WARNING about FedEx in Vermont

Not to burst anyone's UPS bubble, but I had a box make it here from back east and when it was being loaded on the truck the driver decided to check the contents. There was no breakage and the bottles were in a styro shipper. They confiscated and destroyed the package, and threatened the sender they would contact the ATF if he pressed them more about his "yeast samples". This was UPS. I guess it's just a risk we all take, UPS or FedEx.

 

I received a box from UPS that was missing 1 beatification and 2 pliny the elders. Someone at UPS repacked my box and stole a some of my beers. I've never had this happen when shipping FedEx. This blows.

 

Fact is, when you have so many pairs of hands on your packages belonging to hourly employees, it's a miracle more shit doesn't show up missing. I've used UPS now for 2 years without any missing packaged, and just a couple damaged ones. A friend of mine's been using FedEx to get his Bruery shipments in PA from his trustee in CA. Recently, his boxes have been showing up light. They're all showing up, but nearly every single box, shows up with a bottle or two missing. They know they can steal from you outright because you have absolutely nothing you cal call and complain about.

I had a box sent to me by a friend via FedEx, and I was expecting the box. I saw the FedEx truck pull up to my curb and walked out the front door to meet him. However, he never got out. After being at the foot of my driveway for 60 seconds. He just drove away. Package showed up on tracking as having been delivered, seconds later. Called FedEx immediately to complain, and FedEx stated that the driver's GPS shows his vehicle in front of my address at the time the box was scanned as delivered. They sent the driver back to my address, and he tried to tell me he put a package on my porch. I went apeshit. I told him I saw him pull up in front of my house and never get out. He vehemently denied that he didn't get out of the truck. I tried filing a claim and was denied. It was supremely aggravating.

 

Is it possible there was breakage and they repackaged the remaining beers?

 

Update - Box arrived back to my address late Thursday - repackaged with nothing missing or broke. Still don't have any idea what happened except that the box either popped open, or was opened because the driver needed signature because of contents. I'm leary of shipping to address again with FED-EX, so I repackaged and sent today UPS. First one EVER with ANY issue.

Hoping it's just a holiday season memo or something like that.

 

For whatever it's worth, a lot of shady things have been happening in my development the past month or so with FedEx and UPS. My neighbor came home to a package that had been opened on her doorstep and then left empty. Turns out it was a driver that they had hired as extra help during the holidays and it had happened more than a few times on the same route last month. Although it's not legal to ship beer, it's also illegal to steal things. At the very least your shipping carrier should know they are employing someone who is stealing from their customers, be it alcohol or not.
Between the weather and the temp workers I think I'm gonna take Nov-Feb off from trading now on.

 

This is true, but of course shipping via FedEx has nothing at all to do with the mail. I'd imagine the letter itself was probably worded differently.

 

I figured I share my recent experiences being in VT and all. Early in Dec (6th-7th) I had a box coming from MA get sent back to the sender. When the sender go it back he said it appeared un-opened. The next week he repacked in a new box and I had him ship to my parents address (a few mins away) and it arrived without issue.

I thought that possibly my address was flagged or something. I had 4 other trades that were about to ship and I asked they send to my parents address. One of the shippers had already shipped to my address, I requested that box be held at the local Fedex Kinkos since I wasn't going to be home, and it made it there fine and I picked it up no problem.

Of the 3 other boxes that went to my parents address, 1 arrived no problem. The other 2 were scheduled to be delievered on Christmas Eve. I checked the tracking on Mon morning (12/23) and it said on truck for delivery, which I thought was wierd as home delivery doesn't deliver on Mondays. Later in the day I check and it is now updated to 12/26 with a message saying sometning about unable to deliver, scheduled for next business day. So now I'm like WTF, whatever happened to just delivering it on the 24th like had been predicted all along. I called fedex and gave them one of the tracking numbers and asked if I could just pick up the box in Williston that day rather than waiting for it to be delievered on the 26th. I also mentioned a 2nd box but they didn't ask for the tracking number. They said they had the box at the warehouse and I could pick it up.

When I showed up at the fedex hub I told the woman I had called and asked for a box to be held. I gave her the same tracking number I gave the woman on the phone and she went out back to grab the box. She comes back with both boxes (even though I never mentioned a 2nd box). I notice both boxes have writing on them saying "driver unable to deliver - alcohol". She doesn't mention the writing on the boxes, she never asks for my ID, just has me sign for them on the little handheld scanner and I was on my way. Neither box appeared to have been opened, and everything was there. Feel pretty lucky I was able to get all my boxes given some of the other experiences people have had. But I can definitely confirm Fedex is making an effort to identify alcohol shipments.

TL;DR version:

I have sent/received several boxes successfully via Fedex in the past 6 week, but have seen 1st hand evidence that Fedex is trying to crack down on (or at least identifying) alcohol shipments. May be worth giving UPS a whirl, or holding off for a bit until the "heat" dies down.

 

All these stories are giving me the heebie jeebies!

How do they identify that a box contains alcohol without opening it?

And has anyone had any issues shipping OUT of a FedEx drop spot in VT? I'm hoping to send someone a box tomorrow though FedEx, thinking I may be better off sending it through UPS though given the info in here.

 

So looks like Im switching temporarily to UPS, which ive never used. Created an account, but not seeing anywhere to input payment info (supply a credit card so its automatically billed when shipped). Any help?

Edit: think i got it

 

It actually works great, I get an invoice once a week that shows the charges. Never a problem

 

I need to clarify something. The problems that I have encountered have all been with FEDEX Home in Williston, VT. The normal FEDEX is great here, if you can get things delivered to a business address they will never land in the Home location.

 

FWIW, I shipped 2 boxes via FedEx to Middlesex, VT Thursday and they arrived without incident today. 1 was 12 cans, the other all bottles. FedEx home, and it went through Williston.

 

So shipped to White River Junction and get a notification from them saying **Improper Shipment -- Unable to deliver shipment -- returning to sender** I hope that box gets back to me in one piece and so glad that the recipient hasn't shipped yet. Looks like it stopped in West Lebanon, NH before getting to WRJ, VT.

 

Keep us posted @Thishops4u . Dying to know if FedEx will give you your beer back. I'm hoping they do.

 

Tracking says it will be back in my hands on Wednesday. Customer Service rep was very cool and helpful and didn't see why I shouldn't get a refund. Hope so otherwise I am out $33 bucks.

 

WRJ is a major hub so if it got x-rayed it was def there probably doesn't help but for future reference

 

Spoke to Fed Ex today in hopes of getting a credit. They informed me that the x-ray revealed alcohol. Sending the box back to me since I didn't have the proper labeling for it. I will hopefully have the 12 bottles back in hand on Wednesday. Cross your fingers for me.

West Lebanon, NH - Fed Ex shop