Fedex shipment exception

I have had one experience where they let the recipient pick the box up at the warehouse (showing ID) with FedEx.
I have had boxes sent to me returned to the shipper (in a new box with new packaging) when a bottle broke.

 

All traders should have their local hub phone number with the manager's name programmed into their phone. I've picked up at least a few wet boxes at the hub over the years. Be polite and explain that you had no idea what was being shipped to you and you will tell the people who sent you the package that beer isn't kosher to shop. Be apologetic and thankful, but play dumb as to what is in the box.

 

Exceptions:
I've had a host of them. Missed pickup, weather, illegible label/re-label, bunch of odd stuff. They tend to work out ok.

Broken Shipment.
Once I've had the opportunity to hold a broken shipment before it got sent back to the sender. That took a lot of work, and me going to the warehouse to pick it up. PITA (a growler took a hit to the cap and leaked a couple oz of FBD. The rest of the shipment was fine). I managed to pick it up in a trash bag as is wrecked the box.

 

A little anecdote about a shipping experience I've just struggled through with Fedex:

I dropped off two boxes at a Walgreens location (note: not my usual Walgreens) on Sunday afternoon, about 4pm. The boxes immediately went to "exception" status as I'd dropped them off after the last pick-up window that day. No big deal, this happens every time I drop off on Sunday.

On Tuesday morning, the status still hadn't changed. I called Walgreens to ask where the boxes were and why they hadn't moved yet. They said, "Oh, the boxes were all picked up - we have nothing here. The driver must have forgotten to scan the boxes." I was mildly placated. The status on the boxes still did not change by Tuesday afternoon, so I called Fedex. Customer service told me the boxes were in St. Paul at the warehouse and would be scanned and updated when they went out for delivery. I was skeptical, but let it go.

Wednesday morning, statuses still had not changed. I was mildly furious. I called Fedex and asked where the boxes were. I was told that they had not been picked up from Walgreens and were not in Fedex's system. So I called Walgreen's again. Talked to someone else this time who looked a little more thoroughly. Nope - no sign of the boxes. The driver took them, per Walgreens, but must not have scanned them.

Received two calls from Fedex. Both asked about the contents of the boxes, but stated that they didn't have them. I told them that the boxes were full of aquarium supplies, or that I didn't know what was in them. Yikes. Sweating bullets. Both of the callers from Fedex said that they'd investigate and let me know where the boxes were. Fine...

Walgreens called me back about 45 minutes ago... the boxes are at Walgreens. The driver set them aside while he was delivering boxes, and then never scanned my boxes or took them with him. They've been sitting aside somewhere in Walgreens since Sunday.

SO. Long story short - Walgreens doesn't know what the fuck they're doing, Fedex drivers can be fucking bunglers, and this experience sucked. I'm sticking with my usual Walgreens in the future, as they seem to have a clue... but don't expect YOUR Walgreens or Fedex driver to have the first fucking idea what they're doing. Consummate professionals, they are not.

 

So... I know that some people like to do the print at home and drop off and leave.

I always get a receipt for my packages when dropping them off. That way I make sure I have confirmation that they are in the system. I can drop off packages and just leave, I don't trust the packages to get set aside, or left or ignored...

Just a thought...

 

I always kind of assumed everyone did that. If someone doesn't...

 

While I agree, I did actually get receipts when dropping off - a receipt does not prevent a box from being set aside in a dark corner. It's only confirmation that you did, in fact, drop box(es) off... which is already tracked in the system when the boxes are scanned in.

Interestingly, the Walgreens employee I dealt with actually pulled security camera footage to understand what had happened. A receipt is one thing. But you're also going to be on camera. A receipt is nice though.

 

I cannot stress how much packing a box with bottles upright alleviates a lot of stress. I had an exception like this happen only once when i shipped a crazy big box full of growlers and crowlers. One broke and the FedEx guy on the east coast actually repackaged it and still sent it. I would make sure you try and chat with FedEx or UPS online if there is some sort of damage notice to try and still get the package continued on route instead of sent back to you.

And more people should print their own labels that takes away all the worrisome interaction and stories we all hate to make up.

 

There is one fedex store (and also a UPS store in the same city) that I do not use frequently, but have. Every time I drop a package (and ask for a receipt) or ship a box - no matter if it was from Amazon or me, I get asked "so, what are a we shipping for you today? ". Kind of odd to me, but not been an issue.

