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FedEX Ground, sure they aren't really BROWN???

I started a thread earlier in the year about FedEX Ground. It described the excessive time it took to deliver a pair of speakers to me. They bounced the package between two different places, then once they finally got it back to the right location, needed to get directions from me to my house. The most absurd thing was the person didn't know the major highway that their depot laid right off of, "I don't know the names of the roads, I just know how to drive here."
On top of that, when I finally received the package, it was obvious it had been to hell and back. To the point of one of the speaker's being a bit damaged. I didn't want to go through it all over again, so I just ate my losses.

Incompetance of the first degree.

Well, lightning strikes twice. And, strikes harder. I am awaiting the receipt of another package. I have a Tracking ID, which states the package has been delivered. However, when I arrived home, instead of the package waiting for me was a voice mail from FedEX Ground. They need an address confirmation, and asked me to call them.

Upon calling them, I was delighted to speak to a completely unprofessional person who kept calling me "Dude" and "Chief". Whatever location I threw at him was met with, "Never heard of it." And, everything was answered with, "I don't know what to tell ya." At the end of the call, instead of asking me if I needed anything else, giving a thank you, or even saying Good Bye, he simply hung up.

The next day, my package still did not arrive. Upon calling again, and again, and again. And again. I found no one who could give me any help whatsoever. One person in QA told me that if I have the tracking number, I have more information at my disposal than he does.

I'll call again today, and try to get to the bottom of this. I realize that FedEX Ground was formerly RPS, and that FedEx has not had the easiest time in merging these operations seamlessly, but the reputation of FedEX is completely ruined in my eyes at this point. Maybe they should be the company nicknamed "BROWN".

Still hoping for my package to come...
trelja
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I'm glad to come across this thread. If I have to ship a high-value item I always use FedEx Economy Air and have been delighted with the results.

However several lower-value vintage items are now on their way to me via FedEx ground and USPS. In no less than three simultaneous cases in different parts of the States, the shipper called FedEx ground for a price quote, it was reasonable, sent me the figure, I paid--but when the shipper got the box to the counter he was told the phone quote was wrong and the actual cost would be three times higher.

The packages are on their way now via USPS, insured.

On the other hand, the one package that was ever shipped to me via FedEx ground came through with many fewer hassles than UPS. UPS has always been a disaster for me.

For now, I'm betting on heavy duty packing, insurance and the USPS. We'll see...
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,505 posts
 
Joe:

Your problem is that you did not go high enough up the chain in regard to voicing your complaints.

Next time stay on the phone until they connect you to Darryl and @ that point be very firm and insist on speaking with his brother (his name is Darryl also:-).
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
I have used Fedex extensively. Never a problem with delivery times or damage, yet. But, and that's a big but; they have left expensive equipment on my door step in the rain, ignoring signs on the front door and instructions from the seller to put in garage. If I hadn't looked, quite by accident, my last purchase would be sitting out there all night in the pouring rain. Go figure. No satisafaction when you call them.
usmkyd
1 posts
 
UPS is worse in my opinion! I recently took delivery of a 100lb. amplifier. The transformer was nocked off causing the amp to emmit a mechanical hum.
I also bought a pair of out of production speakers with no available spare parts. The speakers were flat on their backs in the UPS truck. They were bouncing around in the boxes. the oak enclosures were dented. One of the boxes had a hole in it with a punctured speaker grill. I filed a claim. Several months later I get a check from the seller for less than the insured value even though I paid for the insurance. According to UPS I was not the customer!
I received packages via 2 day FEDEX in exellent shape; therefor they are my preferred carrier now.
edesilva
768 posts
 
I was under the impression that FedEx ground contracted with different local delivery services in different areas. I had to pick up a FedEx ground package and picked it up in the DC area from an outfit called Worldwide. If they are using different companies in different area, could be a simple explanation as to why results vary. If you are having bad results from your local contractor, you might try complaining to FedEx about who they are contracting with.
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