What is wrong with FedEx?

[misterman8]

OK I just need to vent for a second. I know this has all been hashed out before in these forums, I guess I just hope at some point someone at FedEx or apple come across one of these and decide to do something about it.

So last week I ordered: iBook, iPod, printer, Office, a mouse, and an adapter kit. I asked for the 2-3 day international shipping, you know cause it was $30 and I thought what trhe heck, be nice if this stuff got here sooner. So here it is monday and so far I have reiceved the ipod, office, and the printer, which is what? almost $600 worth of stuff, all of which has been left on the front porch there for all of our hooligan nighbor kids to pick and choose from and the rain to rain on and the sun to heat up to who know how hot. FedEx claims that someone signed a waiver for them to just drop it off sans signature, I didn't sign a waiver, if apple did I would be suprised considering the other posts on here about how rabid they are about signatures, but who knows. Today I checked the status of the iBook, you know I'd like to be around when that one shows up just in case the FedEx truck slows down before they throw it on my porch. Here is what thier tracking page shows me:

Aug 6, 2005 3:37 AM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN

Aug 5, 2005 5:40 PM Arrived at FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK

5:40 PM Departed FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK

Aug 6, 2005 12:21 AM Shipment exception SHANGHAI CN Delay beyond our control

Aug 5, 2005 10:45 PM Picked up SHANGHAI CN

Package received after FedEx cutoff

Aug 4, 2005 11:30 PM At local FedEx facility SHANGHAI CN

And it says it won't be delivered until august 10th at 8pm! No matter what kind of fancy math they are using that ain't 2-3 days. Thats at least 4 and if you compensate for time zones its more like 2+3 days. Not to mention it's been sitting in their Memphis warehouse since friday morning. I just don't get it. I don't want to get it, I just want the stuff I ordered on the day I paid to get it here, not left in the weather and free for anyone to snag off the porch. Is that really to much to ask from a shipping company? Certainly if it not here in the next 24 hours I am going to be asking apple to refund that $30, also to maybe think about using a different shipper.

Ok I feel better now. Not really, but I will feel better when the stuff I have been charged 2g for is out of the hands of whoever is running the show over at FedEx/Kinkos.

 

[iGary]

OK I just need to vent for a second. I know this has all been hashed out before in these forums, I guess I just hope at some point someone at FedEx or apple come across one of these and decide to do something about it.

So last week I ordered: iBook, iPod, printer, Office, a mouse, and an adapter kit. I asked for the 2-3 day international shipping, you know cause it was $30 and I thought what trhe heck, be nice if this stuff got here sooner. So here it is monday and so far I have reiceved the ipod, office, and the printer, which is what? almost $600 worth of stuff, all of which has been left on the front porch there for all of our hooligan nighbor kids to pick and choose from and the rain to rain on and the sun to heat up to who know how hot. FedEx claims that someone signed a waiver for them to just drop it off sans signature, I didn't sign a waiver, if apple did I would be suprised considering the other posts on here about how rabid they are about signatures, but who knows. Today I checked the status of the iBook, you know I'd like to be around when that one shows up just in case the FedEx truck slows down before they throw it on my porch. Here is what thier tracking page shows me:

Aug 6, 2005 3:37 AM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN

Aug 5, 2005 5:40 PM Arrived at FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK

5:40 PM Departed FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK

Aug 6, 2005 12:21 AM Shipment exception SHANGHAI CN Delay beyond our control

Aug 5, 2005 10:45 PM Picked up SHANGHAI CN

Package received after FedEx cutoff

Aug 4, 2005 11:30 PM At local FedEx facility SHANGHAI CN

And it says it won't be delivered until august 10th at 8pm! No matter what kind of fancy math they are using that ain't 2-3 days. Thats at least 4 and if you compensate for time zones its more like 2+3 days. Not to mention it's been sitting in their Memphis warehouse since friday morning. I just don't get it. I don't want to get it, I just want the stuff I ordered on the day I paid to get it here, not left in the weather and free for anyone to snag off the porch. Is that really to much to ask from a shipping company? Certainly if it not here in the next 24 hours I am going to be asking apple to refund that $30, also to maybe think about using a different shipper.

