missing package investigation

Warning long post here, but hopefully it helps someone.

I can see this is happening to a lot of Apple customers. It's really the shipping carriers' fault as delivery seems to be horrible these days. I could go on and on about what possibly happened with the shipping carriers, but it' too much to go over. I had the same experience a couple of months ago with the 12 Pro Max and I actually had a good experience with Apple resolving my issue. The moment the item wasn't delivered, I immediately called Apple and made them aware. I also had the Apple rep make note of it on my order. I followed instructions to wait one more day and waited and nothing was ever delivered and called again. This time I got a great Apple rep that explained my options. We both agreed the refund was the best way to go. Long story short, I did get my refund in 3-5 days and then I went ahead and purchased the iPhone directly in an Apple store. My advice go with the refund and next time go directly to the Apple store to purchase and pick it up. If you can't do that, then make sure you create an account with which ever shipping carrier and redirect the item to be picked up at one of their stores or shipping centers, just use your tracking number to do that. Understand Apple has that policy on investigation with the shipping carriers. They give them a time window to investigate on their end on what happened to the item and if they can't find it they have to credit Apple back. I feel the refund is much faster than getting a replacement. I blame almost all of it to the shipping carriers, they need to show proof that it's been delivered. However, these days shipping carriers are taking advantage of the whole keep safe from covid-19 by just dropping your stuff off or saying it was delivered but never was. It is very frustrating as some of them won't even ring the doorbell or even knock on the door to let you know. Which exactly happened to me! I was ****** as I even took the day off to receive it. I'm sure there will be different opinions here, but that was my experience and it worked out. The Apple rep agreed the refund was faster and better. You also have the option to dispute it with your bank. I hope this helps someone and be safe out there.

A side note, 2-3 days after I got my refund and after I had already purchased the 12 Pro Max directly at an Apple store. I get the shipping carrier knocking on my door and said they delivered an iPhone on the day when it was supposed to be delivered. They need to have a signature to confirm. I told him I'm not signing anything because I never got it! It was interesting as how did this person even know what that item was?? It could have been something else! Once he left I called Apple to note it on my order that he came by and they agreed that was very suspicious. I then called the shipping carrier and the rep there agreed as well on that was suspicious! She then told me she would immediately report it to that hub/shipping station. It's so stupid that when they needed a signature now they come knocking. They should have gotten a signature to begin with!