Lost package - FedEx ... Help

Discussion in 'Trade Talk' started by nickMB, Mar 21, 2012.

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  1. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    I weighted and printed out at home two shipping labels for two beer trades via FedEx. I drop off both boxes at the FedEx store the next day. They only scanned one for some reason and the second one was never scanned and is now missing. I handed both boxes to a FedEx employee and the box is not in their store. I called FedEx and they've sent out alerts to the local sorting facility and they are yet to call me back that they've found it and the tracking number still hasn't been activated. I reached out to their customer support about the missing package and they emailed me back saying they needed all these details including package contents. I left it blank but they emailed back "we need specific package contents to initiate a trace". What the hell do I do?
     
  2. 40n75w

    40n75w Initiate (0) Nov 9, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Tell them it's salt brine with exotic spices in 22oz, 750ml, 12oz, 375ml etc... Don't give them any more detail than they need. Say the brand names on the labels of the bottles.

    A few weeks ago they ended up losing a box with 3 bottles but I was able to get a claim for $100.
     
  3. Grohnke

    Grohnke Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2009 Illinois

    BS to them about whats in the box (Snow globes, olive oil, etc). Them asking for box contents seems more like protocol for when they are responsible for losing a package. Seems unlikely that they will open a lost then found box - I dont see a need or a reason they'd have to open it.
     
  4. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    That said, FedEx just opened my box I sent to New Hampshire for no apparent reason, and is sending it back to me.
     
  5. csano

    csano Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2010 Washington
    Trader

    This is exactly why I never leave FedEx without a tracking number. When you drop the box off, insist on a tracking number, and don't leave until you get one.
     
    claaark13 likes this.
  6. Grohnke

    Grohnke Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2009 Illinois

    Sending it back? Thats great - Ive heard they toss it. Any repercussions from Fedex?
     
  7. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    I just told em expensive olive oil and proprietary yeast samples. The problem is when I took out the shipping label, I declared 50 bucks. I bet a bramble, sixer of zombie dust and one KBS might fetch a pinch more in the free market. On a side note, I saw a site called beer auctions, what a bunch of assholes.
     
  8. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    It depends on the branch. Sometimes they just confiscate the entire thing.
     
  9. biglobo8971

    biglobo8971 Initiate (0) May 6, 2010 Minnesota

    I work in shipping and my neighbor works at Fedex. I was talking her the other day and she said "you ship beer quite a bit dont you?" I of course say "sometimes, why?" She goes in to the fact that employees are being instructed to red flag or segregate any package that sounds like there is liquid inside. It is then up to the terminal/hub/owner to either open to investigate or to push through. So double boxing with plenty of noise makers is a must.
     
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  10. ShawDeuce22

    ShawDeuce22 Crusader (457) Mar 17, 2009 Massachusetts

    A box of nerds is only $1 at most supermarkets...lots of noise
     
  11. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    It seems that this is happening quite a bit lately. There is a noticeable concentration of it occurring in the North-Eastern USA based upon the talk on the forums. My guess is that there are a lot more traders now (obviously, look at the ISO:FT forum), and therefore a lot more boxes. Plus, they want our business but need to keep their policies in line with State laws, which creates the whole licensing issue.

    I still find this approach to breaking their policies favorable to the "parcel destroyed" approach.

    In the last couple months, I've noticed that I have been getting some boxes that CLEARLY sound like they have liquid contents. I get them and am extremely surprised that they made it to my doorstep.

    I may start packaging my bottle shippers in different sized boxes if this kind of thing continues. Many times, the bottle shipper's cardboard box indicates that there is a 6 bottle shipper inside (look at the bottom of the cardboard boxes, I know some of you will find what I'm talking about).
     
  12. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    The package definitely didn't make a noise. I assume its because New Hampshire isn't on the allowed shipping list from Indiana, because of NH state law.
     
  13. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    Just to be clear, I was not at all assuming the box did make noise. I was actually assuming the opposite and that they just randomly opened the box, or that it was opened because of the shape.

    That would be interesting to know if the DC managers reference state laws to determine their specific DC's or region's alcohol policy. It would also be interesting to know if there is any positive/negative incentive for employees associated with the flagging of a non-licensed alcohol shipment.
     
  14. biglobo8971

    biglobo8971 Initiate (0) May 6, 2010 Minnesota

    I asked the neighbor, no incentive program is in place at her Fedex, but cant speak for all of the franchise locations.
     
  15. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Well the package certainly wasn't flagged while it was in Indiana, Ohio, or Connecticut. It was at the destination where it would've been placed on the truck for delivery.
     
  16. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Well this is my first time shipping to a state that is not on Indiana's "can ship to" list. My boxes to California and SC arrived without a problem, also using my FedEx account.
     
  17. black13

    black13 Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Oregon

    Not sure what to say about your lost box, but here's advise for future shipments. Print your label at home, have them scan it when you drop it off, and get a receipt. I never leave before I see my boxes scanned, even if I have to wait in line.
     
    claaark13 likes this.
  18. gklover1

    gklover1 Zealot (555) Oct 18, 2009 Colorado

    As for noise, I have started using what someone shipped to me...

    I use an empty soda can, put in about 5-7 small nails, and then tape over the hole. Cheap and works great. (So far, nary a box returned!)
     
  19. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    Looks like I learned my lesson the hard way. I didn't know they could issue a receipt.
     
  20. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,130) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    FedEx delivered my package today, it was never scanned or tracked and is still considered missing. I didn't get charged for it but I learned a few lessons from you trading vets so thanks guys.
     
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