Beware - FedEx PSA Deliveries

[isiahfan]

I have just started to send in submissions to PSA again after about a 15 year grading hiatus. My second order was scheduled to arrive last Thursday....when it showed up for delivery I had stepped out and was left a slip that noted delivery would be attemptempted the next day. So Friday rolls around and the same FedEx driver walks up my driveway, bends over and take a picture of a package (not mine) on my porch (still with his hand holding the package), snaps it back up and go to his car.

The driver never rang the bell/knocked on my door or actually left
package or note. I saw the Ring notification and went to his truck as he was getting ready to drive away...asked him what's up (at this time I hadn't seen the shady pic taking...just was notified he walked up and I didn't see a package). The driver said he couldn't find the package, but that he's at the end of his shift (my block is like the last on his route) and would look for it and return if he did indeed find it...and I asked what happens if he doesn't......lots of babbling and nonsense ensued...when I suggested he go back and look for it again. After about 10 minutes of rumbling around in the back of his truck he emerged with a small (five card) pakage for me. He told me not to worry this sometimes happens and drove off.

Has this kind of BS happened to others? I shared this story with many collector friends and heard this is becoming more frequent...which I believe reading the board horror stories here a well. Are there other options for pick up or delivery? This was a minorish value package (~$5K), but I have a larger 70 item package coming back in about a month worth well into six figures.

Oh...I also have the video of the fake delivery and me chasing to his car all on a one minute long Ring video...I am debating on going into FedEx to talk to the head honcho or someone to share my concerns...thoughts?

[raulus]

You can go onto the Fedex website and just have them hold the package at their distribution facility. I always opt for this option, just because it makes it easier to manage the delivery by controlling when it happens, and making sure that it doesn't get "lost" in transit.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

I have just started to send in submissions to PSA again after about a 15 year grading hiatus. My second order was scheduled to arrive last Thursday....when it showed up for delivery I had stepped out and was left a slip that noted delivery would be attemptempted the next day. So Friday rolls around and the same FedEx driver walks up my driveway, bends over and take a picture of a package (not mine) on my porch (still with his hand holding the package), snaps it back up and go to his car.

The driver never rang the bell/knocked on my door or actually left
package or note. I saw the Ring notification and went to his truck as he was getting ready to drive away...asked him what's up (at this time I hadn't seen the shady pic taking...just was notified he walked up and I didn't see a package). The driver said he couldn't find the package, but that he's at the end of his shift (my block is like the last on his route) and would look for it and return if he did indeed find it...and I asked what happens if he doesn't......lots of babbling and nonsense ensued...when I suggested he go back and look for it again. After about 10 minutes of rumbling around in the back of his truck he emerged with a small (five card) pakage for me. He told me not to worry this sometimes happens and drove off.

Has this kind of BS happened to others? I shared this story with many collector friends and heard this is becoming more frequent...which I believe reading the board horror stories here a well. Are there other options for pick up or delivery? This was a minorish value package (~$5K), but I have a larger 70 item package coming back in about a month worth well into six figures.

Oh...I also have the video of the fake delivery and me chasing to his car all on a one minute long Ring video...I am debating on going into FedEx to talk to the head honcho or someone to share my concerns...thoughts?

I am sure yours wasn't the first time and seriously doubt it will be the last time the driver does that. It is more do you want to ignore it or try to stop it? I would send a copy of the video to FedEx. Maybe they do something and maybe they don't but I couldn't let some POS thief keep on robbing people without at least trying.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

Oh...I also have the video of the fake delivery and me chasing to his car all on a one minute long Ring video...I am debating on going into FedEx to talk to the head honcho or someone to share my concerns...thoughts?

This is the no-brainer of the year so far. OF COURSE you NEED to report this! Why go to the trouble of warning people about this behavior, if you're not willing to spend a little effort and get one of these Fedex thieves booted?

We're all in this together. Thieves need to be caught and punished whenever and wherever they are found. And besides, he's your driver. The next package he steals might be another one of yours. Especially now that he knows you receive worthwhile stuff.

[nwobhm]

Maybe post it on youtube instead. Let FedEx reach out to you after a million or so view it.

[ClementeFanOh]

1) YES, report it.

2) Curb your expectations that they will care. I will slam Fedex to anyone
willing to listen, they are an atrocity and my LAST choice for delivery.
They remain the only package delivery company I know, who are
doggedly opposed to delivering packages.

