No more FedEx shipments for me >:-(

[Deputy]

Was supposed to receive a train delivery yesterday from Fed Ex. They never showed. I called them yesterday and they said "it is on the truck and will arrive today". Of course, that was BS. It never arrived. It was re-scheduled for delivery today. It's now 4PM and still no delivery. I called and gave them my phone number in case the driver was lost. No calls from the driver. No calls from Fed Ex. An e-mail complaint got me this reply:

Dear Michael:
 
We received your inquiry. Thank you for contacting FedEx. We apologize for any inconvenience.
 
Our records indicate that the shipment is currently out for delivery by the end of the business day.  For further updates, please visit our online tracking page: http://www.fedex.com/Tracking
 
Thank you for your patience in this matter, and for shipping with FedEx.
 
 
Jennie A.
FedEx Customer Service

I wrote back and asked them just exactly what they meant by "the end of the business day."
If that is 5PM, then they are quickly running out of time. From now on I have to remember to make sure I specify on my purchases that items be shipped ONLY by UPS. I got a train delivery this morning from them and they have no problem arriving when scheduled.

Dep

 

[Anonymous]

In the past Ive had Fed Ex shipments get set aside in what they call the "Problem Bin". Literally a cart inside the local Fed Ex distribution before my home that hold packages which drivers cannot find the address etc.

Ive learned to drive to the Fed Ex office in the early afternoon as soon as the tracking indicates it's arrival there.

Otherwise I prefer the Hobby Shop to get it or if it is a computer part, I will have it flown by air via another carrier.

[dbaker48]

As I ship via FedEx everyday, I would STRONGLY suggest when you call them, 800 gofedex, verify ALL the shipping address information, that may be causing the delay.  I shipped a package 4 days ago to an elementary school, took this long for delivery.  Reason: Driver attmpted delivery AFTER 6pm, and no one was there, can't imagine why.  They finally delivered today when I reminded them the school closes at 3.
Also ask for the phone number for the local depot, and call the manager their.

Good luck

(I have difficulty with all... FedEx, UPS, DHL)

[Deputy]

It arrived at 4:10. One damaged item...Lionel track cleaner bottle leaking. Not sure who's fault that is. It was well packaged and the box wasn't crushed. Probably Lionel didn't close the top tight enough. UPS has a terminal in town. Fed Ex comes from El Paso. From now on strictly UPS for me

Dep

 

 

[Anonymous]

The Fed ex and others tend to get to my place late in the afternoon.

The previous 24 months non hobby shop items have come and gone via the US Post Office Priority with no loss or damage in either direction.

UPS has also improved, especially after they learned exactly where my house is. Much earlier in the day too. I believe it's due to one dedicated driver for my town who knows where all the homes are at.

[ChiefEagles]

I had one reecently that when I checked the tracking code, it said it had been delayed a day.  I have been told that they are guaranteed delivery dates.  The last two shipments to Jim A [DHL and UPS] were a day late from the receipt I got at the shipping store.  Also, a package to Doug M [FedeX] was a day late.  I think shipping is suppose to be reimbursed if not delivered on time.  My shipping store says, if it happens again to let them know.   

[c50truck]

I’ve never received a train delivery from FedEx, but my wife and I own a florist and greenhouse business. We’ve had the FedEx drivers walk in the front door with a parcel of plant cuttings or seedlings clearly marked with a LARGE arrow, this end up, only to have them carry them in and set them on the counter upside down. Than they act insulted because we want to open the parcel before signing. The gals in the florist shop find it funny. I find it sad. FedEx is our last choice for shipping.

Rod LaFrance

[lionelsuperotrack]

My experiences with Fedex have been troublesome as well. A package was sent to me that had to be signed for. We were on vacation when they made their second or third trip and the battle to get this package was monumental. Finally, weeks later I was able to get it.

UPS, on the other hand, has been very easy to work with.

Regards, Mike

[Train Memories]

I'm with you Dep.   When some of us are counting the hours we expect the train delivery to come when they tell us. I like UPS because (at least with me) they keep thier word when I'm going to get the package. With UPS, If you request from  the dealer, they give you a tracking number that tells you where your package is at on the way to you. I would request it if I were you. Fed Ex don't tell you EXACTLY where your package is at.                          Reuben 

[markn]

It's like most things--the people running it can make a big difference, we have a great local Fedex depot and not as good UPS-find the one that works for you.  Ask the shipper for the tracking number on every shipment and track your shipment from the start.

