Anyone understand l...
 

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[Closed] Anyone understand logistics/fulfilment - why is my package zooming around?

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I'm off work at the moment so have time to do things like looking at the actual tracking details of a parcel and it seems to be doing a very odd route to get to me. I'm wondering if anyone here knows how the route of such a parcel is determined.

The parcel is a set of lights from SeeSense in Northern Ireland. They manufacture in NI and contract out their fulfilment to Amazon. I get this - it's a kickstarter campaign and there would be a lot of stamp licking at SeeSense HQ if they did it themselves.

The tracking for the parcel starts at the big Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, but now it's down in Rugby. I'm near Perth. Why would Amazon choose to send it from Dunfermline down to Rugby before sending it back to me?

I'm asking out of curiosity rather than in a 'what is this world coming to' kind of way.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:26 pm
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The tracking for the parcel starts at the big Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, but now it’s down in Rugby. I’m near Perth. Why would Amazon choose to send it from Dunfermline down to Rugby before sending it back to me?

Probably because they are packaged up as a job lot at first and only broken down when it gets to Derby where it will mix in with a load of regional stuff.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:30 pm
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Like said above, it's probably how their logistics work - item is 'in stock' at one of the warehouses, but the regular transport runs to certain hubs, then back out to the delivery hubs.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:33 pm
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The most cost-effective route through a distribution network isn't usually the most direct route.  Amazon probably have so few packages coming from NI to your area that it makes sense to send them south, usually via plane, to a distribution centre that has direct links to the north.  This is probably by another plane.  It's all about minimum cost not minimum miles travelled.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:35 pm
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location of distribution centres which are, typically, geographically central and adjacent to motorway network.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:39 pm
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There's a big freight "hub" near Rugby isn't there ?


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:40 pm
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There’s a big freight “hub” near Rugby isn’t there ?

More like there is a small Village near the Distribution Centres....

Went back there this year after about 15 years and all that used to be fields!!


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:43 pm
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Either it's been bulk shipped to rugby for breakdown and handling which makes a lot of sense if they've a few pallets for release "today" following conclusion of the KS campaign and most of the items require less handling out of rugby (which is much more likely than most of the recipients being in Scotlandshire.)

If it's just yours going out today it's probably been misrouted and loaded onto the wrong bulk transport.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:50 pm
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Actually I think I've cracked it. Amazon have sub-contracted out the delivery of these to Hermes, who have their big hub in Rugby. Presumably this is cheaper because Hermes make a profit by being totally rubbish.

also: what @dangerourbrain said.

Thanks all.


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 12:55 pm
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I knew Hermes would be involved when I opened this

X


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 2:03 pm
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I did not know about these lights.

Have looked through their website. Now considering these for some new, this year, winter lights.

Going off at a bit of a tangent, in the ACE video, what is the jacket that is being worn at 2.31?


 
Posted : 27/09/2018 5:19 pm

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