3) Someone mentioned the idea of taking the step of holding the package
at a Fedex warehouse. Beware that idea! It's impossible to reach anyone
by phone at such a place, and it's their job to deliver the package- that's
why you are paying them!

4) Given current major delivery choices, USPS has consistently been the best
servant. If that's not good enough, especially with such a high dollar
shipment pending, I'd suggest contacting PSA for another arrangement.
Maybe a private service? It'd cost more but perhaps be better for peace
of mind- maybe? You wouldn't be the first to make such a request.

5) Don't use Fedex!

Trent King

[raulus]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

3) Someone mentioned the idea of taking the step of holding the package
at a Fedex warehouse. Beware that idea! It's impossible to reach anyone
by phone at such a place, and it's their job to deliver the package- that's
why you are paying them!

Trent - my experience is that these packages require a signature. I don’t work from home, and my wife hates to answer the door, assuming she is home. So it’s a hassle to actually get it delivered with the signature. Much more convenient to just pick it up. My local distribution site does answer the phone and delivers great service, and I’ve used this option scores of times for PSA deliveries. Apparently you’ve had some bad experiences, which sounds like it has soured you on FedEx.

[RayW]

FedEx is one of the worst delivery services.

I have received an empty opened package. Packages delivered to the wrong house, which was obvious from the picture.

FedEx employees are poorly paid. My UPS driver, who I know on a first name basis, told me any decent FedEx employee would end up at UPS making six figures.

Most FedEx Ground drivers are contract employees.

[hammertime]

Yes FedEx is complete trash. Can't believe PSA uses them by default.

[chalupacollects]

He was def trying to steal the package…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by raulus

Trent - my experience is that these packages require a signature. I don’t work from home, and my wife hates to answer the door, assuming she is home. So it’s a hassle to actually get it delivered with the signature. Much more convenient to just pick it up. My local distribution site does answer the phone and delivers great service, and I’ve used this option scores of times for PSA deliveries. Apparently you’ve had some bad experiences, which sounds like it has soured you on FedEx.

Yeah...they do require signature which made the whole situation more weird...and yes.... I will go down to the office Wednesdayto show them the video.

I will look into the "hold" options as well when I visit.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I am sure yours wasn't the first time and seriously doubt it will be the last time the driver does that. It is more do you want to ignore it or try to stop it? I would send a copy of the video to FedEx. Maybe they do something and maybe they don't but I couldn't let some POS thief keep on robbing people without at least trying.

+1

If that video shows all those actions, I'd definitely let FedEx know and also request that they send you a report on their investigation. This is just horse shit. Perhaps let PSA know about this because this also concerns them. If they can't rely on their delivery service, then that is an issue for them.

[notfast]

Fed ex is the absolute worst. Psa should offer options like sgc does

I’ve found that having item held at local fed ex store is the best option. I’ve had no issues besides a day delay here and there doing so.

I would never have it held at a warehouse. Walgreens is a better option than that.

[jjbond]

What might be more likely is that these drivers have high quotas and risk losing their jobs if they don't deliver everything by a deadline.

I had a USPS package that required a signature. The driver ended up marking it delivered, and signing my name to it. But he didn't show up with the package.

Hours later he arrived, and explained the deadline issue. I was freaking out about it being fraudulently signed for (and what sort of insurance claim could I ever make were it to go missing), but he insisted that his plan was to hand-deliver it to me later that night. Which he did. Didn't make me happy though.

I'm not saying this is appropriate behavior (which CLEARLY it isn't), but I think the system is flawed, and while the drivers actions are wrong, maybe they are trying to do their best?

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by jjbond

What might be more likely is that these drivers have high quotas and risk losing their jobs if they don't deliver everything by a deadline.

I had a USPS package that required a signature. The driver ended up marking it delivered, and signing my name to it. But he didn't show up with the package.

Hours later he arrived, and explained the deadline issue. I was freaking out about it being fraudulently signed for (and what sort of insurance claim could I ever make were it to go missing), but he insisted that his plan was to hand-deliver it to me later that night. Which he did. Didn't make me happy though.

I'm not saying this is appropriate behavior (which CLEARLY it isn't), but I think the system is flawed, and while the drivers actions are wrong, maybe they are trying to do their best?

That would make some sense...if I wasn't literally among his last handful of stops at 6:30...and his route ends at 8.

[brunswickreeves]

Safest option is to keep custody of ownership limited to and within FedEx, by having the item shipped C/O recipient to the nearest FedEx specific ship center (not even to a store (eg Walgreens) with a FedEx locker). Best of luck.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

Safest option is to keep custody of ownership limited to and within FedEx, by having the item shipped C/O recipient to the nearest FedEx specific ship center (not even to a store (eg Walgreens) with a FedEx locker). Best of luck.

