"delivery exception - rescheduled for next business day" Fedex

[Randy_R]

GRRRRRR.... 

I've been waiting on a shipment of two Larrivees from Oregon.

The bank check I sent the seller on Dec-30 was lost in the mail. After two+ weeks I had to spend the better part of two afternoons at my bank getting a duplicate check to send the anxious seller. (next day he then received the origonal check which was postmarked Jan-15, 17 days after I personally handed it accross the counter to the postal clerk).

The two guitars were in the Fedex system in Nashville on Thursday which is 4 hours away, I thought I'd get them Friday. Friday they show up at Athens Georgia, an hour away (where the Fedex depot is for my area). They showed as "out for delivery" and signature required at 7:45am this morning. I've dutifully sat around the house all day waiting.

Now at 9pm, the fedex tracking web page shows them as "delivery exception - rescheduled for next business day" which will be Monday.

The guitars are a 1978 L-10 Deluxe and a 1989 C-19koa....

I need something to calm my nerves  :UND>

[LookingForLarri]

Randy

I feel your pain.  I went through a similar experience at Christmas.  Without starting a rant, I will never use Fedex again.  After staying on the phone with various people in the Fedex organization I found out I do not agree with their business practices regarding customer service.


I found that a few glasses of red wine along with some select numbers played on my forum guitar helped.

[Denis]

I need something to calm my nerves  :UND>

I guess playing another of you Larrivees doesn't help? :WNK>

Lord knows, you don't have enough of them :GRN>

[Randy_R]

I guess playing another of you Larrivees doesn't help? :WNK>

Lord knows, you don't have enough of them :GRN>

Denis,

yer right you know.

:GRN>

[woody b]

I was told that most of the FED-EX delivery drivers are independant contractors.  There's good ones and bad ones.  I believe normal procedure is to make deliveries to businesses first and then make the residential deliveries.  The driver has a certain number of days to make the delivery,  after it's on his truck.  I've managed to make friends with the drivers around here.  When they see a big(guitar) box with my name on it they bring it to me at work,  which is one of their earlier deliveries.  It's almost impossible for me to be home for a delivery.       When you do get your guitars see if the driver will give you his cell phone number.  The next time tracking info says "out for delivery"  call him,  see where he's at and go pick up your guitar.  I know you're upset about your guitars but if you'll be nice to the driver it will probably help with future deliveries. 

[D4ve]

Looks like you got yourself a couple of nice pieces there Randy
Good catch
Dave

[Randy_R]

I was told that most of the FED-EX delivery drivers are independant contractors.  There's good ones and bad ones.  I believe normal procedure is to make deliveries to businesses first and then make the residential deliveries.  The driver has a certain number of days to make the delivery,  after it's on his truck.  I've managed to make friends with the drivers around here.  When they see a big(guitar) box with my name on it they bring it to me at work,  which is one of their earlier deliveries.  It's almost impossible for me to be home for a delivery.       When you do get your guitars see if the driver will give you his cell phone number.  The next time tracking info says "out for delivery"  call him,  see where he's at and go pick up your guitar.  I know you're upset about your guitars but if you'll be nice to the driver it will probably help with future deliveries. 

hey Woody;

I think I know most of the regular UPS and Fedex drivers. I'll admit I haven't asked for their cell-phone numbers, but thats not a bad idea.

Fedex here is sometimes delivered by a uniformed Fedex driver in a Fedex truck, and sometimes by contractors, as you say. So they've told me, as well.

The UPS depot is about 25 miles away, the Fedex depot is about 70 miles away and lots of small towns in between. I've had Fedex show up late in the day, say 6pm'ish, but I don't think they've ever not made it at all before.

I'm going to chew on them a little bit once I talk to the driver on Monday. I work out of an office in my house, so home delivery is not a problem for me.

