UPS and FedEx [Archive] - PCMech Forums

TwoRails

01-06-2008, 10:26 AM

There's been several threads comparing the two, and it seems to depend on your area on who gives the best service. For my area, UPS is, by far, the better of the two. FedEx can never get a package here on time but UPS always manages to.

However, I just discovered another big difference between the two: how the handle late deliveries. And this has to be at the cooperate level, not the local level. FedEx always tries to blame you, the recipient, with such lame excuses as you don't know your own address, or it doesn't exist, among other things.

I finally had my first UPS screwup Friday. Their Web site stated that the package was on the truck for delivery, but it never came. Later, right there on their tracking page, they admitted that they simply, somehow, didn't get it on the truck.

Sure, I would rather have my package on time (parts for my very own computer) but it didn't make it, and UPS was honest and upfront as to why.

I respect that and am not upset as stuff happens.

And that is sure a heck of a lot better than FedEx who, when they screwup, tries to blame you instead of taking ownership / responsibility for their mistakes.

Kudos to you, UPS, and shame on you, FedEx.

For comparison: Just a couple of weeks ago, FedEx was to deliver stuff for a build and had specific pick up and delivery days / dates on their tracking system. On the day of delivery, they followed their normal practice and it didn't show up. When I check again later, all the dates miraculously changed!! The deliver date was now mysteriously 4 calender days later. It was like the first set of dates never existed .... Amazing, isn't it? ... to bad I didn't take screen shots ...

XenaWP

01-06-2008, 11:45 AM

I've never had much preference between the 2, but each has an advantage to me: UPS delivers from a center right next door to where I work, so if an item can't be left, I can pick it up easily on the way home from work. (FedEx is 15 miles out of my way.)

OTOH, FedEx's normal delivery includes delivery on Saturday, which UPS doesn't.

I'm ok with either service.

shadowpr

01-06-2008, 11:48 AM

Nuclear Krusader

01-06-2008, 12:11 PM

I prefer FedEx. I've hadn't any trouble with them really; only once the package didn't arrive at the posted time but that was customs' fault. I've had good experiences with both, to be honest. The reason I prefer FedEx is that I can redirect the package to my work if they miss me at home; UPS absolutely refuses to deliver to a university's office.

HAL9000

01-06-2008, 12:19 PM

I could go on and on and on about UPS here.. numerous stories.... never had an issue with FedEx... around here, it's UPS with the excuses and bad attitude... although, there are a couple of drivers I got to know when I was in the computer biz and they were very good.

Lespaul20

01-06-2008, 12:45 PM

I also have had good experiences with both companies. Both will leave packages at my door if a signature isn't required and both will knock very loud when they leave it. UPS has been easier for me to pick up missed packages but that doesn't happen very often anymore. My girlfriend called Fedex to have them deliver a package earlier in the day probably messing up their schedule. A lot of our perceived image of the companies has a lot to with the drives and people who work at the distribution centers.

mairving

01-06-2008, 01:05 PM

FEDEx Air is way better than UPS. UPS Ground is better than FedEx Ground. At least from personal experience.

TwoRails

01-06-2008, 01:05 PM

... OTOH, FedEx's normal delivery includes delivery on Saturday, which UPS doesn't. ...That would be good if they ever bothered to show up here on Saturday... which they don't :(

Haven't had too much experience dealing with FedEx lately, but one problem I have with UPS is that they will just leave the box at my door. They're too lazy to ring the bell.
... .Have new batteries in the ringer? LOL -- I've never had that problem, fortunately, but then I also have dogs so I'm usually at the door before the driver is...

... The reason I prefer FedEx is that I can redirect the package to my work if they miss me at home; UPS absolutely refuses to deliver to a university's office.That's a pisser... I thought it was part of UPS's ads to be able to do that sort of thing.