[Deputy]

Tracking numbers are all well and good. But that doesn't help much if the shipper, in this case FedEx, doesn't DELIVER the item. I had a tracking number and it said "out for delivery". It never came. It said the same thing Thursday and finally arrived. What smoked me was when I called on Wednesday the lady on the phone said something to the effect "it says it's on the truck for delivery so they HAVE to deliver it". What a load of BS. They deliver it if they have the time or if it's convenient for them. I've become good friends with my UPS delivery guy. I see him nearly every day with all the orders I have coming in. Plus he lives locally and the terminal is only a few blocks from my house. Trust me, ALL future orders I will specify UPS delivery.

Dep

[Anonymous]

FedEx, UPS, USPS--I've had good luck with all of them over a good many years.  I generally use UPS or USPS to ship items I sell, and haven't had any delivery compliants from buyers to date (again, dating back many years).  Items I receive come from just about any of the three services mentioned--again without any real problems.  I have shipments delivered to my office because that's where I am during the day, and it often costs the shipper less to ship to a business address.

Some dealers use one or the other shipper exclusively.  For ecample, if you don't want your items shipped by FedEx, you best not buy from Charlie Ro because FedEx is what he uses.  The vast majority of dealers seem to use UPS, or at least that's the impression I have based on my own mail order experiences.  USPS Priority Mail is also working well for me, especially with smaller items that can be packed in the USPS Priority Mail boxes, which are free, and shipped at the flat $8.10 domestic rate, regardless of weight, etc., as long as the item fits in the box (and allowing for proper bubble-wrap or other packing).

There will always be the inevitable glitches with any shipping source.  After all, there are people involved in the process.  The only real alternative is to buy everything at a local dealer's shop, if that is an option.  It isn't for me.

[ChiefEagles]

Don't get me started on the USPS.  I've had trains delivered and damaged.  Packed in double bubble wrap, marked fragile.  Boxes looked like they had been dropped from 100 story building and then jumped on.  Had a transformer deliverd by USPS and it was double boxed.  Was OK inside but outer box was destroyed.  Use to get fishing rods delivered by them.  Everyone came damaged.  Had to request shipper to use UPS.  Had fishing reels [over $100 in value] left hanging on mailbox with rubberbands.  I live on main street with folks walking by and 27,000 cars a day.  Easy lost.  Too lazy to drive in driveway.  Had items left on bench at side entry in the rain when the item could have been placed 10 more feet under stoop to stay dry.  Got a better delivery person now. Items still delivered by her look like they have been through H---.   Mr. Brown waves when I see him on the street.  Very personable.  Rings doorbell when he drops off delivery at front door under poarch. 

[dwiemer]

I have had trouble with FedEX too.  Back when they made the movie "Backdraft", you remember the opening scenes when they had all those old firehelmets on the wall?  They were all original helmets borrowed by the studio from the retired guys and widows from Chicago FD.  You guessed it, the entire shipment for return of the helmets was "lost" by FedEX.

While I did have a few problems with the new UPS driver leaving packages by the garage, exposed to rain, when the front poarch is covered, the deliveries are always on time and you can actually track the package location, ie: at the local airport, etc.

I have also had some problems with the post office, one package arrived 4 months after shipping, another arrived several weeks later.

For me, it's UPS.......a company based in the South

Dennis

[Deputy]