It seems like eBay authentication has fully transitioned from USPS to FedEx for the final delivery of "authenticated" items. I also prefer requesting will-call pick up at a FedEx location but when I click their tracking link to request this, it won't allow me to do so. Seemingly all the normal delivery options are blocked due to eBay's chosen mode of shipment.

FedEx has been a total disaster in my locale, especially since 2020ish. I've had drivers repeatedly leaving door tags without ever knocking/ringing. Conversely, I've had drivers leaving high value "signature required" packages on my street level doorstep, in plain site of an urban sidewalk. More recently, I've received 3, 4, 5 days' worth of FedEx "out for delivery" notifications with specific delivery windows, only to have my package end up back in their hub. I haven't had a single recent FedEx package arrive the first time it's "out for delivery".

On my last delivery from eBay Authentication, I decided to track the driver on FedEx's site. I watched him circle my house within 1-2 blocks for the much of their stated 10am-2pm window. Eventually, I got impatient and just walked a couple blocks till I saw a truck, flagged it down, requested and got my package. I have little faith the package would have been delivered that day.

USPS's service is 1000% better where I live. They have the key to gain access to our secure lobby/mail area, and our locked boxes. If they leave something, it's safe and 90%+, their deliveries are on time. I have no idea why eBay would switch from USPS to FedEx, but it now requires so much more effort to safely receive items.

[perezfan]

DON'T USE Fed-EX!

They badly damaged a gorgeous Spalding Trophy I won a few weeks ago from Hunt's. It is obvious Fed-Ex dropped it onto a hard surface with no regard for the "Fragile" markings.

Now I am stuck in an endless wait for compensation from Hunts. They say they are waiting for their claim with Fed-Ex to be resolved.... But isn't it incumbent on Hunt's to provide compensation to the customer (and THEY subsequently duke it out with Fed-Ex for the Insurance claim?) It's beyond disappointing and frustrating.

Footnote: Worthless Fed-Ex managed to destroy an even better Trophy that I won from Heritage a couple years back. It was one of the actual Rookie Stars Top-Hat/Batter Trophies you see on cards like the McCovey Rookie, '65 Oliva, '66 Perez, '68 Carew, '68 Seaver, etc. Despite Fed-Ex' miserable incompetence, Heritage refunded me immediately.

[robw1959]

I have had opposite experiences. Sure, I can recall one time that FedEx left a package that was supposed to be signed for, but other than that, they have been completely reliable. Tags are always there when I'm not at home, and I can opt for them to hang onto my packages at either of two of their local shipment stores in my area. On the other hand,

I have had to opt for all UPS packages to be held at their local center, simply because they very seldom have done the right thing regarding signature-required deliveries. Much more often than not they have just left expensive grading packages on my front door step even though they should have been signed for.

Neither has done anything shady so far, at least in my experience. However, a recent Priority shipment from USPS has been lost in the mail. It was shipped on July 2nd, but never arrived. That is the one and only time a valuable box of card(s) of mine ever wound up lost in the mail.

[hammertime]

Whatever shipping method PSA uses isn't eligible for a vacation hold for some reason. I can usually make it work by letting them attempt delivery once or twice then rerouting it to my nearest Walgreens, but God help me if I ever go on vacation for 2 weeks or more. What's the point of a vacation hold if some things aren't eligible for it?

[JimStinson]

Best to avoid any reference to the words "sports", "Memorabilia", "autographs" or "baseball cards" on both the shipping and return address. I use usps priority mail and ship and receive at least 100 articles a week.
It's supposed to take 2-3 Business days and usually does. Occasionally something is misplaced or takes longer than expected but can't remember anything just coming up outright missing or stolen.
____________________
Always BUYING Vintage Autograph Collections
jim@stinsonsports.com

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Best to avoid any reference to the words "sports", "Memorabilia", "autographs" or "baseball cards" on both the shipping and return address. I use usps priority mail and ship and receive at least 100 articles a week.
It's supposed to take 2-3 Business days and usually does. Occasionally something is misplaced or takes longer than expected but can't remember anything just coming up outright missing or stolen.
[/email]

Why would they make you list contents on the outside of a domestically sent package? I can understand their wanting to know such info to prevent transport of prohibited items, but nothing describing contents needs to be on the shipment itself, does it? That's ridiculous if so.

