yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
Contrary to my initial guess, they are fulfilling directly from China, which is a thing. It's pretty expensive, on the order of $60 for shipping alone, not including warehousing/pick-and-pack etc:

http://images.fedex.com/downloads/cn_english/rates/cno_idd_2017.pdf

If they'd managed to keep their promises they could have air freighted the initial batch to the US and had it fulfilled here for presumably much less, at the cost of a few days. Seems like they are trying to save face as their enthusiastic early adopters are turning on them. This would explain why they continually underestimated the ship date - they were setting this up at the last minute and/or their Chinese fulfillment center gave them BS time estimates.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] spotmark:
I just sent them my daily, "where's my shipping info", email. Can't wait to hear today's excuse. :rolleyes:
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] LaNsLyDe:
Ok my tracking is updated. Being delivered to Chicago.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] LaNsLyDe:
Edit: double post
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
When I saw that shipping was straight from China I had to think about the typhoon slowing things down, and then being at the mercy of your supplier overseas being expedient. That is a hard scenario. The further from actual control of your inventory you are the harder it gets to ensure promises are fulfilled.

Now, for all the angry inpatient folks; No, this is not an excuse for Essential. Yes, I think their communication could have been better. However, you also need to be careful to not throw the people/corporations you are relying on to get a product out under the bus taking away their motivation to keep pushing. You anger them and they’ll just drag their feet.

I backed a start-up project a while back and shipping was delayed when the company making on of the key parts decided to fulfill orders for a high paying client first, which required some retooling that slowed things down further, and then that pushed them into the Chinese New Year causing further delays in production. Of course, none of this came out until far later because the US based company didn’t want to cause too much of a stink publicly and risk further issues. No, to be far, there were not promises put out there. This particular company just put out general and hopeful dates of delivery.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
I assume all of the peeps with tracking numbers are for still for the phone only. Waiting to see someone with the phone camera bundle get a tracking number.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] MarcMaiden:
Funny...I know I probably won't use the 360 camera but decided to go for it since it was discounted to $50 in the bundle. Who would have thought that would be a reason for delay. At least they are shipping the phones...even if it's not to me.... :)
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Same! Ha ha ha
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Azdian:
did the same, and waiting for their reply.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
Ha, same here. I explicitly asked them if my lack of tracking/shipping is due to ordering the 360 camera as well. I'd accept it if they tell me yes and that they're trying to ship them out together. I'd accept that but I don't think I'll get that answer. It's too much of a coincidence that no one who ordered the camera has received tracking/shipping information so I'm not gonna let this one go until they tell the truth...
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] spotmark:
I'm a phone only order.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] xda0330:
Phone only and I got the shipping/tracking info
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] worldsoutro:
No shipping email and I ordered the phone only.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] itstee:
My phone is arriving the 31st
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] dr_rick13:
I just spoke with Amazon support, they said they're not expecting any delays and if you order before the 1st, we can get it on Saturday. I still haven't received my shipping confirmation. You guys think ordering from Amazon and cancelling from Essential is worth it?

Ps. Phone order only, on 8/22
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
I logged into FedEx delivery manager and when it was loading it said "Loading 1" and I got all excited... then I found out it was something else I ordered off Amazon and my excitement quickly turned to sadness. Still no tracking number here :(
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] maverick96:
Hahahaha cancelling from Essential isn't possible. Never gonna happen.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] dr_rick13:
I know man :( Maybe I'll get it and return it. Opinions on whether Amazon will have stock by Friday?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] rvashi:
I sent Essential my daily email also, asking for my tracking information. Sent one email yesterday and sent another this morning with additional info. Haven't gotten a reply so far. Let's see what they say..my email was strongly worded too so let's see if we can get an actual reply as opposed to a robot-auto-answer BS.

I also was one of the greedy few who decided to order the camera thinking, "hey it's cheap..not gonna' get a deal like this again." ughhh!!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
Did you order the camera as well or just the phone?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DowntownRDB:
[MENTION=3958245]dr_rick13[/MENTION] Will you be able to get a "live person" to answer the phone at Essential's Customer Support line to get the RMA approved? I foresee that as the next challenge in the essential saga. Good luck in that endeavor.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
My tracking page updated to say it's left the Fedex origin facility in Shenzhen at 9pm local. This probably means it's on today's HKG-MEM FedEx flight:

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/FDX5986
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] adsam3927:
I just did the same

Preordered on June 12th

Paid on Aug 16th

Paid for Camera on Aug 23rd

I told them as one of the first few to order I expect shipping to happen today for my order and if not I will cancel...whether it be before they send it out or after I receive it it's going back.

