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I am sure that to some of you that know me and my particular situation will be very surprised to know that I am now in Warsaw to wait for my fiancee to arrive and be with her for the interview.

Just to make a note. Never use FED-EX to express anything overseas.  I told FED-EX that I wanted to send my documents (I-134, letter of employment,tax returns, etc....) to my fiancee in Odessa Ukraine by the 14th of Jan. because she was leaving by train for Warsaw on that date and they said no problem that it would only take a couple of days. The lady even looked it up in her books about delivery time.

So I called a few days later to make sure that it was delivered and the FED-EX lady told me that it would not make it there until Jan. 17th which is only a day after her interview in Warsaw.

I was so mad I could have gone postal (and did over the phone).  So the lady explained that the book the lady in the office used only gave the number of days it took to reach that country.  It did not mention that it would sit in customs and take several more days to reach it's destination in Odessa.

I was so angry.  By the time I found out it was too late to use any other carrier.  DHL could have done it in 4 days but it still would not have made it in enough time.

So, I booked a flight to Warsaw and when I explained to the lady at FED-EX on the phone that I had to hand deliver documents to Poland because of their mistake she at least refunded my money for sending those documents and then she said that the most they could pay for damages done would be $100.00  

Well, at least that was better than saying there was nothing they could do but I will NEVER use FED-EX ever again.

So now I am in Warsaw.  I had Delta flights from Louisville through JFK and then LOT to Warsaw.  Everything went smooth as silk with the flights.  

I am staying in the Grand Warsaw Hotel and it is pretty nice.  Sort of like a Super 8. The room is small but clean and has anything I could need (except for my fiancee)  She will arrive at 8:35 tonight at the train station and I will meet her there.  The train station is about a 15 minute walk from my hotel and the US Embassy is about a 10 minute walk.  I think for the price and convenience it is a good deal.  Her interview is tomorrow on Jan. 16th and then we should fly out on Jan. 17th.

FED-EX has not heard the last from me yet.  I plan to rant and rave until I feel better.  I just cannot believe that a company as big as FED-EX has been in business this long with such business practices.  It is truly terrible.

But for now I can only think of my reunion with Anna tonight and what the evening will yet hold for the two of us. ;-)

I will try to take some photos of Warsaw and post them on the internet and to post any other usefull info. I can think of.

Take care all and wish me and her luck.
Jim

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

I never use FED-EX unless I am forced to because they downright SUCK.  Use DHL - period for International Shipments / packages if you need it to get there.

Good luck.  Thanks for taking the pictures.

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

Good Luck with everything.

About Fed X  - You know that they are a good company. I doubt that Ukraine is as common a destination as other places. You simply ran into a human error problem. It is going to happen to you again as long as you deal with humans - your getting upset will not change it. If are not going to get anything worthwhile my advice is drop it - choose peace of mind over aggravation..

Maybe there is a reason you need to make this trip - some devine force could have intervened to make it all happen. I have learned to always look at things this way and man - it is a lot less stressfull. Sure at first I would be pissed, then I would remind myself of this. You said, even with the other carrier it would not have gotten there in time. Who made these impossible schedules anyway? It was not Fed X.

Good luck to you both

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

Somehow the good things come only with a lot of hard work and pain (aggravations) in your case.
It is 12.15 here,  9.15 for you in Warsaw, the train has came in and you are not thinking about Fed-Ex right now.
You are a happy guy right now,  it is X-mas, New Year, Easter and whatever all roll into one.
This is all you will care to remember down the road when thinking about the good times.
Cherish it and the best of every thing, including luck.

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

Good things come to good people. From all the help you've given me, I think you're all set and will be starting a truely wonderful life together. Breath deep, take it slow and try to make yourself remember every moment. I for one and VERY happy for you.

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

I believe is like a subcontractor and not like the Overnight FEDEX we have around here.

http://www.elin.kiev.ua/

Who has used UPS to ship to the Ukraine?  I saw one of those brown pickups in Kiev when I was last there.

... in response to Re: Ukraine Fedex, posted by wsbill on Jan 15, 2002

I use UPS alot for domestic.  Fine.  I have had an account with them for years.  But,  when I called and checked on prices to Ukraine I found it very expensive,  like $120 for under 2 lbs.  And it had to be delivered only to a business...not a residence.  And,  without some special expediated service...customs could take awhile.  This was for paper...like 20 oz.  I passed.  BTW,  I recently received a Christmas card from Ukraine and it only took 7 days.  Regular postal,  thats unbeleivable for me.  If its important and $120 is no sweat,,,then call UPS and check it out.

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

I can understand how you feel about Fed Ex right now, but I am sure that KenC's comments will prove quite accurate.

Those of us who may need to ship documents between the US and Ukraine appreciate your comments so that we can act accordingly.

I hope that the interview goes well and that the two of you enjoy your stay in Warsaw.

If you don't mind, what plans have you made to bring Anna to the US?  Have you already bought tickets?  Is she coming straight from Warsaw or returning to Odessa first?

Anyway, best wishes for the two of you!

Richard

... in response to Re: Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Richard on Jan 15, 2002

Anna and I are planning on flying back to the US together tomorrow at around 12:30 in the afternoon.

I know it is said to be a mistake to buy tickets ahead of time but I did it and everything has just gone so smoothly here.  It really did not take too long to get through the interview and she is approved. "Hurray"

So we will return to the Embassy at 3:30 to pick up her visa and then we will spend the remainder of the day to enjoy the sights of Warsaw and to celebrate.

We are flying out on LOT and have a direct flight from Warsaw to Chicago and then from Chicago to Louisville, Ky.
My father insisted on taking me to the airport and to pick us up and he is also anxious to meet his future daughter-in-law too.

Everything is set and I have some really good surprises for Anna once we get back to my house.

Good luck, and I will be posting much more on my experiences here in Warsaw once I get back home.  I plan to take plenty of photos here and to post them on the internet for others who may have some questions about the interview process and the US Embassy.

Take care and talk to you all again very soon.
Jim

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

nice to hear things are working out.  Good thing you checked-up on the Fed-Ex documents. Best Wishes,  Tim

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

Jim,
You will forget all about FedX once Anna arrives.  LOL.  Best wishes.
KenC

... in response to Live from Warsaw......   :-)))), posted by Oatmeal on Jan 15, 2002

Jim,

Sorry to hear about Fed Ex ... I will hesitate to use their services in the future.

So this is the moment you've waited for, for a long time I'll bet :) ... I hope you have a wonderful reunion !

Take care, hope you write soon, and take lots of pictures :)

-hope you have a safe trip home..

-Deckard