I could go on and on and on about UPS here.. numerous stories.... never had an issue with FedEx... around here, it's UPS with the excuses and bad attitude... ...Sounds like me with FedEx :(

... My girlfriend called Fedex to have them deliver a package earlier in the day probably messing up their schedule. A lot of our perceived image of the companies has a lot to with the drives and people who work at the distribution centers.I would like that kind of service from them: when I call about a late package, I get told I don't have a valid address!?! Ya, other that what I mentioned about excuses, it is all about the local folks.

doubledragon5

01-06-2008, 01:16 PM

I by far prefer FedEx over UPS even though I had worked for UPS at one time.. Every time I ordered a part or other stuff, without fail when I went to track the package the delivery date would change.. Once it took two weeks to receive a package from them.. Ever since I used FedEx and they never missed a date period.. Once when I did miss one of the dates for UPS to deliver, I went to the nearest hub.. What pissed me off was they were going to make me wait until the driver tried to deliver it again, before they would allow me to pick it up there.. I told them I'm here now so lets stop with the bs and hand over the goods, they did..

HAL9000

01-06-2008, 03:19 PM

You heard that FedEx and UPS were merging right? The new company name will be FedUp.

dogdude16

01-06-2008, 03:34 PM

Haven't had too much experience dealing with FedEx lately, but one problem I have with UPS is that they will just leave the box at my door. They're too lazy to ring the bell.

I'm usually home, and will have my package just sitting outside cause I didn't know they delivered it till I check the website and tracking number.

I think UPS rings the door bell if its over a certain amount or a busy neighborhood. I know how you feel. I was sitting in my living room waiting for my computer parts to come, after a while i went to check the status on the tracking and it said it was delivered. I went to the door and there it was just sitting there.:eek:

doubledragon5

01-06-2008, 07:43 PM

You heard that FedEx and UPS were merging right? The new company name will be FedUp.

LOL!!! so true

TwoRails

01-06-2008, 08:05 PM

Ya, that's a good one :)

blue60007

01-06-2008, 08:26 PM

I don't really have a preference for one over the other. I've had snaffu's with both. UPS likes to play kickball with computer cases though LOL.

HAL9000

01-06-2008, 10:19 PM

I hear ya there... one time we were having a machine delivered to the US.. it came back to us "slightly damaged"... thing looked like they threw it off the truck at 100Mph... literally.. the cover had the screws stripped right out and was off, the CD and floppy smashed, cards torn right out of the case.

blue60007

01-06-2008, 11:37 PM

Wow! "Slightly" is the understatement of the year lol

Hi Ho

01-07-2008, 12:56 AM

I prefer FedEx. They are always on time here. They usually arrive a day early. UPS is never early and is more often late. I'm not far from you TwoRails. It's funny how there is such a difference.

juppy

01-07-2008, 02:36 AM

I *usually* don't have much trouble from either company, but I have to agree with whoever said the overall perception of the company has more to do with individual drivers than with the company itself. Case in point, UPS was supposed to deliver a package to me last year, and when the estimated delivery date came up, it wasn't here. I waited for 3 more days thinking "It'll be here today.", but nope, no package. So I went to our UPS office to see what was up. Each day they had put it on the same driver's truck for delivery, and each day he couldn't find where I lived! According to the manager, that driver "wasn't quite all there" (said while pointing to his own head). The manager called another driver that was out delivering, and she said that she noticed it kept being returned each day on his truck, so SHE decided to take the package on her truck and deliver it instead of letting him try for a fourth time. It came that afternoon, no problem. So I think it all depends on whether you've got someone behind the wheel that's an idiot or someone that knows their way around the city good.

I will say one thing I like about FedEx is their tracking system. It's always updated good. With UPS, it usually tracks my package until it gets to Texas, then for some reason it doesn't update until it's on my doorstep. At that point, all the other checkpoints of Oklahoma City, Enid, etc, are on the check list with their dates like 2 days old already. :confused:

hitchface

01-07-2008, 01:23 PM

Canada Post anybody?

I've been waiting for a bunch of parts to come in, and I still have no tracking on their page. It is always like that, no matter what I have ordered or how long I have waited. The only time my tracking number has worked is after a package has been delivered.

HAL9000

01-07-2008, 02:51 PM

LOL.. yup... I usually see the initial Canada Post pick up, then nothing until delivery.

EzyStvy

01-07-2008, 03:04 PM

I had a job offer delivered via fed-x...They put it on my back patio....It was out there for several days till I accidently found it...Good thing I didn't like the offer cause I missed the deadline:)

Then there was the time I called Fed-x. Guy asked how he could help. Told him I sent some disks to a client and that the client said she can see tire tracks across it and needless to say the disks were shot....Poor guy, I could tell he was waiting for me to drop the hammer on him...Told him I didn't mind resending the disks but that I didn't want to pay twice. He said Is that ALL you want...NO PROBELM...

blue60007

01-07-2008, 03:26 PM

Whooops! See - they do throw packages out the truck. Musta had to stop on the interestate and go back and pick some up.

