UPS and FedEx

[TwoRails]

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]

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]

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.

[Nuclear Krusader]

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]

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]

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]

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

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by XenaWP ... 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

Originally Posted by shadowpr 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...

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader ... 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.

Originally Posted by HAL9000 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

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 ... 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]

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]

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

[dogdude16]

Originally Posted by shadowpr 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.

[doubledragon5]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 You heard that FedEx and UPS were merging right? The new company name will be FedUp.

LOL!!! so true

[TwoRails]

Ya, that's a good one

[blue60007]

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]

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]

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

[Hi Ho]

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]

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.

[hitchface]

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]

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

[EzyStvy]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by hitchface The only time my tracking number has worked is after a package has been delivered.

Heheh....and then it's oh so useful, huh? Like the proverbial "shutting the barn door after the horse is already out".

[David M]

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

[glc]

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]

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]

Ehh, not too crazy about DHL here...

[TwoRails]

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

[Petef56]

Originally Posted by shadowpr 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]

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.