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[WhatsHisName]

Look familiar?

Likely, it's because of the Secondary Unit Designator (e.g., APPT, BLDG, STE).

If you are having this problem at the order tracking site (http://64.34.176.239/laptop_giving/index.html) and you know that you provided a valid street address, then here are a few simple steps to try before calling 800-201-7144 to give them the correct address, again.

1. Look up the address at the US Postal Service: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

2. The USPS response will be either no address, a single address or a list of options.

  a. If no address, then obviously, try something different.

  b. If single address, then go to step 3

  c. If list of options, then pick the one closest to matching your situation and resubmit it as in step 2.

      For a list of USPS Secondary Unit Designators:
             http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/abbreviations.html#secunitdesig

3. Go to the FedEx Address Checker (https://www.fedex.com/saac/) and enter the USPS-verified address from step 2.

  a. If it verifies OK (and it should), go to step 4.

  b. If it fails verification, return to step 2 and try a different variation of the address.

4. Use the restroom and then get something to drink (Trust me on this one).

5. Call 800-201-7144.

  a. Enter option "3"

  b. Listen to the music (2 min).

  c. Go to CNN and read the today's news (10 min).

  d. Check your watch (1 min).

  e. See what's new at YouTube (15 min).

  f. Check your watch (1 min).

  g. Check your email (5 min).

  h. Check your watch again and mumble something (1 min).

  i. Go back to YouTube (10 min).

  j. Eventually talk to the nice representative and give them the verified address.

  k. Argue with them until they online verify the address you gave them.

  l. Say "Thank You" and hang up (OK, I know I've gone too far now)

  m. Wait 7-10 days for the new address to make it into the order tracking site.


This seems to have worked for me (total phone time: 42 min), but as always, your mileage may vary.

Day One G2G0 - Not Happy


Useful Phone Numbers:

  "I have a problem with ... (shipping address, etc.)": 800-201-7144

  "I want a %&$#%&# refund for the full amount!": 800-883-8102

  "Nicholas Negroponte's private cell phone": (Don't you wish?)

[goney3]

I just got a response from [email protected]

I'm sorry to hear that. A 24 hour hotline to resolve addressing issues
has been set up. You probably have not called it - just the standard
Donor services. The hotline is 1-800-883-8102 and again is staff 24
hours per day. Please give them a call - they (unfortunately) are the
only folks that can update your shipping information.

So yeah, call the hotline and not Donor Services

[pgf]

  l. Say "Thank You" and hang up (OK, I know I've gone too far now)

  m. Wait 7-10 days for the new address to make it into the order tracking site.

that's all great, but you actually don't know that the address change worked, right?  have you seen the tracking site actually update?

that's my worry -- i've been told lots and lots of times that my address (which was never wrong in any way, to begin with, but which wouldn't verify) had been "fixed" in the system.  but i have no faith (nor, indeed any reason to have faith) that it has been fixed by my latest attempt, because it was never fixed before, and all i have is the same "this time for sure" from the service rep.

paul

[WhatsHisName]

I just got a response from [email protected]

I'm sorry to hear that. A 24 hour hotline to resolve addressing issues
has been set up. You probably have not called it - just the standard
Donor services. The hotline is 1-800-883-8102 and again is staff 24
hours per day. Please give them a call - they (unfortunately) are the
only folks that can update your shipping information.

So yeah, call the hotline and not Donor Services

There is an interesting thread about which phone number to call:

    http://olpcnews.com/forum/index.php?topic=1851.0

When in doubt, call both.

[WhatsHisName]

that's my worry -- i've been told lots and lots of times that my address (which was never wrong in any way, to begin with, but which wouldn't verify) had been "fixed" in the system.  but i have no faith (nor, indeed any reason to have faith) that it has been fixed by my latest attempt, because it was never fixed before, and all i have is the same "this time for sure" from the service rep.

paul

You read my mind.

