My Wii was scheduled to arrive from Omaha today. Imagine my surprise when I got home and was thoroughly Wii-less. I looked up the tracking number to find that the delivery man had entered an exception – apparently, he didn’t know where to deliver the package. So I dialed up UPS.

Me: I’m calling about my package?
UPS Lady: It appears we don’t have your apartment number.
Me: I see that it’s not there, even though I gave it to the shipper. [I give her my apartment number.]
UPS Lady: Great, and could I get a phone number for the order?
[I give her my home phone number.]
UPS Lady: And, is there an alternate phone number?
Me: Um, the number that I originally gave for the order is my cell phone. You could use that.
UPS Lady: Sir, I don’t have access to that number.
Me: Well, out of curiosity, why didn’t anyone call me when they couldn’t deliver the package?
UPS Lady: Our delivery agents don’t carry cell phones.
Me: So, if I hadn’t have called, how would you have gotten my apartment number?
UPS Lady: Well, we would have sent a post card to the post office, who would have delivered it with your other mail. Then you could have indicated your apartment number and sent it back to us.
Me: Yikes… I’m glad I called then. [I give her my cell phone number.]
UPS Lady: Thank you for calling UPS.

So here’s the question of the day… why does UPS (or any other shipping agency) ask for your phone number if delivery agents can’t use it, and customer service reps can’t access it? Who, exactly, is my phone number for?

The most interesting twist to the story, UPS did, in fact, manage to deliver my new Wii remote to my door today. A different driver, you suggest? Perhaps. But there is a leasing office across the plaza from my apartment building full of folks who would recognize my name or, at least, sign for the package. Instead, I’m left with nothing to do tonight but blog. What a sad state of affairs.

At least my Wii has been having an eventful trip to Seattle… it emailed me a picture of its travels to Carhenge!! Way to go, Wii!!