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Ask a FedEx Courier

Hi. I will jump in here too if the op doesn't mind. I don't work for express, but I am an independent contractor for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery. I deal with express drivers every day and the manager at the express terminal. I know quite a bit about how they operate, so if you have any questions I'll try to help answer them.

From what I know you can call ahead and have your package held. As long as you have the tracking number. You will have to have an id and tracking number with when you pick it up to verify you are who you say you are.

If you are not having it held and aren't going to be home the driver will hang a door tag on your door. I am assuming the packages will have an indirect signature option on them. What this means is if you are not home the driver will attempt to deliver to a neighbor. If you live in the sticks more than likely this won't happen. And also, if your neighborhood isn't the best the driver has the discretion to indirect or not.

Ok, so you weren't home and your package was indirected. There will be a tag on your door saying who has your package. Easy enough, go grab it. But let's say you weren't home and received a door tag saying a delivery attempt was made and you weren't home. You can now sign the door tag to have your package left the next day. Keep in mind when you sign that it is your loss if the phone is left and somebody picks it up. Your are assuming responsibility at that point so just remember that.

As far as making multiple attempts. We usually will reattempt if time permits. There are many other deliveries that need to be made the same day so this is usually up to your driver. Multiple attempts are not guaranteed same day. But your package will be attempted for three days. If at this point you still haven't got it, a postcard will be mailed to you to come pick it up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me anything else.
 
tigress666 said:
Hey, it's better than UPS. UPS will not deliver your item if it arrives any day before the day it arrives.

Anytime some one ships UPS, watch the package. It can arrive 2 days earlier but they will not deliver it til the day they estimate it will arrive.

FedEx and the USPS are so much nicer about that (both will deliver it soon as it gets there).
Click to expand...

I don't think that is true (or at least for me). Just last week I got a package a day earlier then it was anticipated with UPS. Did I just get really lucky? Should I play the lotto!?!?! :D
 
NinjaQutie said:
I don't think that is true (or at least for me). Just last week I got a package a day earlier then it was anticipated with UPS. Did I just get really lucky? Should I play the lotto!?!?! :D
Click to expand...

You got lucky in a sense. Over the weekend more than the anticipated amount of packages arrived. The driver came in and saw this. He/she thought it was too many so they delivered some packages early to lighten the load for the next day.
 
do you know if fedex will deliver on saturday for this item? Does fedex drop off to kinkos locations on saturday?
 
Just wanted to add that here in Chicago, if you aren't home when they deliver, you can pick it up at the Fed Ex facility after 7 pm that same day. They're open until 9:30.
 
FullMetalx117 said:
do you know if fedex will deliver on saturday for this item? Does fedex drop off to kinkos locations on saturday?
Click to expand...

Yes. If you were supposed to get your phone on Friday and, something weird happened, we will deliver it on Saturday. And yes we will drop it off at FedEx Office (Kinkos) on Saturday if you schedule it to be done.

Edit - I should add that a missed delivery on Friday does not mean a reattempt on Saturday! It means Monday. HOWEVER... I think that we may just do some reattempts anyway, on Saturday.
 
Question for the experts

Is there a way to choose which hub your package can get held at? I live between two major hubs and will be flying out of town Friday morning.
 
drmark50 said:
Is there a way to choose which hub your package can get held at? I live between two major hubs and will be flying out of town Friday morning.
Click to expand...

No. Your phone is going to a zip code you provided.

----------
fdxgnd said:
Hi. I will jump in here too if the op doesn't mind. I don't work for express, but I am an independent contractor for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery. I deal with express drivers every day and the manager at the express terminal. I know quite a bit about how they operate, so if you have any questions I'll try to help answer them.

From what I know you can call ahead and have your package held. As long as you have the tracking number. You will have to have an id and tracking number with when you pick it up to verify you are who you say you are.

If you are not having it held and aren't going to be home the driver will hang a door tag on your door. I am assuming the packages will have an indirect signature option on them. What this means is if you are not home the driver will attempt to deliver to a neighbor. If you live in the sticks more than likely this won't happen. And also, if your neighborhood isn't the best the driver has the discretion to indirect or not.

