FedEx is "too busy" to deliver a package

[GolfCart34]

So there was some breakdown in UPSs updating of their tracking information. I've had problems with FedEx and UPS, but never USPS or Royal Mail!

I've found the best parcel service is usually provided by the good ole USPS. If I'm expecting a package it's always delivered on time, I can actually trust them for shipping stuff out, and their rates are reasonable for most shipping needs. And if I can I'll always try and have stuff shipped via USPS if it's an option when shopping online. Even if it takes a few days more than UPS or FedEx I know I'll get it when I'm supposed to.

I ordered some new earrings from Hot Topic online (Hot Topic is the only place that carries multi-pack 18 gauge surgical steel jewelry at a reasonable price. I can only wear surgical steel since my ears are so sensitive). I was rather disappointed to see that they have switched from shipping via UPS to shipping via FedEx. Granted we haven't had a problem with FedEx deliveries yet, it could always be a crapshoot if the package arrives when we're not home. At least UPS as well as the USPS are smart enough to leave packages between the screen and front door when we're not home.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I live in an apartment where we share a common door with the apartment below us. The front door is locked at all times so there's no place to leave a package except on the porch. We also face a main road. So I just had my Christmas stuff that I ordered online shipped to my parents' house. I figured it's safer that way...

[myswtghst]

...I just had my Christmas stuff that I ordered online shipped to my parents' house. I figured it's safer that way...

I do the exact same thing. At my complex, they'll either leave a note to try to re-deliver, or leave it in the main office, which seems to mostly be open when I'm at work or sleeping. So all packages are delivered to the parents' house, which is nearby, will never pitch my stuff, and usually has someone at home/a covered front porch in a good neighborhood.

The company I work for splits business between UPS and FedEx, with the "sales" side using UPS as the standard, and the "service/repair" side using FedEx. Customers can still pick and choose, but we just use the standard if they don't have a preference. I've honestly had more problems with UPS than FedEx (I've worked a year or more on each side of the business) as far as things being lost/damaged, but UPS was always relatively helpful in filing claims for damaged packages. Granted, their IVR system to get to a live rep was dreadful, but that's a whole nother story for another time.

[Bagboy]

Don't order anything if you live on Nantucket. The Fed-Ex out here, is by independent contractor. I ordered something Dec. 2, with a delivery of a few days before Christmas. The order did not come until February 4. Basically, the contractor sets his own schedule

[Pagan]

UPS strikes again!

I have been home, literally, all day. It's crappy outside (raining off and on, cold, etc. oh, man is that snow?) and I've got a migraine and don't feel like going anywhere. I've been loading music onto my new iPod. If I turn around, I can pretty much see my front door area from where my computer is.

So, a few minutes ago, I hear some weird noise. Turns out, it's rain lashing at the windows. Get up, walk over into the kitchen to look out the window and there's a little "attempted delivery" notice from UPS in the clip next to my front door. I guess actually knocking at the door isn't included in the delivery attempt? It's not as if I didn't hear him/her knock, I'm, maybe 10 ft from the door.

[fma_fanatic]

I had an experience yesterday with a very rude UPS guy. Our normal guy that comes to the store is great. VERY friendly, and very helpful with anything that we need. He must have been off yesterday because this guy who looked like he just got his drivers license yesterday (Im getting older so now everyone looks younger )

Now just for some info...UPS comes twice a day every day...once in the morning to deliver packages to us, and once in the afternoon to pick up packages that we are sending out. I took the driver over to the delivery station and gave him the shipping book and packages. I also pointed out that we wanted to have a signature required for picking up one of the packages, and the following conversation occured:

Driver: Why? Whats in it?
Me: I dont know (I did know but didnt feel that he needed to know)
Driver: Well I need to know the exact contents or I cant deliver it. Open the package so I can see what it is.
Me: Im sorry but I cant open the package once its been sealed.
Driver: Well we dont do signed deliveries unless all drivers in the process of delivering yoru package know whats in it
Me: Ok then tell me what was in the packages I signed for this morning (he was the same guy who delivered them)
Driver: It was winter parkas
Me: Sorry...it wasnt....we sell underwear, not coats.......and its the wrong season to be receiving coats...we would be getting in spring lines now..we are trying to sell out of the winter line....
Driver: Well...I will have to check with my boss about this (grabs packages and shipping log and walks out)

I called UPS and asked about it today...and said that if that was the policy then I may have to switch to another delivery company or use the US postal service. They said they would have a talk with the driver about the proper policy and procedures.

Okay, I haven't paid attention to this thread for a bit, and I have to say - WTF? I've never had a problem when I've had to do this service with UPS.

It sounds like you had a tool for a driver. He's not going to last very long if that's what his attitude is going to be for performing that type of service.

[Geek King]

So, a few minutes ago, I hear some weird noise. Turns out, it's rain lashing at the windows. Get up, walk over into the kitchen to look out the window and there's a little "attempted delivery" notice from UPS in the clip next to my front door. I guess actually knocking at the door isn't included in the delivery attempt? It's not as if I didn't hear him/her knock, I'm, maybe 10 ft from the door.

