Harry J Epstein Day 2026

[mikeinri]

I've had that happen here (in MA) as well. USPS is the worst, and when FedEx started contracting out final / local delivery, that made paying extra for FedEx pointless.

My favorite is when they pass right by here (something like NJ, to MA, to NH, back to MA before getting delivered), adding at least 2 more days. I've also had stuff stuck on Long Island for almost a week, no further update until it was "out for delivery" in town...

Mike

 

[Ohio Andy]

I've had that happen here (in MA) as well. USPS is the worst, and when FedEx started contracting out final / local delivery, that made paying extra for FedEx pointless.

My favorite is when they pass right by here (something like NJ, to MA, to NH, back to MA before getting delivered), adding at least 2 more days. I've also had stuff stuck on Long Island for almost a week, no further update until it was "out for delivery" in town...

Mike

My last snafu was with UPS, I think there are horror stories from all carriers. It is worse when the snafus are due to incompentence on the last leg near you because then you personally have lots of bad problems with carrier.

 

[shamrock12]

Typical Cleveland distribution......




Hasn't changed in 3 days....

It’s actually a nationwide issue, not just yours

 

[NUTTSGT]

It’s actually a nationwide issue, not just yours

Maybe but twice I've had to have orders replaced that disappeared at that hub. Even the local PO people know there's a problem there.

 

[Squankum]

I got notification they refunded me $3.50 today so they are working today processing orders or it was a cached message

Had to look for what they didn't have and it was some surplus file handles I ordered.

Did get notification a couple days ago that my second order of 3 shipped. Went and peaked at it as it was an order to fill up all my indexes and noticed I accidentally ordered one size left handed. I think I'll chuck it as it will drive me insane if it winds up in one of my indexes. I would be too mentally deficient to understand why it wasn't working if I pulled it out. Too much box clicking I guess.

'tis plain! You need to start a drawer/bin/container/mayonnaise jar just for left-handed drill bits!

 

[Squankum]

I've had that happen here (in MA) as well. USPS is the worst, and when FedEx started contracting out final / local delivery, that made paying extra for FedEx pointless.

My favorite is when they pass right by here (something like NJ, to MA, to NH, back to MA before getting delivered), adding at least 2 more days. I've also had stuff stuck on Long Island for almost a week, no further update until it was "out for delivery" in town...

Mike

When I see wacky tracking locations on an order, I think of two possibilities::

a) sheer Three Stooges mayhem inside a warehouse with people throwing boxes at each other

2) managers under pressure to make numbers! NUMBERS! and pencil-whipping things, but in a computery kind of way, making it look like they really moved their packages quickly that day when really they're just.. I don't know.... trading tracking numbers with a conspirator of a similar rank in another hub?

If they really are moving items around various states back and forth, or things are sitting in a warehouse for five days in the middle of the trip, that's pretty bad.

 

[mikeinri]

My last snafu was with UPS, I think there are horror stories from all carriers. It is worse when the snafus are due to incompentence on the last leg near you because then you personally have lots of bad problems with carrier.

I know. And I apologize. Too many threads get hijacked by these discussions. Probably because it's so infuriating...

I did have something work in my favor ONCE. An eBay item I purchased got lost in shipping. Of course, the seller told me to be patient. But, after waiting a few weeks, he submitted a claim and promptly sent me a replacement.

About a YEAR LATER (maybe longer), I find the incredibly mangled remnants of a package on my doorstep. Believe it or not, it was the original items I ordered! No clue where that had been sitting. The tracking stopped partway across the country and never updated.

Mike

 

[NightSky]

I know. And I apologize. Too many threads get hijacked by these discussions. Probably because it's so infuriating...

I did have something work in my favor ONCE. An eBay item I purchased got lost in shipping. Of course, the seller told me to be patient. But, after waiting a few weeks, he submitted a claim and promptly sent me a replacement.

About a YEAR LATER (maybe longer), I find the incredibly mangled remnants of a package on my doorstep. Believe it or not, it was the original items I ordered! No clue where that had been sitting. The tracking stopped partway across the country and never updated.

Mike

"When it absolutely, positively has to get there overnight."

 

[willf650]

Awesome! I have that same pliers on order too … can’t wait to see it in person

I ordered them as well. I was unaware they had metal flake. Now I'm looking forward to their arrival.

'tis plain! You need to start a drawer/bin/container/mayonnaise jar just for left-handed drill bits!

I already have a small set of left handed bits I've yet to use as only got them in last 6 months. Don't need one bit out there that will cause me more grief then it will solve. I'm getting too old to deal with the frustration.

 

[brglasp]

Congratulations Benedict

I'm the runner up, I think I may have won something? Ice Cream date, multiple 6-foot boxes, or a pipe vise? My small brain wasn't tracking the festivities at 100% efficiency.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Congrats to the finalists and winners and thanks to the entire crew at HJE with a special appreciation to the Smutz family.









FWIW, tracking shows my package now at local part time PO awaiting my pick up.

 

[kingcobb]

It was cool to be in the finals even if not selected!

 

[jsackin]

Congratulations Benedict

I'm the runner up, I think I may have won something? Ice Cream date, multiple 6-foot boxes, or a pipe vise? My small brain wasn't tracking the festivities at 100% efficiency.

You won one of the Channellock three piece pliers sets!

 

[everett464]

Actually a combined Epstein’s Day double order, but they both arrived today!

 

[Lumberjack_bw]

I know I am new here, but does anybody else's wish list keep growing and growing? Much to my wife’s unliking.

 

[Crabman]

@Lumberjack_bw

Welcome to GJ!

 

[RTM]

I know I am new here, but does anybody else's wish list keep growing and growing? Much to my wife’s unliking.

Of course not. I keep placing orders to keep the wish list under control.

 

[RTM]

But seriously now, anticipation today was horrible. Picked up my package from the Post Office on my way to work. Knew I didn’t dare open it in the parking lot, the tsunami of Kraft paper could have been a problem, so worked on it as soon as I got home. Folded all the paper up, we have a packing project ahead of us, so as always, appreciate the good work the packing crew does.

So, weird thing on the left is a rack for a weird clamp type, I originally thought it was to hang them up. Wanted to try, as they take a lot of space. Wrong, it converts it to a miter clamp. Have to add another one to my wish list (@Lumberjack_bw ) as only one clamp is odd, in so many ways. Of course, an Epstein file, technically a rasp, but close enough. Screwed up on the two loose punches, gotta put more on my wish list.

My mystery bag is the CeeTee pliers, far right.



As always, thanks to Jori and the HJE crew for all the entertainment and quality tools they provide, and to the GJ denizens who expose us to stuff we don’t know we need.