Ok, so you weren't home and your package was indirected. There will be a tag on your door saying who has your package. Easy enough, go grab it. But let's say you weren't home and received a door tag saying a delivery attempt was made and you weren't home. You can now sign the door tag to have your package left the next day. Keep in mind when you sign that it is your loss if the phone is left and somebody picks it up. Your are assuming responsibility at that point so just remember that.

As far as making multiple attempts. We usually will reattempt if time permits. There are many other deliveries that need to be made the same day so this is usually up to your driver. Multiple attempts are not guaranteed same day. But your package will be attempted for three days. If at this point you still haven't got it, a postcard will be mailed to you to come pick it up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me anything else.
Click to expand...

Good post, and yes, feel free to jump in. :)
 
If for some reason, FedEx delivers Thursday and I miss the package, do they reattempt delivery the next day?

Also whats the difference between FedEx Express/ground
 
AndrewR23 said:
If for some reason, FedEx delivers Thursday and I miss the package, do they reattempt delivery the next day?

Also whats the difference between FedEx Express/ground
Click to expand...

100% YES!

Express is freight/packages moving through an airplane.. then a truck to your house. Ground is on the ground except for place like Hawaii etc.
 
efyou said:
100% YES!

Express is freight/packages moving through an airplane.. then a truck to your house. Ground is on the ground except for place like Hawaii etc.
Click to expand...

Is there any chance they deliver on Thursday?

I'm hoping no.
 
Re: Leaving a note on the door

I have had the most success in leaving notes for FedEx/UPS drivers when I do the following:
1 - Print out a copy of the the tracking info from the shipper. Make sure it includes the tracking number as well as your address (I think one of them will show the address, but it may just be the city).
2 - Write a nice note on there asking for them to please leave the package and consider this signed piece of paper a release to leave the item. Depending on the weather, I may also leave instructions on where they can stash it so it's more out of sight/water.
3 - Sign the note and write a big "THANK YOU!" at the bottom.

The only think this has not worked for is wine. They are more hardcore about checking ID before leaving booze at the front door without a signature.

The risk in doing this is they basically are then off the hook if they leave it and someone else steals it.
 
mloffa said:
How come you and your bff UPS never delivery my things before at least 6 PM? EVER. I'm an impatient person. And I don't even line in the middle or nowhere or anything.

/totally kind of kidding btw
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Normally UPS runs through our neighborhood around 4-5, but on 3GS launch day they delivered at 9 am.
 
I get a lot of stuff through UPS with Amazon prime and it seems they just randomly decide when to leave it or not. I have started leaving a quick note explaining I am at work all day and to please leave the package. I put the note on the inside of my door window so it is clear I left it not a note slapped on my door by a stranger.
 
EddyP said:
Re: Leaving a note on the door

I have had the most success in leaving notes for FedEx/UPS drivers when I do the following:
1 - Print out a copy of the the tracking info from the shipper. Make sure it includes the tracking number as well as your address (I think one of them will show the address, but it may just be the city).
2 - Write a nice note on there asking for them to please leave the package and consider this signed piece of paper a release to leave the item. Depending on the weather, I may also leave instructions on where they can stash it so it's more out of sight/water.
3 - Sign the note and write a big "THANK YOU!" at the bottom.

The only think this has not worked for is wine. They are more hardcore about checking ID before leaving booze at the front door without a signature.

The risk in doing this is they basically are then off the hook if they leave it and someone else steals it.
Click to expand...

We can never leave alcohol no matter what. Someone 21 and over must sign and show ID. Our pad that you sign will not allow us to leave without a signature and it tells us to check your ID. Also some shipments require a Direct Signature. No Door Tag stuff. Can Not leave it unless there is a signature.
 
efyou said:
Also some shipments require a Direct Signature. No Door Tag stuff.
Click to expand...

I had one of those which was a huge problem. I am not home at any time they deliver and I needed the item badly but it was not worth nearly enough money to drive to the Fedex hub an hour away.

Ended up calling Fedex and they worked it out with me to have a 20 minute delivery window so I could take my lunch break at that time and be home.
 