Ok I feel better now. Not really, but I will feel better when the stuff I have been charged 2g for is out of the hands of whoever is running the show over at FedEx/Kinkos.

Don't believe it - FedEx said I wouldn't get my G5 for a week and it came the next day.

 

[Jay42]

Don't believe it - FedEx said I wouldn't get my G5 for a week and it came the next day.

I got standard 5 day shipping on my PowerBook which shipped on the 5th. FedEx says delivery on the 13th (8 days), is this accurate, or can I expect it sooner?

 

[LanGamer]

at least your ibook was shipped. lol

I think yours will come before that date. fedex is generally very quick regardless of what shipping you purchased

 

[trooz1]

Awesome! Mine's also sitting in Memphis right now (same schedule as yours).

 

[cyclonus5150]

I'm right there with you, man. I've always purchased my macs from the brick and mortar Apple store but thought it would be nice to just order online and pay a little extra to have it shipped in a timely manner. I'm on the same FedEx schedule as you are so I'm guessing out iBooks are all sitting on a huge pallate in a warehouse somewhere in Memphis. I just phoned FedEx and she told me that they're still waiting to clear customs and that she has no estimate as to when that might be. WTF? Clear customs? They couldn't clear customs in Alaska? And honestly...how long does it take to clear customs already? This big, bulk shipment of Apple computers has been sitting in that warehouse for days now and customs hasn't cleared it? This whole experience has been crummy and I'll probably never order a Mac online again. I have a project that I was supposed to start today that I'll have to push back and that really sucks. At least Apple was cool enough to refund me my shipping. What would be even cooler is if they could start manufacturing in the US so we can avoid this crap. I never had this problem back in my "unclean" days of ordering from Dell.

 

[Jay42]

At least Apple was cool enough to refund me my shipping. What would be even cooler is if they could start manufacturing in the US so we can avoid this crap. .

Yeah, but you can't complain about place of manufacture and price at the same time (not that you are, but others would).

 

[cyclonus5150]

Yeah, but you can't complain about place of manufacture and price at the same time (not that you are, but others would).

I'd gladly pay more if manufacturing were moved to the US. More jobs and quicker shipping. Sounds like a good tradeoff to me.

 

[macmanmatty]

A better question would what isn't wrong with FEDEX. They managed to bend the bottom handles on the case of my G5 powermac during shipping. So I file a claim. Then they tell that I can't file unless I have all of the shippers information. So he has to go down and tell them his information. The claim gets filed. Then about 1 week later they tell me that on monday they are coming to pick the computer and inspect it for damage. I wait. monday noone comes, tuesday noone comes. I call to complaine. On thursday they finally send someone. I ask how long they will have the computer for. they tell me 24 hrs holding time. The machine finally comes back the following thursady. I look at the computer and see that my nvidia video card is gone!!!! I call to complaine. They tell me it was never there and that they put all parts back when they take apart a computer. I ask whey they had to take it apart, they can't tell me anything. I show them pictures of computer before. They deny ever seeing a video card on it. Real professional. I call them up asking when I will get my claims check for the insurance. They tell me I have to get a quote on repairs before they can do that and they need it by friday. I complaine again they give until monday(today) to get a quote. I Give them the quote a tell them to give to my claims agent. They lose it. I call back and they tell me they need another copy And that the shipper needs to give the ok for them to settle the claim with me. I try to contact him, they try to contact him. I later find out he is out of town and will be for all of this week. Fedex says they will most likley have give the money to him unless he syas the I should recieve the claim money, which he can't do because is out this country. I give fedex the quote they need that and then they tell me they also need the manufacturors quote. I tell them I can't get apples quote by monday. They tell me I have 24 hours to get the quote from apple. There are no apple stores near me. I have to send it in. I can't do that In 24 hrs. They tell me that unless I do they can't finish the claim and the claims have to be completed in a certian frame for my benfit and theirs. They held my computer for over a week for no purpose what so ever!!!!! NEVER SHIP ANYTHING THROUGH FEDEX. They will destroy your package steal its parts and give you no money.

