FedEx Shipment Returned - Improper Labeling

There are 3 scenarios for returning due to improper alcohol shipping:

1. nothing broke, but random x-ray scan shows alcohol being shipped (status shows last at a FedEx location)
2. nothing broke, but "hero" driver/employee suspected alcohol, open to inspect (status shows last "on vehicle for delivery")
3. something broke, most of the stuff is intact, FedEx repacked and return remaining content to sender, or destroyed/discarded (status shows package damaged).

If it's been re-packed into a new box, then something probably broke. Your buddy may have forgotten what all that were in the box.

 

I had to deal with all 3 scenarios described. Each time, I got a little gun shy and went UPS to re-send. Last time, scenario 2 happened to me in VT. I sent that box again via UPS, but also sent other boxes at the same time via FedEx. All made it.

What did the tracking status say exactly? Just "On Vehicle for Delivery" and then nothing else? I'm almost certain that if damaged, the status would say so.

 

Driver probably suspected it was alcohol and decided to open it. Or it was coming open and stuff fell out but just didn't break. I'm fairly certain all FedEx employees have to keep a log of when/why they open a package so you might be able to get some answers if you can call the station it was being delivered out of. If it was repackaged, someone there knows something. You can call 1-800-GOFEDEX and ask them to connect you to your local terminal to see what the deal is.

If they ask you what was in the package, play dumb. "Oh man, I dunno. It's from an old college buddy. He found out my wife and I are expecting a baby and wanted to send a care package as a congratulations." Something like that. If they then inform you that it was beer and tell you they aren't permitted to ship beer, apologize, explain you were unaware it was beer, and thank them for their time. Then have your friend send it again in a different box with extra tape.

 

Wow, that status is not very helpful.

Here's my damaged one: https://www.fedex.com/fedextrack/ht...umbers=770643398528&cntry_code=us&language=en

Here's my "hero" employee one: https://www.fedex.com/apps/fedextra...773075645016&cntry_code=us&clienttype=ivother

 

@mythaeus I'm surprised by the "hero" employee one. Most FedEx drivers don't give a shit what they deliver. They want it off their truck forever. So I'm surprised by the fact that someone went to the trouble to have it sent back once it was already out for delivery! (Psst, here's a secret: I work as a courier for FedEx) A couple weeks ago a box on my truck came open and it was a 12 bottle shipper of wine (a no-no to ship person-to-person in my area). I taped it shut and left it on the recipient's doorstep. No harm to anyone involved in delivering something that had already come that far.

 

@mikevanatta that was nice of you.

The statuses don't seem to very indicative of what's happening. Had one today that said "refused by recipient." The recipient said he was at work so it wasn't him. I called, and was told that the shipper called and said to refuse all packages (that would be me). I said I did not call and they phoned the driver and the terminal and the package should be delivered by the end of the day. I'm skeptical though.

 

Unfortunately this was the case all too familiar to many people given the reports on VT Williston location and the drivers in that area of VT. I knew about it, but took a chance as I asked my trade partner if he had any problem with receiving via FedEx and he basically said no.

Yeah, me neither. Also considering the "green" and hippy-ish nature of VTers in general, you'd think the last thing they want to see is additional fuel consumption and additional transportation uses by returning a box.

 

Sometimes they just make a mistake. I am dealing with one of the crazier instances I have experienced with Fedex right now.

The shipper sent the box, everything went according to plan, the box arrived at my fedex location in the morning, I went at night to pick it up and they say "oh shit" the driver put it in the wrong pile with the old deliveries, and that it was heading back to the shipper.

I then called 1-800 and they said they fixed it. The next morning it was further away, I called and they said it was on the truck going back and that they would stop it in St. Louis. I got a call from St. Louis and they said they would stop it and turn it around. The next morning it was on a truck for delivery in St. Louis to the shipper. The shipper told the delivery man it was a mistake and it should be going back to me. I then got a call from St. Louis saying that since the shipper didn't want it, it was going to be disposed! I had to tell them that it should be coming back to me, not disposed. Crossing my fingers!

 

what the heck jason? i was thinking, how could it be worse than ours? but this is close.

you have had some crummy luck. glad we did that last trade IP.

 

This happened to me two weekends ago. I had 4 packages coming in on one day all from the East Coast. They ended up sending all of them back to the sender upon arriving in my hometown and leaving notes that shipping alcohol is not permitted. It was a major pain in the ass for everyone involved. I now use UPS.

 

Haha yea this one def takes the cake. More pressure on this one though bc it is for Madagascar. Ebf ruined my gf taste and now that's all she wants so this hasn't worked out too well haha.

 

If it doesn't work out, LMK and I'll see if I can help.

 

Why would they repack it unless a bottle broke? I've had a box going to Cali returned but it was as I shipped it. I had a box listed an undeliverable box destroyed to Mn years ago, I assume bottles broke. Most likely is the first, a bottle broke so they opened it up and returned what was undamaged, your lucky they didn't scuttle the box, did they send a warning letter about shipping alcohol?

 

Thanks dude, will let you know what happens. I have 14 days to get this settled for an anniversary so at least I have time on my side haha.