
My “signature required” $2000 + laptop was left with no signature at my neighbors house and not because there was nobody home.

This is just the kind of service often seen from Oops in my area. With numbers clearly on the house in broad daylight in 70 degree sunshine they managed to not get the delivery right.

Grrr…

foregoneconclusion 12 Years · 2857 comments

Stuff happens. I once had a commercial flight cancelled because they realized the plane had no black box installed and they didn't have any replacement hardware on hand.

Japhey 6 Years · 1772 comments

davgreg said:
Not a fan of Oops! (UPS).

Not sure why Apple uses them instead of FedEx and DHL. I would like it if Apple offered us a choice and it would not be Oops.
My “signature required” $2000 + laptop was left with no signature at my neighbors house and not because there was nobody home.

This is just the kind of service often seen from Oops in my area. With numbers clearly on the house in broad daylight in 70 degree sunshine they managed to not get the delivery right.

Grrr…

I don’t know about DHL, but I’ve received Apple deliveries from both FedEx and Oops in just the last month. And believe me when I tell you, they’re not exactly brain surgeons at FedEx either. My last delivery from them (a watchband) never even came to my house. Instead, they delivered it to an auto parts store and told me to pick it up there. Um, ok I guess. So, I went there and picked it up but they never marked it as delivered. So now in my Orders section of the Apple app it says “Your order is on the way” and “Expected delivery Sept. 27”.  I’m not saying anything to either of them, I’m just going to wait to see which one figures it out first. 

mike1 10 Years · 3437 comments

davgreg said:
Not a fan of Oops! (UPS).

Not sure why Apple uses them instead of FedEx and DHL. I would like it if Apple offered us a choice and it would not be Oops.
My “signature required” $2000 + laptop was left with no signature at my neighbors house and not because there was nobody home.

This is just the kind of service often seen from Oops in my area. With numbers clearly on the house in broad daylight in 70 degree sunshine they managed to not get the delivery right.

Grrr…

Generally speaking, I've found FedEx to be a complete clown show. Their use of independent contractors to make deliveries means there are minimal standards and consistency to timeliness, courtesy, uniforms etc. I've had drivers in street clothes hop out of a truck and need a signature. Look closely at every FedEx Truck and you'll see who really owns them and it ain't FedEx.