GRRR Fedex sucks

that's a bummer.

On the other hand it sure is a pain when you need to sign for your items, seems like they always come when you are at work or in your case school. Considering that it has become standard practice to not require signatures I would guess that this doesn't happen very often.

If you assume that fedex delivered the package one of to two things must have happened, either it was stolen or delivered to the wrong address. unless you live in a high crime area it seems more likely that it was delivered to the wrong address, in which case it still might find its way to you.

Nashbar clearly shipped the package and you didn't specify that you wanted it delivered with signature required(which would have cost extra) so I think your best bet is to start with fedex. I would claim I was home when they said it was delivered and it was either stolen by the delivery man or delivered to the wrong address, in either case it was there fault and ask them what you need to do to file a claim.

I always wonder if there is some kind of list for people who have delivery problems. i.e. maybe once you file a claim that something was lost they may not be willing to leave something on your door stoop without a signature.

The option to deliver without signature is in the control of the consignee (recipient), see Fedex's own policy on signature. http://www.fedex.com/us/services/shipinfo/signatureoptions.html

B12yan88 - did you authorize Fedex to deliver all packages to you without signature, or for this shipment itself? If you did authorize such service, this is the downside and you have no business filing a complaint here. I would never recommend you give a carrier such authorization, it's pretty stupid unless you like taking this kind of risk (or are lucky enough to live in a crime-free area). If you are having a package shipped to you and you work, have it shipped to you at work (unless your place of employement has a problem with that, ask first). I spent most of my career in logistics, started about the same time as Fedex was founded.

If you did not authorize delivery without signature, Fedex is on the hook and you're best dealing with the party you paid for goods and transport, i.e. Nashbar. If Nashbar gives you any grief ask them to prove they delivered the package to you by showing your signature (I'm assuming Fedex did receive the shipment from Nashbar, so Fedex is liable). Have your credit card company get involved and be sure to tell them that you did not authorize delivery without signature. Only if you gave Fedex such permission are they off the hook, and they'll have to show that to Nashbar to stay off the hook.

On a personal note, a package was attempted to be delivered by Fedex today that I was only expecting Monday per their own delivery info online (and as expected for the service I asked for). They left a door tag indicating delivery would be reattempted Monday or I could make arrangements to pickup at their local station; online their tracking said it was delivered and that I had an delivery authorization on file.

I called to verify they indeed had not left it at the door, and would hold for my pickup Monday (easier for me anyways). I also asked that they correct their system, as there should be no release on file from me...they tried to tell me that someone at this address before I lived here must have authorized that! So, just based on your address alone, not you personally, they will consider leaving a package at the door preauthorized; what incredible bs and lack of responsibility on their part. I assured them their service didn't exist at that time and that no authorization waiving signature should be on file (I do remember Fedex had shoved a small package thru my delivery gate before; the driver must have thought it was okay to "authorize" it on my behalf).

They said they'd update their system. We'll see.

Fed Ex No signature required

so i got one of these

Dec 9, 2005 6:15 PM

Delivered

San Jose, CA

Left at front door. Signature Service not requested.

I ship via Fed Ex at work, and there is a section on the bill of lading that the sender must sign if there is no signature required. In this case, I'm pretty sure that puts the shipper as being responsible in cases like this.

I'd be asking Fed ex for a copy of that bill of lading. If they didn't request a signature, then I'd be asking Nashbar to send the goods again, with signature required. I can't imagine why they sent it no signature required, as this is their only true proof of delivery. Something doesn't add up here.

I am a FedEx driver

Maybe I can shed some insight here. I am a contracted driver for FedEx Home delivery........Now dont start yelling at me people!
First, I am not a big FedEx fan myself (politics). As far as your situation goes. You have to understand that we have 100-150 stops a day. I have maybe 10 signiture required stops out of 100 and half of the people who sign are wondering why they even need to. And it is a pain to get those stops off my truck. We cant work 10 hours and at the end of the day go and backtrack to all the signature stops in hopes of them being home. You have to understand that everyone wants us at there house at the same time....that just isn't going to happen. When we drop a package off, we try our best to hide it behind something (out of site, out of mind). I get a customer like you who hasn't recieved their package about every 1 out of 2000-3000. Most of the time it shows up because a family member forgot to tell them they got it or a neighbor see's it an holds it for safe keeping or even a dog came by and chewed it up (and yes, that has happened) and then there are theifs. Has happened to me before.
Second, I wouldn't be so hard on the driver unless he/she was neglegent which there are some bad drivers but, they don't last to long. Also, if he/she took it, it would catch up with them so that is unlikly. From what I know, this falls on the shippers end. File a claim with them and go from there. And from now on, request and pay for a signature release but, dont be suprised if you have to go to the terminal to pick it up. It is hard to accomadate everyones schedule.
Hope this gives you a little insight from the drivers end.