Yesterday, Saturday, was a beautiful, sunny day that almost hit 60degrees Fahrenheit. I had my motocycle parked in the driveway, ready to take a spin once the package, that never arrived, got here.   :<>

[pigtown]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but this is my understanding of Fedex.  There are 3 levels, Fedex Express, Ground, and Home Delivery.  The price and service descend in that order.  I think the independents may be limited to Home Delivery and/or Ground.  Not sure if UPS has independents, only have seen the regular "brownies."  My favorite delivery service is USPS Priority Insured.  The Postal Service isn't a high pressure "get it out in a hurry" hence throwing packages around type.  I've never had a problem with them, but have received damaged guitars from the others.  You can add proof of delivery, signature required, and they'll hold it at the post office for you too.  At least in this small town.

[Randy_R]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but this is my understanding of Fedex.  There are 3 levels, Fedex Express, Ground, and Home Delivery.  The price and service descend in that order.  I think the independents may be limited to Home Delivery and/or Ground.  Not sure if UPS has independents, only have seen the regular "brownies."  My favorite delivery service is USPS Priority Insured.  The Postal Service isn't a high pressure "get it out in a hurry" hence throwing packages around type.  I've never had a problem with them, but have received damaged guitars from the others.  You can add proof of delivery, signature required, and they'll hold it at the post office for you too.  At least in this small town.

This was flagged "home delivery"..

[woody b]

This was flagged "home delivery"..

I've got bad news.  Fed-Ex Home Delivery runs from Tuesday to Saturday,  no Monday deliveries.   
http://www.fedex.com/us/services/us/homedelivery.html

[Randy_R]

I've got bad news.  Fed-Ex Home Delivery runs from Tuesday to Saturday,  no Monday deliveries.   
http://www.fedex.com/us/services/us/homedelivery.html

:<> :huh:

As Denis recommended.. I just played the twin C-19 to the koa thats in transit (I'm trying to be polite).
That made me feel better. I'm going over to a friend's house this evening and then to an open mic venue for dinner and and to play a set. I should work up a new song for tonight. that will get my mind off the Fedex delivery hassles.

[Denis]

:<> :huh:

As Denis recommended.. I just played the twin C-19 to the koa thats in transit (I'm trying to be polite).
That made me feel better. I'm going over to a friend's house this evening and then to an open mic venue for dinner and and to play a set. I should work up a new song for tonight. that will get my mind off the Fedex delivery hassles.

Right, now take two parlors and call me in the morning

[WVUBAMA]

One thing is always keep in mind about FEDEX - they will not cover any insurance claim to a guitar over 20 years old, even if you insured it.
New rules, it's on the FEDEX site.

[Randy_R]

One thing is always keep in mind about FEDEX - they will not cover any insurance claim to a guitar over 20 years old, even if you insured it.
New rules, it's on the FEDEX site.

I'm going to post a rule on my web site about Fedex. It will say, if they break my guitar, I'll see you in court.

[pigtown]

I'm going to post a rule on my web site about Fedex. It will say, if they break my guitar, I'll see you in court.

And that's what it might take.  I went back and forth with them about $150 in damage which clearly was done in transit.  It was even packed by one of their "stores" so if the damage was pre-existent it would have been seen.  Got 2 denial of claims, and I wasn't letting go.  On the last phone message I left on a recorder I said "don't make me go down to small claims court here" and I got a message back that the claim should have been filed by the "store" or agent.  Had the check soon afterward.  I think they want you to go away and only the persistent will succeed.  Boy I like USPS Priority Insured.

[Randy_R]

I need to bring this thread to a close.

The two guitars were delivered at 1pm today, in good condition. So all the angst must have worked   :WNK> thanks.  :mellow:

I had to call Fedex when the guitars did NOT show as out for delivery by 10am. The Fedex customer service got someone from the warehouse where they were sitting on the phone and said they would see what they could do and would call me back. 30 minutes later I had a call that they had been put on a regular Fedex truck and I should have them within 3 hours. 2+ hours later, they were delivered.

I let the cases sit outside the boxes for 3 hours and then opened them up. About 50F outside today.

I'll write a thread on the guitars when I get some time later. Some interesting pieces.

I feel like celebrating by playing a bit this evening...

[LookingForLarri]

Great to hear a good ending to your story,

Congrats Randy and enjoy the evening