At least they have cool race cars.

DHL uses independent contractors. The managers of the terminals do work for DHL. DHL just flat out sucks. I always try and use someone else and if given a choice when someone is shipping to me ask for someone else. I would ask for a refund and if they don't give it then call you credit card company and dispute the charge. Oh, they don't care that you didn't get you package and don't care that you are mad. They don't deliver on time every day.

DHL lost a turbo tail off a 911 that I bought last year. Apparently one of their own employees stole it right out of their own warehouse. Nice. To their credit, they did refund me, but it was still a hassle.

I've used them all. All my business has been with DHL for 2+ years now. They're not perfect, but they seem much more interested in doing right than brown or fedex. The rates I get are also unbeatable. I probably send and receive in a year what Wayne sends in a day or two, but I still have over 100-200 tx/year and they have been really great.

That said, procon, they did the exact same thing to me a couple months ago. I raised hell, as the package was absolutely critical. I think the driver got fired. The driver on my route at home since then is the best I've ever had. If I put in a pickup call, he's literally there in like 3 minutes. I don't know how he does it.

Fedex is the only courier company that hasn't let me down consistently. They've screwed up the odd time, but not unreasonable. UPS I believe was founded solely to frustrate people.

We use FedEx @ over 250k a year, they have been very good with us. DHL is always sending sales people here trying to get us to change and I don't even like their sales tactics.

Not a fan of DHL, either. I had a package shipped to me once and had a frustrating experience. They didn't seem to care.

Looks like the local terminal is here from what you can see on Google satellite imagery.

DHL Express
260 Rutledge Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
(800) 225-5345

I would try to get a local number for that address and see if you can talk to the terminal manager. Sometimes they can be more understanding of a situation and assist / leave directions for evening help.

I've dropped off and picked up packages after hours at the local UPS regional terminal using this method when I've been in a bind.
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When I opened my business, we chose DHL and FedEx. (UPS was not in the running due to previous problems.)

DHL had better rates, but were consistently pissing off our customers with oddball delivery times, failures to deliver, failures to leave notices, etc. We dropped DHL in short order and FedEx is now our only carrier.

As mentioned above, they're not perfect but better than the others in my experience.

I had a few beers this evening with a buddy of mine that flies for UPS and he told me that they are starting to ship DHL packages in various markets......don't recall where but I will get w/him to refresh my memory.

I've heard the same about the level of service (or lack of) withing the US but in the same breath, I hear that they do well in Europe.

DHL is more into international frieght and parcels. They are reducing the within USA deliveries. Ask their freight pilots about that.

We use UPS for nearly everything nowadays and then DHL for international.

Corporate America what else needs to be said.....

+1. They all suck to some degree. It boils down to the local driver(s). My UPS guys are great. The local FedEx may as well have trained monkey's. DHL has good & bad days. And my USPS carrier barely speaks English. :(