Shipping method of Charter: Unacceptable

CFA Level III
#1

FYI - Not sure how you guys feel about it but I think these are unacceptable practices.

I passed L3 last year and was awarded the charter earlier this year. It takes 6-8 weeks to deliver them because the Institute processes the printing requests in ‘bulk orders’ hence it might take a while until they send the order to the printing company. I would assume as active members of the CFA Institute we could have the charter shipped with a tracking number, so that these documents don’t get lost or misplaced.

And yes, USPS is not the most reliable carrier where I live.

Below my exchange with the CFA Institute.

Dear xxxxx,

Thank you for your answer.

Speaking for us charterholders, I assume that the CFA Institute can have a serious discussion with the external “printing company” about shipping. It is just unacceptable and paints a wrong picture onto the Institute if the charter is lost and there is no tracking number or such. Or let me put it this way: who in the professional world do you personally know that ships important documents by USPS without tracking them?

I think most of us would second my thoughts and sign a petition if there is need for such.

And yes, please escalate this issue.

All best,

xxxxx

-----Original Message-----

CFA Institute ID# xxxxxxxx

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxx,

The company that actually produces the CFA Charter is the same company that ships the charter and they choose to use USPS which is why they aren’t sent using UPS or FedEx. I have forwarded your form to the correct department for processing.

Feel free to contact us again if you have any further questions or concerns.

Regards,

xxxxx xxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 4:58 PM

To: CFA Institute Customer Service

Subject: CFA Institute Charter Request

As a follow up on my prior email - pls escalate this email to the correct address:

Why can’t the CFA Institute send out the charters via UPS or FedEx as we do with the books? It does not make sense to have USPS deliver them! As part of such a professional organization that we are part of, I would assume that a “reliable” carrier with a tracking number would be something that the institute could offer its paying members, so that the ‘tube’ arrives on time and at the right location.

On another note, I would believe that you could identify yourself with this level of integrity and professionalism.

I am looking forward to your answer.

All best,

xxxxx, CFA

-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 4:38 PM

To: ‘info@cfainstitute.org’

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I never received my charter. Could you please send a new one out to:

xxxxx

xxxxx

xxxxx

Also please let me know how long it will take to receive the charter.

Thank you.

xxxxx

xxxxxx, CFA

#2

For what it’s worth, the piece of paper isn’t the charter.

That’s not to trivialize the frustration that you feel; I agree that they should be more diligent and efficient. But you are a CFA charterholder whether you’ve received the piece of paper in the post or not.

#3

you complain too much.

#4

You’re pulling a qqqbee with your complaining and posting your emails to cfai.

#5

You come off very douchy in these emails. Who gets angry over the mail?

#6

yes seriously! chill

#7

He is making a lot of sense. The most important document is shipped without tracking while the study materials are tracked. How dumb?

I agree that he comes across heady in those emails. He will do better passing on the message without an attitude.

#8

Placing that much emphasis on the paper comes off pretty douchy. I know you worked hard (probably) but your attitude doesn’t make people want to help you, it makes people want to fuck around with you.

Politely requesting contact information to the shipper and providing a logical reason for why you do not prefer USPS would be a good way to go about it. Right now all people have read from what you wrote is whine whine whine.

#9

Have you never heard of going postal ? wink

In all seriouness, I belive you escelated the issue too quickly, your first and 2nd e-mail should ahve been kind and polite and then you go downhill form there if they do not help.

*EDIT* that winky emoticon is a litle intense for my liking.

#10

My f’ing charter better come in a brinks truck

edit: fixed

#11

Yours will likely come in an elephant’s trunk.

#12

good catch

#13

Best to speak for yourself smiley

#14

study material cost $190, where as Charter…may be $10 per copy ??

#15

How is it shipped outside of the US?

And what address will they ship it to? Suppose I decide to apply for the charter and move before it is shipped. Would they ship it to another address, even if it was in another country?

How is it delivered? Rolled up in a tube or in a big envelope?

#16

–

#17

Agreed…but you dont want a certificate to go missing, like getting into the wrong hands…between, it may be forged if it gets into the wrong hand.

#18

comes rolled up in a hard tube

#19

Judging by your grotesquely entitled letter and your tone, I gather that you are writing from India (or possibly Pakistan). There is nothing wrong with the USPS, the issue is with the Indian Postal service and in particularly customs who routinely leave parcels in holding for months at a time.

USPS works great in 1st world countries with 1st world postal services. I would say, that Fed Ex should be an option, but one that the individual has to pay for. I would not want everybody to have to pay fed ex rates when cheap non-trackable USPS works for the majority of people.

#20

NEVER a good idea to be angry with you are requesting service from people, EVEN IF they are in the wrong!

You can be firm, you can be serious, but never angry.

Remember a nice smile goes a long way… :slight_smile: