Eric Zink Dec 5, 2019:

Not five smaller shipments So there's no obvious way to see what variant she wants. So what's your objection?

If you read my explanations, you will see that I'm not talking about five smaller shipments. As Thomas pointed out, you may well get a single item consisting of five smaller packages.

Why not "cannot supply"? Because it doesn't address the term being asked for (Stückelung). In any case, your solution is no clearer than mine, and actually less so. Yours implies that the goods sent may in fact be different from those ordered. The text makes no such assertion -- it is only the package size that changes.

Björn Vrooman Dec 4, 2019:

"If there is a way to find out what version of English a ProZ.com member uses most, I don't know what it is."

It's called being a regular contributor (no offense).

As for the rest, I asked the American half of this household. Answer: Why would they be so inefficient as to deliver it in three separate packages?

I think we can only agree to disagree here. Your solution isn't very clear to me. Since I'm not the only one who thinks so, I don't believe it's a good choice. Customers are not mind readers either.

Also, you did not just repeat what you said in your answer. Your suggestion was 1 shipment being divided into 5 smaller shipments (not supported by the dictionary link).

Now, it's one shipment being divided into 5 packages. That's probably the issue. It's still one order and one shipment, but you get five items and not just one.

Additionally, I don't see a problem with supply; "unable to/cannot supply you with" is more or less a standard phrase: "If we cannot supply you with the goods you have ordered, we reserve the right to supply you with substitute goods of similar quality and function."
https://timprestage.co.uk/shop/terms.asp

Best

Eric Zink Dec 4, 2019:

Shipment definition supports this solution Actually, if that's the definition of shipment, it takes care of Thomas's concerns completely. Of course the shipment is divided -- into five 100-g packages -- and, according to the definition you provided, transported together.

I see a number of construction issues with using something like "supplied in smaller packs" without any clear improvement in clarity.

If there is a way to find out what version of English a ProZ.com member uses most, I don't know what it is.

Thomas Pfann Dec 4, 2019:

Thanks, Eric Good. This is exactly what I wasn't sure about. Which is why I did not disagree with your answer and instead asked for clarfication.

As long as it is clear that this is not about ordering three items and then receiving them as three individual packages (as might happen with Amazon, for example).

Björn Vrooman Dec 4, 2019:

Eric Aside from the fact that Martina typically uses BrE, you don't divide a shipment, which is, by definition, "cargo transported under the terms of a single bill of lading or air waybill"
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/shipment.html

Thomas didn't say you divide up the "size" of the order. He only said all of it will arrive in one shipment. Additionally, I don't agree with your assertion that "...in the example given, it's the order (which happens to fit into a 500-g package)." The box the items are in could well be double as big; not like anyone saves on packaging these days.

Say, I go to a pharmacy and they don't have the medication I need, that is, they don't have a pack of 20 tablets, as prescribed by the doctor. Under certain conditions, they might use "Stückelung," that is, give me more than one of the smaller packs to make up for it: https://www.apotheke-adhoc.de/nachrichten/detail/apothekenpr...

As in "...supplied in smaller...packs..."
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20050908075122/ht...

I'm sure that works with delivered too.

Best

Eric Zink Dec 4, 2019:

More to Thomas "Divide" is a fairly flexible term. It does not necessarily mean that the shipment (or delivery or consignment or order) is not all sent at the same time. In fact, it would imply that less than something like "split" would, to my thinking.

Eric Zink Dec 4, 2019:

Care to share why? I addressed Thomas's post, and Lancashireman's only objection was that I used the American term.

Björn Vrooman Dec 4, 2019:

Agree with Lancashireman and Thomas Sorry, but none of this sounds right.

Lancashireman Dec 4, 2019:

American or Rest of the World? shipping/shipment (EN-US) > delivery/consignment/order (RoW)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipping_Forecast
e.g. Amazon cannot 'ship' orders to my address as I do not live on the coast or even next to a canal.

Eric Zink Dec 4, 2019:

It says that the "Verpackungsgröße" wird "stückelt", but in the example given, it's the order (which happens to fit into a 500-g package). In any case, you can't say that they are going to divide up the package (it makes no sense to say they're dividing up package size). They're not. They're dividing the order up into smaller packages.

Thomas Pfann Dec 4, 2019:

Verpackungsgröße wird gestückelt, nicht Lieferung This is not about shipment but just about pack sizes. If the 500g pack is currently out of stock they will send you five 100g packs or two 250g packs to avoid having to wait for the 500g pack being in stock again. This does not mean that the order is split. You should still get everything in one shipment but the box might contain two small bottles of X even though you ordered one large bottle.

Barbara Schmidt, M.A. (X) Dec 4, 2019:

Martina,
Why are you asking the same question twice?

Barbara Schmidt, M.A. (X) Dec 4, 2019:

Ramey and Eric:
As I understand it, this is about preliminary shipment of smaller parcels whenever fulfilment of the complete order has to wait. For instance if only part of the order is in stock.
Meaning that some of the items will be arriving sooner.
Amazon handles it this way.