I understand the need for this with international shipments for the sake of Customs. I cringe at using any of the terms you mention. In these situations, I strive to describe the contents honestly yet vaguely. "Cards". Tell me they're NOT cards! Tell me I'm being deceitful. I've had the courier companies call me up because of this. "You need to be more specific!" No, I don't. Send it through. Do your job. It asked for a description. I described it. If there weren't so many potential thieves among those handling my material, there would be no need for this game-playing. Whose fault is it?

Also, Registered Mail is no longer offered by Canada Post for international shipments, so that's out. Then, I could feel easier in more accurately describing contents. I asked why this was discontinued. "Too many things were getting lost." These were the actual words of a postal employee. Um, isn't that the antithesis of why people would use Registered Mail in the first place?!

I could use the terms "printed matter" or "ephemera" but never have. I'm afraid the latter term would soar over the heads of most Customs officials.

The couriers have often called me to ask for my full name. I like to use the initials of my first and middle names followed by my surname. "Customs wants a full name!". Funny how many hundreds of my shipments have passed through without issue. Also, U.L. Washington would like to have a word. His name was initials.

[NYYFan63]

Originally Posted by raulus

You can go onto the Fedex website and just have them hold the package at their distribution facility. I always opt for this option, just because it makes it easier to manage the delivery by controlling when it happens, and making sure that it doesn't get "lost" in transit.

I do the same. I’m fortunate I am close to a FedEx site and distribution center near me. This was I don’t have to wait all day for them to deliver to my house. They tend to deliver to the local FedEx office earlier than my house.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Exhibitman]

The Fed Ex driver who has handled the route by my office the last few years is a good one; never pulls any of the crap detailed above. That said, I agree with having Fed Ex hold an item at the facility and getting it yourself. You never know whether you are getting a sticky-fingered or just incompetent driver.

Ditto DHL. I had a miserable experience getting a rare card from Argentina. DHL delivered to a mailbox place near my office that was supposed to hold the package for me. Those morons held it alright...for about four hours, then gave it back to the driver. He in turn did not return it to the DHL locker but left it rattling around the back of the truck. I had to go to DHL multiple times, have a manager start a lost item search, etc. For about a day, it looked like the item went missing, until the jackass driver finally brought it in.

Even USPS you are at the mercy of the drivers. I had a Cy Young card shipped registered. I wasn't at work to sign for it so the probie driver left it on the truck rather than returning it to the PO after his route was done for the day. Took me a few days of worried activity to finally get the card, after i tracked down the probie on his route and had him go through the truck. At least the USPS takes breaches of rules as seriously as a heart attack when it comes to registered mail; they canned the probie.

[Yoda]

Having been victimized a couple of times, I would advise never to send a graded card in an envelope where the outline of a card is visible and it can be felt through the paper. Everyone but the dog catcher knows sports cards may be super valuable and the temptation is too great to resist. The behavior outlined by the op and others would not have been tolerated 25 years ago.
I am pursuing a claim with the USPS for non-delivery. Instead of a nice '47 Bond Bread Johnny Mize I received a torn and resealed envelope

[jbsports33]

Holding the package would have been the best option and you can just pick it up or get a FEDEX box or UPS box, maybe a USPS PO Box instead. These options are better! Good luck with the grades or your next submission. I just had a guy at my office from FedEx, and he did not know where to even go in the building, politely told him down the stairs, but not sure he understood as he was asking me to look at his screen – just be careful with all shipping!

[sb1]

All of the above are excellent ideas. Most items go "missing" while out for delivery or after showing delivered(lifted from the residence).

Most do NOT go missing during transit from one hub to another, with either UPS, Fex/EX or USPS. So anytime it can be held at a location or PO Box you are much better off.

I do not understand the reluctance of many AH's and ebay sellers who won't send to a PO Box, you have to provide plenty of ID and jump thru some hoops to get a PO Box at the post office. Now a postal mailbox on a storefront might not be as secure for incoming or for sellers to send to, but the regular PO Box is 100% the way to go. As a work around if a seller says no to a PO Box and demands UPS or Fed/EX give them the street address of your Post Office where the box is located and put your box number. UPS and Fed/Ex will both deliver right to them....

[isiahfan]

Quick update...

Well really nothing quick about it...no "HQ" in San Diego that I could find but will call a local office again after typing this to see...