Sorry for the smiles but this makes me

 

[alex_ant]

I'd gladly pay more if manufacturing were moved to the US. More jobs and quicker shipping. Sounds like a good tradeoff to me.

You'd pay $1500 for your entry-level iBook and then everyone else would bitch and moan about how expensive the iBook is and they'd buy Chinese slave-labor Dells instead.

 

[mrgreen4242]

A better question would what isn't wrong with FEDEX. They managed to bend the bottom handles on the case of my G5 powermac during shipping. So I file a claim. Then they tell that I can't file unless I have all of the shippers information. So he has to go down and tell them his information. The claim gets filed. Then about 1 week later they tell me that on monday they are coming to pick the computer and inspect it for damage. I wait. monday noone comes, tuesday noone comes. I call to complaine. On thursday they finally send someone. I ask how long they will have the computer for. they tell me 24 hrs holding time. The machine finally comes back the following thursady. I look at the computer and see that my nvidia video card is gone!!!! I call to complaine. They tell me it was never there and that they put all parts back when they take apart a computer. I ask whey they had to take it apart, they can't tell me anything. I show them pictures of computer before. They deny ever seeing a video card on it. Real professional. I call them up asking when I will get my claims check for the insurance. They tell me I have to get a quote on repairs before they can do that and they need it by friday. I complaine again they give until monday(today) to get a quote. I Give them the quote a tell them to give to my claims agent. They lose it. I call back and they tell me they need another copy And that the shipper needs to give the ok for them to settle the claim with me. I try to contact him, they try to contact him. I later find out he is out of town and will be for all of this week. Fedex says they will most likley have give the money to him unless he syas the I should recieve the claim money, which he can't do because is out this country. I give fedex the quote they need that and then they tell me they also need the manufacturors quote. I tell them I can't get apples quote by monday. They tell me I have 24 hours to get the quote from apple. There are no apple stores near me. I have to send it in. I can't do that In 24 hrs. They tell me that unless I do they can't finish the claim and the claims have to be completed in a certian frame for my benfit and theirs. They held my computer for over a week for no purpose what so ever!!!!! NEVER SHIP ANYTHING THROUGH FEDEX. They will destroy your package steal its parts and give you no money.

Sorry for the smiles but this makes me

That's crazy. I've had some bad experiences with FedEx as well, but not that bad. I've had them leave stuff on the door step which has been stolen, which they won't take any responsibility for because it wasn't sent with signiture required. So I fill out a form asking them to just hold everything at the pickup location if it can't be delivered on the first try to a real person at my address. Now they start to leave stuff at my apartment complexes leasing office. Or they just don't try to deliver it at all and I have to check to see if it is at the depot online or they eventually send it back to the shipper.

On NUMEROUS occasions they have updated their tracking info saying that they have attempted delivery, but I was home and they did not. They claimed that the door buzzer must have been broken (which it isn't) so I ask where the 'sorry we missed you ' note is, as they didn't leave one because they weren't there!

A few years back I sent a package (a pair of shoes to an ex-gf who moved out of state) that never arrived. I didn't hear that it didn't get there right, because, well, it was an ex, so she just assumed I never sent them. I call and give them the tracking number and they say there was no record of that item. I ask them to check the billing system to see if they charged my card, and, yup, there is a $20 shipping charge on that accoutn number. Ok, so what was shipped with tht transaction? Doesn't say, did you purchase insurance? And so on.

FedEx sucks HUGE. I avoid them at all costs. USPS is my prefered mailed, followed by UPS for larger packages. Apple should really switch to a more reliable carrier. It is important that everyone who has problems with FedEx to call Apple and complain. I know it isn't Apple's fault, but they need to know that their customers are not satisfied with a service that Apple is paying to provide, and hopefully they will get enough feedback to switch to UPS or another carrier.

 

[iGary]

My two cinema displays and my 2.7 PM arrived as if I pulled them off the shelf at the factory.

Now UPS - they will certainly destroy anything you give them.

