Damaged Package, no delivery

I hate to say it but most likely you’re out $223. One thing I’ve noticed when ordering can cases from breweries; the packing isn’t great. The shipping companies know there’s beer inside when it’s coming directly from the brewery, and I’d like to think they’re less likely to drop the package and treat it like crap. If your cousin simply slapped on a new shipping label, it still has the mediocre packaging, and you’d be screwed if it was dropped. Also a lot of those boxes explicitly state there is alcohol inside, which brings extra unwanted attention to your shipment.

If the package is being held, it’s probably because they know beer is inside (either due to the labeling on the outside of the box or if a can exploded) and since it’s against FedEx policy to ship alcohol, they’re not going to give it to you. I’d be surprised if your claim went through. I mean I guess technically there’s still a possibility you’d get $100 back, but it’s also possible that they take extra note that you’re shipping beer against their policy, which might not help for future boxes.

 

It’s really unfortunate since that’s a good chunk of change, but it’s a risk one takes by shipping beer that something like this might happen. Nosey drivers, very aware drivers, etc., the most perfect package could go awry.

 

That’s brutal, sorry. Though abroad or in state it could happen regardless as I feel like I’ve seen you mention ordering in the Sante thread. Something goes wrong with the packaging, the contents, or as I mentioned driver curiosity/malice.

 

That tracking seems weird. It goes from KS back to NJ without any damage notes? It also went from KS to NJ in 2.5 hours?


I know those transit scans are rough estimates and automatic but that’s a stretch.

 

Something crazy like that happened to me when I lost a package. East coast mailing but somehow after damage ends up in Kansas

 

Did you ask your sister how she packed the beer? The one thing I don’t like about ups and fedex is if something leaks or breaks most likely you’re out the beer and shipping. In my experience they just toss the package. I always use usps and sometimes they can stress me out, they always deliver through leaks and breaks. Hopefully this works out for you.

FYI a large flat rate box will hold 12 cans comfortably and up to 16 total. Shipping 24 cans would have cost you $43 total and usually takes 2-3 day cross country. I know some people don’t like usps but you can’t beat the price for cross country shipping. Most important thing is packing it right and tight.

 

I'd call FedEx again. No excuse for a business hanging up on you.

If they ask what was in it say "a surprise from my sister". They might press - they might not. I've been lucky to only have a couple of boxes get wet incoming, & I've been politely insistent until FedEx has agreed to let me go pick up the survivors. If you can get to that point, your sisters should be able to grab what's left.

Good luck.

 

No, just gotta be careful with shipping. The other poster nailed it, in that you almost always need to repackage the shipment from the brewing. Unfortunately it's your inexperience as a shipper.

Give up shipping if you want. But I can't imagine how many boxes I've sent out the last 5 years, maybe 400 boxes. Only a handful of issues, even then very minor.

Worse case scenario - You should be able to get 100 insurance claim from FedEx, and refund for shipping. So you shouldn't be out too much.

 

Not poking at you but asking honestly....

If they know it's alcohol I don't think they'll get a refund issued...or have you had a different experience?

 

I wouldn't say that the box was a gift and you didn't know what was in it. Then if there is a bigger problem they will go back to your cousin. However, it seems worthwhile to file a claim for $200+ of goods. I agree with playing the ignorance card. Something I have heard other people tell shipping companies when they ask the contents of their box is pickles, olive oil, or bbq sauce.

For what it's worth I have had FedEx and USPS open boxes of beer that I have shipped. FedEx opened a box because a bottle inside broke. They were nice enough to remove the damaged contents and send the box with the remaining beers. USPS opened my one package going to an indian reservation and closed it back up and also completed the shipment. Both experiences gave me a lot of stress and fear. I thought I would be placed on a list and banned from shipping. That was 6-months ago and I have shipped a dozen packages with both FedEx and USPS since without any problems.