Test Kit Shipping/Postal Issues

[Carolyn1955]

I didn't know where in this forum this question would be appropriate but thought I'd try here.

Has anyone else had problems sending/receiving test kits? First, I ordered a test kit for my donor and had it mailed to her post office in Charlotte, N.C. from FTDNA. My donor never received it. So, I had a replacement kit sent directly to me in a different state, and I did receive that one. Then, I shipped it to my donor's door step in Charlotte, N.C. overnight express, signature required. My donor received it, no problem. My donor took the test and mailed it back out from the Charlotte, N.C. post office. FTDNA never received that kit. So, I ordered a 2nd replacement, again.

It would seem to me that there is a problem at the Charlotte, N.C. post office of processing packages of this type. So, now I will wait for my donor to drive from N.C. to FL on an already planned trip and once again take the test. Then, I will ship it to FTDNA myself. What a scenario!

Total time spent so far, slightly over 2 months. Gee's, could have had the results back by now. Thanks for reading my venting. I am looking for advice on how to ship the 3rd test kit back to FTDNA without any further delay. Of course the question remains, was the donor honest in saying the first kit was never received, that the second kit was actually completed and mailed back in? Yes. I have no doubt on that. But, it does leave one to wonder what the real problem is...

[vinnie]

I always ship kits back using Priority Mail with delivery confirmation, no matter which post office I use.

[EdwardRHill]

Makes me wonder if someones going though someone else mail. If you have a mail box on side of the road and want something picked up it could explain why FTDNA never got it.

[EdwardRHill]

Makes me wonder if someones going though someone else mail. If you have a mail box on side of the road and want something picked up it could explain why FTDNA never got it. Easy for some one to reach in and gab bills payments and so on.

[RedWolf]

I sent mine out last week Friday, and I received their email today saying they've received it..so it must be an issue with your mailing office? I also processed one for my friend last month..same thing. We got it quick and it was received just as fast. Good luck!

[Elistariel]

Try using a different carrier. UPS or Fedex perhaps.

[Carolyn1955]

My donor went inside the Charlotte, N.C. post office and gave it to the clerk for shipping. She did not use her mail box in front of her home as she did not trust it since her first kit never arrived at her home. The second kit was sent Overnite Express Signature required to her from me, and It was delivered to her door step and not the mail box. She took the test and then hand delivered it to the postal worker. But, once again, it never arrived to FTDNA. It truly has been frustrating to say the least.

Makes me wonder if someones going though someone else mail. If you have a mail box on side of the road and want something picked up it could explain why FTDNA never got it.

[Carolyn1955]

Next time I'll use Fedex. She is visiting me in Florida next month. I'll hold on to her 3rd replacement kit until I see her. Once she takes the test kit again, then, I'll pay the fee for Fedex and cross my fingers once again that FTDNA finally gets the kit.

Try using a different carrier. UPS or Fedex perhaps.

[EdwardRHill]

Sounds like it the post office problem. Not someone going though their mail. I would contact a district manager. Maybe its someone at the post office. I hope not I had no problem receiving or shipping. Good Luck

[Carolyn1955]

My thoughts exactly! I am going to contact the post office in Charlotte, N.C. tomorrow and find out why I have had so much trouble getting kits through their system when I never had any sending and receiving from any where else.
Thanks

Sounds like it the post office problem. Not someone going though their mail. I would contact a district manager. Maybe its someone at the post office. I hope not I had no problem receiving or shipping. Good Luck

[Carolyn1955]

Update! I was never able to get anywhere with the postal service in Charlotte, NC. So, there is no answer as to why 2 kits have been lost through their post office.

Next step, today the kit was mailed out of Charlotte, NC on Express Mail, Overnight, Signature required to the lab. We'll see...

[rainbow]

Did the lab get the kit this time?

I hope each kit that was replaced was given new and different kit numbers.

I had posted here before but my posts were removed. There is corruption in NC and the USPS. I used to live in NC, briefly in the 80s and for a long time in the 90s, and I always had a problem with the local post office trying to send mail and receiving mail. Every single piece of mail I received came completely opened and I know it was opened by the post office/postal worker because I waited and watched to see who was tampering with my mail. I saw the postman deliver my mail, then I went to get it - and everything was already opened. I could say more, but this post may get deleted.

[rainbow]

And I have been trying to find out more info on my mitochondrial line ancestors in North Carolina and found out today, from the Reverend of the church my mtdna line belonged to, that another person has been asking for the same records and knows my name and said she is working with me. I don't know who it is.

[Carolyn1955]

My sisters kit was finally received last week after over two months of effort. Her results are scheduled to be returned first week of April.

I was finally able to send it overnight to my sister, I sent her the money and box for overnight to the lab. There was 3 attempts, same name, same kit number.

Did the lab get the kit this time?

I hope each kit that was replaced was given new and different kit numbers.

I had posted here before but my posts were removed. There is corruption in NC and the USPS. I used to live in NC, briefly in the 80s and for a long time in the 90s, and I always had a problem with the local post office trying to send mail and receiving mail. Every single piece of mail I received came completely opened and I know it was opened by the post office/postal worker because I waited and watched to see who was tampering with my mail. I saw the postman deliver my mail, then I went to get it - and everything was already opened. I could say more, but this post may get deleted.

[Carolyn1955]

Our problems were in Charlotte and it was only with getting the kits to her home and then back to the lab. First one simply never made it from FTDNA to her home as far as we know. The second one was sent to me in Florida, I sent it to Charlotte, NC overnight and provided an overnight box and postal payment. My sister took the test for a second time and sent it back out overnight and it made it!

And I have been trying to find out more info on my mitochondrial line ancestors in North Carolina and found out today, from the Reverend of the church my mtdna line belonged to, that another person has been asking for the same records and knows my name and said she is working with me. I don't know who it is.