Angry buyer over choice of shipping method

[Throttlesteer]

Just curious to hear opinions on a recent transaction I had. A buyer has contacted me twice, angry that I decided to ship FedEx ground with signature confirmation and insurance. In fairness, I listed FedEx ground as the shipping method but didn't include the other two bits. I only charged $3 for shipping and the total ended up being over $12.

He's upset that it's taking 8 days to arrive and that he has to take off work to sign for the shipment (roughly $100 value). I explained that I don't sell a lot and took a bath on the shipping cost. Now I'm at risk of getting crappy feedback.

Is his issue legit?

[Econteachert205]

Can't he sign the sticky receipt thing and leave it on the door for FedEx?

[Peter_Spaeth]

For me USPS is far and away the best option and I typically won't do signature required for anything under $500. Not a huge deal though the guy should just chill and move on.

[ruth-gehrig]

Often on the buyers end, through Fedex website, that package can be redirected to a local FedEx retail location and he can get at his convenience.

[bnorth]

For a $100 item I would also be pissed if I had to sign for it. I wouldn't leave a negative though.

[perezfan]

Yes, he can call FedEx and redirect the package to his nearest "FedEx Office" location. It will add a couple days of transit time to the mix, but at least he won't need to miss a day's work to be physically present, and can sign for it + pick it up at his convenience.

I also agree that regular US Mail is by far the best for these types of shipments. FedEx is next, and UPS is a distant 3rd. With UPS you have to labor through their 3 futile yet mandatory delivery attempts, after which you'll have to drive forever to their nearest warehouse. And when you finally have it in-hand, it is most likely beaten to hell.

[rats60]

You really should ask people before you ship Fed Ex. For me I have to have someone wait at the house all day and hope the driver can find my house. Otherwise, I have to drive 1 1/2 round trip to pick up the item. They don't have the number of locations that UPS has. Their drivers are independent contractors and can deliver the item or not. They have fewer deliveries and have to cover more area and often are not familiar with the area they are delivering to. I too would be pissed if someone did that with a 100.00 card. Send USPS insured with signature confirmation or UPS.

[Thromdog]

As soon as an auction house sends the FedEx number and it shows in transit, I have them redirect it to the Walgreens by my house. Very easy.....

[pokerplyr80]

You also have the option to pick it up at your local fed ex office if you can't be home for delivery. $100 is a little low to require a signature, but you're just trying to protect yourself. Guys like your customer are why I dont like selling cards on my own. Especially lower value cards. Too much of a hassle. I would tell him to refuse delivery and cancel the transaction.

[bensie]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Often on the buyers end, through Fedex website, that package can be redirected to a local FedEx retail location and he can get at his convenience.

Yup, the buyer is a choad. FedEx is the best since you can have them deliver to Walgreens, your local grocery store, etc, and then pick up whenever. I divert mine too the Walgreens that's open late so I can go grab them after my day is done.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

You also have the option to pick it up at your local fed ex office if you can't be home for delivery. $100 is a little low to require a signature, but you're just trying to protect yourself. Guys like your customer are why I dont like selling cards on my own. Especially lower value cards. Too much of a hassle. I would tell him to refuse delivery and cancel the transaction.

That would be great IF you have a local Fed Ex location. My closest Fed Ex is 90 miles away. IMHO the seller caused the problem by adding the signature without advertising it on such a low priced card.

[Marchillo]

I bought 200 card savers (yes 1 box) that had to be signed for via FedEx. Lucky for me, mine is 15 minutes away and was just an annoying inconvenience. That being said I didn’t say anything to the seller and wouldn’t leave a neg. but if it were 90 minutes away I’d be really annoyed.

[frankbmd]

A recent Fedex delivery rattled my front door loudly. I was home and immediately went out to investigate. The package had been thrown at the front door. The driver was just getting in the truck and pulled away before I could complain.

I guess he was just running late and yes I do have a doorbell. I wonder whose signature he used.

[edjs]

Besides picking up at a FedEx location, you can pickup at Kroger, Albertsons, or Walgreens. Use the redirect and hold tool. Works great for me.

[ruth-gehrig]

And I was told by FedEx that "direct signature" doesn't really exist because anyone at that address can sign for it. I had always previously thought direct signature was for a specific person.

Frank you should check online with the delivery confirmation number and see who "signed" for it. I had a consignment sent to an auction house with direct signature required which was signed for by someone else. I panicked thinking it was delivered to wrong address. Luckily auction house quickly relieved my anxiety

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by bnorth

That would be great IF you have a local Fed Ex location. My closest Fed Ex is 90 miles away. IMHO the seller caused the problem by adding the signature without advertising it on such a low priced card.

I hadn't thought of that. However if you live in the sticks and a seller has listed fedex as their shipping method I feel it's on the buyer to say they would prefer USPS.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

For me USPS is far and away the best option and I typically won't do signature required for anything under $500. Not a huge deal though the guy should just chill and move on.

Originally Posted by bnorth

For a $100 item I would also be pissed if I had to sign for it. I wouldn't leave a negative though.

I agree with both of these, and with Jeff. Though I realize I'm lucky to have a pickup spot so close to my house.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Yes, he can call FedEx and redirect the package to his nearest "FedEx Office" location. It will add a couple days of transit time to the mix, but at least he won't need to miss a day's work to be physically present, and can sign for it + pick it up at his convenience.

I also agree that regular US Mail is by far the best for these types of shipments. FedEx is next, and UPS is a distant 3rd. With UPS you have to labor through their 3 futile yet mandatory delivery attempts, after which you'll have to drive forever to their nearest warehouse. And when you finally have it in-hand, it is most likely beaten to hell.

In my area there generally isn't any additional wait if I change the delivery location. Once I had to leave the day a Fedex package was to arrive and I just got online and changed the location to a nearby Walgreens and they had it there by 3:00pm the same day, and I only had to walk a few blocks.

UPS now delivers to a nearby locker facility if I miss the delivery. I don't even get the option of making that long slog out to the warehouse.

If someone ships USPS with signature required, it's the worst of the three - If I miss delivery I have to go to my local post office which is about ten miles away and it isn't there until the next morning. In addition, the line is always horrible and they frequently say that it isn't there, which requires that I get a manager and prove that it's there somewhere - they always eventually find the package, but it's a postal mentality.

Given that it's 2018, I don't see why each of the three can't figure out a way to give their customers an accurate and small delivery window.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I hadn't thought of that. However if you live in the sticks and a seller has listed fedex as their shipping method I feel it's on the buyer to say they would prefer USPS.

I live in a town of 33k. I wouldn't exactly call that the sticks. We have UPS and quite a few drivers/routes. Fed Ex just doesn't have enough business. They have 1 driver servicing multiple cities. My irritation is the driver turnover and drivers that can't find an address in the middle of a city with today's technology. I have had the same UPS driver for 25 years.

[Huysmans]

As a Canadian, anything bought from the US that is sent FedEx or UPS faces additional charges for crossing the border, fees that are NEVER incurred if the item is shipped USPS.
Additionally, I used to live in a city of just under a million people, and the pick-up locations for both couriers were at least a half hour drive. The packages also never arrived without some damage or wear-and-tear. So I learnt my lesson... any seller that insists on using those couriers.... I refuse to do business with.

[jrawlsian]

I wouldn't worry about requiring a signature on a $100 item. It's not unreasonable since there are so many ways to redirect packages. However, it's probably best practice to provide multiple shipping options.