Fed-X Deliveries

[jimmyj]

Received a small order of 9mm Ammo delivered by Fed-X.
The container was left at the door.
The container appeared to have been the victim of a cattle stampede.
Somewhere enroute the container had been broken open, repacked with a large amount of tape used to hold the container together.
The shipping label was torn but my address was still visible.
Inside the container the ammo boxes were torn and ripped with loose cartridges rolling around. 50 rounds of ammo were missing.
I contacted via telephone the ammo company and i was one of many customers who have had this happen with Fed-X.

Has anyone else had this happen ?

 

[Jeppo]

I once had a carton with several "buckets" of bulk 9mm ammo. The buckets opened up, bullets poured into the carton and then out of the carton thru holes. I had video of the driver picking up rounds that sprinkled on the walk and grass between his truck and my door.

 

[Fishinfool]

Sometimes I think the sellers could package their products better, but when it comes to damage in transit, there is not much they can do about it. With the USPS not being an option for ammo shipping, for all practical purposes, that leaves only FedX and UPS. Burning bridges with either shipper could leave a business that has a large amount of its profit tied up in internet sales in an unattainable position should that shipper decide to refuse any business from that company.

Maybe ammo / components should be shipped in sealed steel ammo cans, with the buyers name and address stenciled on the side of the can?

And yes, I have received shipments of heavy items from all three major shippers in battered condition, including an expensive digital camera that was ruined in transit (UPS). The seller stepped up to the plate, and replaced it upon my returning it. Don't know what settlement they reached with UPS.

Larry

 

[white cloud]

I am pretty unhappy with Fedex in general. Poor experiences abound.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Had a Fed EX shipment from Brownells take 3 weeks to bet to
me.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Actually I have had good luck with FedEx. Trouble with ammo (and components) it is heavy for the size and I expect sometimes it gets dropped.

 

[SpikeIDMT]

Small boxes get tossed around like baseballs, I had one with loose rds spilling from a box inside but package was intact

Fed aEx must use contract drivers here. had a gal get out of a big unmarked yellow cargo van and carry my case of 7.62x39 right up to me working in garage, 'its heavy she says', thanks babe, lol

 

[Dave Lively]

Last year I ordered about $50 worth of gun cleaning supplies from Midway. I got my order and about $350 worth of expensive Underwood Extreme Perpetrator ammo in a few different calibers. It was pretty obvious my order and someone else's had broken open and someone at Fedex threw everything into one box and sent it to me.

When I called Midway they told me they cannot accept returned ammo so it was mine to keep. They also asked me to list exactly what the ammo was so they could determine who would not be getting a shipment on time, contact them and send a replacement shipment to them ASAP. Kudos to Midway for being proactive.

 

[505Gibbs]

The problem is ALSO that the buyer almost NEVER has a say in who does the delivery! Companies make deals that fits their best needs unfortunately.
If I had a choice I'd never ask for FedEx!!
Just hope you never get an ammo package requiring a signature because if they can't hook up with you you'll have to go to the closest FedEx hub since they won't/can't leave it at a FedEx store because they[the company] has deemed ammo as hazardous and they have 'no place' to store it safely at a store.

 

[BillBond]

In our area UPS is rougher on packages than Fedex.

So when purchasing something heavy like ammo,
I try and find an outfit that knows how to pack properly.

 

[NYlakesider]

The biggest problem I have with X is getting to my house in the winter. From what I see their trucks are not as good as UPS or the mail guy. Their trucks slip and slide a bit but others no problem. (possibly the other trucks have better drivers!)

I do my own plowing and sanding on my curved hilly driveway and other than the day I'm working on it no one seem to have trouble but X.. They will put small stuff in my mailbox on occasion, they come after the mail has been delivered and neither I or the Post office driver seems to mind.

 

[BC38]

This is totally avoidable by the shipper.

I have had 50-60 pound boxes of bullets shipped to my door that arrived fully sealed with no losses.

All the shipper has to do is double-box the items and put a few wraps of fiberglass-reinforced tape around the box in all 3 directions.