Like I said I don't have any major complaints with either. Once UPS stuck a box in the mailbox, which happens to be 1/4 mile away. That was a bit annoying...

juppy

01-08-2008, 02:34 AM

The only time my tracking number has worked is after a package has been delivered.
Heheh....and then it's oh so useful, huh? :D Like the proverbial "shutting the barn door after the horse is already out".

David M

01-08-2008, 10:46 AM

Has anyone used DHL? They seem to be competitors to UPS and FedEx now.

glc

01-08-2008, 11:58 AM

DHL is either very good or very bad, with bad seeming to be more common from what I hear. I think Dell is the only thing that's keeping them in business.

DHL in Joplin is excellent - or at least the driver on my route is. She shows up around 9am, if I'm not home she leaves me a tag and tries again about 4pm.

Lespaul20

01-08-2008, 12:11 PM

Is DHL structured different from UPS or FedEx? I see a lot of DHL vans with the drivers names on the side almost like it's a franchise sort of thing and I don't see many trucks making deliveries. I've got a few packaged from them and they seemed fine.

blue60007

01-08-2008, 12:39 PM

Ehh, not too crazy about DHL here...

TwoRails

01-10-2008, 08:48 PM

Never tried them, but I've never had the choice to pick em, either...

Petef56

01-10-2008, 10:38 PM

Haven't had too much experience dealing with FedEx lately, but one problem I have with UPS is that they will just leave the box at my door. They're too lazy to ring the bell.

I'm usually home, and will have my package just sitting outside cause I didn't know they delivered it till I check the website and tracking number.

Yeah, I know what you mean.
I think it depends upon the driver because most times they just drop off
the packages but ocasionally they ring my bell. I suggest you put up a small
sign saying... "Please Ring Bell after you drop off any packages. Thank You!"

I think the drivers are trying to make good time and if they ring the bell
they might feel obligated to stick around until you come to the door.
So my idea to put up that sign gives them the ok to drop, ring, and run.
It just might work.

Back to the topic: I prefer UPS for reliable and fast deliveries.

---pete---

shadowpr

01-10-2008, 11:49 PM

I might try that.

Actually, I'm waiting for a package that's being delivered by FedEx. I think I'm going to see how they handle the doorbell issue just so I can compare.

juppy

01-11-2008, 01:59 AM

I think we've only had DHL deliver a package to our house one time.....and that ONE time, well, they found the house alright and the package was in good condition so I can't really say much bad about them. Although.....with only being one time, I may have just gotten lucky too. :)

Strider

01-11-2008, 07:20 AM

I say UPS where I live (FedEx isn't bad though) and the only reason I think UPS is quicker is because they're located closer to my house. Although at times it drives me crazy when I see on UPS's website "Out For Delivery" stated at 4:30am and it still hasn't arrived at 6:00 pm, but I have to stop to realized that there are other boxes on the truck that are ahead of mine and I'm impatient person when it comes to waiting. :D

thunderhead666

01-11-2008, 12:16 PM

ups dont work on saturdays, lazy bums

TimPoet

01-13-2008, 12:49 AM

TwoRails

01-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Is that your impression of a FedEx delivery??? LOL :)

TimPoet

01-13-2008, 12:32 PM

Is that your impression of a FedEx delivery??? LOL :)
Hahaha,

Well, I was trying to submit a post from my supposedly smartphone, but the browser wonked out on me.

The intended post was gonna be:

You heard that FedEx and UPS were merging right? The new company name will be FedUp.

Aah, Hal, you beat me to the punchline!!! :D

TwoRails

01-13-2008, 12:34 PM

Ya, that's a funny line :)

Trent Steel

01-13-2008, 12:47 PM

Canada Post all the way.
I much prefer the option of dealing with USPS and Canada Post then either Fedex or UPS. Usually I have to pick it up at the local post office, but its right beside the grocery store, so it is not a problem.

