FEDEX Rant!!

[julecav]

Has anyone else had a problem with Fedex ground service.  Around Christmas I did most of my shopping online and some of it was shipped via fedex ground.  Needless to say my stuff although for 5 days straight was supposed to be delivered (according to their tracking info)didn't come so I had to fight crowds to get replacement gifts for the kids that I was going to see early.  Again I ordered online from old navy and they shipped fedex (it stinks too when you order something they don't tell you how they ship)I track it and it doesn't come when they say it will.  I just got off the phone with the CSR and they told me fedex ground is slow and they really don't have to go by the dates they tell you.  From now on I will pay extra shipping to avoid fedex.  BTW if any of you work at fedex please don't take it personally!!

[angelsmom10]

A lot of times, it's not Fedex's problem, it's the company that is shipping it.  I just went thru this last week with a shipment to our company for a credit card terminal.... our terminal went down Wednesday PM and we called to have it over-nighted and they told us it would not arrive till Monday, I could not believe over-nighting would take 5 days.  They said that they would write up the order (wednesday), go to the department that fills the order (thursday), and then to the shipping on (friday), and then overnighting, would put it there on Monday. Mr response was what about Saturday, but they were babbling about mon-fri deliveries only.  Anyway, since dealing this this before, I knew that we could go locally and pick it up the next morning (since it was in the afternoon).
 
Also, I know that at Christmas, things just get shuffled around and I know some things do get lost.  I take overnight (at Christmas time) with a grain of salt.  I do understand your frustration.

[wiininkwe]

I had a problem just before Christmas, realized that a package I had ordered as a gift hadn't yet arrived as of Dec 19.  Called FedEx and was told how to track it online.   The tracking program said that the driver had delivered to package "to the customer" several days earlier.   Unfortunately, the address he had delivered to was not mine, and in fact didn't even exist.  (this was part of an order that consisted of three items, the other two delivered with no problem, and with our correct address on the package)  So, I was unsure as to how he could have handed the package "to the customer".   Anyway, they told me they would talk to the driver and get back to me within 24 hrs.   No one called, so two days later I called them.   I got a different person, we went thru all the particulars and she said that someone would call me after they talked to the driver, within 24 hrs.   I made two more phone calls, each time being told the same thing.  I asked finally for a supervisor, and she tried to hustle me off with the same old story.  I said  "Who is going to buy my daughter a Christmas present?"   The supervisor acted kinda huffy and wanted to know what I meant by that.  I repeated that the package had been paid for by credit card, and that since I never received it, someone should at least pay for it.  FINALLY, she admitted that maybe I could open a lost package claim.   She gave me instructions about going on the internet and downloading and printing a form, then fill it out and mail it in.   She said that I couldn't file the claim online. (untrue)  I also had to furnish a copy of my receipt and the stores confirmation of deliveryalong with the tracking information I had already gotten.   (at least since I had made the purchase online, I only had to print the emails confirming the purchase from WalMart.)   The site I went to for FedEx said that usually disposition is reached within 7 - 10 days after the claim is filed.  I did everything required, and this was on Jan 5.  I am still trying to find out what's going on.   I'm wondering just what the driver really did with the package, and why they could never seem to talk to him.
T

[MommaMia]

