I now hate Fedex more than I hate the post office!

J

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Right Seater
Actually, I also hate UPS more than the post office now too, but this isn't about that.

Last month I was awaiting a Fedex delivery that required a signature. Scheduled delivery date was before end of day on a Monday. I waited till about 11am and checked the tracking. It was updated to say delivery would be between 1pm and 3pm, so I left the house for a half hour. The package came (and went) around 11:30. Of course I wasn't here, so I had to wait at home all day on Tuesday. It came around 6:30 while I was busy burning dinner.

Now, I was expecting another delivery on Monday, by end of day. I figured it was fine if we went to Atlanta for the weekend for a friends 40'th anniversary and get back early Monday, but the package came (and went) on Saturday. The nastygram said it would be scheduled for the next business day, which is today (Monday). Well, I got home early today and waited all day until just now. I just checked the tracking site and they now say it will be delivered tomorrow between 11:50 and 2:10. Yeah, sure. So now I have to stay home all day again tomorrow. If this wasn't an important health related item, I would just tell them to eat it and take it back. But I really need it.
 
Tape a note to your front door. State it’s okay to leave parcel. Sign it. Date it.

Quit whining like a little <insert derisive, inappropriate gender identifier>
 
Lol, seriously, just tape a signed note to the door. Hell, sign up for a free fedex account and type in the tracking ID, you can leave a note on there as well I think.
 
As others have said, leave a signed note. It has never stopped a delivery.
 
FedEx are the worst. Once they failed to deliver a package to me, but marked it as delivered, then told me it was lost and they'd get in touch with the driver, and then lost the driver too. I'm not joking, I was getting calls from them for days afterwards saying they couldn't get in touch with their own driver. The package showed up weeks later (without a word from anyone at FedEx) so I know it wasn't stolen or anything.
 
I went to the FedEx site and signed up for them to leave any package if I’m not there. If a signature is required by the shipper, I tell to leave it at the local depot and I’ll come get it.

Cheers
 
One thing you can do in that scenario is have it delivered to a nearby fedex store. They'll hold the package and you can sign for it there.

Been in that same scenario and it was pretty easy to change the delivery.
 
I've had mixed luck with FedEx. I think the previous driver we had where I live now was illiterate because almost as many of my packages were delivered to the wrong addresses as the right one. The new one seems okay, though. Assuming the package isn't lost before it gets on his truck, it usually arrives okay.

Far worse than FedEx Ground is FedEx SmartPost. No matter where a package to me comes from, it sits at a facility in Edison, New Jersey for a week or two before it gets moved along. I think they wait until they have enough packages to fill a truck. The longest delay I ever experienced was two weeks. One week or longer delays are very common.

On the positive side, I've gotten quite a few shipping fees refunded because of those delays. When I pointed out to Amazon that every shipping refund they ever issued to me was a FedEx SmartPost delivery, they stopped shipping to me that way. Now I have Prime, but they still don't use FedEx SmartPost to ship to me. Everything comes either UPS, USPS, or (rarely) FedEx Ground.

I've never had a problem with USPS or UPS. USPS sends me texts and emails every morning with pictures of my day's letter mail and notices of the progress of packages, so I don't have to make the trip to the post office if there's no mail. Seriously. It's called "Informed Delivery" or some such thing. They even tell me if a package that missed the regular 11:00 a.m. local sort is available for pickup later in the day. Sweet.

UPS also sends me notices of every package, along with a link to a page showing the driver's truck on a map so I know exactly where he is. They're also very good about last-minute delivery changes if you register with their site. Apparently they can notify the driver by way of his scanner to leave a package with a friend or neighbor, etc.

Rich
 
Glad you like the USPS, maybe you can get them to find a box of books they lost.
 
Use each postal service a few times and you’ll find something to complain about. It’s the nature of the beast, but nothing to get bent out of shape over.
 
so you're angry at both FedEx and UPS. sounds like you're Fed UPS................................Fed..........UPS............



oh, and Zeldman just had a heart attack, but yeah, your package was a day late, we got it.
 
I had a package next-day-air that was supposed to be here by 11. It left my terminal and the new FedEx let me see the truck noodling around in the area. I called and pointed out that this was a time critical part. All they could do is arrange for me to go chase down their bloody truck and get my box from him. Apparenlty, the local FedEx morons don't understand the difference between "guaranteed by 11" and "by the 8PM" delivery distinction.
 
I shipped a crankshaft via FedEx in a 3/4" plywood box. They destroyed it and denied claim due to "improper packaging". I went around with them for a while then finally sent a email to Fred Smith. His secretary replied, paid the claim and let me keep the now unairworthy crank. I sold as unairworthy and got another $500. Fred Smith does respond to emails, or at least his secretary does. That is amazing.
 