Ditto  for me with USPS. They WERE my "last resort" shipper until this fiasco with FedEx. Now they are tied with Fed Ex. My problems pretty much mirror what Chief experienced. My house is at the top of a small hill. Mail box is down by the road. Mailman used rubber bands to attach an Amazon delivery of CDs TO the outside of the box.. Yep...2 of 3 were warped because the sun got at them. Larger boxes that didn't fit in mailbox were just dropped next to it. I have NO visibility of my mailbox, so anyone can (and did) drive by and help themselves.
I went to my post office and filled out a form TWICE before the mailman stopped dropping my deliveries at the road. Now they (usually) hold them at the post office. I say usually because last week I had a Lionel GP-9 sent to me by US Mail. It had a tracking number and I kept close tabs on it. All the USPS lets you track is shipping day and receiving day. On the 5th day I checked and it said "package delivered". Nope...no package. And no little pink slip telling me it's at the Post Office. So I went to the PO myself with a printout of the delivery notification. I figured the driver just forgot to give me the pink slip. Gave the printout to the clerk and he came back with a box. He said "couldn't find the box you asked about, but this ones been laying here for a month." Amazing that they can say that stuff with a straight face!!!! The clerk did say he'd give my printout to his boss and they would contact me. I waited until 4PM and called back. Got the boss. He said he will call the driver to see if it's on the truck. He called back in 5 minutes and said "yep...it's on the truck". Why the driver would take a large box on the truck is beyond me. It certainly wouldn't fit IN the mailbox. I was told to go back at 4:45 and pick up my package at the PO. I did.

Dep

 

[jonadel]

True story from two years ago.

My wife's sister from Florida had sent us a perishable package via Fed Ex just before Christmas. The driver went out of his way on Christmas Eve to make sure we got it, delivered it at 5:00 p.m., last one for the day for him. We had been baking cookies all afternoon and made him come in and take a big plate home for his kids, and no, we didn't know him. Biggest smile I had ever seen!

We have been fortunate with all of the carriers and delivery. We have a horribly steep gravel driveway and when it's snow covered it's a tough go, the UPS driver (a friend) looks at it as a challenge :) But as he has gotten older he just calles me on his cell phone and I meet him at the bottom of the driveway in my 4 wheel drive truck. Another advantage living in a small community.

Jon

[jefelectric]

I have had experience in business and since I am retired that is similar to some on this thread.  A lot depends on your delivery person, whether it is USPS, UPS, FedEx or any other.  At the present time we have three great delivery people, the USPS gal is top notch.  Always brings anything that will not fit the box to the porch and rings the bell.  (yesterday I had a box dropped at the box, first in years.  I know it was a sub.)  The UPS driver usually lets my stuff at the office since he knows my wife still works, but if it is a large item he will drop it at the house.  FedEx driver is also good, although we don't get as many deliveries from them.

Damage wise over the years UPS has been the worst of the three. Motor freight, is the absolute worst.  Those guys can damage a cast iron wheel weight.

I've been told that a lot of the FedEx drivers are actually subcontractors and don't concern themselves with company image.  Don't know if this is true or not.

[dgraham]

I receive most of my train stuff via UPS and most of the time no problem.  We live in a rural area and the driver leaves the package on the porch.  However, about a month ago I saw the driver coming as I was leaving for a short errand .  When I returned no package.  That evening as I walked the dogs  I discovered it about 100 yards from the house beside the driveway with a big slash in it like it had been hit with an axe (probably slammed the van door on it.) It was an Atlas car and the heavy stryofoam had absorbed the hit - no damage thank goodness.   The next time I caught the UPS guy he claimed no knowledge of the incident.   "I always leave them on the porch"   Other than a couple of squashed boxes (also no damage)  I've generally been satisfied with then.  USPS has been good also and I rarely get a delivery from FedEx.

[Garfield]

FedEx Express drivers are employees.  FedEx Ground drivers are indepent contractors.  Some own there own trucks and take pride in what they do.  Some others are subcontracted to a contractor who owns their route.  Either way they get paid per package not per hour like regular FedEx or UPS guys.

[Anonymous]

True story from two years ago. My wife's sister from Florida had sent us a perishable package via Fed Ex just before Christmas. The driver went out of his way on Christmas Eve to make sure we got it, delivered it at 5:00 p.m., last one for the day for him. We had been baking cookies all afternoon and made him come in and take a big plate home for his kids, and no, we didn't know him. Biggest smile I had ever seen! We have been fortunate with all of the carriers and delivery. We have a horribly steep gravel driveway and when it's snow covered it's a tough go, the UPS driver (a friend) looks at it as a challenge :) But as he has gotten older he just calles me on his cell phone and I meet him at the bottom of the driveway in my 4 wheel drive truck. Another advantage living in a small community. Jon

Heh. A little safe in our old age eh?

You would not believe some of the driveways Ive navigated with a 3 axle 12 yard cement mixer truck. Scary stuff. The kind that induces Cardiac arrest. But each attempt reinfoces my faith that Mack Trucks are built tough for that particular application.