 

[prophet621]

I currently work for FedEx Kinko's until I find another job and I am a rabid FedEx hater. Since they took over life has been hell. Kinko's is sort of thought as the stepchild now. But buying Kinko's suddenly gave FedEx 1200 new shipping locations where they cut back hours but pile on more responsibility.

Since they bought Kinko's, it became mandatory for all employees to learn FedEx and shipping. I'm not at all suprised at the horror stories here or anywhere else that I hear about.

I can't believe that Apple would sign the waiver toleave equipment without a signature. That would be a driver mistake.

I am constantly telling people to call their 800 number and complain. I doubt they listen but they certainly don't listen to the employees.

 

[misterman8]

Does anyone know if there is an effective way to petition apple to switch delivery services or reform their shipping practices? Obviously there are bound to be problems with whoever is being used but it seems FedEx is extra special. I have never heard of problems like this with UPS. I would be happy to pay a little more to, you know, have accurate shipping times or a lack of damage when stuff arrives. Or even just have someone step up and take some responsibility for their crappy service.

 

[smurphur]

Guys, all these problems could happen with any major shipping company. My ipod was delivered to the wrong house by DHL. 910 20th st, instead of 910 21st st. DHL of course gave me the run around saying they delivered it correctly and some girl at signed for it. I told them my roommates girl friend did no such thing, and they were wrong and incompitent. So, I called Apple and they talked to DHL who finally called me back saying oh ya we messed up. Then they have the girl they delivered it to leave the box on her porch (in an apartment complex). So it was stolen, and I have to wait for my ipod to get shipped out again. Luckily I got my ipod and was finally satisfied. Now I am waiting for my ibook, which is delayed on behalf of Apple:

Aug 8, 2005 10:41 PM
Picked up
SHANGHAI CN
Package received after FedEx cutoff

Aug 7, 2005 11:30 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

Aug 6, 2005 12:05 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

Aug 5, 2005 8:44 PM
Shipment exception
SHANGHAI CN
Improper or missing international paperwork, contact Customer Service

8:44 PM
In transit
SHANGHAI CN
Package available for clearance

8:44 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

11:17 AM
Package data transmitted to FedEx

So now I can only hope Apple got the customs paperwork filled out properly and hope and pray it will be in the air on its way to the US tommorow. It's too bad as well cause I have no room to complain since I got regular free shipping. Even though they say 5 business days to ship, if it's 6 or 7 I can't really say you lied give me a refund! Oh well though, patience is really nice and I will have an ibook soon... so I look forward to that (and of course to see the fedex say in transit... anchorage AK!

 

[cyclonus5150]

Guys, all these problems could happen with any major shipping company. My ipod was delivered to the wrong house by DHL. 910 20th st, instead of 910 21st st. DHL of course gave me the run around saying they delivered it correctly and some girl at signed for it. I told them my roommates girl friend did no such thing, and they were wrong and incompitent. So, I called Apple and they talked to DHL who finally called me back saying oh ya we messed up. Then they have the girl they delivered it to leave the box on her porch (in an apartment complex). So it was stolen, and I have to wait for my ipod to get shipped out again. Luckily I got my ipod and was finally satisfied. Now I am waiting for my ibook, which is delayed on behalf of Apple:

Aug 8, 2005 10:41 PM
Picked up
SHANGHAI CN
Package received after FedEx cutoff

Aug 7, 2005 11:30 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

Aug 6, 2005 12:05 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

Aug 5, 2005 8:44 PM
Shipment exception
SHANGHAI CN
Improper or missing international paperwork, contact Customer Service

8:44 PM
In transit
SHANGHAI CN
Package available for clearance

8:44 PM
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN

11:17 AM
Package data transmitted to FedEx

So now I can only hope Apple got the customs paperwork filled out properly and hope and pray it will be in the air on its way to the US tommorow. It's too bad as well cause I have no room to complain since I got regular free shipping. Even though they say 5 business days to ship, if it's 6 or 7 I can't really say you lied give me a refund! Oh well though, patience is really nice and I will have an ibook soon... so I look forward to that (and of course to see the fedex say in transit... anchorage AK!