Every single time I get something from UPS they charge me with brokerage fees, while the same type of package sent USPS/Canada Post does not get the fees. I do admit that I am never in a rush to get a package, if I want it now, I drive to a local store.

hitchface

01-13-2008, 03:17 PM

I've finally gotten my package of parts from Canada Post, and they still haven't updated the tracking page. Apparently, I've got a whole computer sitting in Burnaby right now...

Same thing with another part for a school computer. NCIX tells me it is delivered, but I get nothing on CPs tracking site.

Lame-0.

Ahura

01-14-2008, 04:12 AM

UPS is pretty good here. No experience w/ FedEx though, but from what the movie Cast Away advertises then FedEx should deliver, even if they missed the date by 2 years.

A lil bit out of topic, but I just want to rant about the USPS. I live pretty close to Newegg's CA warehouse; like an hr drive forth and back. This one time I sent a money order via USPS to the CA warehouse and guess how long it took for the thing to be delivered......5 business days. Was so pissed; it cost me a 30 dollars rebate deadline.

Despite how ridiculous USPS mailing service is, their parcel service is quite good. Best experience from them is 5 days early right before the weekend.

thunderhead666

01-14-2008, 01:01 PM

canada post? gett outta here...

TwoRails

01-14-2008, 08:10 PM

We have a good number of Canadian members :) - and they have shipping needs, too....

doubledragon5

01-14-2008, 08:58 PM

blue60007

01-14-2008, 10:01 PM

My sister inlaw works as a dispatcher/supervisor for UPS. Her boyfriend has on average 500 packages to deliver in one day..
Yep, and they got to get all the overnight shipments delivered, etc...

TwoRails

01-14-2008, 10:37 PM

Sounds like a good way to loss some weight, eh!?! All that running around and the like.

Ahura

01-14-2008, 11:11 PM

That is why the whip is created for the purpose of encouragement.

juppy

01-15-2008, 02:06 AM

A lil bit out of topic, but I just want to rant about the USPS. I live pretty close to Newegg's CA warehouse; like an hr drive forth and back. This one time I sent a money order via USPS to the CA warehouse and guess how long it took for the thing to be delivered......5 business days. Was so pissed; it cost me a 30 dollars rebate deadline.
Sounds like you've got the same problem we used to have here, before they finally realized their delivery plan was stupid. Where I live here in Enid, OK, it's a good 90 miles north of Oklahoma City. Anything we would mail to a local business here would go all the way to OKC to be sorted and then sent back up here to the business it was supposed to go to in the first place. And like you, it would take at least 3 or 4 days to mail something locally. Now they apparently sort out the local stuff at our post office here, because we don't get that delay anymore.

glc

01-15-2008, 02:59 AM

We had something similar up in IL - to mail something to the very next town over - a whole 3 miles - it went to West Suburban center, then to O'Hare, then back out to Northwest Suburban, then to the town. Took 4 days. Might as well just drive the 3 miles and mail it in the other town.

doubledragon5

01-15-2008, 03:03 AM

Sounds like a good way to loss some weight, eh!?! All that running around and the like.

Heck he goes to golds gym on his lunch hr..LOL

doubledragon5

01-15-2008, 03:04 AM

Sounds like a good way to loss some weight, eh!?! All that running around and the like.

Heck he goes to golds gym on his lunch hr..LOL

BigRed CC Dually

01-15-2008, 07:44 AM

;) now I know how he got the name DOUBLEdragon5 ;) Just kidding you a lil' bit :)

shadowpr

01-15-2008, 10:21 AM

Lol

HAL9000

01-15-2008, 11:48 AM

Actually it's because he doubles his truck over and puts it in the ditch.

TwoRails

01-15-2008, 10:02 PM

On the mail time thing: Once, while I lived in LA, I mailed myself a letter just for giggles and it took a whopping 8 days to get back to me!!

Ahura

01-16-2008, 01:53 AM

Ironic; the farther you send it, the faster it get there while the closer, the longer.

DHL just delivered and 2 days early too!
Too be I'm going to return it...

doubledragon5

01-16-2008, 05:17 PM

Actually it's because he doubles his truck over and puts it in the ditch.

Ya well I got that one beat.. I got stuck in the mud at a job site this morning.. My trailor tires were buried deep in the stuff today.. A lot different than when I was driving a freight truck.. Now it is construction, and man we get stuck alot.. Had to wait 3 hrs for the wrecker to come and pull me out..