In 1997 UPs went on strike against their customers. I had about $3000 bucks worth of parts in transit. All of it was stolen during the strike by striking UPS employees. UPS denied the claim due to the strike.

I never, never use UPs for anything. When I order something and they tell me they only use UPS to ship, I cancel the order.

Mail theft is not as common as it used to be in my area, but it still happens. Mostly from insiders.

FedEx has been good to me lately. They know to deliver to my back gate near the entrance to the garage, which is out of site to the road.
 
I think it's regional. Right now we love our Fedex people.

I did post a story about 18mo ago about my hate for UPS, where they drove over a properly packed weedeater (tire tracks, shaft bent in a humorous V shape).
Their claims department denied the claim (just like all insurance companies now, their mandatory first response is always "NO".)
But I am persistent sob if nothing else, and eventually they coughed up full value.
And paid me back the shipping.
In fact, the cc company insisted on paying me back for the shipping so I earned about $100 bucks for my 10points in blood pressure and 3 hours on the phone. But I won, by gawd.
 
Problem is FedEx drivers are contractors. My guy is a wuss. My vestibule is screened and there is no way my dogs can bust through it. He has even met my super friendly dogs. But every chewy delivery is plopped down 30 feet from the door.
 
Usually they will leave you a form that you can sign so next time they show up they can just leave the package there. Where I live theft isn't really a concern so I wish you could just opt out of the signature thing altogether sometimes.
 
cowman said:
Usually they will leave you a form that you can sign so next time they show up they can just leave the package there. Where I live theft isn't really a concern so I wish you could just opt out of the signature thing altogether sometimes.
Click to expand...
You can. It’s the signature on file bit...
 
It seems like every thread I open recently has Clark1961 going off on one. Why is he acting like such a little <insert derisive, inappropriate gender identifier> these days...
 
Katamarino said:
It seems like every thread I open recently has Clark1961 going off on one. Why is he acting like such a little <insert derisive, inappropriate gender identifier> these days...
Click to expand...
Sense of humor much?
 
Clark1961 said:
Tape a note to your front door. State it’s okay to leave parcel. Sign it. Date it.

Quit whining like a little <insert derisive, inappropriate gender identifier>
Click to expand...
You can't do that for a case of Scotch.
 
eman1200 said:
so you're angry at both FedEx and UPS. sounds like you're Fed UPS................................Fed..........UPS............



oh, and Zeldman just had a heart attack, but yeah, your package was a day late, we got it.
Click to expand...
So that's the standard now? If our complaint isn't as severe as a heart attack, then we should be ashamed for posting it?

Actually, that would be a good idea. Then 90% of the rants on here would be invalidated (including many of yours) and then POA could return to being a good aviation forum.
 
JOhnH said:
You can't do that for a case of Scotch.
Click to expand...
You failed to mention in the OP that an adult ID was required. The solution is still easy, see post #7.
 
Clark1961 said:
You failed to mention in the OP that an adult ID was required. The solution is still easy, see post #7.
Click to expand...
I tried that. They said there was no local depot that was able to hold the package. (this one wasn't alcohol; the one last month was).
 
I have my wine shipped to a PMB. The guy there signs for it.

But this talk of FedEx and alcohol reminds me of a joke my friend who flies for FedEx told me (a bit dated now):

What's the difference between a Northwest pilot and a FedEx pilot?

The Northwest pilot gets hammered before he gets on board.
 
JOhnH said:
I tried that. They said there was no local depot that was able to hold the package. (this one wasn't alcohol; the one last month was).
Click to expand...
First it’s alcohol then it isn’t? Yer talking in circles. Obviously you want to whine like a little....
 
Clark1961 said:
First it’s alcohol then it isn’t? Yer talking in circles. Obviously you want to whine like a little....
Click to expand...
I spoke of two shipments. One last month was alcohol. The one I am waiting for today is a CPAP machine.
Is that really difficult for you to understand? I could try to write it using smaller words, just for you.
 
JOhnH said:
I spoke of two shipments. One last month was alcohol. The one I am waiting for today is a CPAP machine.
Is that really difficult for you to understand? I could try to write it using smaller words, just for you.
Click to expand...

Try it like this:

I spoke of two shipments. One last month was alcohol. The one I am waiting for today is a CPAP machine.
Is that really difficult for you to understand?

:)
 
JOhnH said:
I spoke of two shipments. One last month was alcohol. The one I am waiting for today is a CPAP machine.
Is that really difficult for you to understand? I could try to write it using smaller words, just for you.
Click to expand...
You choose to be deceptive and then protest when called on it? Fine. HAND.
 
Paulie said:
Problem is FedEx drivers are contractors.
Click to expand...

When it comes to deliveries to your house this is true only of FedEx GROUND drivers (I used to be with FedEx).