Call them up and tell them that you have been next to the door all day. Most distribution centers want to know if a driver isn't doing the job right.

[Pagan]

Call them up and tell them that you have been next to the door all day. Most distribution centers want to know if a driver isn't doing the job right.

Yeah, I already sent 'em an e-mail.

[Bella_Vixen]

I ordered a shirt (wickedirish dot com) and it was delivered today by UPS.

The guy opened the screen door, tucked my package in between the doors, and rang the doorbell. By the time I opened the door, dude was in his truck about to drive away.

I was less then 5 feet away from the door at time time.


I think the UPS guys are ninjas. Or can teleport.

[marty]

Pagan--the same thing happened to me just todaywith UPS! I live in a two room apartment, so it's not like I'm going to miss the knock. I also got up at nine and my fiance just left at 830. I expected the package to come today, so I've been sitting in the living room all day (about five feet from my front door). No knock, anything. So I look up online, it says a delivery attempt has been made.

They didn't even leave one of the notes on my door.

[Pagan]

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that an "attempt" is them driving by!

[marty]

Haha, yeah, if they do it again tomorrow I'm going to call and ask why it is that I never heard a knock on the door. Did I mysteriously lose my hearing for thirty seconds? Or, as is probably the case...did someone get lazy and decide they didn't need to leave the truck after all?

[air914]

Ten steps to never dealing with DHL again.

Ooh I've got a worse story about a delivery person - from DHL. If it's okay that I post it here.....

Okay Christmas Eve. Amazon screwed up their free shipping and "it'll be there by Christmas" stuff, so they're overnighting my package (yeah!). Problem - DHL guy doesn't deliver it.

So here's how the story goes - I'm waiting all day for the DHL guy to come and deliver my brother's ipod (that I ordered from Amazon). I finally have to go to church, so I figure I'll drive by the house afterwards to see if it's there - or I'll check amazon.com and see if it's been delivered.

So, I go to my parent's house and check amazon.com - only to find out that delivery was attempted at 10:30 AM. I was home, in the living room right next to the front door. My car was in the driveway. It was freakin cold so I doubt there was a whole lot of people outside. My neighborhood isn't the best in the word, but it certainly isn't the ghetto either. So 1) there was no knock at the door, 2) there was no note that they tried to deliver anything 3) there was no phone call or anything (I know I provided my phone # to Amazon at least).

So I call DHL and go back and forth with them... their excuses:
1) oh well the driver might have thought it was a bad neighborhood (um no not really)

2) he might not have seen a save place to leave it
a) we have a back porch with a fenced in yard
b) we have a screen door - he could have placed it between the door and screen door

3) he might not have thought you were at home
a) did I mention my car parked in the driveway and the lights on in my house? and the fact that the doorbell wasn't rung, no knock, no notice?

So finally I say - he must have been at the completely wrong house. So they say they will deliver it the day after Christmas. I wait around all day the day after Christmas. Waiting, waiting, waiting - finally, I go and look online to see if they've delivered it to the wrong house or something. It was delivered at 9:30 AM! (this was about 2 in the afternoon).

Again 1) no door bell ring
2) no knock
3) he put the package so close to my bushes, I completely didn't see it when I first went to look. I guess it was so that no one else could see it - but with no knock and no doorbell, how the heck was I supposed to know it was even out there??

I will never use DHL for anything again unless I'm absolutely forced to.
(moderators - feel free to move this post if it's inappropriate here)

[Jadedcarguy]

- from DHL.

I have a PITA story from UPS. I am in a unique situation where I get good deals on certain software. A friend of mine ordered some through me to do a computer he was building for a customer of his. The software was needed by last Friday. It was scheduled for delivery on Thursday, so no prob. Right.

UPS website shows it out for delivery on Thursday. I get home expecting a package, only to find a call tag on my door. Usually this means it's in my apartment office. No such luck. I went to the office and they tell me that UPS has not been in today. I called UPS on this package and they tell me it will be delivered on Friday, and I give them instructions to leave it in the office, since I don't get hom until 5:30 or so.

So I have a package on Friday right? No! I checked UPS*com before I left work, and it says delivery exception, will reattempt Monday. Oh hell no! I called UPS and told them my situation, and in no uncertain terms that that package WILL be delivered on Friday evening. They told me they would call me back in 15 minutes. I get a call in 12 minutes() saying that the driver tried to drop it off in the office, but they wouldn't accept it. My BS meter pegged on that one, because I know better. Anyhow, the driver would wait for me at a location two blocks from my place until 5:30. I broke quite a few traffic laws getting over there in time, but I managed to get my package. On Saturday I asked in the office about the package refusal, and they told me that would never happen. The driver lied. He apparently just knocked on my door, filled out his call tag, and drove away. Lazy bastid.