Yes well I got excited when I saw that it had arrived and left Anchorage AK but that only led to it being held up in TN. I think Apple told me on Friday that when it hits TN it's then split up (the big bulk shipment of iBooks) and each individual iBook is routed for delivery and sent on it's merry way. I just don't understand why customs has again held this all up since apparently customs held the shipment up in Shanghai already.

 

[dejo]

I just don't understand why customs has again held this all up since apparently customs held the shipment up in Shanghai already.

I'd guess it would be because Chinese Customs is separate from U.S. Customs.

 

[misterman8]

Guys, all these problems could happen with any major shipping company.

True enough. I guess my point is must these problems happen at any major shipping company? I say no. Life is complex and yes patience is warrented, and I am confident that if I do not get my package on time I will be reimbursed. However, it is our right to say to a company I demand better or I will be taking my buisiness elsewhere. Feedback is the only way Apple is ever going to know that people are getting yanked around by FedEx. I am sure they don't keep tabs on if something was signed for, or if it is within the estimated delivery time unless someone speaks up and says, "Hey FedEx showed up four days late, punted my iBook through my nieghbors window and then crashed into my car." I say have patience, be polite, and let apple know that you would like them to improve your buying experience.

 

[smurphur]

True enough. I guess my point is must these problems happen at any major shipping company? I say no. Life is complex and yes patience is warrented, and I am confident that if I do not get my package on time I will be reimbursed. However, it is our right to say to a company I demand better or I will be taking my buisiness elsewhere. Feedback is the only way Apple is ever going to know that people are getting yanked around by FedEx. I am sure they don't keep tabs on if something was signed for, or if it is within the estimated delivery time unless someone speaks up and says, "Hey FedEx showed up four days late, punted my iBook through my nieghbors window and then crashed into my car." I say have patience, be polite, and let apple know that you would like them to improve your buying experience.

Ya, exactly... if you feel you have been wronged by FedEx in someway through the shipping process, then definitely make a formal complaint to Apple. I for one won't be complaining to Apple about FedEx since it seems apparent that it was Apple's fault my package was held up in China. I did complain about DHL to Apple because of their shipping of my ipod though. So ya make a complaint.... especially in cases where products show up damaged. That not only lets Apple know about the shipping company, but also might clue them in if they get enough complaints that they may want to increase their packing materials in the box to protect their product better.

 

[jywv8]

I've never had any problems with FedEx or UPS. I actually prefer FedEx, because if I miss the delivery I can opt to go pick it up at a nearby shipping office, while the UPS shipping office is way out in some godforsaken suburb.

On the other hand, I never cease having all sorts of problems with the U.S. Postal Service. I've had a carrier ring my bell, hand me an OPEN package, and then ask me to make sure that everything is there. I've had mail that is correctly addressed to me returned to the sender. I've had packages vanish into thin air. I constantly get mail for other people people on my street or the next street over. Don't even get me started on the experience of actually going to the post office to mail something...last week I waited in line for an entire hour. I thought there was going to be a riot.

 

[misterman8]

So today they left the adpater and applecare onthe front porch, while ups who brought the iPod apple care and crucial RAM actually did wait for a signature.. What the heck? Anwya FedEx hasn't changed the status on either today's delivery or the iBook do you know when they update their tracking?

 

[cyclonus5150]

FINALLY they are out of TN. Mine says it's in dest sort in Richmond, Va. That's an hour south of me so I would expect it today sometime.

 

[Jay42]

I got standard 5 day shipping on my PowerBook which shipped on the 5th. FedEx says delivery on the 13th (8 days), is this accurate, or can I expect it sooner?

Okay, its now the 9th (4 days after Powerbook shipped with 5 day shipping) and the FedEx tracking site still says "Package data transmitted to FedEx." Is this okay, or has my powerbook yet to move and should I be picking up a phone soon?

 

[trooz1]

It's here!!!

 

[Verto]

My iPod Mini was delivered via UPS, and my printer via Fedex. Both arrived in perfect condition, and on time if not earlier.

My iMac is shipping via Fedex, and I'm slightly upset at it's progress. It sat in Sacramento in the "Fedex location" all day on the 6th, before finally shipping out, and is not scheduled to arrive until the 11th.