Called FedEx three times and after pushing numerous buttons and asking for "representative" multiple times I was able to get to a person:

Call 1 - Explained the situation and was give the number to the local FedEx HQ....number was disconnected

Call 2 - Explained the situation and was and promptly disconnected (i.e., hung up on)

Call 3 - Explained the situation and was told by the representative (foreign - each time was foreign) to call back the same number and talk to a US representative...FOR REAL...I can't make this up and if my wife hadn't been listening I don't know if anyone would believe this...asked what would be different if I call the same number back as I had already gotten three non-local (offshore as she actually referred to herself as) representatives ...repeated this same conversation 4-5 times...literally...then she said OK...I will escalate this for you...took a formal complaint down and gave me a reference number. Supposedly I will get an email confirmation and it will be followed up on...at the end of the call she asked me to take a survey LOLOLOLOLOL

I also filed a complaint online explaining the details...this was about as bad as health insurance claim issues.

Stay tuned...

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

Quick update...

Well really nothing quick about it...no "HQ" in San Diego that I could find but will call a local office again after typing this to see...

Called FedEx three times and after pushing numerous buttons and asking for "representative" multiple times I was able to get to a person:

Call 1 - Explained the situation and was give the number to the local FedEx HQ....number was disconnected

Call 2 - Explained the situation and was and promptly disconnected (i.e., hung up on)

Call 3 - Explained the situation and was told by the representative (foreign - each time was foreign) to call back the same number and talk to a US representative...FOR REAL...I can't make this up and if my wife hadn't been listening I don't know if anyone would believe this...asked what would be different if I call the same number back as I had already gotten three non-local (offshore as she actually referred to herself as) representatives ...repeated this same conversation 4-5 times...literally...then she said OK...I will escalate this for you...took a formal complaint down and gave me a reference number. Supposedly I will get an email confirmation and it will be followed up on...at the end of the call she asked me to take a survey LOLOLOLOLOL

I also filed a complaint online explaining the details...this was about as bad as health insurance claim issues.

Stay tuned...

Maybe try to contact FedEx through Facebook or Twitter? Sometimes posting problems with a company through social media gets a response. Good luck.

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Maybe try to contact FedEx through Facebook or Twitter? Sometimes posting problems with a company through social media gets a response. Good luck.

That's the next step if the complaint isn't handled the way I would like or at all. I don't have any SM but will create a ghost account if need be.

[isiahfan]

Just called two local offices and basically told the same thing...need to call the 1-800-gofedex ....so as per above...will wait to see what comes of the complaint...if nothing within a week will be posting on some of their SM to get a response.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

I have just started to send in submissions to PSA again after about a 15 year grading hiatus. My second order was scheduled to arrive last Thursday....when it showed up for delivery I had stepped out and was left a slip that noted delivery would be attemptempted the next day. So Friday rolls around and the same FedEx driver walks up my driveway, bends over and take a picture of a package (not mine) on my porch (still with his hand holding the package), snaps it back up and go to his car.

The driver never rang the bell/knocked on my door or actually left
package or note. I saw the Ring notification and went to his truck as he was getting ready to drive away...asked him what's up (at this time I hadn't seen the shady pic taking...just was notified he walked up and I didn't see a package). The driver said he couldn't find the package, but that he's at the end of his shift (my block is like the last on his route) and would look for it and return if he did indeed find it...and I asked what happens if he doesn't......lots of babbling and nonsense ensued...when I suggested he go back and look for it again. After about 10 minutes of rumbling around in the back of his truck he emerged with a small (five card) pakage for me. He told me not to worry this sometimes happens and drove off.

Has this kind of BS happened to others? I shared this story with many collector friends and heard this is becoming more frequent...which I believe reading the board horror stories here a well. Are there other options for pick up or delivery? This was a minorish value package (~$5K), but I have a larger 70 item package coming back in about a month worth well into six figures.

Oh...I also have the video of the fake delivery and me chasing to his car all on a one minute long Ring video...I am debating on going into FedEx to talk to the head honcho or someone to share my concerns...thoughts?

Yes report it. Thanks for posting this story - seems like solid evidence of his intentions.

I like Nicolo's idea of having FedEx hold it for pick up. Just too busy to anticipate doing that on a regular basis, but I should do that for more expensive cards.

[isiahfan]

Ready to post the video along with the details of the incident and follow up interactions with FedEx.

As I have mentioned I am not on SM and not involved in any groups/forums other than this...what would you all suggest is the best place to post to get a response/visibility/exposure.

Or...even better...happy to share the video with anyone here that feels they will have better success with it!

TIA