I had a problem just before Christmas, realized that a package I had ordered as a gift hadn't yet arrived as of Dec 19.  Called FedEx and was told how to track it online.   The tracking program said that the driver had delivered to package "to the customer" several days earlier.   Unfortunately, the address he had delivered to was not mine, and in fact didn't even exist.  (this was part of an order that consisted of three items, the other two delivered with no problem, and with our correct address on the package)  So, I was unsure as to how he could have handed the package "to the customer".   Anyway, they told me they would talk to the driver and get back to me within 24 hrs.   No one called, so two days later I called them.   I got a different person, we went thru all the particulars and she said that someone would call me after they talked to the driver, within 24 hrs.   I made two more phone calls, each time being told the same thing.  I asked finally for a supervisor, and she tried to hustle me off with the same old story.  I said  "Who is going to buy my daughter a Christmas present?"   The supervisor acted kinda huffy and wanted to know what I meant by that.  I repeated that the package had been paid for by credit card, and that since I never received it, someone should at least pay for it.  FINALLY, she admitted that maybe I could open a lost package claim.   She gave me instructions about going on the internet and downloading and printing a form, then fill it out and mail it in.   She said that I couldn't file the claim online. (untrue)  I also had to furnish a copy of my receipt and the stores confirmation of deliveryalong with the tracking information I had already gotten.   (at least since I had made the purchase online, I only had to print the emails confirming the purchase from WalMart.)   The site I went to for FedEx said that usually disposition is reached within 7 - 10 days after the claim is filed.  I did everything required, and this was on Jan 5.  I am still trying to find out what's going on.   I'm wondering just what the driver really did with the package, and why they could never seem to talk to him.
T

Hey T....

One suggestion.... since you made the purchase with a credit card, call your credit card company and tell them that you want to dispute the charges since you purchased and never recieved.  Once they get involved and the item seller has contact with them, the seller should start communication with Fedex to resolve the problem.

[don]

Go UPS, they're Union at least they can complain at work then things are screwed up and try to help fix it.

[Calstate361]

I have just recently had a similar problem.    I did the ordering via telephone and they offered to give me a $10 credit or ship overnight for charging it in one payment instead of 3 installments.  Well, 10 days later the item still had not come so I called the company back and was told it was shipped that day.  Another week went by and I called again and asked to talk to a supervisor.  When the person I was talking to asked why, I told him and he gave me a credit (since I had paid for the item via credit card).  I also told him the item could have been sent US mail and I would have received it sooner than "THEIR" overnight.

So, you might want to contact WalMart and see if they will give you a credit for the shipping charges.   It doesn't hurt to ask.
 
GOOD LUCK!
 
Joan

[2manytoyz]

I ran a radio repair business out of my home for a couple of years.  I shipped a lot of equipment.  The only service I've found reliable is the good old USPS Mail Service.

I can go online and order free shipping boxes and packing tape from USPS.  If you've bought boxes lately, you can appreciate how that adds up.  Recycled boxes are great, but finding them in quantity of the right size can be tough.  New freebies are great.  They'll even deliver bundles of 25 right to your door for free.  

My last encounter with UPS resulted in a radio being shipped back to the customer.  It arrived in the next town, rather than where it was addressed.  All my labels are printed on a computer and are 16pt, so they are easy to read.  The package had to be sent back to their main hub before getting delivered.  It took two weeks as we watched helplessly.  The package traveled across the country in the wrong direction in order to get it where it belonged.  UPS said no can help.  As long as it's moving, there isn't a problem!  No appology to me or the customer, and they wouldn't even talk to the receipient of the package.  They told him since he didn't send it, they wouldn't discuss it with him.

I wish more businesses gave them as a shipping option.  They also deliver on Saturdays at no extra charge, unlike UPS.

[byrdr1]

I ran a radio repair business out of my home for a couple of years. I shipped a lot of equipment. The only service I've found reliable is the good old USPS Mail Service.
 
I can go online and order free shipping boxes and packing tape from USPS. If you've bought boxes lately, you can appreciate how that adds up. Recycled boxes are great, but finding them in quantity of the right size can be tough. New freebies are great. They'll even deliver bundles of 25 right to your door for free.
 
My last encounter with UPS resulted in a radio being shipped back to the customer. It arrived in the next town, rather than where it was addressed. All my labels are printed on a computer and are 16pt, so they are easy to read. The package had to be sent back to their main hub before getting delivered. It took two weeks as we watched helplessly. The package traveled across the country in the wrong direction in order to get it where it belonged. UPS said no can help. As long as it's moving, there isn't a problem! No appology to me or the customer, and they wouldn't even talk to the receipient of the package. They told him since he didn't send it, they wouldn't discuss it with him.
 
I wish more businesses gave them as a shipping option. They also deliver on Saturdays at no extra charge, unlike UPS.