One local USPS lady really loves me for making homemade soups, maranade's, and pickled vegetables . She says that I should be selling them if people are requesting them.

 

Bumping this thread. Curious as to what happened in your scenario? I'm dealing with something similar myself.

I had a box that was supposed to come last Saturday 1/5. It was my label, so I was both the sender and return address. It was on the truck for delivery that morning, but in the afternoon a delivery exception popped up "Returned to facility for inspection." (I asked my trading partner how he packed it and of course no bags whatsoever, just bubble wrap). On Monday, a new exception appeared "Damaged, handling per shipper instructions. No action required." I was not contacted or anything though. Then on Tuesday a new exception popped up "Unable to deliver-damaged package." I looked up the number for the hub and called, but was directed to a customer service rep (thinking she was non-local) and inquired about the package. Tried to play dumb and just said my friend was sending me a Christmas gift and I saw that it was damaged and was wondering what was going on. She responded that all she could tell was that the package was damaged (nothing about it containing alcohol) and that it should be returned to the sender. I asked how long that typically takes and she took a while to give me an answer like she was looking something up and then said 3-5 business days. This gave me a little hope, but still feeling unsure. Since then the tracking status has not been updated and still reads "Scheduled delivery: Pending - No scheduled delivery date available at this time." and as far as I can tell by what the status reads it is still at the local hub. Just wondering if there is any hope at this point and if there is anything I should do or if I should just wait it out?

 

i had a similar situation happen a few years back. i was able to get a hold of the facility, but had to deal with a shit show.
the first person i talked to said that the box contained beer, and that one of them broke. they were going to contact the sender to find out what he wanted to do. they didnt. being proactive, i contacted my trading partner and he called them and asked them to deliver what was left, or let me pick it up. after a day the tracking status wasnt updating, so i called again. this time a different employee told me that it contained glass bottles, and that all of them broke, so they threw the package away. immediate red flag! didnt want some opportunistic employee to go home with my beers! after waiting on hold for ever, i was able to talk to a manager and convince her to just let me pick it up.
in the end, 1 bottle had broken, and 1 can was missing. if i were you, i would call or show up at the facility, be as nice/personable as possible, and they might just let you take it home. oh, and definitely dont let on that you knew it was beer. stick with the christmas gift story!

 

@BeerGuy8315 My box made it to the destination city in NC so I figured one or more bottle broke. It was a small box with mostly locals and not much value so I just let it go and sent out another. If it was more valuable, I would've probably tried to contact customer service or a manager to see if it could be delivered or returned to me. I like the advice @riotontheroad gave: Be almost too nice to the person you're contacting. Honey vs vinegar!

 

After hearing and reading all these with no issues myself had two packages go to exception yesterday.

1st box from CO came up incorrect address although it is the same one I always use just didn't have my works name on it which hasn't stopped it before and my name is the one on the business FedEx account, back out for delivery today we'l see

2nd box from CA somehow hit about 13 hubs on it'd way to me, exception yesterday for inspection, back on truck today exception/damaged. Not sure about this one contacted shipper said he would contact Fedex have to wait and see not excited for the outcome as base of trade was a bottle logic that I can only assume is broken

 

That stinks.

 

CO box landed thankfully but CA box is looking dismal at best

 

Maybe it was this?

 

I feel like pending some good luck, my boxes could survive this impact!

I'd need some sacrificial boxes in front of mine, and then to be thrown clear and not run over...

 

Side note but somewhat relevant... after I started putting each can or bottle in a ziplock bag before bubble wrap never had leakage affect shipping.

 

That’s why I don’t use styrofoam shippers , they’re noisy as hell. I’ve heard of baby rattles , marbles etc, but you don’t want it to sound like a broken object too. I’ve just used a bit bigger box than needed , opted for more packing materials instead of jamming in an extra or two. Quiet is your friend, I use dense foam and peanuts.

 

Styrofoam shippers are hands-down the safest way to ship IMHO. They might squeak a bit if handled roughly, but they're certainly not "noisy as hell". And given the amount of ambient noise in most of the world, it's highly unlikely ever to be heard.

I'm with you on the noise makers. Never used them, never will.