Its plain BS especially as someone said earlier the company is backed by seasoned vets.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
Good luck those are getting phones this week, Unfortunate for those of us who ordered both camera and phone who haven't heard anything still though we were one of the first to order. Assuming they ship sometime middle of week we should get ours early next week, hopefully they ship this week but hard to trust they will actually do that.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ~~Tito~~:
No tracking from Sprint, or Essential for me.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
The camera as well
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] corys00:
I know that most ordered from Essential directly, I ordered from Sprint (50% off as an employee) and shipping is expected by the 1st. I'm expecting to have it in the next week.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Raystechworld:
I've been chatting with essential and the lady I am speaking with says she was told that they should ship today all though that's been said who knows how many times and she said she is a mess over the whole thing as well as they were supposed to have the phones in California and then ship from there but delays caused them to ship from China so who knows we will see I guess sucks
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] barleysoda:
I really expected to have my shipping email this morning. I am going to try and cancel this order but as other have stated, it isn't possible. I wonder if I can cancel with affirm?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
We are out of luck to get the phone and camera this week, I hope at least they ship them before end of this week so that we get it next week. I'm strongly thinking if I should place an order thru Amazon to see if they deliver this Saturday as they say. But I'm worried about the return process via essential and not sure how much time I need to spend with this clueless CS. Might just have to wait and suck it up :(
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
You can always order it from Amazon and then just return it to Amazon sending back the one essential sends you if you get the Amazon one first. Amazon won't check the IMEI of the returned device, they just look and make sure you're returning the same thing you purchased and everything is there.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] varcor:
I wouldn't be surprised over shipping delays but being mislead by Essential's customer service reps has to be annoying. Since it's shipping from China I would be hoping US Customs doesn't cause further delays or increased cost via Import Duties.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] grooks:
I noticed that as well and hoping it made the flight. If so then the flight lands around 1 am tonight. There is a chance some people can get their phones by Wednesday.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] worldsoutro:
That's a little unfair to Amazon. I feel like we shouldn't take advantage too much of the lax Amazon return policy because they may be forced to change it.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
You are entitled to feel that way. I feel differently, I do not feel you are ripping them off in any way especially if you're sending back the exact same product you purchased still unopened and not used. Whether you return it to Essential or Amazon, it's probably going to end up in the same place.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
Is it common that the package no longer says exception? And it says departed shipped Tuesday for arrival Thursday?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
Well Poonam [MENTION=754963]essential[/MENTION] just informed me i should be getting tracking info for the camera/phone bundle today. I also just ordered one from Amazon. If my Amazon order gets delayed for any reason i'll cancel every thing. This phone isn't worth all the trouble. Good luck to those who ordered the camera and phone.

---------- Post added at 11:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 AM ----------

yes. I had a Pixel delivered to me while in Korea and experienced the same thing after a hold up at customs.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
Hopefully Poonam is right [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

That'll be great
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
No word on my bundle yet but you give me hope lol
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Azdian:
The answer I got from Essential support

" Hello,

Thanks for writing in. Orders were shipping out from Saturday, it was the weekend however and you should be receiving your confirmation. Yes, reservation customers are getting priority! Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Poonam

Essential Customer Experience Team"
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
This wasnt customs, this was Essential dropping off the package late according to FedEx but then it actually moved anyway...
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Poonam emailed me as well stating orders were shipped out Saturday, it was the weekend.... and "...you should be receiving your confirmation." She also noted they do not have access to confirmation due to the items being shipped from China. She also noted she is "only in support" and is giving out all the information she has available to her.

The emails did not say "today," though I hold out hope. However, I will simply continue to wait patiently and calmly. This is all completely out of my hands.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
Let's blame everyone/everything else other than essential [emoji6][emoji6]
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
and the exception will go away
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] faded03cobra:
I received the exact same email a few minutes ago
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] manderson8898:
hoping for good news on FedEx tracker..

