2-day or 3-day?
Written: Apr 17 '06
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Punctuality: |
 |
|
| Damaged Goods: |
|
|
|
Pros: 1-800 numbers work
Cons: customer support is split, Very expensive
The Bottom Line: go DHL!
|
|
|
| quarternotes's Full Review: FedEx 2Day |
Being in the retail market for musical instruments, one of the priorities of being "on-line" was having a shipping company. After careful considerations (picking Fedex out of UPS and USPS), I decided to start an account with Fedex. Needless to say, they got my business account number, then went to town on it.
Hundreds of hours have been spent on the phone with this company, and during this time, I have learned one valuable lesson. DON'T EVER GIVE A SHIPPING COMPANY YOUR FINANCIAL INFORMATION!
PROS
Fedex has never wasted time on getting packages to my customers inside of three days. The magical number from this store has always been three days, whether the shipment was going across the street, or California (We are located in Indiana). On-line venues (like Ebay and Amazon) usually expect businesses and enterprenuers to have the sold item shipped within a week. Fedex made sure they received their merchandise within a week. Fedex's physical locations have never been too far from anyone within the United States and their 1-800 numbers are seven days a week, 364 days a year. Their support staff from the 1-800 numbers are very supportive, whether it's a problem that you created or not. Fedex also provides supplies for free, which cuts shipping costs alone. Of course this only refers to their printing labels and self-stick labels, but anything for free helps. Fedex, with their main headquarters located in Indiana, has a superb tracking system that has Very few flaws. I would recommend using Fedex for anyone sending packages INSIDE the United States.
FLAWS
Although I would recommend Fedex to most, this Company was definately not made for me. Their hidden charges on "hazardous" materials is totally ridiculous. I sent 85 snare drum bags within a course of about three weeks. When I received my monthly bill, $485.00 was tacked on for "hazardous materials". After repeated phone calls to Fedex, the driver had to explain what the problem was. Apparently, the .67 cents I paid for EACH polymer bag to ship the snare drum gig bags in was not sufficient for Fedex's standards. They were actually charging me $5.00 to put my packages in 5-gallon buckets. Why? I refused to pay this incredible charge for something so ridiculous.
I also found out that Fedex, with their 1-800 numbers, are great to work with, but Fedex locally could give a hairy rats you-know-what about me or this business. Fedex has a split personality. I think that If you are going to run a big business like fedex, everyone within the company should be on the same page. I have also had less-than-honest customers receive refunds from bad tracking numbers provided by fedex. If you PHYSICALLY give a fedex employee adressses in order, they should come back that way. The tracking numbers would not go back to the required customer, It would go to a different customer's house. I lost revenue, instruments, and even received bad feedback for this. Another great flaw about fedex is the way they charge credit and debit cards. They actually charge you a $10.00 fee (refundable after three days) to see if your card is even good. Why? Why $10.00? They ran me in the red a few times when I first started over this "procedure". They never mentioned it to me. Another thing, unless they make it mandatory, or If you are sending enough packages to pay for their $11.00-a-week pick-up charge, it's almost just a sgood to go to your nearest Fedex and drop it off. They are adamant about charging, even if they don't come by, or If you don't have anything to ship.
Most Importantly, Fedex charges An arm and a leg to ship items overseas, but WILL not back up their tracking numbers in certain parts of countries, where other shipping companies will. I also don't understand why Fedex can't provide information to parties that forward their packages anywhere they want the packages to go, but will not let the supplier know. I've lost thousands of dollars over this scam.
OVERALL
If you are going to start a business, Fedex will ship your items, and it is easy to track HONEST customers' packages on-line, but your best bet is to also pick up DHL and USPS. Putting all your eggs in one basket is the thing to remember. Don't put your reputation behind one shipping company. If they goof, you go down with the ship. whether It be your fault or not.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
quarternotes
|
|
Member: dean
Location: beech grove, IN 46107
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 12 members
About Me:
music store owner , music enthusiast for a number of years. Musician, writer, and Carpenter.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.