The box may still get a little "soft" and flexy from handling in transit, but it will still arrive unbroken.

They just aren't willing to pay the labor and materials to pack these heavy items properly.

 

[ContinentalOp]

The one time I had a problem with an ammo shipment was the one time the vendor shipped via FedEx. Everything was fine. Tracking showed it out for delivery just a few days after ordering. So far, so good. Then tracking information just disappeared. I ended up having to call FedEx twice, I think, to try and find my misplaced shipment. It finally arrived about 2 weeks later. Never got an explanation, or even an apology for the delay. Fortunately, everything was intact. Never had a problem with ammo shipped via UPS (*knocks on wood*).

 

[SpikeIDMT]

In our area UPS is rougher on packages than Fedex.

So when purchasing something heavy like ammo,
I try and find an outfit that knows how to pack properly.

I always pay an extra $1 when companies offer an extra outer box, cover up protection, I'm cheap but that seems a wise investment, lol

 

[Sevens]

I have ordered and received more component bullets from both Berry's and Xtreme than probably the bulk of American gun owners have ever actually sent down range in their lifetimes. (over 100k) It comes via UPS, FedEx and USPS.

These are component bullets in boxes that weight 65 pounds each. Smaller, denser and heavier than ammo shipments in a smaller space.

Never have I had a package failure because these guys make, sell and ship bullets so they know what they are doing.

It's fantastic sport for everyone and their brother to blame all the three largest carriers for beating up their shipment but the demostrated fact is that all this stuff travels safely and for an absurdly low cost if the shipper would put some damn effort in to packaging it well.

I'm 30+ years in this industry. I know, I've seen, I've handled and I've rescued far more stuff than anyone here has packaged and shipped with their own hands. I know where the problem lies. Blame the carrier if it makes you feel better but it's miles from the reality.

 

[minconrevo]

FedEx and UPS operate very differently. FedEx drivers are independent contractors who buy their routes and provide their own delivery vehicle. They have an annual vehicle inspection which explains why in between some get shabby or unmarked. UPS drivers are unionized employees who drive UPS built and provided vehicles.

UPS never sells their used vehicles on the open market. It's a security thing for their customers.

Over the years I've had overall good service from UPS and mostly good from FedEx.

 

[SweetMK]

My newest "addiction" is ordering from Sams Club,,
most of what I want can come with free shipping, as I have the "PLUS" membership.

Well, Sams ships to me by FED EX Ground,,
The packages get here quickly, but, like the OP, the packages seldom arrive without damage.

I only order trash bags, paper plates, vitamins, etc,, so the product arrives OK,,
It is just that Sams Club image takes a beating when the packages can not arrive in as nice of condition as Jeff Bezos' packages.

The Amazon stuff always arrives perfect, Sams Club boxes look like they were used for batting practice,, literally.

 

[SpikeIDMT]

The Amazon stuff always arrives perfect, Sams Club boxes look like they were used for batting practice,, literally.

I get everything from Amazon delivered UPS, you're right, it always arrives immaculate.

Plus I bought some holsters and grips from them I just didn't like and returned it for refund, no particular reason, easy as pie.

Just get their QR return code downloaded to your cell phone, drop the item off at the UPS outlet desk and flash them the code, done.

No return packaging required, just the item, no charge.

 

[chiefdave]

I think a lot of the condition issues on packages shipped via common carrier depends on which hubs they go through. I order from Midway and the packages go the Columbia MO hub then to the Sedalia MO hub and then to the package car. Never had a damaged box.

 

[BC38]

Well, FWIW, I just got a car radiator delivered by FedEx.

Unfortunately the drain petcock on this one is part of the plastic tank on the bottom, and sticks out perpendicular to the tank towards the back of the vehicle.

It arrived with one hole in the box - you guessed it, right where the drain petcock is. Of course the petcock was broken off the tank and lying in the bottom of the box.

The problem could have been easily prevented if the shipper had put a block of Styrofoam with a hole in it around the drain petcock to protect it. They didn't.

So now I have to go through the hassle of returning it, not to mention the delay of having to wait for a replacement.