My shipment originally said arrive Wed but then the Exception showed up and moved it to Thur. Now the tracking does not show the big red exception. But the date is still Thursday. So I think it is common for the date to move a little. (I think I had a moto phone that did a move up without warning, so we can keep wishing for miracles...)

marka
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Just refreshed my email ... still no confirmation of shipping. In case anyone was wondering.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] tech_head:
Me neither.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
From Poonam

"It's just that the devices are shipping from China so there is a time difference, plus a typhoon and today being a Monday! I am sure we will know more by EOD and I can give you more info then. Trust me I am trying to help you guys get your orders, I get it!*"
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
Sounds like their CS Reps are getting tired of all our complaining but they're getting boned too lol. I believe they're all just contractors to the company and don't have any real information.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
No, they all work for Essential. I have found a few of their LinkedIn's Poonam, Samuel, and a couple others. Plus they are actively hiring more CS reps from their job postings on LinkedIn. However, I'm sure they aren't being told what is going on. Poonam responded to me a little while ago and did mention the Typhoon so we will see.. I give them until today. If I don't get a tracking number by the end of the day, I'm canceling tomorrow (or at least try to)
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Some "Essential" reading... ha ha ha. Just news about the shipping delays from various sources. If you're into that sort of thing:

https://9to5google.com/2017/08/28/essential-phone-delivery-date-verizon-compatibility/

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/254712-andy-rubins-essential-phone-finally-shipping

https://www.cnet.com/news/essential-phone-ships-after-two-missed-ship-dates/

https://www.androidcentral.com/essential-phone-facing-shipping-delays-essential-promises-fix
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
Unfortunately,

It's already 2am in China so if we didn't get anything by now, then I doubt it will be today or at least until it's 9AM in china or whatever time they start working over there.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] malikons:
What a disappointed! I was in the US for a week, so wanted grab one while I am here. Ordered mine last Tuesday and since then been pushing Essential folks for an update or a better estimate of the delivery date. I have to leave tomorrow and there is no tracking # till now, so I guess I'm done. Just sent in a request to cancel my order.

Happy waiting!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] grooks:
Does anyone, who has not received a shipping confirmation email, have access to FedEx Delivery Manager?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] graffixnyc:
Yes, and nothing yet.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
Interesting, I remember looking at the Essential website job postings and seeing the position was up for Contractors. Anyhow, I'll likely be in the same boat. Either that or try the Amazon order and see which comes first...
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
Just placed an order via Amazon as well. If essential ships my camera and phone order before Amazon ships I'll cancel the Amazon one.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] jerflash:
Bestbuy shows September 8th. I would do that instead for me and then have a 45 day return policy
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
I don't work in logistics, and my knowledge overall on the topic is virtually null. For those who may be in the know is this possible:

A large batch of product was packaged and shipped in mass from China. The products have shipping labels attached in some fashion, but for some reason were not scanned. Maybe it was the mass packaging vs the individual packaging or something. The FedEx plan his Memphis and is broken up and then scanned in.

Maybe I'm a dreamer. I just can't fathom of all the reserve orders (which were stated to get priority) only a handful being sent out in this initial batch. Sure, it's possible. It just doesn't make a lot of sense.

So, maybe I'm not as patient as I'd like to be... ha ha ha
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] canned_polar_bear:
lololololololololololololololol
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
They are using FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution which is exactly this. However if your phone was in this initial shipment, and the initial shipment made it to Hong Kong airport in time, it was scanned in Shenzhen already and as of this post is over the Pacific just east of Japan.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Interesting. So, it is entirely possibly many of us have phones on the way and we just have no way of knowing... That is kind of encouraging. I'll still plan on getting it by October 1. :silly:
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
But what does this mean for the delivery date? Is it still Thursday because the drop off was late, or did it make it out today and it will come wednesday?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
You would have gotten a working tracking number already if Essential shipped your phone. If you bought from somewhere else...who knows.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] lpasq:
FedEx unable to update my address with a corrected apartment number. They said only shipper, Foxconn, could do so. I explained I ordered from Essential. FedEx said, even if they were authorized to make a shipping address change, they couldn't because there is an intermediate, international shipper, involved. Contacted Essential for fun and to see what they have to say, now that I did what they told me to do last week, when contacting them to fix my address, and they said they couldn't.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
My tracking page still says Thursday and I am on the East Coast. The plane (flight FDX 5986) will arrive at their Memphis hub around midnight. From there FedEx will choose the cheapest/most efficient transport to meet the anticipated delivery date.

