When does 2 = 5, 6 or 7?
Written: May 31 '02 (Updated Jun 02 '02)
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Pros: Can use online tracking to see your package sitting in a storage facility somewhere.
Cons: Very expensive, reliably late
The Bottom Line: FedEx offers premium prices and lax service. If you really need something on time, use someone else!
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| eswope's Full Review: FedEx 2Day |
When does 2 equal 5, 6 or 7? When you use FedEx second day air to Hawaii.
Federal Express is a shipping company which offers premium service at premium plus prices. They have a very good and user friendly front end. You may use their drop boxes or pickup services and track your package online or over the phone. They offer merchant accounts which simplify the shipping process for large companies, often with accompanying discounts. The problem is that their delivery time is not what it is cracked up to be. In my experience, packages arrive late more often than they arrive on time. They will give you a 12 hour range in which the driver will be in your neighborhood. If for some reason you miss the driver, it will be another day or 2 until you can get your package...unless you're working during their delivery hours, in which case it can take weeks (or merchandise will be returned).
If you are shipping to Hawaii, second day air delivery means at least 3 days. In my latest adventure with FedEx, I ordered on Tuesday. I watched online as my package went to pickup Tuesday night, arrived at the sorting facility Wednesday morning and was shipped to California that evening. It arrived in San Jose at 8 A.M., went to another sorting facility, arrived in Oakland at 4 P.M. It sat at the Oakland facility overnight and was shipped to Honolulu around 5 A.M. Got to Honolulu at 7:37 A.M. Oh Boy, I thought...it might actually get here in time...so I watched and waited. Finally called FedEx Friday afternoon to find out when I could expect my package (a birthday present I need by Saturday). I was informed that delivery was scheduled for Monday....so I asked (foolishly), Could I pick it up? The airport is a 20 minute drive...I'll go if I can get the package on time as I would really like to have it for my husband's birthday...please? No, it says delivery only. The saga continues. I called the store from which the order was sent to ask if they would change the status so that I could go pick it up. They were very gracious and understanding and called FedEx immediately to try to expedite the process. A few minutes later a FedEx supervisor called to say: no I could not pick it up, it's been sorted for delivery. It will be delivered on Monday. So, because I really, really wanted it on time, I paid (literally) ten times what it would have cost to ship U.S. priority mail which might have gotten it here on time, five times what express mail costs, which would absolutely have gotten it here on time, and it is sitting at the airport waiting for delivery on Monday, because unlike U.P.S., Airborne Express and the U.S. postal service, FedEx does not work weekends. That's what I call premium service. On the other hand, I can sleep at night knowing that my package is safe in an airport holding facility. I can go to the FedEx web site and watch it not go anywhere. I can spend another day at home waiting for the FedEx man on Monday and hope that this time 2 day air means only 5 days..not 6 or 7 or 8. And, the next time I have a package which I want delivered on time, I can use another shipping company.
This was written from the perspective of a customer. I have had enough difficulty with FedEx to know that in this instance a missed delivery date is NOT the responsibility of the store where I made my purchase. But it is worthy of consideration for a business person as to whether you are willing to tie your reputation to FedEx's. Is their customer service as good as your own? Is their response time? In a world that's gone 24/7, are you willing to pay a premium for a shipping service which is not?
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
eswope
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Member: elise swope
Location: Windward O'ahu, Hawaii
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I am a parent, cook, gardener, bead fiend and hold a Ph.D. (Psychology).
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