Time to X FedEx

[Kestrel]

I just consulted my other FedEx-ly knowledgeable dude and he says that you can get labels that say "Protect From Heat" (not from FedEx, unfortunately, you'd have to buy them separately), and FedEx has, for them at least, always tried to keep those packages as protected from heat as possible.

Also, delivery people are only allowed to be out driving for a certain number of hours every day, and only certain number of total number of hours every week, by Department of Transportation regulations.

According to the FedEx Ground guy who picks up the packages at my friend-who-has-his-own-business's place, if they can't deliver a package that's on the truck, no matter what the reason, they have to mark it down as "Attempted delivery" because, since it was on the truck, they did try to get it delivered that day. Whether they couldn't deliver it because they weren't allowed to be out any more hours or because no one was home or because they couldn't get to the driveway because there was a five foot wall of snow (that's happened at my house), or because their truck broke down or something, they have no other way to mark it except as "attempted delivery".

Just some additional information.

[jphares]

i love fedex
i received my order within 36 hours of placing it
now that's service
adagio and fedex
what a pair

[Snow on Cedar]

I always use UPS and it's great. It's fast, the packages are fine...No problems

[Chip]

I don't get Fed up w/Ex. They can never find my house, and I live w/in a few miles of their one depot. I recently had a package of tea in the middle of the winter sitting on the wrong truck for days and they were clueless. All I could think about was my tea freezing/thawing/freezing /thawing/ETC. I knew more about where the package was than they did. A package that UPS or USPS can deliver w/in 2-3 days takes them 5-7. I sware, it's true. And everytime they pass my house , it's a different driver. UPS...and of course USPS is almost always the same driver.

[JamesBeach]

I've read a lot of people complaining about and praising various courier companies. The conclusion I've come to is that the service of each is unique to every individual branch. Oh, the hub will get it to your local branch no problem. But the quality of service after that point depends on where you are.

While some may report that DHL/FedEx/UPS is crappy, the other may recall a fantastic experience. They're both right.

Myself? I've used all three extensively and have never had a problem. Interestingly, at least when large companies make shipments, I find USPS to be the fastest. Usually faster than FedEx Ground or UPS Ground by about half.

[Marlene]

I find USPS to be the fastest. Usually faster than FedEx Ground or UPS Ground by about half.

agreed. Fedex/UPS/DHL take 7 buisness days to get anything to me. USPS take 4.

I've had a fedex guy hand my package over to me in the parking lot without bothering to check if I was actually thep person the package was intended for.

UPS drops packages off at the front office without ever attempting a door delivery.

And DHL subcontracts out to the USPS anyway, so you might as well use the USPS, it's cheeper and a day faster.

Those have been my experiences with the big 4

[stugel]

Here in my neck of the woods (MN) where I live in an apartment, Fedex stinks and UPS does their job properly. They use the intercom to call all the package recipients and leave a phone message or a Package slip if they've not got voice mail. If they aren't home and have a waiver with the apartment office they deliver there but they let you know on the message or slip.

Now with FedEx Ground (separate company from FedEx) I have to watch the tracking site to see if they delivered to my apartment office or else I would never know I had a package. No phone messages left from the intercom at the front door and no package slips. I've complained about this and they've given lip service but this driver just does what she wants and isn't disciplined. So I'm thinking it all depends where you live and what's contracted out and what's not.

A few years ago I had a FedEx ground delivery nitwit leave it outside my apartment door and needless to say it was gone by the time I got there (not a great neighborhood).

Personally, I would rather they upped the level to $100 for free shipping with USPS Priority or UPS but I can understand why they don't. I'm guilty of using the free shipping both times already and it is a great deal.

[diffuse]

I prefer UPS, if only because you can redirect packages (ie. if you were supposed to get a package on a day you were off & didn't, you can have it sent to your office), & w/FedEx you can't--or @ least not w/o a big hassle.

I realize the service of either private carrier will vary by area, but that's a pretty big difference in policy across the board that annoys the crap out of me.