Fed Ex and signatures

[Jodoteapn]

I recently received my 2nd order from Adagio via Fex Ex. They didn't require a signature the first time but this time they did. I may have left the "Business" option selected versus the "Residence" option, if that would make the difference.

How can I request no signature required on my orders? Did I miss something when placing my order? I don't work from home and use a check card to place orders (which I realize isn't the best way to order online) which unfortunately doesn't allow for a shipping address different from the billing address.

[rhpot1991]

I think this is dependent upon who ever makes the delivery. It is their call as far as if they feel it is safe to leave the package or not. You can try contacting Fedex and asking if they can leave the order, or maybe contact them the day of delivery. Another option is to use UPS, they normally leave stuff at my door while Fedex leaves the "sorry you work during normal business hours, good luck getting your package" note.

[Jodoteapn]

Thanks for the reply. I placed an order today going out Fed Ex so I called the center that delivered my last shipment and asked. They said it was up to the shipper. I didn't see any options while placing my order, nor on the Fed Ex site.

I'll wait and see. Like you mentioned I could always try UPS. I didn't realize that was an option. It seems when I put an order together I get too excited to pay any attention to the shipping details.

[Molly]

Interesting. I've ordered in the past using my debit check card and have had no trouble having the shipping address be different than the billing address. I have my teas shipped to me at work because I know I will be there to accept the delivery (which never seems to require a signature) instead of worrying about my yummy teas sitting on the front stoop of the house in the damp or sun as the weather may be...

[diffuse]

my experience is that it doesn't matter what the stated policy of either company (fed ex or ups) is, it matters what the individual delivery person feels like doing. i've had fed ex leave a 3-foot high stack of boxes containing a new computer @ the door of our apartment (& they put the doormat on top! like that was going to hide the stack!), & when we looked it up online, there was some fake signature listed as having signed for the box. normally both ups & fed ex require signatures by default in my area, but i came back from thanksgiving to find a ups box sitting outside our door, that had apparently been there for 3 days over the holiday weekend. sigh.

[Dronak]

I thought Adagio did not make FedEx require signatures. My orders have shipped by a few methods, but I don't remember having to sign for the FedEx deliveries. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I don't know if you can do anything about it. I think the choice of whether a signature is needed is up to the shipper, Adagio in this case. I suppose you could contact Adagio and request that they make sure future orders do not require a signature.

[Jodoteapn]

Last Friday I received my 4th shipment from Adagio. The first one required no signature and was left in the area where deliveries usually go in my apartment complex when the resident is not available. The 2nd required my signature for which I needed to drive to the FexEx distribution center. The 3rd was hanging on my door - not sure how the delivery person got in. The 4th was physically handed to me by the driver because I happened to be home. I'm not sure what he would have done had I not been home, and I'm kicking myself for not asking.

I did ask about it during my visit to FexEx and they said it was up to the shipper. If that's the case I'm confused as to the inconsistency of required signatures.

Maybe it is FexEx, but I didn't see any other option when placing another order last week. And I haven't contacted my bank recently, but I remember them telling me the shipping address had to be the same as the billing address because it is a check card. Might be a policy for that specific credit union. And next time I order, I will try to contact Adagio over the phone.

I hope this isn't starting to sound like I'm really annoyed. I just like getting my tea ASAP and was wondering about other's experiences. Thanks for the replies!

[ilya]

The decision of how each package is handled is up to the individual driver. If they feel comfortable dropping off the package, they do so. The only option we have is the ability to require a signature. However, that is not an option we use.

[Jodoteapn]

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm surprised the local FedEx center told me differently, unless I misunderstood them which is most likely.

[deadfingers]

I don't know how you have problems ordering with a check card. That's what I use for every purchase I make online and I've yet to have a problem. In fact just about every place I've been to, including Adagio, has the option to ship to an alternate address. I am in the military so I move around a lot, to clear any problems I just have my "billing address" stay the same as my home address and my shipping address to where I am respectively.

[lenny7]

Even if the shipper requires a signature, sometimes they still leave the package on the steps.

I shoot in competitive high-power rifle matches and order my ammunition online. Fed Ex is SUPPOSED to require an adult signature. One time I came home and had 700 rounds of ammo sitting on my steps. Another time I came home and I had a note from the Fedex guy saying they droppe a package next door. This time it was 1000 rounds of ammo and it was shipped in a wooden crate with the words "small caliber ammunition" on the side. Good thing I got along well with my neighbor. Now I specifically ask them to hold my ammo at the distribution center.

For normal packages, Fedex does have a form you can sign to allow the driver to skip the signature even when the shipper asks for it (expect when it's ammo or firearms) but you release them from all liability if the package goes missing.

[deadfingers]

Even if the shipper requires a signature, sometimes they still leave the package on the steps.

I shoot in competitive high-power rifle matches and order my ammunition online. Fed Ex is SUPPOSED to require an adult signature. One time I came home and had 700 rounds of ammo sitting on my steps. Another time I came home and I had a note from the Fedex guy saying they droppe a package next door. This time it was 1000 rounds of ammo and it was shipped in a wooden crate with the words "small caliber ammunition" on the side. Good thing I got along well with my neighbor. Now I specifically ask them to hold my ammo at the distribution center.

For normal packages, Fedex does have a form you can sign to allow the driver to skip the signature even when the shipper asks for it (expect when it's ammo or firearms) but you release them from all liability if the package goes missing.

That's pretty ridiculous to hear that they would do something like that. I remember something like that happened but with USPS, needless to say they left a box on the front door instead of taking it back. Well someone stole the box and the sender (my mom's sister) didn't insure it so we lost it all, which was a good $300 worth of stuff or more.

[Mary R]

Least y'all got your Adagio! I don't know what happened to my package...and my very first order too! Rotten luck. The tracking says that the FedEx Ground driver came to my house twice: the first time he left because "no one was home" and the second time he "delivered." But...I was home working both days, my office overlooks my drive and front door, and I logged lots of office hours. I know that no FedEx driver even thought about coming to my front door.

Then I called their customer service line and spoke with a really rude rep who basically accused me of stealing my own package. I guess all I can do is fill out a claim form and count my losses.[/i]

[Chip]

Least y'all got your Adagio! I don't know what happened to my package...and my very first order too! Rotten luck. The tracking says that the FedEx Ground driver came to my house twice: the first time he left because "no one was home" and the second time he "delivered." But...I was home working both days, my office overlooks my drive and front door, and I logged lots of office hours. I know that no FedEx driver even thought about coming to my front door.

Then I called their customer service line and spoke with a really rude rep who basically accused me of stealing my own package. I guess all I can do is fill out a claim form and count my losses.[/i]

Maybe a garden gnome took it... I bet they like tea, and they have a hard time ordering...no phone or computer...

Seriously, I do not "get" Fed Ex...there is very little middle ground with them. You either love 'em or hate 'em...I hate "em"...for the last decade they have screwed up every single order to my home...this is not an exageration.. They have not made a single delivery without some delay in delivery. Usually they cannot find my house...this would be understandable perhaps once...but every time...it gets really old especially when I live within several miles of one of their depots.

I tell every single vendor I deal with...NO FED EX!!!!! How do they stay in business???

I have NEVER had a single issue with UPS or USPS.

Another problem is every time they do deliver to my house it is a different driver. I have never seen the same driver twice. UPS and of course USPS are virtually always the same driver...you kinda develop a relationship with them over the years.