FedEx Is Coming Apart at the Seams

Dale_Bowers · November 21, 2021, 2:45am

Most of my FedEx shipments are ground from CA. Usually 3 days. At least 50% are now 4-5 days.

David_Bu3ker · November 21, 2021, 2:48am

I have had zero issues with UPS.

Knock on wood.

Christine_Courtney · November 24, 2021, 3:10pm

You ARE lucky!!! Maybe it is the difference between East Coast and West??

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue if they had ways to remedy the situation, like the ability to realtime communicate with the driver or local distribution center…for instance when they deliver to the wrong house, or you are in the shower when they attempt delivery or it keeps missing the scan to get on the truck. Instead, we just get the shoulder shrug and “We aren’t providing customer service because of the pandemic”.

I think it is criminal, akin to stealing money from customers, when we pay extra for 2-day Air, as opposed to Ground, which can be $50+ more, and it takes not 3 days, which we might be able to forgive, but over 2 weeks to arrive. And then the response is “Well, sorry, but we are not honoring refunds during the pandemic. At least you got it eventually!”. No recourse because to dispute with your credit card means having to dispute the charges with the winery. So unless you are paying UPS/FedEx directly, they have figured out a perfect system of bad customer service with no consequences. Brilliant!!!

Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w · November 24, 2021, 3:16pm

I CAN’T EVEN…UPS and FedEx are the worst…they are hiding behind the pandemic, but it is a lame excuse for this pathetic display of incompetence. It is truly an embarrassing display and they should be ashamed…but they are not, they just keep coming with the excuses.

I have had zero issues with UPS.

Knock on wood.

You ARE lucky!!! Maybe it is the difference between East Coast and West??

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue if they had ways to remedy the situation, like the ability to realtime communicate with the driver or local distribution center…for instance when they deliver to the wrong house, or you are in the shower when they attempt delivery or it keeps missing the scan to get on the truck. Instead, we just get the shoulder shrug and “We aren’t providing customer service because of the pandemic”.

I think it is criminal, akin to stealing money from customers, when we pay extra for 2-day Air, as opposed to Ground, which can be $50+ more, and it takes not 3 days, which we might be able to forgive, but over 2 weeks to arrive. And then the response is “Well, sorry, but we are not honoring refunds during the pandemic. At least you got it eventually!”. No recourse because to dispute with your credit card means having to dispute the charges with the winery. So unless you are paying UPS/FedEx directly, they have figured out a perfect system of bad customer service with no consequences. Brilliant!!!

I feel for you, but don’t favor distracted driving as a solution.

Christine_Courtney · November 24, 2021, 3:44pm

I have had zero issues with UPS.

Knock on wood.

You ARE lucky!!! Maybe it is the difference between East Coast and West??

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue if they had ways to remedy the situation, like the ability to realtime communicate with the driver or local distribution center…for instance when they deliver to the wrong house, or you are in the shower when they attempt delivery or it keeps missing the scan to get on the truck. Instead, we just get the shoulder shrug and “We aren’t providing customer service because of the pandemic”.

I think it is criminal, akin to stealing money from customers, when we pay extra for 2-day Air, as opposed to Ground, which can be $50+ more, and it takes not 3 days, which we might be able to forgive, but over 2 weeks to arrive. And then the response is “Well, sorry, but we are not honoring refunds during the pandemic. At least you got it eventually!”. No recourse because to dispute with your credit card means having to dispute the charges with the winery. So unless you are paying UPS/FedEx directly, they have figured out a perfect system of bad customer service with no consequences. Brilliant!!!

I feel for you, but don’t favor distracted driving as a solution.

No one said anything about communication with the driver has to occur while actually driving…with AI/smartphones/smart cars/smart devices/GPS,etc…allows the ability for interaction while at a delivery stop and not distract while the vehicle is in motion. I can set up something similar with Find My Phone and Do Not Disturb While Driving on my iPhone, so I am quite confident these multi-billion dollar companies can figure it out!

Alan_Newman · November 24, 2021, 4:01pm

Ordered a single bottle from Wine.com on Saturday. I expected it to ship on Monday from San Leandro, and arrive at the Wine Bank in Menlo Park on Tuesday. It did ship on Monday and was out for delivery on Tuesday but was never delivered. State changed to something like “Unknown Delivery Date- check back”. Now, it is on the truck again for delivery today.

I’m guessing they lost that single bottle somewhere in the truck, and then found it.

San Leandro is about 27 miles from Menlo Park.

larry_schaffer · November 24, 2021, 4:04pm

I have heard from multiple shipping companies how challenging all shippers are these days due to the sheer number of packages being shipped these days.

I have also been told that most of the time, it’s better to ship regular Fed Ex vs Expedited - regular moves 7 days a week, including Sundays, whereas expedited does not move on the weekends at all.

Cheers

Paul_McCourt · November 24, 2021, 5:49pm

Oddly enough, for the first time in years it seems like my shipments are arriving smoothly.

Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w · November 24, 2021, 6:01pm

You ARE lucky!!! Maybe it is the difference between East Coast and West??