Zepaw said:
I get a lot of stuff through UPS with Amazon prime and it seems they just randomly decide when to leave it or not. I have started leaving a quick note explaining I am at work all day and to please leave the package. I put the note on the inside of my door window so it is clear I left it not a note slapped on my door by a stranger.
Click to expand...

And that makes us happy. Except for the part that if we need a signature, we need to physically have that note. I (at FedEx) have to turn in that note with signature at the end of the day. And this is ONLY for packages that need a signature like the iPhone. For the most part I'd say that 85% of my deliveries DO NOT require a signature. So we just leave it near your door.

Amazon typically does not require a signature.
 
efyou said:
We can never leave alcohol no matter what. Someone 21 and over must sign and show ID. Our pad that you sign will not allow us to leave without a signature and it tells us to check your ID. Also some shipments require a Direct Signature. No Door Tag stuff. Can Not leave it unless there is a signature.
Click to expand...
Yeah, just leave me my damn wine. :) I understand though. It's more the law than your policies I would imagine.

I don't think iPhones typically require a direct signature. I may be wrong. I have only had a handful of things where the damn shipper demanded a live person sign for things. I think my iPad was left with the printed out tracking info signed like I mentioned above. I think that was UPS though. I seem to recall tracking flights through Louisville from China/Alaska. Not Memphis.

Thanks for the info though. I'm sure you are going to be harassed like hell for the next couple days. I would suggest not showing your face around here on Friday. I think you'll be assaulted with "how can I call the driver and have them try to deliver it again today?" stuff.

PS - efyou too! ;)
 
EddyP said:
Yeah, just leave me my damn wine. :) I understand though. It's more the law than your policies I would imagine.

I don't think iPhones typically require a direct signature. I may be wrong. I have only had a handful of things where the damn shipper demanded a live person sign for things. I think my iPad was left with the printed out tracking info signed like I mentioned above. I think that was UPS though. I seem to recall tracking flights through Louisville from China/Alaska. Not Memphis.

Thanks for the info though. I'm sure you are going to be harassed like hell for the next couple days. I would suggest not showing your face around here on Friday. I think you'll be assaulted with "how can I call the driver and have them try to deliver it again today?" stuff.

PS - efyou too! ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah, unless things have changed for this shipment the iPhone is an indirect signature deal. Meaning you can sign and leave a note on your door to leave it or we can deliver to your neighbor. Also, even if you sign a note, if you live in a sketchy area or we see something shady happening we may not leave it. It's our discretion as drivers. We have meetings about this stuff.

PS - EXACTLY :)
 
Does anyone know if Verizon ships Fedex Overnight - priority, first class or standard? This determines the time of delivery according to the guy I asked at Fedex.

Priority: 8 a.m.
First Class: Between 10:30 a.m. - Noonish
Standard: Between noon-4 p.m.

Fedex experts, please let me know if I'm wrong. Thanks!
 
babydancer08 said:
Does anyone know if Verizon ships Fedex Overnight - priority, first class or standard? This determines the time of delivery according to the guy I asked at Fedex.

Priority: 8 a.m.
First Class: Between 10:30 a.m. - Noonish
Standard: Between noon-4 p.m.

Fedex experts, please let me know if I'm wrong. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Probably not overnight at all, why would they? Costs more, and the phones are available to ship now (presumably) so they will most likely ship today via Saver (3-day) or tomorrow via 2-day. Delivery commitments for 2nd Day and Saver are 4:30 for commercial addresses and 7:00PM for residential.

If any do go overnight, they will certainly go the cheapest (Standard), which is 3PM (4:30PM in rural areas).
 
Anyone know if UPS let's you do the same thing as Fedex where they let you call ahead and just pick it up at a hub instead of having to wait for the 1st delivery attempt?

I'll be at work on Friday and I would rather pick up my phone during lunch/after work rather than wait until I get the UPS infonotice slip on my door.
 
Will FedEx ship on a different day if we request? We are out of town and need it delivered later than the 14th. The local FedEx office is quite a far drive for us.
 
Did it occur to anyone with these types of questions to, wait for it, call FedEx or UPS and ask them?
 
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