I noticed that some of the responses indicated that the stuff is on the truck when marked "Out for Delivery"

I encourage you to locate the distribution building for your local delivery and visit there. They usually have a rack on wheels filled with lonely orphan boxes needing delivery. You will probably need the printout and some id. They load trucks early in the day and recieve shipments in the afternoon.

In fact the Fed Ex facility I went to had looked down the very long nose at me and asked "Who the hell are you?" I say "I am your customer who cannot be found by your very friendly company and come to fetch my delivery."

Boy do they get mean and cranky.. but it's thier fault that they cannot deliver.

A little bit of persistence and taking the time to find the package goes a long way to causing the "System" to understand that you are a customer that will not accept substandard service. In fact, it reinforces my desire to use another delivery provider whenver I have to drive 40 miles to retrieve a package. And I tell them that too.

Moral: Package delivery companies MUST DELIVER. Or. I. Will. Find. Another. Who. CAN.

[dwiemer]

I have sent items to my parents via USPS that have taken better than two weeks on a 2-3 day package.  But I have also sent items via UPS that the driver who knows my mom at her business, has brought to her there rather than leave it at the house.  I know it does depend on the individual, but they are representative of the company and with several episodes with all, I still prefer UPS.  One additional note, on the package that was 2-3 day by USPS, when I tried to have a trace put on it, they said it had to be a month past due.  Not sure if this is their policy, but they didn't win any respect on that one.

Dennis

[LL675]

I've shipped and recieved items thru UPS, Fed X, and the post office. I've had damaged items thru UPS and the post Office. Only one with the PO. All in all I prefer the pot office over the rest.The one Item I had damaged by the PO was my 736 Berk. The rural driver hung it on the mail box in a plastic bag. I was about three stepd from the mail box when the bag broke. It broke the cow catcher. It took about a month but they paid up.

[ChiefEagles]

USPS destroyed a big scale PW hudson that Jerry at Miss Edna's bought from a lady.  Bent cab, broke boiler front off and other damage.  Big $$$$$$  Brown rolled up at 5 PM today.  Unusual as he gets here a 10:30 to 11:30 everyday.  Was a different driver.  Guess the regular driver was off deer hunting [he loves to deer hunt].  Was hoping it was the PW ZW a buddy was sending me.  Was a replacement crockpot bowl wife was getting [due to a manufacturer's defect in a new one].  Disappointment!!!!

[Anonymous]

I really need to start compiling a list of names of folks here who have so many problems with items shipped to them so I'll know not to sell any trains to them in the future.

Most dealers who I buy from use UPS, and most of them either e-mail me a tracking number when they actually ship the item, or are set up so UPS sends the tracking number automatically.  That's a feature of UPS shipping that I really like because it allows me to know, in advance, when the package will be received.  And, if I'm not in my office when it's delivered, it even shows me who signed for the package so I can go to their office to pick it up.

Some of you guys really seem to have big black clouds following you around when it comes to buying and/or receiving trains.  I guess I've just been lucky, because I have a mailman who my dog loves and UPS delivery folks who are invariably friendly and efficient.

[Anonymous]

I really need to start compiling a list of names of folks here who have so many problems with items shipped to them so I'll know not to sell any trains to them in the future.

Most dealers who I buy from use UPS, and most of them either e-mail me a tracking number when they actually ship the item, or are set up so UPS sends the tracking number automatically.  That's a feature of UPS shipping that I really like because it allows me to know, in advance, when the package will be received.  And, if I'm not in my office when it's delivered, it even shows me who signed for the package so I can go to their office to pick it up.

Some of you guys really seem to have big black clouds following you around when it comes to buying and/or receiving trains.  I guess I've just been lucky, because I have a mailman who my dog loves and UPS delivery folks who are invariably friendly and efficient.

Send it by PO Priority and there will be no problems.

No need to make a no-ship list.

Different parts of the USA have different environments and people that may be good or bad for packages.

[Deputy]

Went out to mail a letter today and saw my UPS truck/driver go past me at an intersection. He recognized me, waved, and stopped in the middle of the road. I pulled up next to him (also in the middle of the road) and he gave me my NYC GP-9 trainset I won on E-Bay a few days ago. DANG!!! THAT IS SERVICE!!!!

Dep