I set up a 3:3 trade here on BA, used the trade system. I received their end just fine. I sent the package on 12/7. Shows delivered on 12/11. Recipient said it wasn't there when he got home. What are the best "next steps"? I filed a claim with FedEx and have heard nothing back. 2 main questions: 1) What are my odds of retrieving this box? Odds are that they delivered to the wrong address or it was porch jacked. Anything else I can do? 2) I'm offering to send 3 replacement beers (to complete the trade as agreed upon). Is it typical protocol that Im out 3 beers due to FedEx's mix up, even though it shows "delivered"?
Sucky situation, I know I've seen it handled the opposite way before - recipient basically ate it bc box was thought to be stolen from the porch. I don't know what the right protocol is, I'd say if the beers are easily replaceable on your end, it's certainly laudable to replace them. Would be tough if this was a bigger bottle trade and involved bottles not easily obtained.
Hey Jason- this is...well...one of those situations we all as traders hope to never encounter IMO there should be some understanding on both ends. (1)The recipient of your box should understand that it's not your fault, as you can show (documentation/evidence) that it was actually delivered to the address given to you (I'm figuring that you entered the address correctly to what was given to you from your trade partner). Fixing this would be a moral dilemma on your part and not a technical issue. Any good trader, like yourself, would want to make it "right"...hence the thread started by you for advice. (2) Even though you received your trade partner's box, you are *honoring* and *being trustworthy* that you believe the package you sent to your partner actually was stolen or never received (delivered to wrong addy) because of the postal service. Even though it says it was delivered. If you believe your trade partner and are able to send replacement beers, that's what I would do. This gesture should/would hopefully build a strong relationship with the trader for future trades. Maybe the recipient sends some beers your way down the road for you making it right. Lastly- If the beers aren't easily replaceable (which in this case they are not: 2015 BCBCS), send back the beers you received to your partner and chalk it up as bad luck. If they did get stolen, your trade partner should understand why you are sending them back. Hopefully this gets resolved one way or another. Hope this helps.
Contact FedEx and tell them you package was not delivered to the correct address, they will contact the driver who might remember where the package was actually delivered. This worked for me once, the package was found and re-delivered. This is certainly implied but don't tell them the package contains alcohol.
I had this happened to me. The receiving trader was really upset, but he didn't blame me and ready to chalk it off as a loss on his side. I couldn't come up with all the replacements, but was going to lessen the impact and was pulling some bottles together to send him a "consolation" box. Basically it would've worked out to 1/2 and 1/2 for both of us. Turned out that the box was delivered to a building a block away. Whoever received called FedEx and they picked it up and redelivered correctly. Ever since then, I made it clear in my profile, which I ask all of my new trade partners to review, that if they have any issues with lost packages, please ask me to make the shipment "signature required". If it's marked "delivered", I won't be responsible for it if signature was not requested.
100% this. If the beers are not easily replaced I always ship with signature required or ship to someone's office where the package isn't left out. I ask my trade partner to do the same. Some people don't like it because the package isn't left on their porch, but it helps avoid this problem. If you guys didn't discuss requiring signatures, then you are in a moral pickle... I would try and send a make up box, but I would want to exhaust all FedEx options first and file the insurance claim. If FedEx can't find it and swears it was as delivered I would ask them to confirm where the package was left - if it was visible from the street in a busy neighbourhood then it could well have been stolen, and that is totally on the receiver. I live in a building with a doorman now (bliss for packages!), but used to live on a busy street so I always asked my trade partners to have my box delivered to the local FedEx store for pickup to make sure there were no issues. It is on the receiver to be aware of how their local delivery guy leaves packages and make sure that they are either home or the package is left somewhere secure / out of sight. I mean it is just common sense!
So is the consensus that the receiver of the package is actually the one "out of luck" in this situation, but if FedEx plays football with a package and bottles break that it is on the sender to replace?
It is a bit grey, but I would say yes. Since you pack the box, it is on you to make sure it can take a beating from FedEx. Sure broken bottles happen, but in 10 years of travelling to and from Australia and beer trading on work trips I have never had a breakage. Likewise I have never had a broken mail trade, so if a bottle breaks it is on the guy who packed the box. If FedEx straight up lost the package this is where I would do my best to make it good, but I would be getting the insurance claim to cover my costs (and my partner would need to be patient if they are rare bottles). If it was delivered and then got swiped off the porch, that is on the receiver for not either being home or making appropriate araingements such as having the box held at the local store
I had a box coming to me that was updated as delivered... it turns out that the package was actually delivered to the wrong address and after we reached out to FedEx the driver was able to get the box again and get it to me. I think that is more likely then the box being stolen.
It's up to you and your trade partners to decide ahead of time. Your responsibility for the package has to reasonably end at some point and that point is when it's completely out of your control in term of proof. I don't think it happened in your case or most of the time, but if "delivered" doesn't absolve you of responsibility, any ruthless trader can claim they never got the box. If lost, damaged, confiscated, etc. those events can be proven to absolute certainty. Delivered but stolen can't be.
Agreed - a stolen box is unlikely and you owe it to your partner to exhaust all options for finding out what happened and hasing FedEx, but if after a week or so FedEx is adamant it was delivered correctly, then you are in a pickle in terms of proving what happened...
I started a claim with FedEx. I haven't heard squat back, but will call them Monday to see if they may have delivered to the wrong address.
It has been 2 weeks though - probably would have turned up by now if it was FedEx misplacing it or misdelivery. Hopefully they will give you insurance $ to cover the cost and you can at least send something to replace the beers if they did mishandle it.
I would think if you sent a tracking number when shipped and the recipient was able to track it along the way, it shouldn't be on you to replace when it said delivered. Due diligence with FedEx to retrieve, yes. If you wanted to be nice and ship some sort of replacements, that would be nice but not required. I had a box get damaged even though I packed as normal. UPS obviously tossed it around (even posted pics on Facebook) and I replaced bottles since they never made it. In this instance since they were delivered, should be up to your discretion if you replace.
Update: 3 replacement BCBCS '15 shipped today (signature required). FedEx emailed me that they reviewed my claim and are mailing me a letter with the results (7-10 days). Seems strange that they don't just email me the results, but whatever...