[goney3]

I just called the hotline, the lady was clueless ... I read the help email back to her and she re-read their "updated screens" and said "Oh, I am sorry, we just received an update saying that we can handle that information now"... the line itself is for phone orders of XO's ... I wonder if they will take orders still? Sounded like she would... hehehe, I guess G1G1 isn't over yet!

She was clearly reading from a screen and mentioned the 7-10 days, I politely told her that its pretty common knowledge about the supply-gap and waiting till March. I calmly told her i am okay with waiting, I just wanted to get the "invalid address" cleared up from the tracking page. Since its been 15 days since I called Donor Services about it.

When talking to her, she sounded surprised about the second line (the all important University of California) line that would have made it have shipping issues. She did specifically mention (and asked) if my order was by PayPal. I guess I fell in the gap with a lot of other people who had the 2nd line get cut. 

Anywho, thats just my update... the mystery is kinda fun and is really helping the time pass till March 

[goney3]

  "I want a %&$#%&# refund for the full amount!": 800-883-8102

LOL! So, address fixing, ordering, and full refund "hotline" is all the same number?

[WhatsHisName]

LOL! So, address fixing, ordering, and full refund "hotline" is all the same number?

Followed my own advice in post 3 and called 800-883-8102.

Long story made short:

   Talked to a human immediately, but they were unable to help me with the address change and told me to call 800-201-7144.  But they did offer to help me with a refund, if needed.

[Carol]

 the line itself is for phone orders of XO's ... I wonder if they will take orders still? Sounded like she would... hehehe, I guess G1G1 isn't over yet!

What's that number, goney3?  I'll call and see if they'll take my order.

[goney3]

   Talked to a human immediately, but they were unable to help me with the address change and told me to call 800-201-7144.  But they did offer to help me with a refund, if needed.

They told me the same thing (call 800-201-7144) until I read them what the OLPC help team emailed me. Afterwards they looked and said "oh yeah, oops". And typed in and edited information.

The real question is if these people are "the only ones who can edit addresses" then who are they? If Donor Services is Patriot, and these are definitely NOT Pay Pal or BrightStar employees, they must be another player that is not on the "how shipping works" chart?

Hehehe, I feel like I am in the real-life version of the game CLUE 
"It was the Patriot in the shipping department with the BrightStar!"

[goney3]

What's that number, goney3?  I'll call and see if they'll take my order.

1-800-883-8102 ... hehehe, which is ironically the same number for canceling orders

[Carol]

What's that number, goney3?  I'll call and see if they'll take my order.

1-800-883-8102 ... hehehe, which is ironically the same number for canceling orders

Just got off the phone.  I had my credit card in hand and tried to place an order, but the service person said the line was only for shipping and refunds. 

[goney3]

Awww, bummer

Oh well, it was worth a try!

[BC LOVER]

    Today at 06:04:14 PM  Quote Modify 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hi there,day 2 donor,STILL no ox.have po box problem that i have now called 7 times trying to get fixed.called monday 1/28 @ 7144# and was told that they are now shipping to po boxes by way of ups.she said everything is ok and that she would send the info to shipping and it would take between 24-48 hours.just for kicks i called back today and rechecked.the guy said that my status in a 1 (whatever that means)i asked him for a tracking# and he could not give me one.i asked him about ups delivery and he said that it was not right, that fedex will now deliver to po boxes.I KNOW THAT IT NOT TRUE!!!!!i then asked when he thought it would ship and he put me on hold to *ask* his supervisor.came back on the line and told me that they were now out of laptops and it would be 30-60 days for more to arrive at the warehouse!!!!!     I WANT MT DAUGHTERS CHRISTMAS PRESENT,WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.i really am about sick of this crap but it is jut like a train wreck,you know you shouldnt look but you just cant help it.sorry guys i just had to vent.just call the waaaaaambulance for me please=ha-ha. 

[Christobel]

OK, this is scary.  I got the same stories in the beginning of January -- PO Box via ups -- PO Box via Fedex -- even to getting put on hold while he checked with his supervisor.

The only difference that I have not (yet) gotten the 30-60 day speech.

I did check at my Post Office tho and they do get Fedex deliveries.