The FedEx status of my “Stuck in Indiana” new laptop continues without any updating. So I finally bit the bullet and called the manufacturer of the computer, Hewlett Packard. I had already contacted the retailer, Costco, and they were no help at all. FedEx was extremely efficient and in fact I was quite amazed at their telephone support which was prompt and in native spoken English. FedEx gave me the reason for the “clearance delay” status in Indianapolis, Indiana, which was that my computer has not passed U.S. Customs.

I phoned Hewlett Packard a few minutes ago, and although I would not give them high marks for their telephone support, it was better than I expected. After finally being put through to a native English speaker, Vinnie, I was told that my computer will not be making it out of U.S. customs until the end of this week. That means I will be looking for my new laptop to arrive at my door next week. So while my Vista-installed notebook depreciates itself in customs, I continue to wait.

However, it was most troubling to hear his explanation of the delay. I had the most unfortunate luck to order my new laptop in the middle of the Chinese New Year holiday. Instead of visions of Vista and Word 2007 dancing in my dreams, I now have nightmares of all of those Ford and GM automobiles that were made in Detroit on a Monday. There was so much New Year’s celebrating going on in China, that they could not get the correct paperwork sent along with the 312 custom designed HP computers. How much Chinese celebrating was a-happening when my laptop was actually being put together, I can only fear to know. If only I had not been so eager to get the latest thing … if only I had waited a week or two … if only I had known.

For the other 311 “Stuck in Indiana” would be computer owners, who are wondering “why didn’t I just buy a MAC and save myself this aggravation?”, upon doing a Google search of “clearance delay” and “Indiana”, I discovered that this exact same turn of events has happened with the mighty and glorious Apple too.