TwoRails

01-18-2008, 09:37 PM

Ordered a power supply for my own box last weekend from Newegg. It got here yesterday, Thursday, by UPS. If FedEx was the delivery company, I would be expecting it next week. I like it as I go my rig up and running again :)

rjfvillarosa

05-01-2008, 04:37 PM

As a few of you know I am not a fan of NewEgg and I have trashed them on many occasions because of their appalling delivery charges. Last Wednesday (23rd of April) I was researching some parts and as usual I had a quick look on NewEgg just to see what they had on offer. I found everything I needed at excellent prices and a very good price for ground shipping via UPS. All credit to NewEgg (I take my hat off to you guys) I placed the order around lunch time here, early morning in California and by 4pm that day my order was processed, packed and had been picked up by UPS. (thank you NewEgg)
What I didn't realise was "ground" with UPS means tucking my parcel under one arm and a pack of sandwiches under the other arm of some hapless individual and telling the poor soul to walk from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, it took five days to get to Jacksonville.
Silly me, what part of "ground" delivery didn't I understand? Puerto Rico is an island, at some point this package has got to leave terra firma, unless of course you have a very stout pair of water proof walking shoes and a very long straw!!
My package has now been sat on the island for two days and is still not out for delivery, it has had an unloading scan and an import scan, but it is still sat in the depot.
I run my business from a my home so in effect my home address is a business address, no matter how many times I tell the brain dead no hoper of a delivery driver and inform UPS, my parcels still arrive around 8.00pm.
So here I sit again, waiting in the hope that my parcel might show up before the warranties expire.
Good on you NewEgg, your service was excellent and your prices very good.
UPS. Your a complete waste of space.
Non delivery of parcels on time should be a treasonable offence punishable by burning at the stake.:mad:

TimPoet

05-01-2008, 05:33 PM

Good on you NewEgg, your service was excellent and your prices very good.
UPS. Your a complete waste of space.
Non delivery of parcels on time should be a treasonable offence punishable by burning at the stake.:mad:
You forgot to mention the pulling out of fingernails and being drawn and quartered prior to burning. :D :rolleyes: :cool:

doubledragon5

05-01-2008, 06:10 PM

There such a waste, because their warehouse personal are part-time, and only start out at $7hr I know I worked for them before driving.. Also those package drivers make big $$$ as well.. My sister in law who works as a dispatcher (mentioned earlier) her boy friend who has worked for them for almost 20yrs makes over 100K a yrs..

TwoRails

05-01-2008, 09:26 PM

... What I didn't realise was "ground" with UPS means tucking my parcel under one arm and a pack of sandwiches under the other arm of some hapless individual and telling the poor soul to walk from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, it took five days to get to Jacksonville.

Silly me, what part of "ground" delivery didn't I understand? Puerto Rico is an island, at some point this package has got to leave terra firma, unless of course you have a very stout pair of water proof walking shoes and a very long straw!! ... Sorry 'bout the hassle, rjfvillarosa, but I have to admit that made me chuckle! ... maybe because that sounds like the thinking I go thru :)

rjfvillarosa

05-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Rails. I had to vent..:rolleyes:
I talked this job over with glc and Panama Red about three weeks ago on mIRC and I wanted the parts so I could get on with it. The parcel arrived about two hours ago and everything is there. Wireless Access Point, 8 port switch, print server and two wireless PCI cards.
The idea of this job is to maintain a LAN between the desktops but give them the choice to connect to either the local phone company DSL or the Hughesnet sat DSL without having to move any cables.

juppy

05-02-2008, 01:42 AM

My package has now been sat on the island for two days and is still not out for delivery, it has had an unloading scan and an import scan, but it is still sat in the depot.
UPS's tracking software definitely leaves alot to be desired. FedEx's tracker software will track a package all the way to my door, stop for stop. UPS though? It tracks it until it hits Dallas, Texas.....then it seems to just "sit there" for 2 days, until it shows up on my doorstep. Then you can check the tracker again and it shows all the additional stops it made over the past 2 days. Dallas to Tulsa, Tulsa to, I think, Stillwater, then Stillwater to us. Their tracker is a joke.