Fedex Jerks

rojo412 · #1 05-02-2011, 09:53 PM

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but never got to it...

As I frequently tend to do, I sold a bass here on TB and took a lot of care and effort to get it packed and sent out.
I brought it to Fedex and filled out all of the forms, AS USUAL, and sent the bass off. One of the options I always add to any shipment:

SIGNATURE REQUIRED

It covers my butt, the buyer gets a bass delivered safely, and we are all good... or so I thought.

I tracked a package online and when it sent me the delivery notice, it said "Signed for by: LEFT AT DOOR". I was kind of taken aback. Right next to me, on my filthy desk, is the receipt, plain as day, SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Big "X" in the box, filled out by the guy at Kinkos.

Well, needless to say, I investigated. The buyer confirmed that the boxed bass was sitting at the door when he got home.

I emailed and complained to them and alerted them to the fact that this was NOT the way to do business and that I was very disappointed.
They responded back that it was "An isolated incident and would not happen again."

Okay, maybe so...

A short time later, I sell another bass. Head to Kinkos and ship it off, BIG CHECKMARK in the "SIGNATURE REQUIRED" area. This was actually an even more valuable bass as well.

Get a PM from the buyer that the package was just sitting by the door when he came home.

WHAT THE FARG, FEDEX?!?!
I have to pay extra money to ensure that these instruments make it to their buyer safely... and you just farging ignore it?!?!

What should I do?
Do I stop paying for the signature required, because they never pay attention?
Do I just keep hoping that they get it right?

Or do I have to pay a ton extra for UPS or USPS, who probably pull the same crap?

Frustrates me... a LOT!

guitar ed · #2 05-02-2011, 09:55 PM

This is what small claims court is for.

edg

MJ5150 · #3 05-02-2011, 10:29 PM

Stop selling gear to people who can't pick it up in person.

-Mike

rojo412 · #4 05-02-2011, 10:42 PM

The lucky part is, both basses made it okay, so I doubt I'd have much of a claim (for the $2 upcharge against a multi-national corporation...?).

And as for person-to-person... have you MET some of these people on TB?!?!

Seriously, though, just kind of sucks to know that they care so little about your package...
(Don't go there!!!)

MJ5150 · #5 05-02-2011, 10:47 PM

I sure have. All of them are great people.

-Mike

NateS · #6 05-02-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

just kind of sucks to know that they care so little about your package...

oh, so that's what you're worrying about. i see.

rojo412 · #7 05-02-2011, 11:49 PM

If you pay to have the package accepted by a human being, so it doesn't get robbed off of a porch, you should at least get what you paid for.

Personally, I get everything sent to my work address, so someone can sign for it and hold it safely.

If I'd sent a bass to someone and they didn't get it because some ashpole saw it on the porch and took it, I'd be as furious as the recipient-to-be. Because I know how they'd feel at that moment.

Relic · #8 05-03-2011, 04:59 AM

Seems like FEDEX just cant get it right. In my old neighborhood before I moved, a "Signature required" shipment was a sure way to make sure that the package was never delivered. The driver wouldn't even ring the doorbell, then I would see in the online tracking something like "delivery exception, resident not home" or something like that. I work from home, dammit. Oddly enough FEDEX in my new area is fine.
It may just depend on the particular driver.

PSPookie · #9 05-03-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

It may just depend on the particular driver.

I suspect the same thing.

C.Linton · #10 05-03-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Seems like FEDEX just cant get it right. In my old neighborhood before I moved, a "Signature required" shipment was a sure way to make sure that the package was never delivered. The driver wouldn't even ring the doorbell, then I would see in the online tracking something like "delivery exception, resident not home" or something like that. I work from home, dammit. Oddly enough FEDEX in my new area is fine.
It may just depend on the particular driver.

That's pretty much the problem I have with USPS, I live in the back of my building, if the package won't fit in the mailbox (located at the front of the building) or requires a signature, they will NOt come to my door at the back, they will routinely just leave one of their pink slips , the tracking info will say "delivery attempted, notice left" and I have to go pick up the package.

Relic · #11 05-03-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

That's pretty much the problem I have with USPS, I live in the back of my building, if the package won't fit in the mailbox (located at the front of the building) or requires a signature, they will NOt come to my door at the back, they will routinely just leave one of their pink slips , the tracking info will say "delivery attempted, notice left" and I have to go pick up the package.

Yep, I do actually remember you mentioning that in another thread.
I have the same damn issue with USPS, though I think I complained enough that the driver will at least make one attempt now.

