posted on October 19, 2001 10:15:57 AM new
Although I don't use FedEx ground for my ebay sales (because I wouldn't!!) I do have a number of personal experiences with them, NONE of which have been good! I had several packages over the past few months that just got lost in limbo for over a week after they were scanned into this town (which is NOT a big city!). I finally received the packages, each one at least 4 days AFTER they were scheduled to be delivered. The most recent one was a couple of weeks ago and I am STILL getting calls from FedEx regarding the disposition of said parcel! I keep telling them it was received and then a couple of days later another rep will call me. I also work at a mailing shop and have heard similar stories from customers. In fact one of our own boxholders was expecting a fed ex ground package which also got lost in space on it's way. A week later it got delivered and I was told that the shop was no longer there and had moved. Since the shop WAS still there and had/has been for over 12 years I was perplexed at best. But the bottom line is that they don't seem to know their butts from bowling balls when it comes to deliveries!
posted on October 19, 2001 10:22:55 AM new
I would have to agree. Same thing has happened to me on a few deliveries. Also, I have heard that if your customer is rural, they will come back and charge you extra for the delivery.
http://www.ezinkjetstore.com
posted on October 19, 2001 11:00:41 AM new
Don't use fed ex, It's a nightmare. They are the worse for shipping items to where ever they seems to want to for the day. I used them for 3-4 months. Never!! I repeat never!! will I use them again. At the time I was shipping a couple of hundred packages a month. At least 15% were misdirected or broken. I had one customer who's item was broken to pieces. She witnessed the driver running to the front door, stopping short a few feet and threw the dang thing at the front door. I am serious about this, if I still had the e mail I would post it. I couldn't help but laugh when I was reading it. I stopped using them that day!! What little savings, if any there may be will eaten by the aggravation you'll encounter. trust me i hacve heard this from many
posted on October 19, 2001 11:40:40 AM new
I have to say my experience with FedEX has been EXCELLENT.
I'm in Ohio. Whenever I have a package over 5 pounds, (when the zone or distance comes into play,) I've found FedEx to be MUCH cheaper than even USPS Parcel Post. AND, insurance up to $100 is included in the cost!
Delivery is 2-3 days slower than Priority, but about the same as Parcel Post. None of my packages has been damaged. Certainly, I'm not a high volume shipper, but I have used them frequently and have been satisfied.
There IS a Residential surcharge for delivery to home addresses. The cost to me has been averaging about $1.00 per package and yet they still are cheaper than USPS. I use the on-line rate estimator and check "Residential" on the form so I know how much it will be before I go to the counter. The estimate has always been right on the money.
So, with free insurance up to $100, on-line tracking provided, and cheaper rates overall, they will continue to get my over 5 pound packages.
posted on October 19, 2001 11:45:10 AM new
Does Fedex have some sort of deal with USPS? Our post office has a Fedex deposit box right next to the entrance. That seemed a little strange to me.
posted on October 19, 2001 11:51:00 AM new
In my estimation, much of the problem with FedEx Ground is that it is what used to be known as RPS and everybody knows what a nightmare RPS was! FedEx Overnight products are pretty good but that is entirely separate from the Ground products.
posted on October 19, 2001 02:20:53 PM new
Regarding possible connection between USPS and Fedex, I was told by a USPS couter clerk that Fedex has been carrying all USPS air mail since August, 2001.
I inquired after a Priority package took six days to get cross country. I asked if it was related to increased airport security procedures, but was told that all should have been normal after approximately 9/23.
posted on October 19, 2001 03:20:26 PM new
fed exp ground is the old RPS,they are okay,courteous and reliable,may be they dont have an image of an ups driver 6 feet tall,dark and handsome.
fed air is a different animal,they deliver a lot of important documents to corporations which are open from 8 to 5,anyone ever wonder why they like to leave packages outside your door,thats because most of their clients are businesses which have receptionist and fancy glass doors.
a friend of mine brokers electronic components and parts and she likes to ship fed exp -besides the 20 % discount she gets using her american express small business card ,she claimed fed exp is cleaner,so the boxes coming thru fed exp are very reusable??
also it is more prestigeous using fed exp air.thats what fed exp tells you when you call and complain about their high fee.
even with that 20 % discount,fed exp is still too expensive for me
posted on October 19, 2001 05:22:23 PM newDoes Fedex have some sort of deal with USPS?
Yes. The USPS contracted with Fedex to carry a significant portion of USPS packages on their airplanes. Formerly, the USPS had been using their own small fleet of planes and any available air cargo space on every commercial airline.