Sometimes you get lucky but I wouldn't count on it.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
But so what actually happened? If it was one minute past cutoff but it no longer is exception, that is odd?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] martinezma99:
I got a FedEx tracking number. Phone shipment left Shenzhen China on Monday 8/28 at 9:00pm. I have a scheduled delivery for Thursday by 10:30am. Good luck everyone!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
Very interesting! Now we know that Essential is having the phones built by Foxconn most likely at their giant complex in Shenzhen, and Foxconn is handling the fulfillment too. That would explain a lot - Essential is small fry to the company which also builds millions of iPhones, and they probably don't care too much about losing Essential's business over delays like we've seen.

---------- Post added at 03:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 PM ----------

The shipping exception was deemed resolved when the package actually moved. This is normal. It's still going to be delivered Thursday.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
THIS^^^^^

This goes back to a previous post I made noting that Essential also doesn't want to anger their producer... Especially if it is Foxxcon! You DO NOT sacrifice that relationship by throwing your shipping woes on them. True or not.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] dr_rick13:
Did you get shipping confirmation today?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
Although I now realize that Essential has Foxconn listed on their website as an investor. They don't want to piss off the investor who is also fabricating their main product. If they talked publicly about factory and fulfillment delays, it would cause Foxconn to lose face - a big no no.

https://www.essential.com/about#investors
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
This is why im confused. Originally, before the exception, all of our packages said Wednesday delivery. So why did that change.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
They are not trying to save anyone's face here... Just information not flowing correctly from the people who know to the customer service.

And no those who haven't got tracking number, your phone is not on a big container and magically show up. Let's just hope they ship the phone and camera bundled orders this week.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] skw5115:
It's the way the system works. If there is another exception, you'll see it pop up and the date will change again. The exception will remain present until the device moves yet again.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
But again, if the original statement by FedEx was it was passed the cutoff, why did it go out this AM? If I walk into FedEx at 6pm today and they have a 5pm cutoff, it isnt getting movement until tomorrow around 5pm.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Why must you crush my hopes and dreams?! WHY?!?!?!?! :eek:
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
Haha trying to be realistic... Let's think logically if that was the case that our phone and camera is on one of this magical containers then at least one person with a camera+phone bundled order would have got the tracking number right.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] martinezma99:
I got shipping confirmation a few days ago. Today was the first day updated with actual tracking information.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] stewa2jm:
Never underestimate the power of denial! Damn it, man! I was so comfortable in my state of denial and you just blew it all away! lmao
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ~~Tito~~:
I wish Sprint orders would get some love. I want to dump this G5 already.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
1. Foxconn fulfillment created FedEx labels on Saturday, but did not transmit to FedEx until late in the weekend.

2. Once FedEx received the shipment order, they predicted Wednesday delivery assuming they received the packages on Monday before their cutoff time.

3. FedEx did not receive the packages before their cutoff time, so this gives them a reason to say they'll deliver a day later.

It appears like even though the packages were received late, they still made the flight from Hong Kong to Memphis, since they "Left FedEx origin facility". But who knows.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] spotmark:
Just left a voicemail on Andy Rubin's extension. Although I doubt it will do anything for me.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
Yea this confirms everything I am saying and insinuates there is a chance (yes, small), it still comes Wed.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] kirdroid:
You the real MVP [emoji106]
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] ttjoseph:
On the other hand, if the packages left Shenzhen at 9pm and the flight left at 10:32pm, they may very well not have made the flight and are still sitting in the FedEx facility at HKG. Which would explain the Thursday expected delivery.

The next HKG-MEM FedEx flight is on Tuesday at 10:22am.

We'll find out early morning Tuesday whether the packages were on that flight.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] km8j:
Yea good point. Don't they normally have a scan when they get on the plane?