Best shipping companies

@mastering92 OK, I hear you. I often ship items that cost up to $3000, so I’m very interested in how you are able to contact shippers to ask for careful handling. You mentioned FedEx as an example, would you call the general 800 number? Or do you have a direct number to the office/desk at the origin, or to the office/desk at the destination? If so, how can I get those numbers for my package locations? Any detail that you can mention regarding how you do this would help. Thx!

I recently had a package delayed so I called customer serve at the head office of the regional shipper I use. They don’t give out the phone no. of the local office, and don’t do any customer service there. When I called, they could only tell where my package had been. I had to wait a couple of days before it was delivered. With USPS you can put out a tracer for a lost package, but if it’s not late they won’t do that. In some cases I’ve had them look up a picture of a package as it was scanned on a conveyor belt. The problem there was that a second package was scanned at the same time, messing up the tracking information. Eventually it got straightened out.

I just used Estes to send a speaker from Missouri to New Jersey and it was $200 each way for the box on a skid (about 180 pounds) and had no problems.  It might have been a corporate rate I paid.  It was for some warranty work, so I can’t be sure.

YRMV

"call the shipping company after you have a tracking number - explain to them it’s a pair of speakers and should be handled with care. call them again once the parcel reaches the next stage - on its way to you"

I'd also like to know what numbers(s) at FEDEX you are specifically  calling to have this conversation? When you call its customer service number they don't know anymore than what you see on the tracking. Other than asking for fragile stickers to be placed on the box when dropping it off with them you're at the mercy of whoever is handling the package and at the hubs the conveyor system

@facten  & @tcotruvo 

Google search for "how to talk to a live person at  [shipping company] "

Even if you somehow press the wrong call direct digit(s), having your call redirected to the right department or person is not difficult. Usually it's just customer service. I've also spoken to FedEx reps who deal with collecting taxes and duties payments for parcels over the phone about this kind of thing  long ago- details about my parcel; handle with care etc.

So right after paying them...

They can redirect your call in priority order quickly; to have someone "leave a note" so to speak. And honestly, it works. Like I've said before in a previous post, I've had delivery drivers ask: so this is an important parcel, right... a milestone birthday gift?? Because that message got passed on. Arrived without issues/damage and on time or even before time!!! They will send out their best people to make a successful delivery if you make that request.

You can also call an authorized ship center / their warehouse (one that is close to you and where the package will be waiting before being delivered to you). While you might not be able to control how well the parcel is handled step-by-step from a distant country, you can get local shipping centres to listen to you.

In my experience, this has worked for FedEX, UPS, and DHL. I can't say it will work for every shipping company. I'd rather not provide incorrect information.

Long story short - while meeting quotas is certainly vital for them; keep in mind that they are in constant competition with all the other shipping companies! They want your repeat business...like any other business you can think of.

For local businesses I just talk to the owner on the phone directly and/or in person if I'm buying that day. They assure me that their senior delivery drivers will deliver something (like a dining table or something fragile). A lot of rookie delivery drivers (especially those that are just looking to make ends meet) are often careless. 

All the best.