Gard · #12 05-03-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I sure have. All of them are great people.

-Mike

Yeah, but that MJ5150 dude, not so much...er...uh...waitaminit...

...hey Mike...how you doin' my friend?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Seems like FEDEX just cant get it right. In my old neighborhood before I moved, a "Signature required" shipment was a sure way to make sure that the package was never delivered. The driver wouldn't even ring the doorbell, then I would see in the online tracking something like "delivery exception, resident not home" or something like that. I work from home, dammit. Oddly enough FEDEX in my new area is fine.
It may just depend on the particular driver.

This is EXACTLY the issue. I find it to be more prevalent with FedEx Ground service than "real" FedEx or UPS. Keep in mind that FedEx Ground is NOT FedEx, but a separate entity within the FedEx system. The local drivers on their "ground" service bid for routes, and drive their own trucks, they are essentially subcontractors - FedEx controls the point to point semi portion of the service, but not the hub to customer portion. So, they may be technically bound by FedEx rules, but just HOW bound they are varies from driver to driver...with UPS and "real" FedEx, those rules are enforced a bit more evenly, IME.

MatticusMania · #13 05-03-2011, 02:02 PM

I hope my USPS carrier will attempt to bring my package to my door if it doesnt fit in the mailbox. I'd hate for someone else to get ahold of my discreet package.

4Mal · #14 05-03-2011, 02:07 PM

I live out in the sticks. The delivery guys all know where to put packages here and regularly sign for my wife or I if we're not around. I'm good with that as it saves me the hassle of having to be here all day - light day, they can be early. heavy load day, they can be past 7:00 pm. The terminals are all way further than I want to round trip to and from. Suits me just fine ... nice to be able to trust the few neighbors I have.

rojo412 · #15 05-03-2011, 02:36 PM

I'm just saying, one thing I'd hate more than waiting all day for a bass to show up so I could sign for it, or having to pick it up at the place...

Trying to track down the person who took the bass off of my porch because the Fedex driver ignored the order for a signature required.

Relic · #16 05-03-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I hope my USPS carrier will attempt to bring my package to my door if it doesnt fit in the mailbox. I'd hate for someone else to get ahold of my discreet package.

Wait....let's analyze this for a moment shall we...a discreet package that does not fit in the mailbox...

Magazines are kinda small... blowup dolls should be deflated...I'm thinking that it must be one huuuuuuge dil....bert or a pallet full of 'em. Either way, you're scaring me dude

MatticusMania · #17 05-03-2011, 02:42 PM

Well, my mailbox is small (condo complex).

Secondly, Ive done the full disclosure of my sexuality in OT somewhere before.

Also, it isnt for me

Relic · #18 05-03-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Well, my mailbox is small (condo complex).

Secondly, Ive done the full disclosure of my sexuality in OT somewhere before.

Also, it isnt for me

uh huh. That's what they always say.

MatticusMania · #19 05-03-2011, 02:53 PM

Well, its partly for me...

(you can get more details in cassanova's 'Customer Service Rant' thread)

BurningSkies · #20 05-03-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Seems like FEDEX just cant get it right. In my old neighborhood before I moved, a "Signature required" shipment was a sure way to make sure that the package was never delivered. The driver wouldn't even ring the doorbell, then I would see in the online tracking something like "delivery exception, resident not home" or something like that. I work from home, dammit. Oddly enough FEDEX in my new area is fine.
It may just depend on the particular driver.

UPS does this to me all the time. I can sit on my porch, watch the UPS truck pull up, pause, not deliver then track my package as 'delivery exception'. Every time they do, I call and complain. It doesn't matter if its a 2 dollar box or a 2000 dollar box. I tell them its vital I have it and that I'm home and I WATCHED the driver not attempt to deliver. They usually make him come back to my house after he's finished his route and made it back to the warehouse.

For a while I had a few things coming up as 'not deliverable' for a bunch of reasons, not a real address, house not inhabited, etc., even though I live in a house that is definitely not abandoned on a busy urban street, and have lived there for over 15 years. I think I complained enough about that driver that he may have gotten thrown off that route.

UPS also left my Dingwall Afterburner 1 (at that time a 2300$ bass) on my front porch, about 15 feet from the sidewalk/street after having a random walking by sign for it. They could never explain the name or signature that ended up on the file...and it was no one I know of who lives nearby.

Fed Ex on the other hand has always done well for me. No problems, including the overnight priority from SFCA that was shipped last night at 6.30pm and arrived safely at 10.30am this morning. That one was worth well over $5K.