FedEx: New "Box Policy"?

Damn, really? I go to that store all the time, so I'm guessing I'm going to run into this BS as well.

 

Yeah same script, same pictures. They were really picky about prior stickers on my last box as well. Had a shipping label from the store I work at. It had been shipped twice with the sticker with it markered out, but nope, not this time, has to be removed or completely covered.

 

I guarantee this all just to try to sell their overpriced boxes. They probably expect you to say, "Go ahead and repack it into a new box" and they can hit you with $8 for packing and $8 for a box on top of your shipping charges.

 

I had this happen to me twice recently, one being this morning. I was told that they won't accept any type of moving boxes. Odd thing is they accepted the other box with out question and that box has seen better days.

I am tempted to try wrapping one of those moving boxes in paper and see what happens.

 

Good things won't happen. I made that mistake the very first time I shipped a box, and FedEx doesn't take wrapped boxes because it can get ripped off by the sorting machine or something.

 

I was told this exact thing. You'll likely need to fully wrap the whole damn thing in tape

 

Ah yes, didn't even think of that.

Well, looks like I will need to find a different source for boxes. I have been dropping most of my boxes off at a local Office Max where they just have me put it on the cart and don't ask questions. However, if FedEx is cracking down. I worry that a FedEx driver or other work will return the box, or worse. It probably just easier and safer to not drawn any extra attention to the box.

 

I had a toolbag in NV tell me they wouldn't take the box (it did look pretty bad) but inside was a 12 bottle shipper so the outside didn't really matter. She wanted to sell me a box they had that mine would fit in for about $25 I said she was nuts. I printed my labels and took my 2 boxes with me to another location and kinda did a drive by. I ran in and dropped my boxes acted like I was in a hurry and the clerk said "that box looks rough" I said inside was a Styrofoam box clerk said ok and I left....he did take the box

 

Box was shipped and arrived in same condition so no problem, just funny how it wasn't ok at one location but was accepted at another

 

I recently switched jobs and my new Fed Ex sucks. They ask me every time what's in the box and if there's any liquids and make me take a receipt. Even when they are way in back and I drop the box on the counter and wave and turn to leave they stop me and come inspect the box. Had them reject a Home Depot box lately and offer to repackage. I told them I got the box shipped to me just fine but they wouldn't take it. I asked to explain the difference between a moving box and a shipping box to me so that I would know for the future but they couldn't offer anything other than "if you get a box from home depot or another store like that they aren't sturdy enough for shipping." Took the box down the street to another fed ex location, literally about a mile away and they took the box no questions asked.

The store I work at though has a fed ex guy come just about every day and he's more than happy to take the boxes I give him. He drops his off and I sign for them then I give him the outgoing and he takes them back to his truck without questions. I think it takes an extra day for shipping though, he drops them back at the store that night and then they go out the next day.

 

I can't disagree with this. More than coincidental timing with their new, strong sales push for boxes and packing services.

 

Hmm... never had an issue or heard anything like this at my store.

 

It's totally store dependent, as mentioned in my post above. You can go to one store that puts up a stink and drive down the road and drop it off at the next store without them even blinking at the box. If you find a location that is lax and doesn't give you any grief it's worth sticking with them.

 

Walked into my local FedEx today and there were 3 people getting their stuff repackaged by staff. Since they seem to recognize me they just took my box and sent me on my way.

 

For me, this has been a store I have going to regularly with the same guy as usual and never had an issue until today.

 

Havent ran into this yet... I ship all my packages through a Packing Depot and FedEx subsuqently picks them up at the end of the day... it may be a good way around this if you're still having issues.

 

Serial shipper.

 

While this problem seems crazy on FedEx's end, you guys realize you can get a heavy duty, double walled box,mfor like $1.37 right?