As part of the deal, Fedex got to put drop boxes at all of the post offices.
posted on October 19, 2001 07:19:52 PM new
I'm still up in the air over FedEx. I use the service because bigger packages are so much cheaper to send through them. I can't complain about breakage--all my items have arrived safely and on time; in fact, today I received two positive feedbacks for items shipped Tuesday.
HOWEVER...I have had a recurring problem with billing, and nobody ever calls back. Ever. Nobody responds to my written letters, nobody responds to my emails. What happens is, they will about 25% of the time jack up the weight on my packages for no good reason. I have two very accurate scales, and my weights are always figured to the next highest pound--and yet time after time I am billed 12# for a 9# package, or 8# for a 6# package.
I've been charged "special services" for packages with no explanation given, and I've been billed a residential surcharge when the packages are clearly logged and marked for business service (FedEx Ground vs. Home Delivery--Home Delivery has a $1.30 surcharge added).
Wait, there's more--they start charging oversize rates on packages above 84" in volume while USPS goes to 108", so unless you are careful to add in the measurements on your packages when checking the online quotes, you will get dinged with an oversize parcel charge at the end. Plus, you have to factor in a 1.25% fuel surcharge (why they don't automatically do this I don't know).
And still more--often the online site will state that a zipcode I've entered is not valid for Home Delivery, but my bidders argue with *me* because they claim they often get FedEx Home Delivery packages. Since I can't get a rep to call me, I don't know if I am able to use FedEx regardless of what the site says (and pay a surcharge) or if I should continue to deny FedEx quotes to those customers.
Sheesh, now that I've typed all that I'm wondering why I still use them! But I've given up on UPS--lousy service, and their recent price hikes have made them uncompetitive (I don't have an account and have to use counter service). I still like to save my bidders a few bucks when I can, but I am never comfortable about the shipping quotes I give for FedEx deliveries.
posted on October 19, 2001 07:33:02 PM new
Same here, the billing is lousey, you can be comfortable at all when making shipping quotes. It's just to much trouble in to many areas. I just got a bill from them for over a hundred dollars from shipments in July and Aug. I havent shipped anything by them since March??????? It also stated this was for shipments made in July and August. the customer service person couldnt tell me thing, said she didnt have access to the records?????? Duh, how can a billing customer serivce person NOT HAVE ACCESS???? She have to get those a call me back, thats been three days and no word yet. This bill had final billing before action, geez they scr#(&d up. Like I said to much trouble and it keeps coming!!
posted on October 19, 2001 07:47:00 PM new
Weighing in from Canada: Fedex Ground is a complete nightmare. They have damaged over $2000 in insured items (3 packages) all insured and they refuse to honour the insured items, stating "inadequate packing".
This is a very handy phrase that can be applied to every claim. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck, I have shipped about 1500 items, primarily through Canada Post and pack for war. I have now been chasing them since March, unanswered phone calls, run around, stall tactics and an enormous waste of my time. I anticipate small claims court as my only alternative. I started the account with Fedex because UPS will not insure antiques or collectibles:"nothing that can't be bought at say Walamrt"
In short they both stink for different reasons and I dearly wish a company would start that would:
Ship everything from a couch to a fork.
Honour their insurance claims.
Provide a tracking number.
Charge reasonable rates.
If such a pipe dream exists PLEASE tell me who it is.
posted on October 20, 2001 08:32:32 AM new
I have a FedEx counter closer than UPS so I use it all the time. They have never broken anything - but then I pack for nuclear war so I don't expect things to be broken. I just have then read my debit card at the counter and don't have to worry about billing. They are significantly cheaper over 5 pounds - when you get up to 40 - 50 pounds they are so much cheaper it helps to sell your item.
They are not as busy as UPS and treat me better at the counter. I don't hear well and the people at UPS always act put out with me and treat me like a simpleton when I can't hear. Also they demand the box unsealed to inspect the packing at the counter which is almost impossible for the way I double box and pack. Just be aware that if a package is very long or flat it can drive the cost way up.
posted on October 20, 2001 05:34:25 PM new
I have used FedEx Ground since they 'merged' with FedEx last year (formerly RPS as previously stated). They have been fantastic in terms of price and getting things delivered in one piece. They also have a web site where you can get a very good estimate (usually a little high) of what your shipping costs will be, and then track its progress, once shipped. They provide free shipping labels, so all I have to do is drop my package at the counter and they send me a bill later. Insurance is $.35 per hundred (after the first $100 which is free) which beats USPS hands down. Even with the extra fee for home delivery, they are still way cheaper than USPS once you get to four or five pounds. The only knock is that it might take five business days to get your package delivered. I've never had a claim and the lack of hassle from them is really nice, especially if you've ever had the UPS experience.
