I was recently notified by fedex that I'd been flagged for shipping beer (I know, I'm an asshole). However I also recently moved from the address that I had been flagged from to an entirely different state. I'm curious if their flagging system is tied to your name or to a specific address? Anyone had experience with this in the past?
I was told by multiple people on here when I asked this same question (minus the moving out of state part) that FedEx flagging does not actually exist, rather it's a scare tactic from the company to put you off your game. Not sure if it's true or not but you gotta figure with how obsessed these guys are with smooth running logistics i'd imagine you'd have to practically be a terrorist threat for them to actually flag you and risk slowing down their operations... You are probably fine. Just make sure your next box is all replaceable stuff.
Unfortunately, I can tell you it's absolutely a real thing. However, once your address and phone number changes, you're fine until the next box hits an x-ray at the hub and it happens all over again. Also, VT is super strict compared to other hubs, and thats what I have to deal with.
Given many people across the US have the same name, there is no way they could flag you and your new address, how would they actually know it was you? Unless you had an account number that was used at old and new address.
An observation...Threads & posts here indicate that flagging accounts &/or addresses is almost non-existent. Most people resume shipping with FedEx with no problem. Some switched to UPS for awhile. Others re-shipped the same box using FedEx. However they're are a small number of problem areas where this isn't true. FedEx flagging accts in those areas has been a HUGE ongoing problem. I'd advise against using FedEx when shipping to or from these areas. Question...Is the entire state of Vt one of these areas? I'd heard of a Willer(?) Willett(?) Wilmington(?) Vt, but is it the entire state? Damn! Another question...For those who move, are there any drawbacks to closing one FedEx acct & opening another? I'd kind of hate to lose my history. I realize I'm strictly small potatoes but it's a foolish company that cavalierly tosses away 1-2 thou a year in easy, trouble free earnings. Although I prefer FedEx I don't see any differences between FedEx & UPS in my area. IF I think of it I ask traders if UPS is safer in their area. So far, those with a preference use FedEx, though I don't think I've ever shipped to Vt.
@mikevanatta is the master FedEx source and he has claimed that flagging is not a real thing, at least at the corporate level. And based on my own experiences (and I have had multiple FedEx offenses), it appears that flagging is based on decisions made at local facilities and drivers if at all.
@pumpkinsmasher that seems to be true but a local FedEx or UPS *hero* can create considerable havoc for beer traders. Sadly, these heroes seem adept at sniffing out the especially rare & difficult to obtain beers.
Drivers are often on the same route for years, sometimes decades. Once they decide they want to make your life difficult, it's hard to overcome. As a driver, it's very very easy to remember your frequent customers by name and address, mostly due to the fact that we're at your front door a few times a week. All it takes is getting busted once and the driver can make a mental note of it. From then on, he needs only to see your name/address on a box in order to get suspicious. Unfortunately for some, the "hero" aspect comes down to something as simple as the driver thinking "if I bust this guy for getting beer again, that's one fewer delivery I have to make today. Then maybe I won't have to go there twice a week anymore." So yes, I'm on record many times saying confidently that there is no company database of "flagged" accounts, but you still have to get past the front line - the drivers. Bottom line: pack your boxes as good as you can. Shit is still gonna happen, but hopefully it'll happen a little less.
I got flagged about a year and a half ago. I then had everything shipped either to work or via UPS. After 6 months or so I went back to shipping to my address. Well that was good for about 3 months and then I got flagged again. This time they destroyed the box. Flagging sucks!! It makes it a little tougher to enjoy different beers. I am sure moving helps but I do think it all depends on the driver.
If you're concerned about getting flagged or targeted by a "hero" driver, rent a (non-USPS) mailbox that accepts packages. At worst you'd just need to close that box and rent one somewhere else – which is a lot easier than moving.
