FedEx Shipping Problems - Big Concern!

I have 3 pretty valuable boxes going out soon. Can anyone else substantiate these problems with FedEx? I know of one local FedEx store to me that is a pain but they have always been that way.

 

I ran into a similar problem a couple of years ago with my local FedEx shop telling me they had to open my box to inspect for alcohol. I felt pretty silly saying, "I'm not comfortable with this" and walking out that afternoon. Since then I have printed my own labels and scheduled FedEx pickup's from my house and haven't had a single issue. It's super convenient and you don't have to interact with anyone at a store location.

 

I preprint labels from my account and just drop off, never had a problem...been shipping Fedex for over 4 years...if asked about liquids I always say it's bottles of homemade olive oil...

 

I have been using for years, too. I'm more specifically asking about recently to very recently. I feel like there have been more and more reports of this type of behavior from FedEx.

 

I hear ya. I've always felt that "noise makers" inside boxes actually draw more attention which I try to avoid though. Just my own personal thought on it.

 

The boxes are all just one single, wax topped 750ml. If properly packaged, should have no issue.

 

I stay away from FedEx due to the constant issues with a few hubs in VT. Most of my packages would head through VT on the way in or out. This is not a recent issue though, there have been previous threads discussing FedEx and VT (and other states with issues).
I had one stopped at the FedEx location in Lebanon, NH. On the way to me. Nothing was broken. They would not let me pickup and shipped it back to the sender. He shipped it back with another carrier without issue. I assumed they opened it and saw the contents. It was a foam bottle shipper box, which are fairly easy to figure out.

 

There are constantly stories circulating that "FedEx/UPS/USPS" are clamping down on alcohol in boxes - the threads have been popping up regularly since I've been trading for over a decade.

My experience has been that these things appear to be more specific employee based that spread throughout the system. My local FedEx had one guy - the manager - who was a pain in the ass with questions, suspicions, & general attitude, & for a few weeks he appeared to have issued an edict to pose intrusive questions to all & sundry. I told him I'd go ahead & move to UPS & when I came back a month later, no more questions, straight through to today.

Sounds like this may be the case at your place too, if you've never been questioned before. But ultimately it comes down to comfort level. If you're suspicious they're going to open your box, go elsewhere.

 

UPS opened a box of mine. The box did have a noticeable liquid sound. I had the label prepaid/printed. I walked in and the guy was helping another customer, but looked in my direction, I said just dropping off. He asked if I needed a receipt and I said no. He told me leave it on the counter, and i'm all set.

I get a phone call 20 minutes later from UPS saying they do not ship Alcohol. I just played dumb and went down back down and they let me grab the box. The guy was cool about it, just said its not allowed. Said if I was going to risk that in the future require a signature so some kid doesn't get into the box.

Since the label was already paid for, I just brought it to another UPS Store. Box was shipped and received a few days later no issues.

It freaked me out for about a week, but I put a couple boxes in the mail today. I make sure I speak with somebody, watch them put the box into the outgoing bin, and get a receipt in my hands. I just tell them its liquid in the box now if they ask. (I say organic cleaning supplies)

If I have a really noisy box though, and i'm worried. I find that packing the beers in a smaller box, inside a slightly larger box, and losely crinkled paper or styrofoam in the voids works the best for soundproofing. You want the box inside to shift and land on the crinkled paper, or the foam and make a sound. Noisemakers I agree sometimes make the box more noticeable. But papers and foam are something you'd naturally find in packing. If you pack the box so tight that nothing moves the liquid is going to be audible.

 

I had issues with a rogue employee at my local UPS hub. I drive to a FedEx Office now where I print out my labels and drop off. Never a question there after 75+ boxes. FedEx Office is further away but worth it for me to avoid headaches

I think @maximum12 hit the nail on the head. All it takes is one employee

 

Do you pre print your own labels? It seems most people who run into the "what are you shipping" questions don't pre print

If you do... Then just go to a different FedEx. Or have an excuse like you're shipping snow globes or olive oil. I've used both before.

If you print your own and don't feel comfortable with excuses..... Use a different shipper

 

Yeah. Lots of VT stories seem to be discussed in various groups. Williston is the worst offender, but others are known for the same.

The drop off questions have never been an issue for me for any shipper. It is the fact that if FedEx does notice something they either dispose of or send back to the shipper that bothers me. Rarely do they let the box get picked up by recipient.