I said, "Why didn't he go to the box and bring up my name; that would have let us ring him through."
The agent said, "I'm not sure; it looks like we've got your name wrong here..."
"It is S-T-A-N-D-L-E-E?"
The agent sounded surprised. "Well, yes, it is."
"I know my name is spelled strangely. That's why I take such care to spell it for people."
"I'm sorry, sir, but we can try scheduling the pickup again."
I told her, "Never mind. There is a DHL office in Redwood City on my way to work. I'll drop it off myself. But I'll tell you something: I work professionally in the transportation logistics industry, and don't think this isn't going to color my opinion the next time I have to make a carrier choice. Incidentally, both UPS and FedEx deliver regularly to my address, and they've never had any problem finding me or getting through the gate."
Then this morning, I went on auto-pilot when I got on East Bayshore Frontage Road and drove right past that DHL office and had to make a U-turn to get back. But at least now I have their signature on the return slip, so if it goes astray, it's no longer my fault.