Ground was formerly RPS (Roadway Package System) until FedEx bought their mother company, Caliber, in 1998. They were re-branded "Ground" in 2000. FedEx tends to let their various operation companies continue to operate the way they did before being bought, with very minor tweaks. They buy them because they are already successful and don't screw with them too much...at least initially.

FedEx EXPRESS drivers are company employees
FedEx GROUND drivers are contractors.
FedEx FREIGHT drivers are company employees
FedEx CUSTOM CRITICAL driver (I think) are contractors.

I was with FedEx Freight, formerly American Freightways before FedEx bought us in 2001.

Funny story (at least I think so): FedEx Ground OTR drivers own their own tractors, FedEx owns the trailers. Guess which operating company wears out trailer brakes at 4 times the rate of the others? ;)
 
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Indeed FedEx Custom Critical drivers are contractors. They're all owner-operators (the entire truck).
 
Clark1961 said:
You choose to be deceptive and then protest when called on it? Fine. HAND.
Click to expand...
What is your problem?

There were a lot of details I left out because they were irrelevant, not because I was being deceptive. What difference does it make what the product was? The problem was that I had to waste days waiting at home for promised deliveries that didn't come. I don't like wasting entire days. I don't like sitting home waiting right now strictly because of a delivery that may or may not arrive by 7pm.
 
JOhnH said:
I spoke of two shipments. One last month was alcohol. The one I am waiting for today is a CPAP machine.
Is that really difficult for you to understand? I could try to write it using smaller words, just for you.
Click to expand...


Rich
 
I am a big fan of FedEX EXPRESS, Ground is OK, but seems to be more regional in quality. My UPS driver won't go anywhere near the locked steel door which hides my 1-eyed, crippled, 17 year-old, 14 lb rat terrier so he likes to leave boxes in the rain. FedEX driver will go around back to the dog run to give treats and lovin. Tells me all I need to know about a person.
 
cowman said:
Usually they will leave you a form that you can sign so next time they show up they can just leave the package there. Where I live theft isn't really a concern so I wish you could just opt out of the signature thing altogether sometimes.
Click to expand...

15 years ago, I got too lazy to drive 45 minutes to the nearest decent computer store and bought a custom machine from Dell via the interweb. Saved an hour and a half that way, and the price was the same. All of that convenience went out the window when the note was posted on my door "must sign for delivery". There was nobody at FedEx or Dell who could change that selection someone made. Extremely frustrating. Given that I couldn't beg off of work for 4 hours to meet the driver, Dell got that computer back and I bought one at the local computer store the next weekend.[/QUOTE]
 
gasfiltered said:
I am a big fan of FedEX EXPRESS, Ground is OK, but seems to be more regional in quality. My UPS driver won't go anywhere near the locked steel door which hides my 1-eyed, crippled, 17 year-old, 14 lb rat terrier so he likes to leave boxes in the rain. FedEX driver will go around back to the dog run to give treats and lovin. Tells me all I need to know about a person.
Click to expand...

I once had to run some conduit and cables outside a customer's house while there was no one home. The customer had a very large, very protective Rottweiler named DeNiro whom she knew would have none of that, so she locked the dog inside the day I was coming.

Unfortunately, her dopey brother had stopped by and let the dog out, not having the good sense to figure his sister probably had a reason for locking him in that day. So when I showed up, opened the gate, and walked into the yard like I owned the place, DeNiro was not happy. He started running at me with the sort of determination that usually means bad news.

Just as I was debating my options, however, he changed posture and slowed to a walk. He then stood in front of me, barked, and started walking toward the gate. I was a bit surprised and didn't follow right away; so he came back, gently took my boot in his jaws, looked up at me, barked, started walking toward the gate again, turned his head, and waited for me. He was literally showing me the door.

I walked toward him and started toward the gate, talking to him as he heeled next to me. "I'm just here to do a job, DeNiro. I also know that you're just doing yours, so no hard feelings." That sort of thing. He continued to calmly escort me to the gate with a relaxed posture. When I was out of the yard and closed the gate behind me, however, he leaped up on it like, well, a mad dog and kept barking and pushing up against the gate until I got back in my car and drove away.

I know it was all a show. DeNiro could have leaped over the fence if he really meant me any harm. He also could have taken chunks out of me in the yard if he wanted to. But at some point he figured out that I meant no harm, so he just escorted me out.

Still, I sometimes wonder if I could have stayed and done the job that day. I've made friends with many other "mean" dogs, usually to their owners' great surprise. But that day, I decided to play it safe. DeNiro seemed pretty insistent that I get out of his yard, so that's what I did.

I went back to finish the job on a day when the customer was home. With the customer around, DeNiro just stayed close by me while I ran the conduits and cables. When I moved, he moved. When I stopped, he stopped. His posture was watchful, but not threatening at all. We had quite a nice chat while I finished the job.

Rich
 
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