Why? Do you really want to know? Firstly, apparently personal luggage has to be shipped by Federal Express [express], not Federal Express [ground]. Did you know that those are two separate entities that do not 'talk to each other'. I sure didn't and I guess somebody slipped up at Fedex in New York or Holland America.
So, it went from New York [Brooklyn] to New Jersey, Utah, Portland, Oregon and there they discovered it was sent via the wrong 'division'. So, it went back to New York via Ohio, New Jersey and Brooklyn. Then, somehow it got sent to Holland America in Seattle, where they have their head office. Continuing, it went to Oakland California, then back to Seattle [?], finally to Richmond, BC, [CANADA, hurray!]
However it could not clear Canada Customs until my six page list of contents was typed out, separating the pillow gifts that Holland America gave, in particular the lovely commemorative plates. That being done next day it was then required that I write a letter to Canada Customs authorizing my customs broker to clear the goods on my behalf. This was likely done as a result of me finally taking control of our luggage with our company's Fedex representative after the luggage sat in New York for a week because nobody was talking to anybody.
Also, A & A Customs broker, my brothers company were the ones that walked the goods through this entanglement of foul-ups. Thank you A & A!
To add insult to injury, the two commemorative plates were broken into three and four pieces each. They were packed well enough in hard-sided luggage but can you imagine the treatment they received with so many transfers?
It was a bit difficult not to let this last month spoil an otherwise delightful trip. It didn't.
Our luggage travelled across North America three times in those 30 days, I hope they had a good trip!