Robert,
Thanks for the plug....All my buddies in the USPS will like to hear this.This is my business MAIL...That's what i do for a living just not for the USPS.
We use Priority Mail all the time and I can put a confirmation number on it and track it for .40 a piece.We use Airborne for overnight and ground now-a-days. I haven't had but one problem in the last 2 years. Package going to Alaska was 3 weeks getting to where it needed to be. Airborne started it and USPS finished the delivery. With a dog sled.. Never have I had this big a headache.. We tracked that package from Anchorage to bush pilots to dog sleds..
Dave knows all about these shipping things with USPS..
randy

[B-flat]

I'm gonna differ!  Go UPS!  The problem could have been resolved with UPS if you had contacted the right person.  When you don't get satisfaction, then you get in touch with the supervisor who will see that the problem gets corrected.  It is time consuming to have a package out there on a truck which is sent to the wrong address.  UPS tries to monitor its deliveries and ensure they get there on time. If the problem is still not resolved, then get the number of the regional hub and their management will take care of it.  Yes, I have direct knowledge of how this works..comes from years of actually knowing the people who work for UPS.  UPS packages and letters can be tracked online at no charge or by calling the center shipped from.  Because of what I know about Airborne, I would not use them for shipping anything (subcontrators using leased equipment.)  
 
I use UPS all the time because the USPS has messed up many important deliveries of next day letters to "the house next door or down the street or in the next town" which contained time sensitive documents.  I can get my letters sent by UPS long after the USPS has closed its window.  There's a drop box nearby.  UPS gives me free mailers and labels preprinted with my return info all the time.  Fedex didn't deliver properly either.  That's why I switched to UPS and will always use them as my shipper.  I get discounts on my shipping through UPS.  Fedex won't give a discount to me.

[julecav]

Given the choice I will always choose ups or usps if you track either one their information is accurate.  My biggest problem with Frdex is their tracking info.  Don't make someone wait home to receive a package(cause if you go out they won't leave it).  Anyway, I got my stuff yesterday.  BTW old navy is runing 50-80% off winter stuff online.  Lots of good deals!

[SheBantam]

UPS was the one who could not find me at work because they needed a suite number.  I posted on one of the old boards about the camping mat from Camping World. It got shipped back to Camping World after not being able to locate me and me refusing the shipment...which I did NOT do. I really wanted that mat.

Camping World reshipped Fedex and I got it pronto. All depends on who is driving, info and all...

[aw738]

I agree with B-flat, go with UPS. I've had bad luck with Fedex (ie. lost packages) in the past also. Excusses about weather and other nonsence that I've never heard from UPS and definatly not the USPS. If you have a package that may have to be left without a signature then don't even think about using Fedex.

[tlhdoc]

Well we get Fedex packages with out signing.  i got one just the other day, but we live in a very low crime area.  My brother shipped 10 packages from Nevada to PA 6 and then 4 by Fedex.  He got 9 of them in PA and the 10th one went form Harrisburg PA to Cleveland Ohio and took 4 days longer to get to him.  He was not happy.

[Gone-Camping]

So far in this thread, people's post have bobbled back and forth, some say Fedex is great, others say it's not. Ditto for UPS and USPS. What I think you'll find is each service has their good days and their bad days! I've never experienced a problem with USPS, and the folks at UPS always deliver on time (at least as far as their online tracking goes). I haven't dealt with Fedex in many years as I've been happy with UPS and USPS...

[B-flat]

To avoid a delay or non-delivery from UPS, such as shebantam, just call the local center and have them enter your suite # in their database to ensure the problem does not happen another time.  If you do not correct the problem, you will probably encounter the same thing again.  For those who get deliveries at home, if you absolutely cannot be home and feel it is safe for UPS to deliver your package, leave the driver a note on your front door to sign out for you and deliver the package.  This saves time and the driver does not have to return with a second attempt to deliver according to your instructions on his yellow slip.  They will also leave with your next door neighbor if you desire, if you have one who is home.