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue if they had ways to remedy the situation, like the ability to realtime communicate with the driver or local distribution center…for instance when they deliver to the wrong house, or you are in the shower when they attempt delivery or it keeps missing the scan to get on the truck. Instead, we just get the shoulder shrug and “We aren’t providing customer service because of the pandemic”.

I think it is criminal, akin to stealing money from customers, when we pay extra for 2-day Air, as opposed to Ground, which can be $50+ more, and it takes not 3 days, which we might be able to forgive, but over 2 weeks to arrive. And then the response is “Well, sorry, but we are not honoring refunds during the pandemic. At least you got it eventually!”. No recourse because to dispute with your credit card means having to dispute the charges with the winery. So unless you are paying UPS/FedEx directly, they have figured out a perfect system of bad customer service with no consequences. Brilliant!!!

I feel for you, but don’t favor distracted driving as a solution.

No one said anything about communication with the driver has to occur while actually driving…with AI/smartphones/smart cars/smart devices/GPS,etc…allows the ability for interaction while at a delivery stop and not distract while the vehicle is in motion. I can set up something similar with Find My Phone and Do Not Disturb While Driving on my iPhone, so I am quite confident these multi-billion dollar companies can figure it out!

So real-time, some of the time.

Paul_Flynn · November 24, 2021, 6:21pm

I’m considering no longer doing business with anyone that ships via FedEx.

The latest go round.

Winery X ships wine to me on Friday. FedEx says the wine will be there the following Saturday between 1:20 and 3:30. The tracking sticks to this timeline right through Saturday night at midnight. So, I’ve spent all day waiting on FedEx because they now scan my license to prove that I can receive alcohol. Obviously, the shipment never shows.

On Sunday, the tracking says, we have no update and no expected delivery time, we don’t know where the package is at this point. This status stays that way until about 1:27 on Monday when I receive a text saying that my shipment has been delivered. They left it on my stoop without knocking or scanning or anything.

This is pretty much what I expect from FedEx. They’ve been this way for years. It’s not going to change. It’s just far too aggravating to continue receiving shipments from them.

Fred_Vogel · November 24, 2021, 6:28pm

I’ve asked all the wineries I do business with to ship with UPS. The Portland/Troutdale hub here in Oregon is a complete nightmare.

Eric_White · November 24, 2021, 6:30pm

100%, whenever a package lands in Troutdale I can 100% count on it being delayed. Every time.

Thomas_Concilio · November 24, 2021, 6:48pm

I’m considering no longer doing business with anyone that ships via FedEx.

The latest go round.

Winery X ships wine to me on Friday. FedEx says the wine will be there the following Saturday between 1:20 and 3:30. The tracking sticks to this timeline right through Saturday night at midnight. So, I’ve spent all day waiting on FedEx because they now scan my license to prove that I can receive alcohol. Obviously, the shipment never shows.

On Sunday, the tracking says, we have no update and no expected delivery time, we don’t know where the package is at this point. This status stays that way until about 1:27 on Monday when I receive a text saying that my shipment has been delivered. They left it on my stoop without knocking or scanning or anything.

This is pretty much what I expect from FedEx. They’ve been this way for years. It’s not going to change. It’s just far too aggravating to continue receiving shipments from them.

So, I understand the predicament that all delivery companies are facing. Currently, you cannot deliver on time the volume of packages that you are accepting. Not enough trucks, planes or employees. Employees have the upper hand in today’s environment. As a past employer, its frustrating when you have employees call out at the last moment or be able to hire enough. My complaint for all delivery companies today is DO NOT expect to be paid for premium service if you can’t deliver premium service. Just tell your customer that we can deliver, we’re just not sure when. Don’t make your customer wait for hours on end because of signature requirements and then not show up.

Finally, do not accept more volume than you can possible accomodate. I know that if you will communicate with your customers, most will be understanding and try to work with you. Communication is the key. I believe that these companies are trying to maximize their profits at the expense of their cutomers. And, to some extent on the backs of your employees. Fewer employees doing more work for the same pay. I know, in my case, that most of my wine deliveries can wait for a less hectic time. I’m not looking to be drinking these wines in the short term. YMMV.

Rant over.

Thomas_Concilio · November 24, 2021, 6:51pm

Btw, I just recieved one of two boxes of wine from UPS. Both from the same winery. No signature required. Delivered not from a brown truck, but from a private vehicle (car) by someone not wearing a ups uniform. Sigh…

Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w · November 24, 2021, 7:13pm

Maybe a misdelivery dropped off by a Good Samaritan? Was it Matt?

B_Davies · November 24, 2021, 8:50pm

My A5 wagyu was delayed… it’s packed with extra dry ice in case but hopefully it’s not in a heated storage area.

John_Glas · November 24, 2021, 11:07pm

Just be glad it arrived.

Troy_Stark · November 25, 2021, 1:56pm

Further proving OPs tag line correct:

Happy Thanksgiving indeed.

Thomas_Concilio · November 25, 2021, 2:12pm

Nah, I recieved an email delivery confirmation shortly after delivery.

Thomas_Concilio · November 25, 2021, 2:12pm

True, True!