Fedex people:

I understand the expediency of having someone waive signature. I didn't waive my signature. You're just going to have to do the job you've been paid for, sorry. I don't want several hundred dollars of gear sitting on my doorstep available for whoever may follow your truck around or otherwise be near my property and see an opportunity. I want to see the condition of the package when I receive it and before I sign for it so that I can take possible exception. If Fedex wants to decide when, and in what they condition, they see fit tl deliver my goods and as a result force me into a convoluted claims process, no thanks, I'll specify another carrier or buy my goods elsewhere if only Fedex shipping is involved, thank you. I've dealt with your claims department before and it's a royal pain, especially when the process can be avoided through normal expectation of service.

I don't want you guys throwing stuff through my gate (usually includes a 6-7 foot drop and you don't know what's in it or how well it's been packed). I'm quite willing to have you hold it at your facility for pickup if I can't be at home (but if I track a package and it says it's coming Monday, I'll make a point of being ready for it, and if something comes up I have no problem picking it up from your facility or waiting for a specified redelivery date). I was at home today but wasn't expecting the delivery so made no arrangements for it (like keeping the doorbell within hearing range).

Legally Fedex treads thin ice in being cavalier about casual delivery (for example, imagine if Fedex was insuring a high value package they certainly wouldn't leave it unsigned for without express permission or they'd be screwed).

One thing to keep in mind.......Everyone is human and mistakes happen. I have made mistakes in a delivery where I read the house number say: 6787 and I dropped it @ 6878. Those things happen, not intentional. Before casting stones at a person who doesn't start driving when the light turns green at an intersection, think about when you were gazing off into lala land and didn't see the light turn. What I am saying is we all have mishaps in life. That is what makes it interesting some are worse than others. But, I understand the fustration and am by no means backing FedEx. I think the communication process in dealing with them is horrible and time consuming.
I can tell you one reason why items are damaged when you recieve them. Well, two things....First, the way it was packed and packed with by the shipper or owner. When you have an item in a box that is five times smaller than the box and there is no filler.....well yeah! It's going to get damaged! Don't blame the driver who doesn't even want to deliver it because it looks like the box has been through world war III.
Second, Lack of responcibility by the package handler or driver. Some just dont care how they handle your stuff. When I get your package, as you see it is just how I saw it. I personally didn't make it look that way but I get blamed for it. So be it ! If that's my biggest problem in life, I 'll take it.

I appreciate how much the driver does for a company like Fedex for the pay, but actually your dropping a package off at the wrong address is no better than the driver that punts my package into the back of the truck or into my yard. Both reasons I like to have the driver hand my package to me so I can make sure all is right, along with you, and take exception should I need to (or send you on to the correct address).

I agree with you about the quality of packing by shippers, this is often the cause of damage and lost goods. Personally I thank you for having the ethic to handle packages properly.

Fedex management leaves a lot to be desired, especially when determining fault and liability (I've been in the logistics industry as a customs broker/freight forwarder since the time Fedex got it's start, so I've got some personal experience with them on a professional level as well).

Don't get me wrong, they've got great potential and sometimes can perform extraordinary tasks, especially for a behemoth that tries to do everything at a reasonable price. It's their short cuts I've had problems with.

I am sorry for you. I am A FedEx Express driver...

I am not sure how things work at Ground, but I can speak on how things work on the Express side. Until recently there was always a signature required. Unless a shipper states we can release it to the door or if customer says so with a release at the house.So now Since the Residental Release program has been implemented we do not have to obtain a signature unless the shipper says so. The majority of responsibility falls on the shipper to notify the customer how the order is going to be delivered to you. In other words, the shipper decides whether a signature is required or not. To the other FedEx Driver, I am not sure how you or your station operates but I nor do your customers care if you have 200 stops and NO lunch. This customer and fellow cyclist did not receive his shipment! Please stop being callous because you (we) are in the height of peak. OP doesn't care how busy we are but how we resolve his issue.

Scott

P.S. I love schwag delivered to the house too